Dreaming of a Road Trip: Alanya to Istanbul (Inspired by Halalbooking)

 

       

     

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Dreaming of a Road Trip: Alanya to Istanbul (Inspired by Halalbooking)

Some people celebrate a new driving license by going to the supermarket without getting lost.
My friend? He suggests driving across Türkiye.

We’re not on the road yet — this is still just a “what if” plan, half WhatsApp brainstorming and half Google Maps zooming. But the more we talk about it, the more we think: maybe this isn’t so impossible.

Why This Route?

We’ll be flying from Jeddah to Alanya Airport (Gazipaşa) instead of straight to Istanbul, because we want to take the scenic route north.
We even thought about renting a motorhome — until we saw the prices. That dream evaporated faster than a glass of hot çay in the Turkish sun. So, we’re going for a rental car instead, picked up in Alanya and returned in Istanbul.

Our route is inspired by the ‘Alanya–Istanbul’ road trip featured  on Halalbooking’s blog, which beautifully outlines the journey from Alanya all the way to Istanbul. It includes our exact sequence of stops — with hidden gems like Tınaztepe Caves and Sultanhan Caravanserai — along with halal-friendly hotel suggestions and realistic driving times.

The (Still-Imaginary) Itinerary with Distances

Day 1: Alanya → Manavgat – Approx. 65 km / 1 hour

• Land at Gazipaşa–Alanya Airport.
• Collect the rental car and explore Alanya Castle and Cleopatra Beach before heading to Manavgat.
• Optional stop at Manavgat Waterfall.
• Overnight in Manavgat.

Halalbooking tip: Alanya has some gorgeous alcohol-free resorts with ladies-only pool areas — worth checking if you want to start the trip with a little seaside relaxation.

Day 2: Manavgat → Tınaztepe Caves → Beyşehir – Approx. 270 km / 4.5 hours

• Morning drive to Tınaztepe Caves, one of Türkiye’s longest caves.
• Continue to Beyşehir, famous for its lake and Eşrefoğlu Mosque.
• Overnight in Beyşehir.

Day 3: Beyşehir → Konya – Approx. 90 km / 1.5 hours

• Short drive to Konya, spiritual city of the Whirling Dervishes. I can’t promise we’ll whirl gracefully, but we’ll try.

• Visit Mevlana Museum and taste etli ekmek.
• Overnight in Konya.

Day 4: Konya → Sultanhan Caravanserai → Ihlara Valley → Cappadocia – Approx. 290 km / 4.5 hours

• First stop at Sultanhan Caravanserai — a historic Silk Road stop.
• Walk through Ihlara Valley, known for its lush scenery and cave churches.
• Arrive in Cappadocia by evening.
• Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 5: Cappadocia – Local travel only

• Full day exploring Göreme, underground cities, and fairy chimneys— basically, a geography textbook came to life.

• Hot air balloon at sunrise (if we find the courage)
• Overnight in Cappadocia.

Halalbooking tip: If you ever stay here, look for cave hotels — many have private pools you can book for family use.

Day 6: Cappadocia → Salt Lake → Ankara – Approx. 330 km / 4.5 hours

• Stop at Tuz Gölü (Salt Lake) for surreal landscapes.
• Continue to Ankara  where history meets modern Türkiye.
• Sightseeing at Anıtkabir and the old castle district.
• Overnight in Ankara.

Day 7: Ankara → Kızılcahamam – Approx. 80 km / 1 hour

• Short drive to Kızılcahamam, known for its hot springs, mountain air, pine-covered hills, and maybe a picnic if the weather’s kind.
• Overnight in Kızılcahamam.

Day 8: Kızılcahamam → Safranbolu – Approx. 150 km / 2.5 hours

• UNESCO World Heritage town with Ottoman-era houses and cobblestone streets.
• Taste Safranbolu’s saffron-flavored Turkish delight or Haci Erol Kebap - famous for lahmacun and grilled dishes.
• Overnight in Safranbolu.

Day 9: Safranbolu → Zonguldak → Ereğli → Akçakoca – Approx. 270 km / 4.5 hours

• Follow the Black Sea coast — just us, the sea breeze, and possibly too many roadside tea breaks.
• Stopping in Zonguldak, Ereğli, and Akçakoca for small-town charm and sea views.
• Overnight in Akçakoca.

Day 10: Akçakoca → Istanbul – Approx. 230 km / 3.5 hours

• Final stretch to Istanbul - end in the city where East meets West.
• Return the rental car  and maybe extend our stay to wander through the Grand Bazaar and take a Bosphorus sunset cruise before the flight back to Jeddah. 

Why This Route is Special

This journey combines Mediterranean beaches, Silk Road history, fairy tale landscapes, spiritual heritage, and the Black Sea coast, all ending in the vibrant cultural capital of Türkiye. It’s not too rushed, but still full of variety.

Quick Reference Table: Distances, Drive Times, Fuel & Toll Estimates

*Fuel cost estimated at €1.55 per litre, 6.5 L/100 km average rental car consumption.
**Tolls based on major highway segments; small local tolls may apply.

Total distance: ~1,775 km
Estimated total fuel: ~€191
Estimated total tolls: ~€7

Map of Our Planned Route

Map courtesy of Halalbooking.com

A Gentle Reminder

We know travel is a privilege, and not everyone gets the chance to plan something like this. We’re grateful even to be talking about it. Whether it stays a dream or becomes reality, this route shows how much beauty lies between Türkiye’s famous cities.

If you’re ever planning something similar, the Halalbooking route guide is a great resource — especially for finding halal-friendly stays along the way.

And if we never go? Well, at least we’ll have a very impressive Google Maps history and a story that starts with: “So, we were planning a trip across Türkiye…”