Istanbul to Cappadocia: plane, bus or car
Flying, taking the bus or driving to Cappadocia, with the pros and cons of each, plus a 3-day package with flights, transfers and a hotel.
3-minute read
In short
You can reach Cappadocia from Istanbul by plane, bus or car. By air you land at Kayseri or Nevşehir and continue by road; if your time is short, flying saves you a day. The bus and the car mean a night on the road or a long drive. B Travel’s 3-day, 2-night package combines return Turkish Airlines flights, VIP transfers, the hotel, a full-day tour and horse riding or an ATV tour; it starts at €1,150 for 2 people.
Where Cappadocia is, and which airports are close
Cappadocia is a region in Central Anatolia, around Nevşehir, known for its fairy chimneys, valleys and rock-cut settlements. Towns such as Göreme, Ürgüp and Uçhisar are home to many of its hotels.
Two airports are close to the region: Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport and Kayseri Erkilet Airport. From either one you continue to your hotel by road. Which suits you depends on flight times and on the town you are staying in.
By air: a short flight, then a transfer
Flying makes sense when your time is limited. There are flights to the airports near Cappadocia from both of Istanbul’s airports. The flight itself is short, but when you count door to door, add the trip to the airport, check-in and waiting, and the transfer after landing.
It helps to arrange in advance how you will get from the airport to your hotel. Shuttles and taxis are available at the airports, but a pre-arranged transfer saves you waiting around, especially after an evening landing.
By bus: long but economical
Bus companies run regular services from Istanbul to Cappadocia, including overnight ones that arrive in the morning. The ticket is usually cheaper than a flight, and on a night bus you also save the cost of a night in a hotel.
In return you get a long journey and a night of broken sleep on the bus. With children, or on a short holiday, the tiredness can cost you your first day. If you have time to spare and budget comes first, the bus is a reasonable choice.
By car: freedom, but a long drive
Driving yourself or hiring a car lets you stop wherever you like on the way. The road is long, though: you spend most of a day at the wheel to get there, and you need to set aside the same again to come back.
A car makes sense on a longer road trip that combines Cappadocia with other stops. For a two- or three-day break, flying is usually less tiring.
B Travel’s 3-day, 2-night Cappadocia package
If you would rather not arrange travel, hotel and tours separately, the package puts them together. The price starts at €1,150 for 2 people. It includes:
- return flights with Turkish Airlines
- VIP transfers
- 2 nights in a stone hotel, with breakfast
- a full-day sightseeing tour
- horse riding or an ATV tour
This is a starting price; the exact price depends on the date, the number of people and your choices. We reply to your request with the availability and the exact price.
The programme, day by day
Day 1: you fly from Istanbul to Cappadocia with Turkish Airlines. A VIP meet-and-greet awaits you at the airport, and then you check in at your hotel.
Day 2: after breakfast, a full-day sightseeing tour, followed by horse riding or an ATV ride. You spend the day in the valleys, so wear comfortable clothes and closed shoes. In Cappadocia, mornings and evenings can be cool even in summer; pack an extra layer.
Day 3: breakfast, a VIP transfer to the airport and your flight back to Istanbul. Balloon flights are not included in the package; if you are interested, mention it in your request.
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