How to Get to Cappadocia

There's no train into the heart of Cappadocia, so you'll arrive by plane or bus. From Istanbul, flying takes about an hour and a quarter and is usually the sensible choice.

Kapadokya Airport (NAV)

The closer airport, near Gülşehir, around 30 km from Nevşehir. Göreme is about 40 minutes by road. Flights come mainly from Istanbul, both Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen, with a few more in summer. Nearly everyone on board is heading to the same villages, so shared shuttles are easy to find.

Kayseri Airport (ASR)

Officially Kayseri Erkilet, about 75 to 80 km from Göreme and Ürgüp, so plan on an hour to an hour and a quarter. Kayseri is a large city with more flights, often cheaper, and some international routes. The extra drive is rarely a problem.

Airport shuttles

Several companies run shared shuttle minibuses from both airports, timed to flight arrivals and dropping you at your hotel door. Book online a day or two ahead, or ask your hotel, which will often arrange one. A private transfer costs more but makes sense for families or late flights. Taxis at Kayseri are expensive for this distance.

By bus

Overnight buses reach Cappadocia from Istanbul in roughly ten to eleven hours, and from Denizli (for Pamukkale) or Selçuk in nine to ten. Most long-distance buses stop at Nevşehir bus station. Bus companies then run a free transfer minibus (servis) to Göreme's small bus station in the centre of the village, but check that it's included when you buy the ticket. Leaving works the same way in reverse, with departures in the evening.

A night bus saves a hotel night. It also costs you most of the next morning, so it suits the way out better than the way in.

Between the villages

The municipal bus between Nevşehir and Göreme runs about every half hour through the day and stops in Uçhisar. A separate minibus (dolmuş) line links Ürgüp, Ortahisar junction, Göreme, Çavuşin and Avanos, roughly hourly on weekdays and less often at weekends. Timetables change with the seasons, so check at the bus station.

By car

Ankara is around three and a half hours away on good roads, Konya about three. Renting a car at either airport is simple. For where to base yourself once you've arrived, see our cave hotels guide, and for how to spend the first two days, our 2-day itinerary.