Istanbul Express: From Ancient Mosques to Vibrant Streets

This journey begins at Istanbul. On the first day, we meet at 18:00.

Your Group Leader will add you to the WhatsApp group for your trip about 15 days before departure.
 It’s a great way to start getting to know your travel mates, receive more details about the first day’s meeting point, and ask any pre-departure questions you might have.

This journey ends at Istanbul. On the last day, you are free to leave at any time, so whether you need to book a flight, a train, or wish to continue the journey on your own, you can organize your return as you prefer.

For this itinerary, you can choose the type of luggage you prefer – we always recommend a backpack, but you can also travel with a duffel bag, a holdall, or (it breaks our heart to say it) a cabin trolley case or a checked suitcase, as long as it’s moderate in size. Our Group Leader will suggest the ideal luggage before departure in the WhatsApp group!

Return international flights are not included on our trips because we want to give you full autonomy and flexibility. You can choose your preferred airline, fly from the airport that works best for you, and decide how many stopovers you want to make along the way.

As flights are not included, you also have more flexibility with your travel dates: you could arrive at your destination a few days early or return home a bit later – or even continue independently to a nearby destination!

It depends on when you cancel, the status of your departure, and how much you have already paid. Here are all the cases.

If you cancel more than 31 days before departure - Tour not confirmed
You can cancel via email at hello@weroad.com

If it was your first unconfirmed booking (if you have more than one), nothing has been charged: no refund is needed.

If you paid the €/£/$100 deposit, the deposit is not refunded if you choose to cancel: you can, however, change trip from your MyWeRoad Personal Area and use the amount towards another departure.

The deposit is fully refunded only if WeRoad does not confirm the tour.

Tour confirmed – you paid only the €/£/$100 deposit
In case of cancellation by the WeRoader, the deposit paid is not refunded. However, you can change your trip from your MyWeRoad Account and use the amount for another departure.

Tour confirmed – you paid the full amount
In case of cancellation by the WeRoader, the amount paid is not refunded. However, you can change your trip from your MyWeRoad Area and use the amount for another departure.

If you cancel less than 31 days of departure
You can cancel your booking at any time. However, in case of cancellation of less than 31 days before departure, no refund of the amount paid is provided, nor is it possible to change your trip, unless you have purchased Flexible Cancellation.
The private room fee, included in the price of your trip, is not refunded under any circumstances within this time frame, unless you have purchased Flexible Cancellation.

If you have Flexible Cancellation
With Flexible Cancellation, for all departures from May 14 to September 30, 2026, you may cancel your trip up to 24 hours before departure and receive a refund, whatever the reason. The only amount not refunded is the cost of the Flexible Cancellation option itself.

PLEASE NOTE: before cancelling, keep in mind that you can move your booking to another trip or a different date. Find out how!

For any doubts about your specific situation, write to our team at hello@weroad.com - we’ll help you!

Yes, you can change your trip directly from your MyWeRoad personal area, up to 31 days before departure. If you purchased Flexible Cancellation, to give you maximum flexibility, for all departures from May 14 to September 30, 2026, you may cancel your trip up to 24 hours before departure and receive a refund, whatever the reason.

How to change your trip from MyWeRoad

• Enter your booking
• Scroll to the “Change your trip” section at the bottom right
• Select a different date for the same trip or a completely different trip

Things to know

You can change your trip up to 3 times from your MyWeRoad personal area. Further changes must be requested by contacting our team at hello@weroad.com.
The new trip must depart within 12 months from the original departure date.
If your original booking included a private room, Flexible Cancellation, discount codes, gift cards, or vouchers, we will notify you before confirmation if they cannot be applied to the new trip.

You cannot switch to sold-out trips. For “On request” departures, we will check availability. For “Last spots” departures, availability in rooms of your same gender may not be guaranteed.
If there is a price adjustment: if the new trip costs less, we will refund the difference; if it costs more, you will need to pay the difference.

PLEASE NOTE: before cancelling, keep in mind that you can move your booking to another trip or a different date. Find out how!

In some cases – for example when a departure is not yet confirmed and it is your first unconfirmed booking – you can book without paying the €/£/$100 deposit upfront.

This means that you can secure your spot at zero cost: nothing will be charged until the departure is confirmed. Once the departure is confirmed, the €/£/$100 deposit will be automatically charged within 48 hours according to the terms agreed at the time of booking.

Yes, but fees are non-refundable. If your plans change, you can modify your trip free of charge up to 31 days before departure.

How cancellation works Fees paid are not refundable in cash, regardless of whether your trip is confirmed or not. You can move your booking to another trip free of charge, up to 31 days before departure. After this deadline, changes are no longer possible.
Please note: if it's your first unconfirmed booking, you will only be asked to provide a credit card, PayPal, or Revolut as a guarantee, but nothing will be charged. From the second unconfirmed booking onwards, a mandatory £/$100 deposit will be required.

Exception: trip not confirmed by WeRoad If you wish to cancel, the rules above always apply. However, if WeRoad is the one not confirming the trip, you are entitled to a full refund of any amount paid.

Flexible Cancellation If you purchased the Flexible Cancellation option (available in the first step of the booking process), for all departures from May 14 to September 30, 2026, you may cancel your trip up to 24 hours before departure and receive a refund, whatever the reason. The only non-refundable amount is the cost of the Flexible Cancellation option itself.

How to cancel your trip Write to hello@weroad.com indicating your booking code. We will reply as soon as possible applying the cancellation conditions for your booking.
PLEASE NOTE: before cancelling, keep in mind that you can move your booking to another trip or a different date. Find out how!

We offer several payment methods to fit every need:

1. Credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express);
2. Instalment payment with Klarna (you’ll pay for the trip in three equal amounts);
3. PayPal (for selected destinations);
4. Revolut Pay to pay even faster straight from your Revolut account.

Yes! We might not know the flights for everyone else in the group, but there are ways to find out which flights your fellow WeRoaders will be taking. 

1. All travellers can share their flight details after booking on their My WeRoad account so that other travellers on the same trip can see these details anonymously. 

2. Alternatively you can join our Facebook group: Solo Travellers | WeRoad Community – (here is the extended link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/963298767843213 ) Look for a post about the trip you’re interested in or ask the group admin for help in getting in touch with your future travel companions!

3. If the Group Leader has already been assigned to the trip you’re keen for, you can easily find their Facebook post on the website. 

If a departure is “Open to book”, it means that the trip is not yet confirmed and we are waiting for a few more bookings… maybe yours!

The good news? If it’s your first booking on an unconfirmed departure, you can book without paying anything! Just. leave your credit card details as a guarantee: no immediate charge, €/£/$0 deposit.
In the meantime, wait for the departure to be confirmed before purchasing your round-trip flights!

Generally, our groups have an average of 11 people. Everyone on our trips speaks English, and travellers join us from across the UK, Europe and beyond. Our trips are open to travelers between 18 and 49 years old. The indicated age is meant to give you an idea of the type of group, but it's not a strict limit: it's possible to participate even with a few years more or less, as long as you can keep up with the pace and energy of the group you're traveling with.

Each group will be joined and led by one of our experienced Group Leaders, who’s there to ensure everything runs smoothly and the group feels well-supported. 

If you’d like to know more about our typical WeRoad groups do reach out to us on WhatsApp on +44 7716573700. 

Yes! If you're curious, you can take a sneak peek at the group before booking. 
You’ll find the info in the ‘Group’ section for each trip on the departures page, showing how many WeRoaders have already booked. 

Click the little arrow and you’ll even see their gender and ages – but hey, that’s exclusive info, so we’ll ask you to log in or sign up to see that!

For our trips we usually use locally owned accommodation instead of big hotel chains. It’s our favourite way to really experience the local culture and, whenever we can, support the local economy. Typically, you’ll stay in hotels, apartments, guesthouses and hostels with the same standard maintained across all trips in the same destination.

The list of accommodation for your trip will be shared with you by your Group Leader 2-5 days before departure, along with other useful details for your adventure!

For some trips, in the itinerary section, you’ll find the number of nights and the location (not the hotel) where you’ll be spending the night(s). The location shown is the one we usually go for on most trips, but in some cases, you might stay in a nearby town. This will depend on logistics or availability of accommodation. 

The list of accommodation for your trip (and therefore also the exact locations) will be shared by your Travel Group Leader 2-5 days before departure, along with other useful information for your adventure!

The WeRoad Travel Group Leader is an experienced and skilled traveler who will be the perfect companion for your trip. They will manage all the logistical aspects of the itinerary like transport, timings, accommodation, restaurant bookings and meeting points, so that you can enjoy the trip without this hassle. They’re there to support the group, ensure everything runs smoothly and will no doubt make the trip a lot of fun along the way too! 

The Group Leader will set up a WhatsApp group approximately 2 weeks before departure. This will be the moment to ask any pre-departure questions and get to know the rest of the group! If the trip you are interested in already has a Travel Group Leader assigned, you can contact them before booking. Their details will be on the trip page, or you can search for their name here. After booking, you will find their contact details in your My WeRoad account, under ‘Bookings and Trips’ > ‘Your Upcoming Trips’ > ‘Trip Details’.

When you set off on a WeRoad trip, you’re officially a WeRoader – and as we often say, 'once a WeRoader, always a WeRoader'. This means that once you’re part of the community, a little piece of WeRoad will always stay with you.

But you’re not just a WeRoader during your trips, far from it! The community is alive and active all year round: you can stay in touch by following and interacting on our social media channels, like the Facebook group or the Instagram profile. You can also come along to one of our many events that we run in different cities worldwide. Check out and sign up to our events by downloading the WeMeet app here. 

Yes, on all our trips you will share a room with other WeRoaders in your group. The bathroom will either be private or shared only with other travelers on the trip. The rooms might be twins, triples, quadruples or multi-share (up to 8 people in exceptional cases), depending on the destination and availability.

You will never share with people from outside of the WeRoad group, except in certain cases for local experiences, which are specifically mentioned in the itinerary or communicated before booking. These typically involve specific nights in unique accommodation like tents, homestays, or camping, offering a more adventurous travel experience in exchange for some comfort.

During the booking process, you can also choose to stay in a mixed-gender room. If needed, only travelers who have opted in to this option may share a room with travel companions of a different gender.

On some of our trips we can offer a private room for an additional cost. Just tick the ‘Private Room’ option at checkout to get this added. For some of our trips if you book as two travelers together you can add this private room free of charge. Look out for this option at checkout. 

Please note that if you do book a private room with a friend/partner this could be either a double or a twin room so please email hello@weroad.com if you have a preference on this. 

Find out the entry requirements for Turkey, and, if needed, apply for your visa through our partner Sherpa.

Before traveling, always remember to check the government website of your country of origin for updates on the entry requirements for Turkey – you wouldn’t want to stay home due to a bureaucratic detail!

• UK residents: review the FCDO Travel Advice.
• US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice.
• Other residents: refer to your government or local consulate's travel advice.

Turkey operates on Turkey Time (TRT), which is UTC+3 year-round as they do not observe daylight saving time. If it is 12pm in the UK, it will be 3pm in Turkey. In the USA, the difference depends on the time zone. For example, if it is 12pm Eastern Standard Time (EST), it will be 8pm in Turkey.

Turkey uses the Turkish Lira (TRY). The exchange rate can fluctuate, but as a rough guide:

• 1 GBP is around 35 TRY
• 1 USD is about 27 TRY
• 1 EUR is approximately 29 TRY

You can exchange currency at banks, currency exchange offices, and some hotels. Always check for the best rates and any transaction fees before exchanging your money.

In Turkey, you can pay using credit cards, debit cards, and cash. Credit cards like Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops. However, it's a good idea to carry some cash for smaller vendors or markets. ATMs are plentiful in cities and towns, allowing you to withdraw Turkish Lira directly. Remember to notify your bank about your travel plans to avoid any issues with card transactions.

Tipping in Turkey is appreciated and quite common, though not obligatory. In restaurants, leaving a tip of about 5 to 10 percent of the bill is customary. For taxi drivers, rounding up to the nearest whole number is polite. In hotels, you might give a small tip to porters or housekeeping staff. Always tip in cash directly to the person you wish to thank.

In Turkey, buying a local SIM card or an e-SIM data plan is a great idea for staying connected. Major providers like Turkcell, Vodafone Turkey, and Türk Telekom offer good coverage and affordable plans. Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, cafes, and restaurants, but having a SIM card ensures you stay connected on the go. It's especially convenient for navigation and instant messaging while traveling around the country.

In Turkey, the official language is Turkish. While traveling, you might hear or use some everyday expressions. Here are a few useful ones:

• Hello: Merhaba
• Thank you: Teşekkür ederim
• Please: Lütfen
• Yes: Evet
• No: Hayır

English is also spoken in tourist areas, but learning a few Turkish phrases can enhance your experience.

In Turkey, you will find Type C and Type F plugs, which are two round pins. The voltage is 230V with a frequency of 50Hz. If your devices aren't compatible with these plugs, we suggest you bring a universal adapter to ensure you can charge your electronics without any hassle. This way, you can keep all your gadgets functional during your travels.

In Turkey, the main religion is Islam, with the majority of the population being Sunni Muslims. If you are visiting, keep in mind that during important religious holidays like Ramadan and Eid, many businesses might have reduced hours or be closed. For women, especially when visiting mosques or religious sites, we recommend you dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, and wear a headscarf.

Packing for Turkey can be exciting as the country offers a mix of vibrant cities, beautiful beaches, and stunning landscapes. Here's a breakdown of what to put in your backpack:

• Clothing:
  • Lightweight tops
  • T-shirts
  • Long pants
  • Modest clothing for visiting mosques
  • Light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings
• Shoes:
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Sandals
  • Flip-flops for the beach
• Accessories and Technology:
  • Sunglasses
  • Hat
  • Power bank
  • Camera
  • Universal adapter
• Toiletries and Medication:
  • Travel-size shampoo and conditioner
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Sunscreen
  • Lip balm
  • Basic first aid kit
  • Pain relievers like ibuprofen or paracetamol
  • Motion sickness tablets if needed

This list should help you enjoy the diverse experiences Turkey has to offer without carrying too much.

Turkey's weather varies significantly depending on the region and season. Here's a quick breakdown:

• Istanbul and Western Turkey: Mild winters and hot, humid summers. Best visited in spring (April to June) or autumn (September to November) for comfortable temperatures.
• Central Turkey (Anatolia): Experiences cold, snowy winters and hot, dry summers. Spring and autumn are ideal for visiting.
• Mediterranean and Aegean Coasts: Mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. Perfect for beachgoers in the summer months.
• Eastern Turkey: Cold, harsh winters with snow and mild summers. Summer is the best time to visit this region.

Keep in mind the best time to visit Turkey is generally in the spring and autumn for pleasant weather across most regions.