1 Day & 1 Night Konya Tour from Istanbul By Plane
Overview
Konya was the capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum, and it’s where the poet Rumi lived, taught and was buried. This short trip flies you there from Istanbul, gives you a night in the city, and then spends a full day with an English-speaking guide at the places tied to Rumi and the Seljuk sultans.
The tour centers on the Mevlana Museum, where Rumi’s tomb sits beneath its green-tiled dome, and the Ottoman-era Sultan Selim Mosque next door. After a traditional Turkish lunch, you’ll climb Alaeddin Hill to the Alaeddin Mosque and the tombs of Seljuk sultans in its courtyard. Then you’ll pass the remains of the sultan’s palace and stop at the carved portal of the Karatay Madrasa. The day ends at the tomb of Şems-i Tebrizi, the companion and guide who inspired much of Rumi’s poetry.
Round-trip domestic flights are included, along with one night at a 4-star hotel in Konya with breakfast. Transfers in Konya, lunch on the tour day and entrance fees for the listed visits are included too. It’s a practical way to see central Anatolia’s spiritual center without giving up more than a day and a half of your Istanbul stay.
Highlights
- Fly from Istanbul to Konya for a night in the former Seljuk capital
- Visit the Mevlana Museum and see the tomb of Rumi under its green-tiled dome
- Step inside the Ottoman-era Sultan Selim Mosque beside the Mevlana Museum
- Enjoy an included lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant
- Follow Mevlana Caddesi to Alaeddin Hill and the Alaeddin Mosque
- See the tombs of Seljuk sultans in the Alaeddin Mosque courtyard
- Pass the remains of the Seljuk sultan’s palace and the carved portal of the Karatay Madrasa
- Pay your respects at the Mosque and Tomb of Şems-i Tebrizi, Rumi’s spiritual guide
Itinerary
Day 1Istanbul to Konya by Plane
Your trip starts with pickup from your Istanbul hotel and a transfer to Istanbul Airport for your domestic flight to Konya. The included pickup covers hotels on the European side of Istanbul only. Your flight leaves in the late afternoon or evening, depending on what's available when tickets are booked, so pickup timing follows your flight.
Keep your passport or photo ID handy for check-in and security. A small day bag makes airport transfers easier, and it's all you need for this short trip.
When you land in Konya, your driver will meet you at arrivals and take you to your hotel. Konya was the capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum, and you'll see its Seljuk-era sights on tomorrow's guided tour.
No meals are included today. After check-in, the evening is yours, and you can choose a local restaurant for dinner at your own expense.
- Overnight in Konya.
- Included Meal(s): None
Day 2Guided Konya Tour and Return Flight to Istanbul
After breakfast, you'll be picked up from your hotel at around 9:30 AM for your full-day guided tour of Konya. You'll start at the Mevlana Museum, home to the tomb of the poet and mystic Rumi beneath its green-tiled dome. Rumi died in Konya in 1273. His tomb is a place of pilgrimage for Muslims and draws admirers of his poetry from around the world.
Right next door is the Ottoman-era Sultan Selim Mosque, also known as the Selimiye Mosque. Lunch is included at a traditional Turkish restaurant, with drinks at your own expense.
After lunch, you'll follow Mevlana Caddesi, Konya's main boulevard, to Alaeddin Hill, a mound settled since prehistoric times. At the top stands the Seljuk-era Alaeddin Mosque, whose courtyard holds the tombs of several Seljuk sultans. Heading down the hill's northern slope, you'll pass the remains of the Seljuk sultan's palace. Across the street, you'll see the carved stone portal of the medieval Karatay Madrasa, a former theological college.
Your last stop is the Mosque and Tomb of Şems-i Tebrizi, Rumi's companion and spiritual guide and the inspiration for much of his poetry. Expect plenty of walking and standing today, so wear comfortable shoes and carry water, especially in summer.
At the end of the tour, you'll be transferred to Konya Airport for your evening flight back to Istanbul. You'll land at either Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen Airport, usually between 8:00 and 10:00 PM. Our services end when your flight arrives, and you'll arrange your own transfer from the airport to your Istanbul hotel.
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
Featured Hotels
Hand-picked hotels for your stay — view our featured options for each city.
Featured Hotels
Konya
Hilton Garden Inn Konya
4 Star
Hotel Balikcilar
4 Star
Novotel Konya
4 Star
Hotels are subject to availability; alternatives of an equal standard may be provided.
What's included
- Pickup from your Istanbul hotel and transfer to Istanbul Airport (hotels on the European side of Istanbul only)
- Domestic flight tickets: Istanbul to Konya and Konya to Istanbul
- Meeting by a driver at Konya Airport and transfer to your hotel
- 1 night of accommodation in total: 1 night in Konya at a 4-star hotel, with breakfast
- Hotel pickup in Konya and transfer to Konya Airport at the end of the tour
- English-speaking guide during the tour
- Meals as per itinerary: 1 breakfast and 1 lunch
- Entrance fees for the visits mentioned in the itinerary
- Service charges and local taxes
What's not included
- Transfer from Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen Airport to your Istanbul hotel after your return flight
- Optional tours mentioned in the program (available at an additional cost)
- Services not mentioned in the program
- Drinks with meals
- Travel insurance (recommended)
Good to know
- The order of the itinerary is indicative and may change, but all the visits described will take place.
- Your return flight from Konya may land at either Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen Airport, depending on flight availability when tickets are purchased.
- If you prefer a specific return airport in Istanbul, request it by email before you book. Changes requested after your booking is confirmed will incur an additional cost.
- The usual arrival time back in Istanbul is between 8:00 and 10:00 PM. If you're flying home the same day, book an onward flight departing from 12:30 AM onward.
- Our services end when your flight lands in Istanbul. You'll need to arrange your own transfer from the airport to your hotel.
- The included Istanbul hotel pickup applies to hotels on the European side of the city only.
- Modest dress is recommended when visiting mosques and Rumi's tomb.
- Mosques may close to visitors briefly during prayer times, especially Friday midday prayers, so your guide may adjust the order of visits.
- The Konya tour day involves a fair amount of walking and standing. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water and sun protection in warmer months.
- Check the baggage allowance on your domestic flight tickets and pack light for this one-night trip. Bring your passport or photo ID for the flights.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Konya tour from Istanbul by plane include?
It includes pickup from a European-side Istanbul hotel and a transfer to Istanbul Airport, plus round-trip domestic flights between Istanbul and Konya. You'll also get airport and hotel transfers in Konya, 1 night at a 4-star hotel with breakfast, a guided tour with lunch, and entrance fees for the listed visits.
What time is the flight from Istanbul to Konya?
The outbound flight leaves in the late afternoon or evening, depending on the flights available when tickets are booked. Your Istanbul hotel pickup is timed around that flight.
Which Istanbul airport will I return to?
Your return flight will land at either Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen Airport, depending on flight availability when tickets are purchased. If you prefer one airport, request it by email before booking. Changes after your booking is confirmed will cost extra.
Is the transfer from the Istanbul airport to my hotel included after the tour?
No. Our services end when your flight lands in Istanbul, and you'll arrange your own transfer from the airport to your hotel.
Can I catch an international flight home on the same day as the Konya tour?
The usual arrival time back in Istanbul is between 8:00 and 10:00 PM. If you're flying home the same day, book a flight departing from 12:30 AM onward to avoid missing it.
Is hotel pickup available on the Asian side of Istanbul?
The included pickup and transfer to Istanbul Airport covers hotels on the European side of Istanbul only. If you're staying elsewhere, contact us before booking.
Which hotel will I stay at in Konya?
You'll stay one night at a 4-star hotel in Konya, such as the Hilton Garden Inn Konya or the Novotel Konya, or a similar hotel. Breakfast is included.
Which meals are included on this Konya tour?
Breakfast at your Konya hotel and lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant on the tour day are included. No meals are included on the first day, and drinks with meals are extra.
What should I wear to visit the Mevlana Museum and Konya's mosques?
Wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Women should bring a scarf to cover their hair. You'll take your shoes off inside mosques, so easy-to-remove shoes are handy, and comfortable soles help with the walking.
Is this a group tour?
Yes, the Konya sightseeing day runs as a guided group tour with an English-speaking guide, and the number of participants varies. On arrival in Konya, a driver meets you and takes you to your hotel.
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
If you need to cancel or change your travel dates, you must notify All Istanbul Tours at least 5 days before the tour starts. For a cancellation or date-change request received at least 5 days before the tour starts, the cost of all non-refundable flight and bus tickets will be deducted from the paid balance. For a cancellation or date-change request received less than 5 days before the tour starts, the full amount paid is non-refundable. If a traveler does not appear for the booked service, the reservation is treated as a no-show and the full amount paid is non-refundable.
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