Türkiye and Greece share the Aegean, a classical past and the early history of Christianity, and many travellers want both in one trip. For a group, combining them takes careful planning at the crossing point. Here is how we build Türkiye and Greece programmes.

Popular combinations

  • Classical world: Istanbul, Troy, Pergamon and Ephesus, then Athens, Delphi, Meteora and the Peloponnese (Mycenae, Epidaurus, Olympia).

  • Biblical journey: the Seven Churches and Ephesus in Türkiye, then Philippi, Thessaloniki, Athens and Corinth; see our guides to the Seven Churches of Revelation and the footsteps of Paul.

  • Istanbul and Athens: two great capitals with a few days in each, for shorter programmes.

Crossing between the two countries

By air

The simplest option: İzmir or Istanbul to Athens takes about an hour, with regular flights. The group flies in the morning and starts the Greek programme the same afternoon.

By ferry

Ferries link the Turkish coast with the nearby Greek islands, for example Kuşadası with Samos, Çeşme with Chios and Bodrum with Kos. They suit programmes that include an island, such as Patmos, but add a day and depend on seasonal timetables and the weather.

By road

Coaches can cross the land border at İpsala–Kipoi or near Edirne, on the road to Alexandroupoli and Thessaloniki, which suits programmes that continue to northern Greece and Philippi. Plan time for border formalities.

What changes at the border

  • Coaches and guides: local coaches and licensed guides work in their own country, so the group usually changes both at the crossing. We plan the hand-over so it feels seamless.

  • Visas: Greece is in the Schengen area. Check the requirements for both countries for every nationality in the group, especially for non-EU passports, and allow time for Schengen visas.

  • Currency and prices: the euro in Greece, the Turkish lira in Türkiye; we contract the whole programme in euros.

  • Luggage: on ferries, groups often handle their own luggage between coach and ship; we arrange porters where possible.

When to go

Spring and autumn suit both countries for sightseeing; summer is very hot at the sites and busy on the islands.

One contract with KAMPA

We run the Turkish part with our own team and the Greek part with long-standing local partners, coordinated from Istanbul: one programme, one contact and one invoice for the whole journey. See our Greece page or send us your idea through the form below.