Husband and I are planning our first trip to Turkey/Greece for 9/10 days in April (leave on a friday night, return on Sunday)...really would like to see Santorini as well. Is this doable? Do you suggest flying into Istanbul, then Istanbul to Athens, and Athens home, or is there a better option I'm not thinking of? Thanks!
Posted by
Atlanta
3262 posts
I haven't done both in the same trip but when I tried to plan for Greece and Turkey for a 15-day trip I decided to just go to Turkey. I'd pick one or the other. It will be a more relaxed trip!
Posted by
Iowa
38 posts
No it is not enough time.
Posted by
Honolulu/Seattle, HI/WA, USA
2788 posts
I spent 9 days in Istanbul in May/June of this year and still did not see it all.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3143 posts
"leave on a friday night, return on Sunday".......you don't get to IST until Saturday, which means you really only have 8 days, but realistically only 7 since you have to be back at the airport on Sunday. Both Athens and Istanbul take a minimum of 3 full days each just to scratch the surface. Fitting Santorini into such a tight timeline will be very difficult. And be sure you don't plan this for Greek Easter weekend, April 23-24! Your idea of flying 'open jaw' into Istanbul and out of Athens is the best way to go, but you'll still have to fly from Athens to Santorini as well, meaning you'll be passing in and out of the Athens Airport three times, assuming you can make the proper connections and save Athens for your last days so you don't have to scramble back to the mainland at the last moment for the flight home.
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
Here's what you'd have to do: Friday, depart US; Saturday midday, arrive Istanbul; 1/2 Saturday plus Sunday & Monday, sightsee Istanbul; Tuesday AM, fly to Athens, arrive midday; 1/2 Tuesday plus Wednesday, sightsee Athens; Thursday AM, fly to Santorini; 1/2 Thursday plus Friday and 1/2 Saturday, sightsee Santorini; Saturday PM, fly back to Athens; Sunday AM, return flight to US. It CAN be done, but to me this itinerary would be too much like The Amazing Race.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3143 posts
The country's not shut down for Greek Easter. Just understand that all hotels, ferries, rental cars and planes are booked up solid for a few days before until a few days after that weekend. It's the busiest week of the year for Greeks returning home for the holidays. If you book well in advance and have confirmed reservations you'll be fine.
Posted by
OP
San Francisco, CA
180 posts
Thank you guys so much! You're right, once we sat down and tried to plan it out, it is too much. We're thinking of just going to Greece instead, that way we could drive some of the Peloponnese. Will the whole country be shut down for Greek Easter? Or is it just more expensive?