Planning a Cappadocia Trip

Nevşehir airport definitely has more convenient access to the heart of Cappadocia but flights to there are infrequent and often significantly more expensive than to Kayseri. There is frequent and very inexpensive public transportation from both airports to Göreme and other area towns from about 6:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m. Often the best value is to arrange for shared transport via your hotel as the cost is very reasonable--very cheap even--compared to a taxi and unlike the public minibus they will take you to your hotel. I once took a taxi from Kayseri airport and the cost was about $100 US.

Public transport is excellent no matter what day of the week. That said, it has been often stated here that it is difficult to get to Ihlara Valley and some underground cities via public transportation. The so-called "Green Tour" offered by innumerable tour companies is an excellent value with small groups and limited visits to "sponsoring businesses".

I've spent more than a month in total in the Cappadocia area and weekday or weekend doesn't really matter. It is very popular with both the Turkish and foreign tourists but fortunately it is a large area with MANY things to see and do and most individual sites have reasonable crowds. Underground cities and popular sites within the Göreme Open Air Museum can be very crowded however.

Yes, transport isn't a problem any day of the week, and I would definitely enquire about transfers with your hotel/other accommodation. This would be more straightforward than public transport, and it would remove any worry about turning up at unreasonable times. I would be very surprised if they couldn't organise something for you.

Thanks for all your replies!

About the airport transfer, on the way back what's the scene like? For example, from Goreme to Kayseri/Neveshit airport. Assuming I am not taking the hotel drop-off. $100 for a taxi is probably too steep for us.

I have seen a car + driver for a whole day for around EUR 110- it's actually not as bad as I thought- but do you think it's a good idea? I don't know about Turkey but it is very popular in some places such as India, Indonesia and Thailand. It may even come out cheaper than a tour since we are 3 people. Thoughts?

Will look into self-drive too, though I doubt it's something we'll consider strongly.

I have seen a car + driver for a whole day for around EUR 110- it's actually not as bad as I thought- but do you think it's a good idea? I don't know about Turkey but it is very popular in some places such as India, Indonesia and Thailand. It may even come out cheaper than a tour since we are 3 people. Thoughts?

It depends where you want to go. If you choose organised tours, you don't need to worry. Many of the main sights in Cappadocia are accessible by public transport, which can be somewhat slower but is very cheap. If you want to get to some less-visited places, then hiring a driver is an opion. I would do some research and see if this is necessary - and ask again at your hotel.

The shared rides are again a great value for returning to the airport from your hotel. While not as quick as a private transfer it is very reasonably priced.

Hi all

We have booked a flight from Istanbul to Nevsehir and back- it was very cheap (just under 100 lira return). We plan to stay 4 nights in Cappadocia and plan to base the entire time in Goreme.

I'm currently thinking about:
- Goreme Open Air museum
- castle as Urgup
- hot air balloon ride
- monastery near Nigde
- churches at Ihlara Valley
- if there is time, maybe Mustafapasa

Obviously don't want to book everything in advance but am thinking of booking the hot air balloon ride at least. Which companies do you suggest? I don't want the champagne breakfast beforehand- just the ride, and transfer to/from hotel is enough.

Balloon ride - no need to book in advance, plenty of companies to choose from, and weather dependent.

Göreme Open Air Museum, castle at Ürgüp (is there a castle there? maybe you mean Uçhisar or Ortahisar), Mustafapaşa - this would be the day that you may need a car and driver, and some more sites you could take in on the same trip, since they are all very local. Maybe Devrent Valley, Zelve and Paşabağ.

Niğde - a bit out on a limb but I think pretty easy to get to by bus from Nevşehir, you would probably need to take a taxi the 10km from Niğde to Gümüşler monastery. You could also take in an underground city (either Kaymaklı or Derinkuyu) on that road to Niğde (or on the way back).

Ihlara - as mentioned, time consuming to get there by public transport (via Aksaray), probably best to take a tour to that one (the tours there usually include an underground city as well).

Useful information about local buses on this website - http://www.captivatingcappadocia.com/cappadocia-public-transportation-guide/

Thanks for the reply!

Sorry, I indeed meant Uçhisar. As it is only 4 km from Goreme, can I walk from there?

About airport transfers- I've seen Cappadocia Express and for some reason they have shuttles to meet all flights but the one we are taking! (arr into Nevsehir 12.45 dep from Nevsehir 13.15)
Is there a taxi rank at the airport? As long as the fare into Goreme is about 80-90 lira, not a problem.

If you're making an advance hotel reservations just tell them that you would like a shared airport transfer--no need to book it yourself. I can assure you that transfers are available for every flight as everything about tourism is very well organized in Cappadocia.