Cappadocia lies right in the middle of Turkey, in the province of Nevşehir. Towns such as Göreme, Uçhisar, Ürgüp and Avanos are close to each other, and most visitors stay in one of them. You can reach Cappadocia by plane, by bus or by car. In this article we explain how long each option takes, how to get from the airport to your hotel and what you can do on the day you arrive.
Getting to Cappadocia by plane
Flying is the fastest way. There are two airports in the region, with daily flights to both from Istanbul; the flight takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Nevşehir Cappadocia Airport (NAV): about 40 km from Göreme, a 35–45 minute drive. It is the closest airport, but it has fewer flights than Kayseri.
- Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR): about 75 km from Göreme, a drive of 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. With more flight options, many visitors arrive here.
When choosing, look at flight times and fares as well as distance: a better-timed or cheaper flight usually matters more than the extra half hour on the road.
From the airport to your hotel
From both airports, airport shuttles run to hotels in Göreme, Uçhisar, Ürgüp and Avanos. They are timed to flight arrivals and drop you at your hotel door; we recommend booking your seat in advance. Many hotels can also arrange a shuttle for their guests. For a faster, private journey you can take a taxi or book a private transfer.
Getting to Cappadocia by bus
Buses run to Cappadocia from many cities in Turkey. When buying your ticket, we recommend choosing Göreme as your destination: many companies drop passengers directly at the Göreme bus station. On buses that arrive at the Nevşehir bus station, the journey continues to Göreme by shuttle or minibus.
- From Istanbul: about 10 hours. Most buses leave in the evening and arrive in the morning, so you save a night's accommodation and start the day in Cappadocia.
- From Ankara: about 3.5–4 hours. Flying or taking the high-speed train to Ankara and continuing by bus is also a common route.
Getting to Cappadocia by train
There is no direct train to Göreme. The nearest railway station is in Kayseri. If you want to travel by train, you can go as far as Kayseri and continue by bus, shuttle or taxi. For most visitors, flying or taking the bus is more practical.
Driving to Cappadocia
Coming by car gives you the freedom to explore the region at your own pace. Approximate distances and driving times:
| From | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Ankara | ~300 km | ~3.5 hours |
| Konya | ~230 km | ~3 hours |
| Istanbul | ~730 km | ~8–9 hours |
| Antalya | ~540 km | ~7 hours |
Some hotels in Göreme are on narrow, steep streets, so we recommend asking your hotel about parking in advance. In the mornings, while the balloons are landing, balloon crew vehicles can be busy on some valley roads; drive carefully.
Getting around Cappadocia
Municipal buses and minibuses run between Göreme, Uçhisar, Çavuşin, Avanos and Ürgüp; a trip between towns usually takes 10–20 minutes. Taxis are available in every town. Even without a car you do not need to worry about tours: most day tours pick guests up from their hotel. On our ATV tours, pickup from hotels in Göreme, Uçhisar, Ortahisar and Çavuşin is free; we can arrange a paid transfer from Ürgüp and Avanos.
What can you do on the day you arrive?
If you arrive on a morning flight, do not waste the rest of the day. After checking in, you can explore Göreme on foot in the afternoon and join our sunset ATV tour in the late afternoon; the tour ends at a viewpoint just as the Red Valley turns red. If you are short on time we also have shorter tours; you will find all the options and current prices on our prices page.
If you are planning a balloon flight, put it on your first morning: flights can be cancelled because of the weather, so you will have the next morning as a backup.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport is closest to Cappadocia?
Nevşehir Cappadocia Airport (NAV) is about 40 km from Göreme. Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR) is about 75 km away but offers more flights.
How do I get from Istanbul to Cappadocia?
Flying is fastest: fly from Istanbul to Nevşehir or Kayseri in about 1 hour 15 minutes and take an airport shuttle to your hotel. The overnight bus, a more economical option, takes about 10 hours.
How do I get from the airport to Göreme?
Airport shuttles run from both airports to the hotels; just book your seat in advance. You can also take a taxi or a private transfer.
Do I need to rent a car in Cappadocia?
It is not essential. Minibuses and taxis run between the towns, and most tours pick you up from your hotel. If you want to explore the region on your own schedule, renting a car makes it easier.
Once you arrive, see our things to do in Cappadocia guide, and for the sights you should not miss, read places to visit in Cappadocia. To see the valleys up close, take a look at our ATV tours.
