If you are planning your trip to Istanbul, or have already found yourself here, a trip from Istanbul to Cappadocia can add bright, unforgettable impressions. This historical area is not only distinguished by amazing landscapes, but also provides an opportunity to touch the history of the Christian Church in its first centuries.
Cappadocia amazes with its unique nature, mysterious underground cities and caves, cliffs and valleys, and it is here that the valuable memory of Christian culture and history is kept.
We will tell you how to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia and what is worth seeing here in our article.
Cappadocia is an amazing place
The center of Cappadocia is Göreme, you can get there from the city of Nevşehir in 20 minutes, from the city of Kayseri to Göreme in 1 hour. The flight duration is 1 hour 25 minutes. Consider travel times to Goreme and flight times when planning your route.
You can fly to Cappadocia with the following airlines:
- Turkish Airlines
- Anadolu Jet
- Pegasus Airlines
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines flies from Ataturk Airport
Turkish Airlines operates flights to Cappadocia only from.
Flight cost on the Istanbul-Kayseri route from Ataturk Airport
in the spring of 2019 is from 120 liras to 350 liras, Istanbul-Nevsehir from 120 liras to 200 liras. The price is highly dependent on a number of factors and can change every day.
Flights from Ataturk Airport to Kayseri Airport (Kayseri havalimanı) operate throughout the day, while flights to Nevsehir are more infrequent - only once or twice a day. Turkish Airlines has good service, and drinks and a sandwich are also included in the price of their ticket.
After April 6, 2019, all Turkish Airlines flights are moving to , which is further from the historical city center than Ataturk. Take this into account when planning your trip.
Anadolu Jet
Anadolu Jet planes fly to Kayseri from Sabiha Gokcen Airport
Departs from Istanbul to Cappadocia only from and lands only at Kayseri Airport. The approximate cost of a round trip ticket in the spring of 2019 is 150-170 liras. Anadolu Jet is owned by Turkish Airlines, so they often combine flights, but Anadolu Jet is a low-cost airline.
Pegasus Airlines
You can fly with Pegasus from Sabiha Gokcen Airport
Pegasus aircraft fly to Cappadocia from Sabiha Gokcen Airport. For spring 2019, the approximate ticket price is 170 -200 liras. Pegasus is a low-cost airline and you can buy drinks and snacks on board for little money. Seating selection and additional options are available for a fee.
Choose a departure time that is convenient for you, a favorable ticket price and which city will be most convenient for you to fly to in order to get to Goreme without any problems. From Goreme you can take a local taxi or pre-book one.
Buses are a very popular, convenient and comfortable way to travel throughout Turkey.
You can get from Istanbul to Cappadocia by bus both at night and during the day.
Buses Nevşehir Seyahat
Buses carry passengers to the city of Nevsehir
A trip with this company is quite comfortable; the seat backs have built-in TVs (dubbed films can be found). The bus arrives in Nevsehir.
For spring 2019, the cost of a one-way ticket is 80 liras. Departure times from Istanbul are 20:30 and 20:45, the journey takes 12 hours. Return departure from Nevsehir to Istanbul at 20:00. In the summer, given the increase in tourist flow, departure times and prices may vary.
You can buy a ticket online at http://nevsehirlilerseyahat.com.tr/. Go to the website and hover your mouse over the top tab with the inscription online işlemler and select the inscription Bilet satın al. Next, in the window that appears on the right, you can select the Russian interface language and begin the process of searching for tickets.
Buses Metroturizm
You can take the Metro bus to Kayseri or Nevsehir
Buses depart from Istanbul to Kayseri several times a day: 00:25, 10:30, 14:30, 18:00, 19:00, 21:00, 22:00, 23:00. The price of a one-way ticket on the Istanbul-Kayseri route is 90 liras, and a return ticket is 80 liras.
Departures from Istanbul to Nevsehir are at 8:00 and 22:00, ticket price is 90 liras, in the opposite direction 80 liras.
To buy a ticket online, go to the website https://www.metroturizm.com.tr and select the interface language in the upper right corner (there is no Russian, there is English). Then we move on to searching for flights and making a choice.
Buses Kamil Koç
Comfortable Kamil Koç buses
Kamil Koç is a large company that operates throughout Turkey and provides a very high level of service.
Departure from Istanbul to Nevsehir three times a day at 5:00, 20:00, 22:30, ticket price 85 liras. The return ticket cost is also 85 liras.
Bus departures from Istanbul to Kayseri occur at 00:15, 10:00, 11:30, 15:00, 18:00, 20:30. The ticket price is 90 liras, the return ticket costs the same.
You can purchase a ticket on the website, but unfortunately, the interface is only in Turkish. Therefore, you will either have to be patient or enlist someone’s help.
From Istanbul to Cappadocia by car
You can get from Istanbul to Cappadocia by car
For those who are used to traveling independently in a rented car, you can find options on the websites (Rent a car/araç kiralama). But in fact, it’s easier to get there without incident by bus, and then it’s more profitable to rent a car in Cappadocia itself. In Cappadocia you can also rent other types of transport - ATVs, bicycles and mopeds.
Don’t forget to check the availability of insurance, document any damage to the car body (using photos or videos) and point this out to the lessor.
The cost of gasoline in Turkey in the spring of 2019 is 6.5 liras per liter, diesel fuel 6.3/liter. Just in case, take or purchase a paper map - not everywhere in mountainous areas will a navigator work. You will also need cash - this will save you from problems with gas stations and small shops.
Why do we advise you to organize your trip to Cappadocia on your own? Still, a ready-made tour or excursion, as a rule, includes those trips and visits that it is better to do without. They include trips to buy baklava, carpets, souvenirs or other things that are uninteresting to most travelers. After all, it’s much more pleasant to slowly choose delicious baklava, sweets or Turkish delight at a local market, having first tried whatever your heart desires. When walking on your own, you are the master of your time and desires, so you can change your route at any time.
It is worth noting that as of 2019, it is not possible to travel from Istanbul to Cappadocia by TCDD (Turkish National Railways) trains. This is due to the fact that the Haydarpasa railway station in Istanbul has not been operating for a long time. At the moment the station is .
Thus, the best ways to travel independently from Istanbul to Cappadocia are by plane or by bus.
Best time to travel to Cappadocia
Cappadocia is beautiful at any time of the year. A transport network operates here year-round, museum complexes and underground cities open their doors, and hot air balloon travel is available (in winter, however, due to windy weather, flights are sometimes postponed to the next day). To understand the beauty of this place, just relax on one of the cozy terraces, admiring the rocky landscapes, eating a local delicacy - meat in a pot and washing it down with beer.
Please note that by Turkish standards, Cappadocia has a fairly cool climate. Gusty winds often blow here, and it is chilly in the caves and dungeon cities, so make sure you have warm seasonal clothes in your wardrobe. Even in the summer, it is advisable to stock up on a warm, cozy sweater that will protect you from the chill of the night.
In summer, outdoor swimming pools are extremely popular in Cappadocia. There is no need to worry about extreme heat. And the lion's share of attractions are located underground, where you definitely won't feel hot. The highest temperatures are recorded in August every year. During the day, the air warms up to an average of 28⁰C, and at night – up to 17⁰C. Therefore, during the day, an excursion through the cool caves and dungeons will be a great way to spend your time, and at night, you can enjoy walking around Cappadocia. During this period, the area is illuminated with a soft electric light coming from the caves. The impressions are fabulous!
The autumn symbols of Cappadocia are balloons and sparkling, aromatic wine. The air temperature is very comfortable, the rainy season is rare. In the first two autumn months it is still quite warm. The average daily temperature settled at 24⁰C. That is, in order not to freeze, it is enough to wear a thick shirt with sleeves or a thin sweater. The November temperature is already less comfortable - about 10⁰С. Therefore, a traveler cannot do without a light jacket, especially if evening walks are planned. Despite the coolness, there is no need to worry about prolonged rains in the fall in Cappadocia - all precipitation occurs mainly in the spring. Autumn is the time of ripening of the famous Cappadocian wine. Be sure to take a tour of the vineyards to see with your own eyes the process of harvesting a rich harvest.
Cappadocia in spring
Cappadocia in spring
During the spring months, Cappadocia is surrounded by flowers and greenery. This is a traditional time for holding various music festivals.
In addition to music, in the spring you can catch a unique hot air balloon festival. As a rule, it is scheduled for May. At this event, you can not only admire the huge balloons soaring into the sky, but also enjoy local culinary delights and masterpieces of modern art on display. For lovers of sports entertainment, attending extreme sports competitions is perfect. Music lovers will enjoy concerts and musical performances, held, for the most part, under the vaults of caves.
Spring is the time of the traditional pilgrimage to Cappadocia for Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who comes here every year, without exception, and holds an Easter service in one of the local Orthodox shrines. The exact dates of the saint’s arrival can be found on special religious sites on the Internet.
Cappadocia in winter
Cappadocia in winter
Winter Cappadocia offers mesmerizing landscapes of rocky peaks covered with snow caps and melodiously howling winds. It's nice that there are not many tourists here in winter. For lovers of extreme sports, a modern ski resort opens its doors in Kayseri. Such infrastructure is quite new for the area, and prices at this resort are affordable.
Winter city
You need to understand that the lion's share of hotels in Cappadocia are located inside caves. Of course, most hotels are equipped with central heating, but some of them may simply have air conditioners or heaters instead of the usual pipes. This most often happens in guest houses, so if you have chosen this accommodation option, check all the information in advance.
The winter season is as rich in entertainment as any other time of the year. However, traveling in a hot air balloon is not possible every day due to the vagaries of the weather. For this reason, if you are definitely planning to take a hot air balloon flight, order this service immediately upon arrival in Cappadocia, so that you can reschedule the flight, if necessary, to another day.
Be sure to take warm clothes with you; in Cappadocia, snow literally knee-deep is not uncommon. But it happens that there is no snow cover at all, with the exception of the tops of the rocks.
Cases have been recorded when the thermometer dropped to -20⁰C. But this doesn't happen so often. Basically, even in the middle of winter, the temperature during the day stays at around +2⁰С, and at night at around -2⁰С.
Where to stay in Cappadocia?
The tourism infrastructure in Cappadocia is also developed, as in other resort areas of Turkey. Here you can find both elite brand hotels and budget but cozy hostels.
Goreme, famous for its extensive national park and huge open-air museum complex, is considered the center of Cappadocia. Travelers, for the most part, live in this locality. But there are other towns nearby, such as Kayseri and Nevsehir, which, by the way, are not considered tourist.
Goreme
Goreme
If you come to Cappadocia for the first time, you should choose Goreme as a place to stay. From here you can comfortably reach any of the local attractions. In addition to the park and museum indicated above, it is worth going to the Zelve museum complex, the Dark Church and the ancient Uchisar castle. Each of them can be easily reached on foot. Goreme is attractive because mountain peaks greet tourists right outside the hotel doors. Almost every hotel has outdoor terraces that offer magnificent views of the rocky landscapes.
Travelers can not only breathe in the fresh mountain air, but also see the stunning sight of hot air balloons soaring high in the sky. The largest number of them can be seen if you force yourself to wake up at sunrise.
For lovers of everything unusual, you can rent a room in a “cave” hotel, equipped with all the benefits of civilization. There are many hotels in Goreme with outdoor swimming pools, which are popular during the swimming season (late spring to early autumn).
Yurgup
Yurgup
Yurgup is famous for a fairly large number of attractions, including the Catalkaya Valley with beautiful mushroom-shaped rocks and Temmeni Hill, located right in the middle of the city. Inside the latter there are many large and small caves, which today are often used for domestic purposes: they are used for garages, warehouses and other utility rooms. Also in Ugrup, which is also often called Ugrup, you can find magnificent ancient tombs, ancient and modern mosques, inactive Orthodox churches, as well as a modest monument in honor of grape pickers. This monument, by the way, resembles our famous “Worker and Collective Farm Woman”.
Uchisar ( Uçhisar)
Uchisar
The symbol of Uchisar is a rock-fortress stretching 60 meters high. This attraction is also called Uchisar Castle. Carved dovecotes have been preserved in the local rocks, in which birds can still be found. There is also a modest church without frescoes, but it is not functioning today. The famous Ukhhisar houses, which today have been given the status of museums, have also been preserved in the rocks.
Çavuşin
Çavuşin
This is a modest village located 30 minutes on foot from Goreme. Here you can find a majestic rock with houses inside. Of course, most of the former local residents have long since left the mountainous area due to landslides. For this reason, travelers are advised not to get close to hard-to-reach areas. There are plenty of safe paths for tourists here. For example, one of the routes leads to the Church of John the Baptist with frescoes preserved in fair condition.
Derinkuyu
Derinkuyu
This is an ancient dungeon city, consisting of several tiers. It is always cold here, so tourists cannot do without warm clothes.
The underground city has been perfectly preserved to this day. In Derinkuyu you can find literally everything: residential buildings, schools, wine cellars, workshops, barns, ventilation shafts and much, much more. It is known that the city was built by Christians who were fleeing persecution and created excellent living conditions for themselves inside the rocks.
The underground city is truly amazing! The corridors are wide and there are signs everywhere. Once upon a time, from here through a long tunnel you could get to another dungeon city, Kaymakli. Today the tunnel has been mothballed due to the threat of collapses, but the Kaymakli gate is still open to guests.
What to see in Cappadocia
Even an ordinary walk in an unknown direction will give you a lot of impressions. Cappadocia is a true miracle of nature with countless mountains, volcanoes, valleys, and caves. Those who want to immerse themselves in the life of ancient Christians should definitely visit the local underground cities.
Museum Pass Cappadocia
In Cappadocia you can also purchase a museum card - Museum Pass Cappadocia, which gives the right to visit the following attractions:
- Ihlara Valley
- Underground city of Derinkuyu (Derinkuyu Yeraltı Şehri)
- Ozkonak Underground City (Özkonak Yeraltı Şehri)
- Kaymakli Underground City (Kaymaklı Yeraltı Şehri)
- Goreme Open Air Museum (Göreme Açıkhava Müzesi)
- Nevşehir Museum (Nevşehir Müzesi)
- Hadzhibektaş Museum (Hacıbektaş Müzesi)
- Dark Church (Göreme Karanlık Kilise)
- Cavusin Church (Çavuşin Örenyeri)
- Zelve Monastery Complex (Zelve-Paşabağlar Örenyeri)
The cost of the Cappadocia Museum Card is 110 liras. It is valid for 3 days after purchase.
TOP 3 best attractions in Cappadocia
Goreme National Park
1.Göreme National Park Area. Here on a vast area of 300 sq.m. you will find the famous Valley of Love, and many churches decorated with intricate frescoes, and monasteries, and underground houses. Finding yourself in this open-air museum complex is like finding yourself on another planet. You need to know that there is not just one Valley of Love here, but two. The first is directly in Goreme, the second is closer to Uchisar. The latter is very often depicted on postcards.
Balloons are the hallmark of Cappadocia
2.Travel in a hot air balloon. Huge baskets under the dome soar into the sky as the sun rises. It is very interesting to even watch how preparations for the flight are going on. If ballooning itself is ruinous for your budget, you can simply visit one of the observation decks in the morning. Believe me, the picture of balloons floating against the background of dawn will leave a lasting impression!
Valley of Love (Aşk vadisi)
3. The Valley of Love (postcard) is also called the Dove Valley. You can walk here from Goreme. The entire journey there and back will be no more than 12 km. From the second name you can understand that there are a lot of dovecotes here, which were once built right in the rocks. Another attraction of this area is the well-known “mushrooms” made of tuff.
Red Valley (Kızıl vadi)
You can also visit the Meskendir Valley, as well as the Red and Rose Valleys. These places are known for their reddish mountains and many ancient churches.
Churches and temples of Cappadocia
Tokali Kilise Church
There are a lot of church shrines in Cappadocia. Services are held only twice a year - on Christmas and Easter, but are open to tourists all year round. Keep in mind that churches with frescoes usually have an entrance fee.
- Tokali Kilise is the largest church in Goreme, located outside the Goreme Open Air Museum, you can visit it with a museum ticket. Built in the 10th century, frescoes with scenes from the life of Jesus and other saints have survived to this day.
Dark Church (Karanlik kilise)
- The Dark Church is a magnificent masterpiece of ancient architecture, which is worth seeing even for those who are far from religion.
- Church with apples, to which a short but very narrow tunnel leads underground.
- Church of St. Barbarians. It is interesting because on its walls there are ancient frescoes that have come down to us from the era of the fight against iconoclasm.
- Snake Church, the main decoration of which is fresco paintings from the 11th century. One of them has an image of St. Onufriy, therefore the second name of the church is in his honor.
- Chapel of St. Basil (11th century). Attracts with the picture of the battle of St. George with a serpent, painted in ocher and perfectly preserved.
Museums of Cappadocia
Museum of Ceramics (Güray seramik)
The main museum complex of Cappadocia is Goreme, which is part of the Goreme National Park. The church relics described above are located in this open-air museum. It is noteworthy that this attraction is included in the UNESCO heritage list.
The museum complex is very popular among tourists, so in order to avoid queuing for entrance tickets, it is better to come here half an hour before opening, which always occurs at 8 am.
Each attraction of Cappadocia is unique in its own way, for example, the Museum of Ceramics, located in the city of Avanos, is located in natural and man-made caves, 15 meters deep below ground level. The total area of the museum is about 500 square meters.
If a lucky chance brought you to the beautiful and mysterious Cappadocia, be sure to:
- Rent a scooter and feel like an explorer of the local valleys: the beauty and quaintness of the local landscapes will captivate you at first sight. You can talk a lot about them, but it’s better to see them once!
- Sign up for a sightseeing tour leading from Goreme to the underground city of Derenkuyu through the Ihlara Canyon. These attractions are quite far from each other, and an informative story from a local guide will be very useful and interesting to any traveler.
- Feel like a balloonist and take a trip in a hot air balloon at sunrise. Believe me, the chance to see the beauty of Cappadocia from a bird's eye view and take unique photographs is worth any money!
- Stroll through the ancient streets of Goreme, visit souvenir shops and, if possible, be sure to purchase one of the luxurious handmade carpets.
It’s nice to spend an evening in Cappadocia with a glass of wine with a beautiful view of the mountains
- Study in detail the ancient frescoes that adorn the walls of the temple shrines dug in the middle of the rocks in great abundance. The largest number of these objects of ancient culture are concentrated in the so-called open-air museum.
- Immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere of the city underground, explore the local labyrinths of rooms and passages to feel for yourself how the first Christians survived here many centuries ago, escaping Arab persecution and seeking protection within these walls.
- In the evening, join the ranks of gourmets and be sure to visit one of the local catering establishments just to try an unsurpassed traditional dish - meat with vegetables baked in a clay pot (Testi Kebabi).
- At least for one night, become a guest of a cozy hotel located right in the cave. Despite the apparent outward savagery, inside such mini-hotels you can find all the benefits of civilization.
- Take at least a couple of hours to travel to Avanos, which is rightly called the city of potters. Local handmade ceramics will leave a lasting impression on your memory!
- At the end of the day, be sure to rush to Uchisar to admire the sunset from the famous mountain fortress. Believe me, the pictures that open before the eyes of travelers from this point are simply breathtaking!
Prices in Cappadocia for the 2019 season
You can find unusual hotels in Cappadocia
In nearby areas and in Goreme itself you can find accommodation from 40 liras/day, but here you need to take into account that in the spring-summer season the prices will be higher. Therefore, count on at least 150-200 liras/day in the summer. Of course, in Cappadocia there is a wide variety of hotels - cave hotels, hotels on mountain slopes and simply luxurious stone apartments. Plan your accommodation in advance, because already in April it is difficult to find rooms for the summer. But as an option, you can consider hostels or apartments.
In the tourist center of Cappadocia, Goreme, you can find many budget establishments: the price of a hearty lunch will be approximately 25-30 liras, dinner with a glass of wine in a cafe will cost you 50 liras.
Among the inexpensive and interesting cafes you can visit:
Omurca Art Cave Cafe
The cafe is partially located in a cave, and the owner of the establishment, named Harun, will serve you and prepare delicious food. You can have a hearty meal in a homely atmosphere for little money right here.
The owner of the cafe willingly communicates with tourists and tries to create a comfortable and hospitable environment.
We especially recommend this establishment to cat lovers, because the owner of the cafe has more than 6 of them. They are in charge here, but they behave well and do not disturb the guests. Soup 3 lira, portion of kofte (Turkish fried cutlet) 20 lira. You can have a hearty meal with homemade wine for 60 liras for two.
This cafe is a fairly well-known and popular place in Cappadocia; in the evening, as a rule, there are always guests here, so get ready for leisurely service (after all, the owner of the establishment receives and prepares the guests).
Cafe on the map:
Inci Cafe Restaurant
Inci Cafe Restaurant
Inci Cafe Restaurant, located in a cave, with an unusual authentic atmosphere, delicious homemade cuisine and homemade wine. Lentil soup - 3 liras, snacks 10-30 liras.
Cafe on the map:
Pumpkin Goreme Restaurant and Art Gallery
Pumpkin restaurant
It is one of the popular restaurants in Goreme and is famous for its lanterns and lanterns carved from pumpkins. For dinner, you are not offered dishes from the menu, but a set of dishes (different every day), consisting of an appetizer, main course, dessert and drinks. The cost of the set is 60 liras per person. The atmosphere of the establishment is very friendly, friendly service and delicious food.
Cafe on the map:
If we talk about options for a delicious dinner with a stunning view, then you can visit premium restaurants, such as The Plum Restaurant or Seki Restaurant. Dinner with a glass of local wine at Seki Restaurant will cost an average of 160-170 liras per person. The restaurant's veranda overlooks the Goreme National Park, and from the restaurant you can go directly into one of the caves. This establishment is quite famous and is considered one of the best in Cappadocia.
Magnificent views from the hilltops
Prices for one of the main entertainments - hot air balloon flights - may vary. In the absence of a tourist peak, you can try to negotiate for 100 euros. But at the moment, the minimum price for a balloon flight has increased and is 150 euros. This is the price for the 2019 season. The flight lasts 60, 75 or 90 minutes, it all depends on the service provider and the entertainment conditions.
Cappadocian views are impressively beautiful
There are, of course, companies that position their services as luxury and ask for about 500-650 liras per person. The basket accommodates from 20 to 24 people, the flight lasts 1 hour. Follow the safety recommendations when flying in hot air balloons, be sure to wear your seat belt.
Cappadocia is a fairly calm place, however, walking alone on dark evenings is not recommended.
Since Cappadocia is a mountainous area, it is not recommended to go rock climbing without preparation and in places not intended for this; it is dangerous, given that there is a possibility of landslides. Be careful when walking - a motorcycle or ATV may suddenly appear around a bend.
One of the main tips regarding an independent trip from Istanbul to Cappadocia is to pay with local money, i.e. lira. Do not forget that when paying in euros and dollars, the exchange rate will always be unfavorable for you. To avoid unpleasant conflicts and misunderstandings, change the required amount of money in advance at the Istanbul exchange office.
Many of our compatriots travel around Turkey in a rented car. If you have an international license and are not afraid of unfamiliar roads, this is a convenient option to explore all the most interesting places in Turkey, including Cappadocia. Cost of renting a car in Turkey – from 30 to 50 euros per day. Discounts apply for long-term rentals.
In our article we will talk about how to get to Cappadocia by public transport from other Turkish cities popular with tourists. Distance between Istanbul and Cappadocia in a straight line - 566 km, along the roads - 733 km.
There are 3 options:
1. By plane via Kayseri Airport (Cappadocia). The price of a plane ticket from Istanbul to Kayseri is only from 45 liras ($13). You can take a taxi from the airport, which will cost $ 57 to Goreme, Urgup or Avanos.
Taxi prices from Kayseri airport to all other cities and towns in Cappadocia:
Taxi prices from Kayseri airport to Cappadocia
As we can see, a taxi is quite expensive, so I advise you to request a transfer in advance through your hotel by email. It will cost much less: only 30 liras per person ($ 8.6). At the airport, all tourists who have ordered a transfer will be met by a minivan and taken to their hotels within an hour and a half.
It’s worth booking a hotel in Cappadocia in advance, and through the Booking website you can find a suitable room with good discounts:
2. By bus. The journey takes approximately 10-11 hours, there are day and night buses. You can buy a ticket at Bayrampaşa bus station (Otogar metro station), ticket price 50−55 liras ($15−16). Usually from Istanbul the bus goes to the center of Cappadocia, the city of Nevsehir. From there you can go to other villages on a local minibus (dolmush) for just 2.5 lira.
3. By train. This option exists, but usually no one uses it. Because it will take about 18 hours to get to Cappadocia by train, and it will cost much more than a bus.
From Ankara
The capital of Turkey, Ankara, is located quite close to Cappadocia (250 km), so there is no point in flying by plane; it will take much more time than traveling by land.
1. By bus, which takes only 4 hours. Ticket price 25−30 liras ($7−9).
2. By train. As in the case of Istanbul, it is not advisable to travel from Ankara to Cappadocia by train. It will turn out almost 2 times longer and much more expensive.
From Antalya
1. By plane. The cost of the Antalya-Keyseri air ticket is from 60 liras ($17.5). Next, a taxi ($60) or transfer (30 liras per person) to Goreme or another tourist village.
3. Can also be purchased 2-day or 3-day excursion. This will be the most convenient option: they will take you everywhere and tell you about everything. Approximate cost of an excursion to Cappadocia from Alanya - $ 100−150. However, this option is not suitable if you want to walk through the valleys of Cappadocia on your own, climb rocks, and look into ancient dwellings without crowds of tourists. Still, if you have enough time, we recommend coming to Cappadocia on your own, for at least 3-4 days.
Such views, and not a soul around! You can’t even dream of such luxury on an organized excursion...
From Moscow
Today, cheap low-cost airlines Pegasus (via Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport) and Atlas Global (with a transfer at Ataturk Airport) fly from Moscow and many Russian regions to Cappadocia (via Istanbul). You can buy tickets with a minimum transfer and not go into the city. Ticket price Moscow-Istanbul-Keyseri Total from 8500 rubles. Travel time (including transfers) - from 8 hours.
(UPD from April 2019: Ataturk Airport in Istanbul was closed, and in its place was the largest airport in the world far from the city), so getting into the city even with a long layover in Istanbul became much more difficult. 
But the best thing to do would be to buy a ticket Moscow-Istanbul (from 3500 rubles per person), walk around Istanbul for several days, and then fly to Cappadocia. Ticket prices Istanbul-Keyseri - from 750 rubles per person. In addition, you can leave Istanbul for Cappadocia by bus (we wrote about this above).
We found cheap tickets to Cappadocia here.
Friends, good day!
A large intercity bus station is located in the city of Nevsehir, which is 15 km from Goreme. But don’t let this scare you, since most routes either go directly to Goreme or take you to Nevsehir, from where small shuttles will take you to Goreme completely free of charge.
Some details of bus companies in Turkey
You can use 3 sites to search:
- www.neredennereye.com
- obilet.com
- tickets.com.
It is best to use the 1st of them, since, firstly, it is in English, and secondly, it is the one in which you have the experience of buying tickets online. But the problem is that it shows that for some reason not all bus companies operate on one route or another.
The best and with the widest transport network is the Metro company - metroturizm.com.tr. I personally used their services and the rating is 5+. Everything is clear and professional. If you have the opportunity, then do not experiment!
- Kamıl Koç — kamilkoc.com.tr. Another monster of road transport. I consider this the number 2 moving company. I highly recommend it, but they simply don’t show up in the search engine.
- Güney Akdeniz - guneyakdeniz.com. This company provides transportation throughout the Mediterranean region: Bodrum - Antalya - Alanya - Isparta. Frequent flights and very reasonable prices.
- Pamukkale - pamukkale.com.tr. Another well-known and reliable company. But it seemed to me that it was a little more expensive than the previous one in the same directions.
What you need to know about traveling by bus
- When choosing seats It is not allowed to seat men and women together, so if you are a couple, then remind the ticket seller about this, otherwise you may not be close at all
- Almost always your luggage will be required to be checked into the luggage compartment. From my own experience, it is better to have a very small handbag or even a bag with you to throw in everything you need: a tablet, snacks, headphones and charger.
- Many buses have WiFi. You need to ask the steward for the password.
- If you want to drink, don’t be shy and don’t wait for the next steward to come in to hand it out.
- Remember your bus number , this is especially true for the Metro company. Very often, 2-3 identical buses with identical signs may be nearby.
- To find out the schedule, it is better to go to the bus station website. Here is the schedule for the bus station in Antalya: antalyaulasim.com.tr/nasil-giderim
Can a foreigner buy a bus ticket online?
As you've probably already heard, if foreigners have difficulty buying tickets online. No, citizenship is not required yet, but a Turkish bank card is required!
It is still possible for a foreigner to buy a ticket online, but for now only on the website www.neredennereye.com
Distances from resort towns to Goreme
- from Antalya to Cappadocia 535 km
- from Alanya to Cappadocia 495 km
- from Side to Cappadocia 466 km
- from Kemera to Cappadocia 582 km
- from Istanbul to Cappadocia 730 km
- from Ankara to Cappadocia 300 km
- from Bodrum to Cappadocia 842 km
- from Marmaris and to Cappadocia 781 km
- from Pamukkale to Cappadocia 620 km
- from Fethiye to Cappadocia 714 km
- from Izmir to Cappadocia 770 km
Now you can answer for yourself which resort is closest to Cappadocia?
How to get to Cappadocia by bus
This is the easiest and most reliable way to get anywhere in Turkey from anywhere. Thanks to companies Metro And Kamil Koç direct flights at least once a day go to Cappadocia from all famous resorts. Below I will provide screenshots from the site www.neredennereye.com, but I recommend additionally checking the individual websites of the bus companies that I mentioned above.
If, suddenly, by the will of fate, there is no direct flight from your “village”, then focus on transfers at large bus stations. Your route will consist of two segments. This will cost 5-15 liras more, but will help you complete the route with maximum speed and convenience.
First get to Ankara, Konya, Isparta, Antalya or Maganauta, and from there look for tickets further.
From Istanbul
You already know that from Istanbul the easiest way to get to Cappadocia is by plane. Only from here there are direct flights to both Cappadocia airports - Nevsehir and Kayseri, and tickets are not at all expensive - check.
But if you decide to take a bus, then you will spend 10 hours on the road if the bus is at night, and 12 hours if it is a day bus. Worth the trip 120 liras, something around $25. ( 1$ – 4.5 lira).
And this is a screenshot from another site Bilte.com
Buses depart from the bus station Bayrampaşa. For some reason we’ll mark it on the map as Esenler Otogar. It is very easy to get to it, since there is a metro station right next to it Otogar.
From Ankara
Since you already know from the previous article that there are no direct flights from Ankara to Cappadocia, the best way to get there is by bus, which takes 4 hours. Fare 50-60 liras. Please note that there are no night buses.
Ankara Bus Station Asti is located in the western part of the city. From the airport it is easily accessible by company bus Havataş, and from the city by metro to the station of the same name Asti.
From Antalya
There are a lot of buses from Antalya to Goreme. Travel time is 9-10 hours. Travel cost approx. 80 liras. I also used this service.
Please note that if you choose a destination other than Goreme, but Nevsehir, the price will not change much, but the frequency of flights will increase. The main thing is not to use the company's services Igdir. Why? my revelation.
The bus station is located in the north of the city next to the tram station Otogar. You can get here either by tram directly from the airport or by company bus Havataş. There are a lot of buses with the names Otogar and Terminali from different parts of the city.
From Kemer
From Kemer today there is only one night flight to Goreme from the company Rahmi Hamurcu. The journey will take 10 hours and cost 90 liras.
If you are not satisfied with this turn, then you can skip from Kemer to the Antalya bus station (travel time 40-60 minutes) and from there go further to Cappadocia.
Kemer bus station is located in the north of the city near the highway going through Antalya to Kas. You can get to it from the resort part by minibus with a sign Otogar.
But to get to Antalya it is not at all necessary to go to the bus station. Local buses pass right through the center of Kemer.
From Alanya
It may seem that from Alanya you can only take a direct bus to Nevsehir. And then you can get there on your own by taking a minibus, or jump on a bus from another company going to Goreme.
Since buses from Alanya are night, this will not be a problem. Travel time is 10.5 hours, and ticket price 75 liras.
But there is still a direct flight. Like I said, check other sites for tickets. If this option does not suit you, then go from Alanya to the neighboring intercity bus station in Manavgat(about 1 hour). From there the choice of flights is much larger.
The bus station in Alanya is located at the western tip Cleopatra beach and entrance to the city from Antalya. You can walk or hop on bus number 2.
From Side
You can't get anywhere from Side itself. This small coastal town simply does not have an intercity bus station. First, you need to take a local dolmus to get to the bus station of the neighboring satellite city Manavgat. The drive is about 10 minutes. And from there, take a reputable bus and set off on a journey.
The drive takes 7.5 hours and the ticket costs 70 liras. There are a lot of flights (there are only a few on the slide as an example).
And here is the bus station in Manavgat:
From Izmir
From the Aegean region it is even further to get to Cappadocia than from the Mediterranean region.
From Izmir the bus to Goreme takes the same time as from Istanbul, about 12 hours. It’s just that it costs not 120 lira, but 100 . There are very few flights to Goreme itself, but there are many more to Nevsehir.
I hope you remember from the previous article that there are direct flights from Izmir for 100-150 liras? If you decide to fly, then read this article on how to get to Izmir airport from the city.
Izmir bus station is located at the exit from the city towards Istanbul. You can get here either by minibus or by free service bus from the carrier company. I know for sure that this way you can leave right from the company’s offices next to the railway. station Basmane.
From Fethiye
There are 3 buses a day from Fethiye to Goreme. Travel time is about 13 hours and the ticket costs 100 lira. All buses except Metro are pass-through.
The bus station in Fethiye is located in the southern part of the city next to the highway along which we enter it from the east. You can also reach it on foot.
To be honest, the bus station here is not very remarkable and is kind of hidden from view. So either ask passers-by, or be guided by maps.me .
From Marmaris
From Marmaris to Goreme itself there are only 2 evening flights per 90 and 110 liras(but there is a morning one in Nevsehir). Travel time is half a lifetime or 13 hours. You wouldn't wish it on your enemy.
The bus station is located almost at the exit from the city in a northern direction.
From Bodrum
There are no direct flights from Bodrum to Goreme in the search engine. So you will have to first get to Nevsehir, and only then jump to the local dolmuş. Until 18.00 - 19.00 in the evening - this is not a problem at all.
There is a morning for 90 liras and evening for 110 liras flight, but travel time is not determined.
But there is a direct flight on the website Kamıl Koç
Bodrum bus station is located in the city center next to the supermarket MMM Migros .
Good to know
Friends, pay attention in the last slide I pointed with an arrow to the phrase Stopover. This means that the bus passes by and will continue on to its final destination in another city. It is always better to clarify exactly how this stopover will occur. Since in my case I described in this article, I was simply thrown out at the nearest gas station 1 km from the bus station.
And further. Return tickets You can either buy it immediately upon departure or later at the bus station in Goreme. The fact is that there are 2 more local companies that deliver tourists to almost anywhere in Turkey:
- Nevşehir Seyahat — nevsehirlilerseyahat.com.tr
- Suha Tourism — suhaturizm.com.tr
Their ticket sales agency is located right at the bus station along with their offices Metro And Kamil Koc. So you can choose a convenient fare and departure time right on the spot. It’s especially convenient that their schedules are posted right in front of their offices.
Friends, I’m done with buses. If you have any questions or sensible comments, please don’t be shy and pour out your thoughts in the special column.
Do not forget subscribe to blog updates and add to our
The second place to visit was the small town of Goreme in the center of Cappadocia. In order to get there, we bought bus tickets at the METRO sales office in some shopping center.
In general, you can buy tickets directly at the Asti bus station; there are sales counters of well-known bus companies there. The names of companies, as a rule, are written in huge letters on buses, so you can navigate by them. In Turkey, intercity bus service is very widespread and developed and it really deserves all praise, very convenient, comfortable buses and excellent service. Therefore, you can come to Goreme from anywhere in Turkey. Well, to get to Turkey you need to buy a plane ticket. We use the proven Aviasales resource; for convenience, you can use this form:
A ticket from Ankara to Goreme cost 40 liras, we bought two tickets, but since they gave us a 10% discount, it ended up being 36 liras for one person. 
They didn’t take a separate seat for Camilla, they decided to take turns on their knees, although it was a 5-hour ride.
We got to the bus station on our own by metro. The bus station is impressive, large, three floors in my opinion, it works like a conveyor belt, buses leave every half hour in different directions. There are also plenty of people at the bus station, mostly the local population, sprinkled here and there with independent travelers. Inside the bus station it’s not very clean and there are little gypsies snooping around, begging for food and money, quite aggressively, so be careful with your things.
In order not to miss our bus, closer to the boarding time, we went out onto the platform and found it ourselves, did not wait for the announcement, they said it rather unclearly. The bus pleased:
- There was a distance between our chairs, where we put our backpack, and we put Camilla on top and rode off comfortably.
- There were special footrests, which was very comfortable, the legs did not swell.
- A small worker was built into the back of each chair!!! a tablet computer on which you could watch movies, cartoons (all in Turkish), play toys, listen to music; individual headphones were provided for this. As soon as the bus started moving everything worked.
What is noteworthy is that in Turkish intercity buses, in addition to the driver, there is a mandatory presence of a steward. I'll tell you why. Before we had time to drive away, the steward began to go around all the passengers and offer ice cream!!! Honestly, we were blown away! 🙂 
After some time, the steward again walked around the bus offering hot tea, water, sweets, collecting garbage, etc. All this, mind you, is free. We were amazed at the level of service and in general that this is possible on buses. Needless to say, the bus itself is modern, with air conditioning and so on. 
Apart from us, there were no other foreigners on the bus. 
We stopped several times along the way for snacks and other errands. One of the stops was near a salt lake, as we understood, salt is mined there. 
After we arrived at the bus station in the city of Nevsehir, from which it is another 10 km to Goreme, we were transferred to a minibus and driven further. Even before you reach Goreme, it’s as if you’re on another planet, this is exactly the feeling and impression that arises. The landscapes are simply extraordinary, bizarre, cosmic! 
Meanwhile, the bus brings us to the final stop, which is also an open-air bus station. You can't tell by looking at it, but that's exactly how it is. By the way, this place is located in the very center of Goreme. 
Having immediately asked people how to get to our pre-booked hotel, we slowly wandered in that direction...
Other articles about our trip to Turkey:
Services we use on our independent travels:
Search and purchase of air ticketsAviasales is number 1 for us among all search engines, we use only it because it is convenient and reliable, without any pitfalls.
One Two Trip! - an amazingly convenient search engine in which you can find and purchase not only air tickets, but also railway tickets. In addition, it is also easy to book a hotel or hotel there. By clicking on our link you will receive an additional 500 rubles discount on the purchase of an air ticket!
Search and book accommodation
- - a world-famous search engine where you can find and book accommodation from guesthouses to luxury villas. Have used it many times and highly recommend it.
- Hotellook is a service for searching and booking accommodation from the creators of Aviasales.
- Airbnb - booking and renting apartments, rooms, houses from local residents. Tested on ourselves, everything is honest, we recommend. When booking using our link, you will receive a bonus of RUB 2,100, which you can use to pay for your accommodation. To do this, you will need to create your AirBnB account.
- an excellent alternative to traveling on intercity buses and trains across Russia. Prices are most often lower than public transport, and comfort is significantly higher.
Service aggregator for car rentals from local rental companies. You choose a car as if at a local rental, but through the service, booking with a bank card, from which only 15% of the cost is charged. The guarantor is MyRentacar. You can choose not only the car class, but also a specific car, down to the body color and radio type. But most importantly, the prices on this service are the same as if you went to your local rental company yourself!
How to get to Goreme from Istanbul, Antalya, Ankara and other cities? Which airports are the best to fly to? And how to get to the city from Nevsehir and Kayseri airports. Everything you need to know before traveling to Cappadocia on your own. How to get there, where to rent accommodation, prices in cafes and restaurants.
I rarely sing the praises of particular cities, countries and tourist destinations, but Cappadocia is not that case. Goreme is really a very cool place. Just space (like Stas from the song “Leningrad”). Therefore, if you suddenly find yourself in Turkey, be sure to visit this place for at least a full 2-3 days. You'll like it. And I, for my part, will tell you how to organize such a trip for yourself.
The easiest way is, of course, to simply go to one of the many travel agencies in Istanbul and buy yourself a ready-made tour to Cappadocia. There are no tricks here. But keep in mind that the prices there are off the charts. I won’t even list them, because depending on the duration of the trip, the quality of the hotel and included options and the language in which the guide will speak to you, their cost can vary greatly. Therefore, in this article I will not consider such options for traveling to Cappadocia. Instead, I’d better tell you how to get to this region on your own - by bus or plane.
Let's define the concepts
Cappadocia is a fairly large region located in the central part of Turkey. The largest cities here are Kayseri and Nevsehir. However, from a tourist point of view, they can only be considered as a transit point. Most of the attractions for which people actually go to Cappadocia are located in the area of the city of Urgup. It is next to it that such popular tourist villages as Goreme, Uchisar, Zelve are located, as well as various valleys, caves and open-air museums.
Where is the best place to live in Cappadocia?
Panorama of Goreme from the terrace of the Arch Palace Hotel.
The most popular tourist center in the region is Goreme city . Well, like a “city”... There are two streets along and two across. The entire settlement, in fact, is a collection of hotels, cafes, travel agencies and souvenir shops. There's not much else there. Well, you can only remember the mosque that will wake you up every morning. It was in Goreme that we ourselves lived during this trip.
In principle, if for some reason Goreme is not suitable for you, you can rent a hotel for the duration of your trip in the village Uchisar . There is a famous cave castle there, and also very close to it is the Pigeon Valley, which is one of the popular tourist routes.
Uchisar fortress.
From a logistics point of view, Uchisar is also a good place. But there is one important “But”: balloons. I personally am not sure that their morning flight from Uchisar will look as picturesque. One young Turk (who generally impressed me as an educated person) swore by his mother that balloons were also perfectly visible from Uchisar. "But"! I repeat: I doubt it. The thing is that in Goreme they fly right above your head. And in Uchisar, they will most likely be visible in the distance (even though it is located on a hill, which in theory should provide a good overview).
In general, an extravagant option to stay during a trip to Cappadocia in Nevsehir. In fact, even there there are actually tourists in the hotels (despite the fact that Goreme National Park is 12 kilometers away from here). Typically, tourists who choose Nevsehir simply rent a car or buy some kind of off-road tour and thus move around the region. Again, the question here arises only with balloons. As for the rest, of course, Nevsehir also has its advantages. For example, cafes in Goreme are relatively expensive. In Nevsehir, I am sure there is no such problem. And it’s easier to get from the airport.
I’ll write a few words on a separate line about Urgup. This is another important center of Cappadocia. But I wasn’t there, so I’ll leave Urgup out of the equation. I read in one article that it is something between Goreme and Nevsehir. Let's settle for that.
How to get to Cappadocia?
Let's still consider Goreme as the final point. This is right in the heart of Cappadocia. Therefore, the phrase “how to get to Cappadocia” in this article will mean “How to get to Goreme”. So... Let's get down to business. There are two different ways to get to this region from Istanbul: by bus or by plane. More about everything separately.
How to get to Cappadocia by bus (from Istanbul, Ankara and Antalya)?
To do this, you need to buy tickets on the website or at the office of bus companies such as Metro, Nevsehir Seyahat or Kamil Koc. These three companies operate flights directly to Goreme. Some other companies have flights to Nevsehir or Kayseri, but going to Cappadocia with a transfer, of course, is not very convenient, so I will leave them out of the equation.
Ticket prices . At the time of writing flights from Istanbul to Goreme cost 100 liras (about 20 euros) for one way travel. Travel from Ankara cheaper (such a ticket will cost you about 50 liras). From Antalya the ticket costs 70-80 liras.
Travel time It’s also different everywhere. From Istanbul to Goreme it is a 10-11 hour drive. From Ankara – 4 or 5 hours. And from Antalya – 8 or 9 (depending on specific flights and traffic on the roads).
For more information, see the following sites:
- metroturizm.com.tr
- nevsehirlilerseyahat.com.tr
- kamilkoc.com.tr
The advantages of this option . Buses in Turkey are very comfortable. There are soft chairs, monitors in the seats, toilets, wi-fi, sockets. I heard that some of them even provide food like on an airplane. But, as they say, this is not accurate. Another advantage of traveling to Cappadocia by bus is that many flights are overnight, which means you can save on hotel costs. This is important for many travelers. However, I would personally like to draw your attention to another circumstance - the fact that buses come directly (!!!) to Goreme. Planes, in turn, fly to nearby airports - to Kayseri or Nevsehir, from where you still need to somehow get to the final point (I will write about this separately). Another advantage of buses is a large amount of free luggage, which in the same Turkish low-cost airlines is limited to certain parameters (8 kg and 55x40x20 cm). In general, as you understand, buses also have their important advantages. Carefully weigh all the pros and cons before choosing one option or another.
This is interesting ! A lyrical digression in the style of “A Minute for the Curious.” On Turkish buses, seats for men and women are initially separated. Yes, if you are husband and wife, you can go together. But in general, by default, men and women are seated separately in the cabin (girls with girls, boys with boys). Seats in the cabin are even highlighted in different colors - blue for men, pink for women. Like in a maternity hospital. Gee-gee-gee...
Disadvantages of traveling by bus . In fact, there are only two of them: it takes a long time and it is quite expensive. The thing is that the cost of air travel and bus travel is almost identical. But at the same time, a plane from Istanbul flies for 1 hour, and a bus takes as much as 10.
How to get from Goreme back to Istanbul/Antalya/Ankara
Everything is simple here. Come to the Goreme bus station and buy tickets right there from one of the bus companies. Pay attention to the photo - it clearly shows that there are a lot of different offices there (and they are located next to each other).
Prices are the same everywhere. Only the companies themselves and departure times differ. Choose the right time, buy a ticket and eat. The bus station in Goreme is located in the city center. You won't miss it. I repeat: there are two streets along and two across. If anything, focus on this monument.
Looks like a zombie crawling out of the ground and clutching the Turkish flag in his hands.
How to get to Cappadocia by plane?
Buy a ticket and get there. Everything here is extremely simple. Flights from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport in this direction are operated by such companies as TurkishAirlines and their low-cost “daughter” AnadoluJet. Low-cost airlines also fly to Cappadocia. Some sites on the Internet also mention the Atlas jet company, but I personally was quite confused on their site.
In fact, I personally recommend that you watch Anadolu Jet and Pegasus flights. The cost of a flight here starts from 60 liras (12 euros), but of course it can vary significantly depending on the day of departure, the amount of luggage you need or, for example, the class you are going to fly.
Personally, we ourselves traveled to Nevsehir from Istanbul on an Anadolu Jet flight (110 liras for a one-way flight). And personally, I was completely satisfied with them. At the moment this is the best low-cost airline I have ever flown with. They have new planes, a convenient website. And there is as much as 8 kilograms of free included luggage (+ laptop, handbag, etc.). This, by the way, is one kilogram more than that of the national airline of Ukraine – UIA. In addition, there is free food on the flight (they give you a sandwich, a muffin and drinks). The national airline of Belarus, Belavia, despite the draconian prices, only has “Vzletnye” sweets and stunted chocolate.
Retro photo from my archive.
In general, Anadolu Jet are great. When the flight was delayed by two hours, they even gave us a dry meal (while my beloved Ryanair ignored us in a similar situation last year). So stop... Enough about Anadolu Jet... Everyone has already realized how wonderful they are. Let's talk about airports now...
Which Cappadocia airport is the best to fly to?
As I already said, there are two airports in Cappadocia - in Nevsehir and Kayseri. The first is located 35 kilometers from Goreme. The other is in his 70s. Therefore, flying to Nevsehir is a little more convenient. Personally, we did just that - we flew to Nevsehir, and from there we took a separate transfer directly to Goreme.
By the way, the airport in Nevsehir is one of the smallest I have ever seen.
How to get to Goreme from Nevsehir/Kayseri airport
Everything is quite simple here. You can order a direct transfer yourself or through the hotel (this is also very popular). The thing is that there are a huge number of transfer companies in Goreme. They are here like freaks in “House-2”. Hotel owners, as a rule, are friends with certain companies and constantly order transfers from them for their guests.
All that is required of you personally is to write to the hotel and ask them to organize a transfer for you. We booked the hotel on the AIRBNB website. There, writing to the landlord is generally easier than ever. Our own transfer from Nevsehir airport to Goreme cost 25 lira. Focus on this amount. At the exit from the airport, a driver with a sign meets you and leads you into a minivan. There is a roll call on the bus. When all the tourists have been collected, the car sets off.
The bus brings you directly to the hotel door. It is very comfortable. And one more thing... By the way, for the transfer itself we did not pay the driver who met us at the airport, but at the hotel. I don’t know, maybe he paid for the transfer with his own money before the trip. Or maybe the whole point is that they (hotel owners) receive some percentage from transfer companies? But the fact remains: prices are the same everywhere.
- Transfer to Goreme from Nevsehir airport costs 25 liras;
- Transfer to Goreme from Kayseri Airport costs 30 liras.
Sometimes hotel owners may ask for a larger amount for the transfer. Such people immediately go through the forest. However, there is a reverse trick when the hotel offers you a free airport transfer (at least one way). This is not kindness or exaggerated generosity. It’s just that in return you will be offered to buy an off-road tour, a hot air balloon flight, or something else like that from the same hotel. See for yourself here. If you are interested in this arrangement, you can agree. There is no deception here.
How to get to Goreme from Nevsehir/Kayseri airport on your own
I could swear that as I walked out of the airport doors, I saw a minibus with the inscription Goreme and the price of 15 lire, which was indicated on the body. However, when I went to photograph these same minibuses, it suddenly disappeared, and only minibuses to Nevsehir remained in place. On the Internet, I also did not find any mention of that same mysterious direct minibus for 15 liras. Therefore, I will appeal to facts and write about what I know for sure.
So. Firstly, you can book the same “minivan transfer” that we were ordered from the hotel. For example, follow the links below.
- Helios Transfer, [email protected]
- Argeus shuttle service, [email protected]
The price will remain the same - 25 liras for Nevsehir and 30 for Kayseri.
Another option is to go to Goreme by transit. For example, you leave the airport and take a minibus to Nevsehir. Pay 15 liras for it. You get to the city, and there you buy a ticket to Goreme for another 3 liras. The savings are around 7 liras (about 1.5 euros). Whether this is worth the trouble, see for yourself. We personally ordered the transfer through the hotel.
Hotels in Cappadocia
I already wrote about where it is best to stay during a trip to Cappadocia at the very beginning of the article. There are two and a half options - Goreme, Uchisar or Nevsehir. But I repeat: Goreme is the juice. Therefore, we will take it as a basis.
Despite the touristic nature of this Turkish village, hotels here are generally inexpensive. For 30 euros you can easily find yourself an excellent hotel here with breakfast included and a terrace on the top floor. Personally, during this trip we lived in a Superior room at the ARCH Palace hotel. I liked him. I recommend. The breakfast is delicious, the view from the terrace is beautiful, and I could even sleep crosswise on the bed. Plus the owner speaks excellent English.
As for other places. Their choice is huge. All hotels can be divided into “hotels in the rock” and “hotels in the rock.”
The second option, in my opinion, is preferable. Since in the first it is often cold and the Internet connection is poor. Although I’ll make a reservation: here, of course, a lot depends on the hotel itself. Read reviews.
Budget hotel rooms in Goreme can be rented for 17-20 euros. But I would recommend that you still focus on an amount of around 30 euros per room. These will already be hotels of a slightly higher class.
Another important nuance is the location. Try to find a hotel near a local observation point (“View point” is sometimes also marked as “Sunset/Sunrise point”). This is a mountain topped with a huge Turkish flag.
It is most pleasant and convenient to photograph flying balls from there. If your hotel is located far from this point, you will simply have to run there through the entire village and get up early in order to be at the observation deck by 6 am.
On which website did I personally look for hotels in Goreme? On the AIRBNB website (+ small discount for registration).
I also recommend that you check out all the options through the RoomGuru website. It's an ugly interface. But it compares prices on different sites (like Booking and Ostrovka) and shows where a specific room costs the cheapest. After that, all you have to do is go to the desired website and complete your booking.
Travel insurance to Cappadocia
Look, the whole point is that health insurance can vary greatly in its coverage and the number of included options. Regular insurance will help you in case of food poisoning, sunstroke or, for example, if you suddenly have an unexpected toothache. A completely different matter is hot air balloon rides or, for example, horseback riding. Many companies can classify such entertainment as active sports (and such an option must be turned on and paid for separately). There are exceptions. For example, before my own trip, I was able to find out that insurance policies from Zetta or Sberbank the same hot air balloon flights are covered by default. As for everyone else, check this point separately before purchasing a policy. Well, or simply, if you get injured, crawl to the hotel and in a conversation with the insurance company, swear that you twisted your ankle in the shower, and not while riding a horse or ATV.
You can buy insurance online and immediately compare policies from different companies based on the number of included options. Company insurance is also sold there. Zetta And Sberbank.I bought my policy there for the duration of the trip. I took a policy from Zetta. Insurance cost me $7.5 (for a week). I did not include “active sports” in my policy. But I repeat, if you want to insure yourself in case of injury while riding a motorcycle or, for example, walking in the mountains (trekking), you need to include these items in your policy (see print screen below).
There's nothing complicated here. Roughly speaking, you just need to check the box next to the appropriate item. Insurance covering active sports will cost $12-15. Read more about travel insurance for Turkey in the article below.
Goreme excursions and hot air balloon flights
Excursions in Cappadocia are a popular thing. Some people drive jeeps. Someone flies in hot air balloons. There are many options here. You can book such an excursion directly on the spot or online. For example, here (excursions in Russian are presented here).
A balloon flight will cost you approximately 150 euros. Plus or minus. In winter, I heard that such flights can be found cheaper (for 80-100 euros). The balloons themselves fly all year round (the main thing is that the weather is suitable). The price is influenced by the qualifications of the pilot, the take-off location and the language in which that same pilot (or accompanying person) will speak to you. You will actually have to pay extra for Russian and English. Various extras also affect the price. For example, champagne upon arrival, some diplomas about a hot air balloon flight, a mini-excursion in the style of “look at the Valley of Love over there.”
As for ordinary excursions, they are very different. The most popular are Red Tour and Green Tour. Routes and prices can be seen in the photographs. Something similar is offered at every turn in Cappadocia.
An alternative option is to rent a car () and drive everywhere on your own.
Where to go and what to see in Cappadocia?
In principle, you can walk through the valleys of Cappadocia on foot. This is a little difficult, but not critical - all points are within step-by-step accessibility.
Plus, the path itself can only be done in one direction, and you can hitchhike back to Goreme. Distances – 5-6 kilometers. Stopping the car is not a problem. You go out onto the highway and after 5-10 minutes someone will pick you up. Turks are hospitable and friendly people.
So... What to see in the Goreme area.
- Open Air Museum (there are old churches in the rocks and frescoes);
- Valleys. There are many of them here. The most popular are the Valley of Love, Pigeon Valley, Red and White Valleys, etc.
- Cave fortress Uchisar. It is located in the village of the same name. You can get there from Goreme by bus for 2.5 liras. Or walk through the Pigeon Valley.
- Cave cities. Kaymakli, Derinkuyu and others. It's better to go with a tour. It's a little difficult to do on your own.
- Flight of balloons. Starts every day at 6 am. It is best observed from the observation deck in the center of Goreme. Although it is also clearly visible from many hotels.
Food in Cappadocia: how much food costs
Goreme is a tourist place, so all those doners and kebabs that you saw in Istanbul for 3-5 liras cost 7-10 here. This bun with chicken and vegetables will cost you 7 liras.
Tea in the same cafe costs 2 lira. In a cafe for locals (where Turkish grandfathers play checkers for days), they asked for 1.5 liras for a glass of tea.
Pida (similar to a closed pizza or Georgian khachapuri) costs 14-15 liras in a cafe. Kebab - 25 liras.
I’ll write separately about the Anatolian Kitchen cafe. Avoid him. It looks decent and is located right in the center of Goreme, but I personally got poisoned there. Maybe you will be lucky and your own trip to this cafe will not end so tragically. But it's better not to take risks. May my sacrifice not be in vain.