10‑Day Turkey with Kids (December) — v2
Family‑friendly route with gentle pacing, indoor options for cold days, and 4★+ hotel suggestions. Cities: Istanbul → Cappadocia → Ephesus/Selçuk → Pamukkale → İzmir.
Table of Contents:
Day 1 — Istanbul: Bosphorus & Ortaköy ·
Day 2 — Old City essentials ·
Day 3 — Rahmi M. Koç Museum ·
Day 4 — Kadıköy & Princes’ Islands ·
Day 5 — Cappadocia: Göreme ·
Day 6 — Balloon window #1 + Devrent & Avanos ·
Day 7 — Balloon window #2 backup + Kaymaklı ·
Day 8 — Ephesus ·
Day 9 — Pamukkale ·
Day 10 — İzmir & fly home ·
Costs & Budget (RM)
Day 1 · Istanbul
Bosphorus cruise, Ortaköy waffles & bridge lights
Bosphorus Bridge at night (Istanbul)
Plan
- Arrive & check in (Karaköy/Sultanahmet base).
- Easy Bosphorus cruise (1–2 hrs, enclosed lower deck for warmth).
- Stop in Ortaköy for kumpir & waffles.
- Evening stroll to see the bridge light show.
Stroller note: flat piers & ferry terminals are pram‑friendly; bring a light blanket for wind.
4★+ stays: Novotel Istanbul Bosphorus (Karaköy) · Radisson Blu Pera · The Marmara Pera.
Day 2 · Istanbul
Old City icons — Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Basilica Cistern
Hagia Sophia exterior
Plan
- Early at Hagia Sophia (quietest first hour).
- Walk the square to Blue Mosque (short visit while kids run on the plaza).
- Basilica Cistern — moody columns, quick wow for kids.
- Tram or walk to Gülhane Park for a play break; optional Archaeology Museums (indoor, pram‑friendly).
Food nearby: pide & köfte houses along Sirkeci; many with high chairs.
Base tip: For Old City days, Sultanahmet hotels cut walking time with little ones.
Day 3 · Istanbul
Rahmi M. Koç Museum (transport & science) + Galata
Rahmi M. Koç Museum (Golden Horn)
Plan
- Hands‑on halls: vintage trams, planes, engines; optional submarine tour (age/height limits).
- Golden Horn ferry to Karaköy → Galata Tower streets (cafés & toy shops).
- Easy Tünel funicular back down.
Backup for rain: Istanbul Toy Museum (Göztepe) or SEA LIFE (Forum Istanbul).
4★+ stays: Pera Palace (heritage, 5★) · Radisson Blu Pera · Galata Boutique 4★ options.
Day 4 · Istanbul
Kadıköy food stroll & Princes’ Islands playtime
Kadıköy pier at sunset
Plan
- Ferry to Kadıköy Market — simit, baklava, Turkish delight tasting.
- Weather‑permitting boat to Büyükada (Princes’ Islands): rent bikes with child seats, seaside parks.
- Return for dinner at family‑friendly meyhanes (lots of mezes kids can try).
Stroller note: island promenades are flat; boats have indoor seating.
Fly tomorrow: Stay near IST or SAW if you prefer a short transfer in the morning.
Day 5 · Cappadocia
Fly to Kayseri/Nevşehir → Göreme Open‑Air Museum & sunset
Göreme Valley at golden hour
Plan
- Flight to ASR/NAV (1h15–1h30) + transfer to hotel (45–75 min).
- Göreme Open‑Air Museum (short, stunning cave churches; pram at entrance paths, carrier inside).
- Sunset from Red/Rose Valley viewpoint.
4★+ cave stays: Cappadocia Cave Suites · Kayakapi Premium Caves · Argos in Cappadocia (luxury 5★).
Day 6 · Cappadocia
Balloon window #1 (booked) + Devrent & Avanos
Devrent (Imagination) Valley
Plan
- Dawn hot‑air balloon flight (weather‑dependent; min. age usually 6; pregnancy not permitted).
- Late breakfast & rest.
- Walk Devrent Valley short paths (fun rock shapes) + Avanos pottery try‑out.
If the flight is cancelled, we’ll move it to Day 7 and do Zelve Open‑Air Museum or a cosy café instead.
Day 7 · Cappadocia → Izmir Region
Balloon window #2 (backup) + Kaymaklı Underground City
Kaymaklı Underground City
Plan
- Dawn balloon backup if Day 6 didn’t fly. If you already flew: watch from a viewpoint with cocoa.
- Kaymaklı Underground City (carriers, not strollers) + Uçhisar viewpoint.
- Afternoon/evening flight to Izmir and transfer to Selçuk/Kuşadası base.
4★+ stays (3N total Aegean): Korumar Ephesus Beach & Spa · DoubleTree by Hilton Kuşadası · Ayasoluk Hotel (Selçuk, boutique).
Day 8 · Ephesus
Ancient city highlights & Şirince village
Library of Celsus, Ephesus
Plan
- Ephesus: Upper Gate → Library → Great Theatre (carrier useful; uneven paths).
- Ephesus Museum (indoor) or House of the Virgin Mary.
- Late afternoon in Şirince (cobbled lanes; pomegranate juice stands).
Snack kit & sunhats even in winter — it can be bright and dry.
Day 9 · Pamukkale (day trip)
Travertine terraces & Hierapolis
Pamukkale travertine pools
Plan
- Drive ~3 hrs each way (Selçuk/Kuşadası ↔ Pamukkale) with breaks.
- Terrace boardwalks (no prams on some sections; hand‑carry toddlers or use carrier).
- Hierapolis ruins & Antique Pool (warm swim; bring towels & slippers).
Pack swimwear even in winter; changing rooms are warm indoors.
Day 10 · İzmir
Clock Tower, Kordon seafront & departure
İzmir Clock Tower, Konak Square
Plan
- Morning at Konak: Clock Tower + quick hop to Kemeraltı bazaar for gifts.
- Stroll or mini‑train along the Kordon waterfront.
- Head to ADB airport for flight home.
4★+ near the waterfront/center: Swissôtel Büyük Efes (5★) · Mövenpick İzmir (5★) · DoubleTree by Hilton Alsancak (4★).
Costs & Budget (RM)
Estimate for a Large Family — with International Flights
Assumptions for this example: 8 travelers (6 adults + 2 children), 10 nights (Istanbul 4N · Cappadocia 3N · Aegean 3N), 3 rooms (4★+), 2 private Cappadocia touring days + private Pamukkale day, Bosphorus ferry, some site entries, and 4 adults doing the balloon. Exchange rates used: €1 ≈ RM 4.94 (ECB, 8 Aug 2025); ₺1 ≈ RM 0.104 (mid‑market). International flights are Kuala Lumpur (KUL) ↔ Istanbul (IST).
Land Costs (group)
| Category | Assumptions | RM |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels (10 nights) | 4N @ RM750/room · 3N @ RM1050/room · 3N @ RM500/room · 3 rooms | 22,950 |
| Domestic flights (3 legs) | IST→ASR/NAV →ADB→IST ~ RM600 pp × 8 pax | 4,800 |
| Hot‑air balloon | 4 adults × €200 ≈ RM987.8 pp | 3,951 |
| Private vehicles/tours | Istanbul 2 days · Cappadocia 2 days · Pamukkale day | 5,570 |
| Bosphorus cruise (public ferry) | 8 pax | 320 |
| Entrance fees | 6 adults @ RM180 + 2 children @ RM60 | 1,200 |
| Meals | RM80/adult/day · RM40/child/day → RM560/day × 10 days | 5,600 |
| Airport & local transfers | 5 × private transfers ~ RM250 each | 1,250 |
| Subtotal — Land only | 45,641 | |
| Land per person (8 pax) | ≈ 5,705 | |
International Flights (KUL ↔ IST)
Recent fares show non‑stop round‑trips on Turkish Airlines often from ~MYR 1,988–2,411 outside peak; typical ranges across airlines are roughly RM 2,500–3,800 in economy depending on dates and stops. December is high season, so we budget higher. We’ll lock exacts on your dates.
| Scenario | Per Person | Group of 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Flights (low) | RM 2,300 | RM 18,400 |
| Flights (mid) | RM 3,000 | RM 24,000 |
| Flights (high) | RM 3,600 | RM 28,800 |
Grand Total (Land + International)
| Scenario | Per Person | Group of 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Low flights | ≈ RM 8,005 | ≈ RM 64,041 |
| Mid flights | ≈ RM 8,705 | ≈ RM 69,641 |
| High flights | ≈ RM 9,305 | ≈ RM 74,441 |
Notes: Balloons are weather‑dependent with age limits (often ≥6 years). We’ve reserved two dawn windows. Private vans include child seats on request. Prices are estimates; we’ll refine with live rates once you confirm headcount, rooming (e.g., 3 rooms vs family suites), and who plans to balloon.
Practical Notes
Logistics, Weather & Family Tips
- Domestic flights: IST/SAW → ASR/NAV (Cappadocia), then ASR/NAV → ADB (İzmir); final ADB → IST → home.
- Car seats: Pre‑book with transfer companies; taxis rarely have infant seats by default.
- Winter kit: 0–10 °C typical in Cappadocia mornings; Istanbul milder. Pack layers, beanies, rain covers for prams.
- Baby care: Malls & airports have feeding/changing rooms; pharmacies are signed “Eczane”.
- Food with kids: Meze spreads, pide, lentil soup, menemen, grilled fish — easy wins. Ask for “az acılı” (less spicy).
Need a version with your exact family size and named hotels? Tell me adults/kids/infants + bed setup and I’ll drop in live prices and room links.