Express Balkan Tour from Istanbul - 2 Nights 4 Days by Bus
About Express Balkan Tour from Istanbul - 2 Nights 4 Days by Bus
This package tour departs from Istanbul by luxury coach, lasts 2 Nights 4 Days, and covers the Kavala, Skopje, Thessaloniki, Ohrid, and Sofia route. The itinerary takes place within the borders of Greece, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria. Kavala is a city in Northern Greece built around the Kamares Aqueduct and its harbor. Accommodation is planned for 2 nights in Skopje on a Bed & Breakfast basis. There are 5 departure dates between 15 October 2026 and 10 December 2026. The per-person price starts at €1.000. The price for children aged 2–11 starts at €139. A €50 supplement applies to guests who wish to stay in a single room. On day 1, you depart from Istanbul by coach. On day 2, you visit Skopje, Kavala, and Thessaloniki, and on day 3, you visit Skopje and Ohrid. On day 4, you return to Istanbul. Accommodation is selected during booking: 3–4-star hotels (Skopje: Bed & Breakfast, no price difference). The hotels included in the itinerary by city are as follows: Skopje: 3*& 4* Hotel - BB (Skopje). The price includes round-trip transportation by luxury coach, highway and parking costs, customs duties, 2 nights' Bed & Breakfast accommodation in Skopje, the panoramic city tours listed in the itinerary, and mandatory package tour liability insurance. The visa and visa service fee, the international departure fee, museum and archaeological site entrance fees, meals not specified in the itinerary, personal expenses, and tips for the guide and driver (optional) are not included. The full list of inclusions and exclusions is provided in the "Included in the Price" and "Not Included in the Price" sections on the page.
Departure Dates
14 - 17 November 2026 — €1.000 (≈₺57.100)
28 November - 1 December 2026 — €1.000 (≈₺57.100)
12 - 15 December 2026 — €1.000 (≈₺57.100)
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 — Istanbul – Kavala
Depart from Istanbul by bus. Ipsala is seen along the route. Kavala is a Northern Greece city known for the Kamares Aqueduct and its harbor. Overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 2 — Skopje – Kavala – Thessaloniki
Start the day with an open-buffet breakfast at the hotel. Travel along the Skopje, Kavala and Thessaloniki route. During the day, see Thessaloniki Castle, the Church of Hagios Dimitrios and Davud Pasha Hamam. Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, brings together an Ottoman bazaar and a modern square on both banks of the Vardar River. Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city, is known for the White Tower, Aristotelous Square and its waterfront promenade. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 3 — Skopje – Ohrid
The day begins with an open-buffet breakfast at the hotel. You will travel from Skopje to Ohrid. The Ohrid tour includes visits to Tetovo and Ohrid. The optional excursion includes the Painted Mosque, Historic Plane Tree Square, St. Sophia and the Church of St. Panteleimon; those who do not join can enjoy free time at the hotel. There will be free time after the program. Ohrid — a UNESCO-listed lakeside city known for its churches, fortress and stone streets. Tetovo — a city at the foot of the Šar Mountains, explored for the Painted Mosque and the Arabati Baba Tekke. The Painted Mosque — a 15th-century mosque in Tetovo, known for the colorful painted decorations covering its exterior. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 — Skopje – Sofia – Istanbul
After breakfast, the return journey begins, with rest stops along the way. The tour concludes with arrival in Istanbul late at night. The optional excursion includes Matka Canyon, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia University, the Rotunda Church, and Edirne; those who do not join can enjoy free time at the hotel. Matka Canyon — around 20 km from Skopje, the canyon is known for its reservoir, boat tours, and caves. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral — an Orthodox cathedral and symbol of Sofia, known for its gold-plated domes.
Dates and Prices
Tour date: 14 - 17 November 2026
3*4*Oteller vb.- BB — double room per person 1.000 EUR, single room 1.050 EUR, child 139 EUR, infant 79 EUR
Tour date: 28 November - 1 December 2026
3*4*Oteller vb.- BB — double room per person 1.000 EUR, single room 1.050 EUR, child 139 EUR, infant 79 EUR
Tour date: 12 - 15 December 2026
3*4*Oteller vb.- BB — double room per person 1.000 EUR, single room 1.050 EUR, child 139 EUR, infant 79 EUR
Places to Visit
Ipsala
Thessaloniki Castle
Church of Saint Demetrius
Davud Pasha Hammam
Tetovo
Ohrid
Alaca Mosque
Historic Plane Tree Square
Sofia
St. Pantaleimon Church
Matka Canyon
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Sofia University
Rotunda Church
Edirne
What’s Included
Transportation by luxury buses
Local professional Turkish-speaking guiding services
2 Nights accommodation in 3 or 4* Hotels in Skopje including breakfast
Mandatory local guiding services required in some cities
Kavala tour
Thessaloniki tour
Skopje tour
Sofia tour
All highway checkpoint and parking fees
City Taxes
Customs Duties
Panoramic city tours specified in the itinerary.
Limited complimentary water on board
Compulsory Travel Insurance (Professional liability insurance issued pursuant to Law No. 1618.)
What’s Not Included
****Visa service fee -Additional service fees that may be charged by consulates and service providers (shipping, forms, consultancy, etc.) are not included in the price; any price increases they may make after the contract is concluded will be charged to the customer separately.-
Museum and archaeological site entrance fees
Extras incurred at the hotel.
All personal expenses
Breakfast taken during the break in Kavala.
Lunches and Dinners
Driver and guide tips
International departure fee
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days does the Kavala & Skopje & Thessaloniki tour from Istanbul take?
The tour is 2 nights 4 days. Accommodation is for 2 nights bed and breakfast in Skopje.
Which cities does the tour cover?
The itinerary consists of stops in Kavala, Skopje, Thessaloniki, Ohrid, and Sofia, traveling through Greece, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria.
What is included in the tour price?
The price includes round-trip luxury coach transportation, highway and parking fees, customs duties, 2 nights’ Bed & Breakfast accommodation in Skopje, the panoramic city tours included in the itinerary, and compulsory package tour liability insurance. All items are listed in the “What’s Included” section on the page.
What is not included in the tour price?
Visa and visa service fees, the international departure fee, entrance fees to museums and archaeological sites, meals not listed in the itinerary, personal expenses, and tips for the guide and driver (optional) are not included in the price. The full list is provided in the "Items Not Included in the Price" section.
Where does the bus depart from, what are the boarding points?
Transportation is provided by round-trip luxury bus. Exact times are shared in the pre-tour information.
Which hotels are used for accommodation, can I choose the hotel?
Choose your accommodation when booking via WhatsApp: 3–4-star hotels (Skopje: Bed & Breakfast, no price difference). Hotels included in the itinerary: Skopje: 3*& 4* Hotel - BB (Skopje). A €50 supplement applies to guests wishing to stay in a single room.
Are meals included in the price?
2 nights accommodation in Skopje on a Bed & Breakfast basis. Only breakfast is included in Bed & Breakfast accommodation; lunch and dinner are at your own expense.
Is a visa required, and is the fee included?
Visa and visa service fees are not included in the tour price; visa arrangements are the participant's responsibility. The note in the “Not Included in the Price” section of the page reads: Visa service fee - Additional service charges that may arise from consulates and service providers (courier fees, forms, consultancy, etc.) are not included in the price; any price increases they may apply after the contract is concluded will be charged separately to the customer.
Are there child and infant rates?
Prices start from €139 for children aged 2–11, and €79 for infants aged 0–1. Ages 12 and above are subject to adult rates.
On which dates are departures available?
There are 5 departure dates between 15 October 2026 and 10 December 2026.