Here is your comprehensive guide on how to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia. Bus travel, plane, train, and car rides, we’ve got all the info you need to have you hot air ballooning in no time.
The problem is that Türkiye is quite a large country, so most people are put off traveling to various spots that seem far away from one another. The good news? Turkey’s public transportation network is extremely high quality, meaning you can explore as much as possible, provided you do your research.
A weekend trip from Istanbul to Cappadocia is entirely possible, but you might still wonder how to get to Cappadocia from Istanbul. There are several different routes you can take.
Of course, you need to take your time exploring Istanbul before you leave this iconic and downright beautiful city.
There are perhaps more historical landmarks here than many other cities can boast in the world, from the beautiful Blue Mosque to Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, Grand Bazaar, Bosphorus Bridge, Basilica Cistern, and the modern world of Taksim, to much, much more, this is a city which is going to take a lot more than one visit to say you’ve done it.’
However, Istanbul is a bustling place, so perhaps you want peace and quiet at the end of your break or in the middle.
Cappadocia is located in the central portion of the city, and it has semi-arid land. You’ve undoubtedly seen pictures of Cappadocia in the past, with those iconic hot air balloon rides hovering over the “fairy chimneys,” the colossal rock formations formed over hundreds of years.
Cappadocia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so you can expect some serious drama and beauty. Cappadocia is located in Goreme National Park, but Monks Valley is also home to some of these iconic rock formations. You’ll also find cave hotels, houses dating back to the Bronze Age carved into the rocks, and many churches, as this part of Türkiye was a refuge to some of the earliest Christians.
Cappadocia is a must-visit whether you go on a hot air balloon ride or keep your feet on the ground. The surrounding area is packed with stunning nature, and you can take many walking trails, too, ideal both in summer and winter. Below, we’ll tell you how to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia.
How Far is Cappadocia Turkey from Istanbul?
Cappadocia is one of the top destinations in Turkey famous for its unique landscape, underground cities, and hot air ballooning. Its surreal, moon-like landscape featuring fairy chimneys make it look like something out of a storybook. If you’re planning a trip to Turkey, you’ll likely want to visit this incredible region. But Cappadocia is quite far from Istanbul so it’s important to plan accordingly.
Cappadocia is located in central Turkey, in the Anatolian region. The main tourist hub is Göreme, located in the Nevşehir Province. Istanbul, on the other hand, is over 800 km (497 miles) away on the northwestern edge of the country. So these two popular destinations are quite far apart.
The distance between Istanbul and Cappadocia is approximately:
- 815 km (506 miles) by road
- 730 km (454 miles) as the crow flies
To drive directly from Istanbul to Göreme takes around 8 hours of nonstop driving. Most people break up the long drive over 2 days, stopping in Ankara or another city along the way.
Taking a domestic flight is the fastest way to get between Istanbul and Cappadocia, taking just 1 hour 20 minutes. There are regular direct flights available.
You can also take a bus between Istanbul and Göreme. This is cheaper than flying but takes 10-12 hours as the bus makes stops along the way. An overnight bus lets you save on accommodation costs.
Traveling by train is possible but not direct. The high-speed train only goes as far as Ankara or Konya, then you’d have to switch to a bus. Overall, the journey takes around 11 hours with the change.
Some key facts:
- Cappadocia located in central Turkey, Göreme is the main hub
- Istanbul is over 800 km (497 miles) away on northwestern coast
- Driving directly takes around 8 hours
- Flight just 80 minutes but more expensive
- Buses take 10-12 hours but cheaper
- Train takes 11 hours with a change in Ankara/Konya
With some strategic planning, you can visit both Istanbul and marvel at Cappadocia’s landscapes. Just be sure to account for the long transit time between these two popular Turkish destinations that are quite far apart.
Distance To Cappadocia From Istanbul
Despite all those fantastic reasons to visit and explore Cappadocia, it is not exactly close to Istanbul. The distance from Istanbul to Cappadocia is 456 miles or 734 km by road, which is significant.
However, you can cover the Istanbul to Cappadocia distance in several ways, from flying to bus rides and even by train. Check out how to go to Cappadocia from Istanbul and the Istanbul to Cappadocia travel time below.
Istanbul To Cappadocia Map – How To Get To Cappadocia From Istanbul
The fastest way to get from Istanbul to the Cappadocia region is to fly. Although it’s not the cheapest way to travel from Istanbul to Cappadocia (the bus wins in this category), it’s still incredibly budget-friendly!
Istanbul has two main airports: Sabiha Gokcen and the new Istanbul International Airport. Both offer domestic flights from Istanbul to Cappadocia. One is on the Asian side, and one is on the European side, so choose your airport carefully.
You can fly from Istanbul to Nevsehir or Kayseri and connect to Cappadocia. These are the two closest airports.
If you choose to fly to Nevsehir, your flight will take around 1 hour and 20 minutes, and you can then jump in a taxi or hire a car and get to Goreme National Park (Cappadocia) in just under 45 minutes, depending upon traffic.
There are not as many flight options to Nevsehir as to Kayseri.
Note: be warmed that the bags take a really long time to come out – I mean take a look at how small that baggage area is!GETTING FROM NEVSEHIR AIRPORT TO GOREME
- Rental Car
- Often as cheap as $20/day, this is an excellent option if you want to explore the region at your own pace
- Hotel Transport
- Many hotels will arrange airport transport for you, so definitely check.
- Costs vary, but expect about 50 TL (8 EUR) for Nevsehir Airport.
- Shared Transport/Taxi Services
- Shared transport companies can be as cheap as 5/6 EUR per person, so check around online.
- Taxis are a great option if you have a large family
- Private Transfer
It is much like a taxi, except you can book ahead and have a driver waiting for you at the airport terminal. Someone to carry your bags lead the way, and, best of all, you’ll know the fixed cost ahead of time, no matter the crazy traffic. BOOK PRIVATE TRANSFERS
Both Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines (a low-cost Turkish airline) fly to Kayseri Airport, and the flight time is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
You might wonder why people would bother flying to Kayseri if Nevsehir is quicker, but flights to Kayseri are cheaper.GETTING FROM KAYSERI AIRPORT TO GOREME
- Shuttle & Bus
- Take the shuttle from Kayseri Airport to the center of Kayseri: 15 minutes in duration; the shuttle runs every 3 hours
- Then, take the bus to Goreme: 1 hour 20 minutes in duration; buses run every 4 hours
- Car Rental
- Often as cheap as $20/day, this is a great option if you want to explore the region at your own pace
- Hotel Transport
- Many hotels will arrange airport transport for you, so definitely check.
- Costs vary, but expect about 60 TL (10 EUR) for Kayseri Airport
- Shared Transport/Taxi Services
- Shared transport companies can be as cheap as 5/6 EUR per person, so check around online
- Taxis are a great option if you have a large family
- Private Transfer
It is much like a taxi, except you can book ahead and have a driver waiting for you at the airport terminal. Someone to carry your bags, lead the best way out, and, best of all, you’ll know the fixed cost ahead of time, no matter the crazy traffic. BOOK PRIVATE TRANSFERS
The LONG Journey from Istanbul to Cappadocia, Turkey
FAQ
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