Anzac Day Gallipoli
Start Planning our Visit to Gallipoli for the 2025 Dawn Service
Being at Gallipoli for the Dawn Service on Anzac Day where our forefathers landed in Turkey, creating the Anzac legend, will be a moment cherished by a privileged few.
PP Travel has just completed another series of very successful tours for the Dawn Service at Anzac Cover, where it again was the largest Australian/NZ owned and operated tour company. With the 110th anniversary of the landings occurring in 2025, it promises to be a very big event, so now is the time to start planning your pilgrimage to Gallipoli.
PP Travel is an Australian DVA recognised Anzac Day tour operator to Gallipoli. Join our highly acclaimed tours in a spirit of reverence and respect with our excellent value tour options. PP Travel is a 100% Aussie and Kiwi owned and operated tour company - and has been operating professionally organised tours since 1991 ... experience counts!
PP Travel aims to enhance the unique Gallipoli Dawn Service experience by providing our passengers with a good understanding of this infamous campaign - why/how/where. Armed with knowledge of the area and a dedicated crew, our tours of the Anzac zone along with Cape Helles, the point of the peninsula where the British landed, will help make sense of this very remote battleground that has become part of the national psychic of the Australian and New Zealand nations.
PP Travel consistently year after year offers and operates the most dedicated series of well-run, economical, and highly professional tours on Anzac Day, ensuring that its passengers get the most out their Gallipoli experience.
We join forces with our excellent local partners, to offer value land-based Anzac Day tours to Gallipoli on the 25th of April. Choose from 2 Day Overnight Trip or our 4 Day Tour that include accommodation in Istanbul before and after your overnight trip to Gallipoli.
All our tours start and finish in Istanbul, giving you the flexibility to organise your own flight to Turkey and then let us escort you to this most moving experience. With our 4 day tours, you do not have to check out on the night of the 24th when we head to Anzac Cove. PP Travel has booked these for all 3 nights, meaning you can leave your gear at our hotels while you overnight at Gallipoli.
Fully Qualified, local guides, along with our own highly experienced and dedicated PP Travel reps accompany you throughout the duration of your tour, giving you a combination of local knowledge with a touch of home. We use air-conditioned, non-smoking, coaches. We are based the famous Cheers Hostel - Turkey's hostel of the year for the 5th year and also offer good standard hotels next door to Cheers, which is in the heart of old Istanbul - Sultanahmet.
Please make sure you register and receive your Attendance Pass.
Tour Options for Anzac Day Gallipoli (2025)
Only a £50 per person deposit to book with the balance due by 18 March 2025
Tour Dates - 24th to 25th Apr 2025
Includes
- 100% Aussie/Kiwi Owned and Operated
- Guided tour of Anzac Cove/North Beach/Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair
- Thorough Gallipoli Peninsula tour - including Cape Helles and Turkish memorial
- Entrance fees to escorted sites (where applicable)
- Dawn Service and either Australian or New Zealand service
- Souvenir Hoodie
- Pre tour welcome meeting, BBQ and free Turkish show
- Serivces of experience PP Travel Rep + local accredited Turkish Guide
Phone PP Travel
Online Enquiry
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Only a £50 per person deposit to book with the balance due by 18 March 2025
Tour Dates - 23rd to 26th Apr 2025
Includes
- 100% Aussie and Kiwi Owned and Operated
- Choice of Hostel, Hostel+ or Hotel accommodation
- Sultanahmet, Istanbul Accommodation on April 23rd and 25th
- Bonus night on the 24th - Excess luggage can stay securely at accommodation
- Entrance Fees to escorted sites (where applicable)
- Fully guided tour of Gallipoli Peninsula including Cape Helles British Landings, Turkish Memorial, full Anzac area coverage
- Dawn Service and either Australian or New Zealand service
- Turkish Style breakfasts
- Souvenir Hoodie
- Welcome meeting, BBQ and free Turkish show
- Serivces of experience PP Travel Rep + local accredited Turkish Guide
Phone PP Travel
Online Enquiry
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# What tours does PP Travel offer for Anzac Day at Gallipoli?
# Can anyone join our Anzac Day, Gallipoli tours and do I need to register?
Registration for 2025 is not yet open. For 2024 the registration opened around October 2023.
# Where is our accommodation in Istanbul before and after Anzac Day at Gallipoli?
All the major sites are in the Sultanahmet area; the Blue Mosque, Aya Sophia, the Grand Bazaar. Plus it is a clean, safe area with a fantastic selection of restaurants and nightlife. If you are on our 4 day tour local guides will take you to many of these special sites as well as the amazing underground cistern.
Choose from the highly rated, funky Cheers Hostel, Cheers Hostel+ or local modern Istanbul Hotel in this fabulous position to explore the amazing city of Istanbul.
# What is and isn't included in your Anzac Day tour to Gallipoli?
Not Included: flights to Istanbul, visas, souvenirs, meals apart from breakfast at your accommodation. Transfers between airport and accommodation are not included. Anything else that is not specified in the itinerary applicable to your Anzac Day your.
# How do you get to Istanbul and your hotel or the PP Travel tour departure point?
2 day passengers are to make their own way to our Istanbul base, Cheers Hostel, where we meet between 7am and 7:30am April 24. We then walk to our coach departure point for an 8am departure from Istanbul. You will get full details on Cheers and general Istanbul information prior to departure.
Follow the link to our step-by-step guide on using public transport from Istanbul Airport to Cheers Hostel.
Flights to Istanbul
The most obvious way to get to Turkey is to fly. Istanbul has two main airports. There is the Istanbul Airport (IST) which took over from Ataturk Airport in 2019 (on the European side of the city) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAB) - on the Asia side of Istanbul.
# Can I book extra nights in Istanbul before or after the tour?
At the hotel extra nights cost £110 per room, per night.
Cheers Hostel, extra nights in the dorms cost £35 per person per night.
Cheers Hostel Plus rooms, the cost is £55 per person per night in twin or triple rooms and £80 per night in single rooms.
# How does the Anzac Day tours to Gallipoli operate?
We aim to cover the whole of the peninsula, including the British landings at Cape Helles, the massive Turkish memorials and the battlefields of Anzac. We want all passengers to have an understanding of where, why and how it all took place, before you attend the Dawn Service. Unlike other operators, you won't be simply driven to Gallipoli and back, dumped at the cove, waiting in a queue for hours and hours, like many that attend the service.
It is about a 4 hour drive to the Gallipoli Peninsula. We have lunch at the nearby town of Eceabat, on the Dardanelles side, before touring the Anzac area. We then head to the point of the Peninsula to visit the giant Turkish memorial and the British landings at Cape Helles. We return to Eceabat for dinner before heading back across to the Anzac area late that evening to be checked into the Commemorative Area.
You will be spending the night out in the elements at the Anzac Cove Commemorative Site. This area is accessed via airport like security where you will and your bag will pass through security scanning and any prohibited items confiscated. Water, along with food can be purchased throughout the night from vendors within the zone. Video and talks at the site begin at 0130am on the 25th and run until the beginning of the Dawn Service at 0530am.
After the Dawn Service, PP crew will then be on hand to show you sites such as the Beach Cemetery, Shrapnel Valley, Plugges Plateau. You are free to walk to Lone Pine, for the Australian Service (10am) or continue up the hill to Chunuk Bair for the New Zealand service at 11:30am.
All coaches pick up from Chunuk Bair after the end of the services - early afternoon - and return to Istanbul arriving back that evening.
Here is the walking route from Commemorative Zone on North Beach to Lone Pine and onto Chunuk Bair on Google Maps.
Note: Our tour of the Gallipoli Peninsular is subject to road closures by the Turkish authorities.
# Do I need a Visa to go to Turkey?
Those holding EU, UK and New Zealand passports do not require visas.
Australian passport holders will require an eVisa. Visa should be obtained online via www.evisa.gov.tr. The cost is USD$60 for Australian passport holders (Prices correct as at 13/03/2022).
People travelling on other passports should visit the Turkish eVisa Application website.
:: Please use the above official website as there are numerous websites online that will process your visa but adding on a large processing fee. Only use www.evisa.gov.tr which will only charge you the Government charge.
Please note, visa requirements are subject to change. Remember visas are your responsibility. Please note that these costs are subject to change.
# What should you bring to Turkey for Anzac Day at Gallipoli?
Turkey is an informal country, so leave the good clothes at home. It is very cold overnight at Anzac Cove with no shelter, so please bring a sleeping bag, beanie and gloves to keep warm overnight while at Gallipoli. It could be wet and cold or sunny and warm, so be prepared for all weather. We recommend that you only bring a small day bag with you, as after the dawn service you will have to carry your gear up the steep walk to Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. It is possible to bring luggage with you which can be stored underneath the coach while at Anzac Cove, however you cannot access this between arriving at Gallipoli until well after the Australian and New Zealand services the following day. Any bags left on the coach while at Anzac Cove will be left at your own risk, although luggage bays are locked.
Remember that what ever you take for the overnight stay at Gallipoli you will need to carry the 7+km from the Commemorative Zone up the hill to the bus pick up point at Chunuk Bair. Here is the walking route from Commemorative Zone on North Beach to Lone Pine and onto Chunuk Bair on Google Maps.
The weather should be mild during the day, so bring your swimmers in case you get the chance to go for a swim (but you cannot swim at Gallipoli) or have a Turkish bath. It is also recommended that you bring a rain jacket and a warm coat for night. You really need to pack for all occasions as the weather can change very quickly. It is also a good idea in a country like Turkey to carry a spare roll of toilet paper as they run out very quickly.
# Changing money in Turkey and how much will I spend?
There are many banks of ATM's around Sultanahmet. Those using the likes of Revolut and Monza do without fee. Note that once at Gallipoli ATM's are not to be found and vendors selling food and drinks overnight in the Commemorative Zone will normally only accept Turkish Lira.
How much you will need will depend on your spending and how long you are there! Turkey is not as cheap as it once was. If you budget £70+ per day for food and drinks you'll be on the right track. The famous Turkish carpets can be quite expensive, depending on the size, quality and finish you want. Most shops will ship them home for you - Australians, make sure they write Australia not Austria! Jewellery and leather is always reasonable in Turkey. Kiwi's beware as many have had water pipes, "hubbly-bubbly" pipes confiscated as "drug paraphernalia" when taking one home.
The below should give you a rough idea of the present exchange rate;
Turkish Lira Exchange Rate# Do I need Travel Insurance in Turkey?
# Is Turkey safe? I am concerned about Terrorism.
Several checkpoints will be located across the Gallipoli Peninsula prior to accessing the Anzac Commemorative Site, Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Bair where you will be required to produce your Attendance Pass along with the photo ID that you added in your attendance application, such as your passport or driver's licence.
Airport-style screening will also occur, with no liquids, aerosols or gels permitted onto the sites. These will be confiscated by Turkish authorities and will not be returned to you. Please note that any suspicious behaviour or references to illegal activities will not be tolerated and you may be refused entry to the sites. There is no record of any violence at the Anzac Day memorials in Turkey. Please make yourself aware of the information about your visit to Gallipoli for Anzac Day here on the Department of Veterans' Affairs website.
You can check up to date travel warnings and register with a Australian and New Zealand Government website smartraveller.gov.au and safetravel.govt.nz
# Gallipoli Tours from Australia
Istanbul is a major international hub, with frequent affordable flights available from across Australia so it makes no sense for us to have to organise this part of a tour for you as we'd have to charge you a premium for doing so.
Convenient & Affordable Access
Operating the tour out of Istanbul, rather than touring to Gallipoli from Australia, means we can provide significant savings on a total tour package price, savings that we pass along to you!Australian Gallipoli Tours for Anzac Day
There are multiple reasons why PP Travel operationally chooses to begin their tours from Istanbul to the Anzac Peninsula each year instead of from Australia the following among them:- Cheaper for us to operate tours from Istanbul, passing savings to you
- Easy to get to Istanbul from Australia with major airlines
- We have excellent Turkish partners in Istanbul to assist us
- Allows us to focus expertise on the Gallipoli tour itself
- Experienced local guides with Gallipoli knowledge
Aussie/Kiwi Expertise You Can Trust
With our expert Aussie, Turkish & Kiwi Battlefield Guides, you'll gain new appreciation for the sacrifices made at Gallipoli so long ago.As specialists in Gallipoli and the WW1 Battlefield tours we operate on the Gallipoli Peninsula, we offer unmatched insights into the events that shaped our nation over a century ago.
Walk in the Footsteps of the Anzacs
Join us to walk in the footsteps of history, exploring Gallipoli's poignant landmarks and battlefields. Pay your respects at Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair, where the Anzacs fought so valiantly. Imagine the dawn landing at Anzac Cove, and appreciate the serenity of North Beach, now the site of the moving Anzac Day ceremonies at Gallipoli.
Why Choose PP Travel
- Over 15 years of experience providing Gallipoli tours
- Local Turkish guides with extensive Gallipoli expertise
- Comprehensive tour itineraries covering all key sites
- Small group sizes for a personalised experience
- Outstanding customer service and support
Contact PP Travel today to book your place on our unforgettable Anzac Gallipoli tours departing from Istanbul.
# Gallipoli Tours from New Zealand
As a major global travel hub, Istanbul has regular affordable flights from cities all over New Zealand.
Easy & Budget-Friendly Access from NZ
By running our tours originating in Istanbul rather than New Zealand, we're able to pass significant savings along to you.New Zealander Gallipoli Tours on Anzac Day
There are several reasons PP Travel opts to kick off tours to Gallipoli's Anzac Day Peninsula tours from Istanbul annually rather than operating Gallipoli Tours from New Zealand.- More affordable for us to manage tours from Istanbul, transferring savings to you
- Quick to get to Istanbul from New Zealand on major airlines
- Outstanding Turkish partners in Istanbul to help us
- Enables us to devote expertise to the Gallipoli tour itself
- Seasoned local guides with Gallipoli knowledge
Kiwi/Aussie Know-How You Can Trust
With our expert Kiwi, Aussie and Turkish Battlefield Guides, you'll develop new appreciation for the sacrifices made at Gallipoli long ago.As specialists in Gallipoli and the WW1 Battlefield tours, we lead on the Gallipoli Peninsula, we provide unparalleled insight into the history that shaped our country over a century back.
Walk Where the Anzacs Battled
Join us to follow in the footsteps of the past, exploring Gallipoli's moving landmarks. Pay respects at Chunuk Bair, where Kiwis bravely battled. Picture the dawn landing at Anzac Cove, now the location of solemn Anzac Day ceremonies.
Why Choose PP Travel
- Over 15 years arranging Gallipoli tours
- Local Turkish guides with extensive Gallipoli expertise
- Comprehensive tour itineraries
- Intimate groups for a personalised tour
- Top-notch customer service
Contact PP Travel today to reserve your Anzac Gallipoli tour with the Anzac Day Gallipoli tour experts.
Click here to make an enquiry
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To be part of the pilgrimage at Anzac Cove on 25 April you must join a tour group, local authorities have made it almost impossible to do it independently. With the increase popularity of Anzac Day at Gallipoli over the past decade there are now many options to choose from. Being at Gallipoli for the Dawn Service is a unique and once in a lifetime experience and we believe you must put your trust in an operator who really knows this remote peninsula, is professional, well organised and will ensure you get the most of time at this special place.
With our vast experience of operating to Gallipoli for Anzac Day we really know the landings area, are highly organised when it comes to the movement of our passengers at this extremely busy and special time and know how to make this occasion especially memorable and unique to our passengers.
We can boast - that without doubt - we operated the most thorough tours of the Gallipoli Peninsula. PP Travel are the only company out of the many at Gallipoli that aims to operate full tours of the entire peninsula and the battlefields of Anzac. We take you to the very point of the peninsula - Cape Helles, the British landing area, where you will see the entrance of the Dardanelles and get a thorough background of the campaign, before heading to Anzac and be escorted up the heights to see all the major sites. Don't be dumped at the cove, waiting in a queue for hours and hours, like the vast majority that attend the service. Do Gallipoli and the Dawn Service properly.
One of the major attributes of the PP tours is that we have our own knowledgeable Australian/Kiwi PP Travel tour guide on each tour as well as an expert local Turkish guide. Our local partners are amongst the most respected local operators in Turkey and have been operating successfully for well over two decades and we are proud to working with them again.
With PP Travel's Anzac Day tours you get a great Price and Professionalism and you can book with confidence knowing that if the event is cancelled by officials - like in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic - you will be immediately offered a full refund. PP Travel were proud to be the only operator at the Dawn Service when services resumed in 2022 - and have been the largest Australian/NZ operator there since.
Having an experienced PP tour leader with you all the way makes a big difference to your Anzac experience. We aim to help you understand why there are so many of our forefathers lying in this remote part of Turkey, before you have the privilege of being at the moving Dawn Service.
Our tours are not only very economical, as we do not offer expensive add-ons, like most other Anzac tour companies. E.g.: over-priced Turkish cabaret evenings, carpet shop visits and expensive cruises. No "optional extras" on our tours. Note: Our tour of Gallipoli is subject to road closures by the Turkish authorities.
Istanbul
All Anzac tours being and end in the Turkish cultural capital. All our hotels and hostels are of a good standard and best of all are close to the Sultanahmet area - the only place to be in Istanbul. All the major sites are here - the Blue Mosque, Aya Sophia, the Grand Bazaar. Plus, it is a clean, safe area with a fantastic selection of restaurants and nightlife. Our local guides take you to many of these special sites as well as the amazing underground cistern.
You also do not have to check out on the night of the 24th when we head to Anzac Cove. PP has booked these for all 3 nights, meaning you can leave your gear at our hotels while you attend the Anzac Pilgrimage.
Anzac Cove and the Dawn Service
At PP Travel, we believe it is vital that you are fully prepared and briefed before spending the night at Anzac Cove in readiness for the service at first light. It is an amazing (and a very cold and long) night at the specially prepared commemorative Anzac site at north beach.
The site is a sea of colour with thousands out on the grass or in the stands wrapped in sleeping bags and flags. War veterans, the military, and media mix with the young travellers in this unique and peaceful environment. You will be entertained by the guest speakers, folk songs, service bands and stories shown on the big screens either side of the stands.
Our PP reps will be at the cove through the night and then at the Australian memorial service at Lone Pine and the New Zealand service at Chunuk Bair. You will not be hoarded together like sheep or told what you must do. We believe the Anzac Cove experience on the night of the 24th and at dawn on April 25 is a unique personal thing. However, you will fully be briefed on this unique night and morning.
At PP we are truly passionate about Anzac and we'll do everything we can to assist you get the most out of what should be an unforgettable experience.