How to Get to Cappadocia from Istanbul?
Cappadocia, famous for its unique and impressive rock formations known as “fairy chimneys,” is one of Turkey’s most popular tourist destinations; it is also one of the most sought-after destinations in the country, and travellers are specifically interested in how to go from Istanbul to Cappadocia, as Istanbul is generally the starting point for all trips and has the largest and busiest international airports in Turkey.
While there is a distance of nearly 750 kilometers from Istanbul to Cappadocia, it is a highly visited destination and as a result, there are a variety of transportation alternatives available to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia.
A unique experience that many tourists choose is hot air balloon flight over the stunning rock formations of Cappadocia, offering unforgettable panoramic views of the region. Here is our detailed guide on how to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia with the best transportation that suits you best.
The distance between Istanbul and Cappadocia is approximately 730 kilometers (454 miles) by road, depending on the exact starting and ending points of the journey. (You can travel from the Anatolian side of Istanbul to Göreme or from the European side of Istanbul to Ürgüp, which would make a difference of more than 50 kilometers.
The most common means of transportation between Istanbul and Cappadocia are by plane, bus, or car.
The flight time is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, while a bus or car journey can take between 10 and 11 hours, depending on the route and stops.
There used to be trains to Cappadocia as well, but for years, trains have stopped operating on this route.
The Most Economical Way: Regular Bus Services:
If budget is a concern, a night bus from Istanbul to Cappadocia isn’t a bad option.
Typically, a bus between these two destinations will cost around 25 euros, making it cheaper than even the cheapest flight options.
However, it takes around 10 to 12 hours due to the slowness of the buses, the number of stops they make, and the distance between the two destinations. But if you’re the type of person who can knock out on a bus and sleep well through the night, this is a good option.
There are two main and reliable companies that offer overnight trips from Istanbul to Cappadocia: Nevşehir Seyahat and Metro Turizm.
Both companies have similar prices and services.
Nevsehir Seyahat: every day of the year, this company operates overnight trips from Istanbul to Cappadocia. Buses depart from the Esenler Bus Station in Istanbul and arrive in Cappadocia at 07:30 in the morning. The journey takes approximately 12 hours and costs around 25 euros per person.
Metro Turizm operates two daily routes between Istanbul and Cappadocia, one at noon and another at night.
The bus departs from the main station and takes around 12 hours to reach Nevsehir. It then continues to Cappadocia, where it arrives about 15 minutes later.
Additionally, the price is approximately 25 euros per person.
It’s important to note that Cappadocia is divided into three distinct areas: Göreme, Avanos, and Uçhisar. Göreme is the most well-known and where most tourists head.
In this case, buses arrive at the bus stations in the cities of Kayseri or Nevsehir, and you’ll need to find transportation from there to your accommodation in Cappadocia.
The Fastest and Most Practical Way: Flying from Istanbul to Cappadocia
There are 2 main airlines that fly from Istanbul to Cappadocia daily (multiple times a day).
These are Pegasus Airlines and Turkish Airlines, although AnadoluJet operates some of these flights for Turkish Airlines.
The travel duration is only one hour. Flight prices vary, but usually range between 25€ and 60€ per one-way trip, although they may rise to 100-120 euros one-way per person in higher seasons but they are very affordable if booked in advance.
Which is the most suitable airport to reach Cappadocia from Istanbul?
Cappadocia’s center is close to two airports.
The first one is Kayseri Airport, and there are more flights going to Kayseri Airport from Istanbul daily. It’s located approximately 80 kilometers from the towns that make up the tourist hub of Cappadocia.
The second one is Nevşehir Airport, on the other hand, is smaller and has fewer flight frequencies. The main advantage is that it’s closer to the valleys of Cappadocia, which are about 40 kilometers away.
Flight prices are usually similar, and both airports are convenient for reaching the center of Cappadocia. So, choose the departure times that suit you best.
If you want more detailed information about the airports to reach from Istanbul to Cappadocia you can see our article on Cappadocia airports.
Before booking any of these flights to Cappadocia with one of these airlines, it’s crucial to consider the departure airport from Istanbul.
The city of Istanbul has two different airports: Istanbul International Airport (code IST, on the European side) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (code SAW, on the Asian side).
For more detailed information on the subject, visit the article Istanbul airports
For those who don’t want to travel on their own and wish for a travel agency to take care of every detail of their trip to Cappadocia from Istanbul; we offer a wide range of tour packages covering the most important places to visit in Cappadocia with guided tours in Spanish.
In our tour packages, we also include all airport transfers, flight tickets, and accommodation alternatives.
We also offer more comprehensive tour packages covering both Istanbul and Cappadocia. Here are some of the most popular itineraries we offer.
-
2-Day Package to Cappadocia from Istanbul by Plane:
Discover the highlights of Cappadocia in just 2 full days by flying early in the morning from Istanbul to Cappadocia and returning by plane on the night of the second day. This trip to Cappadocia includes accommodation in cave hotels and also airport transfers in both Cappadocia and Istanbul. See more details at 2 Days Cappadocia tour from Istanbul
-
7-Day Istanbul and Cappadocia Package:
This is a 7-day tour package covering the basics of Turkey including excursions in Istanbul and Cappadocia as well as internal flights from Istanbul to Cappadocia and vice versa, accommodations in both Istanbul and Cappadocia, and airport transfers in both cities. For more information, visit the page 7-Day Turkey Tour Package
-
All Tour Packages Including a Trip to Cappadocia:
To see packages of various durations throughout Turkey that include visits to Cappadocia, please take a look at the category page Cappadocia Tours from Istanbul
In all the packages we offer, there is the possibility to add a hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia.
