Each year the Cappadocia region in Turkey attracts more and more tourists, as word-of-mouth about its whimsical landscapes and historically intriguing sites spreads rapidly throughout Europe. With growing demand, the number of travel options continues to increase. In this article, we will explain where Cappadocia is located and how to reach it by various means of transport from different parts of Turkey as well as from major European hubs (for example, from cities like Berlin, Paris, or Rome). (Note: We will not be covering organized tours to Cappadocia – those are best left to travel agencies and semi-commercial tourism websites.)
How to Get to Cappadocia (Göreme) from Major European Hubs
On the map of Turkey, Cappadocia (also spelled Cappadocia or Kapadokya) appears quite impressive – it is indeed a full-fledged tourist region. Let’s begin by describing how best to reach this destination from abroad. For instance, if you are flying from a major European hub, you can connect via one of the following Turkish cities:
- Istanbul.
- Ankara.
- Antalya.
The most optimal option in terms of sightseeing is via Istanbul; the cheapest option is via Ankara; and if you wish to combine beach relaxation with a historical photo tour, then choose Antalya (the most expensive option).
First, you will need to fly into a major European hub and then connect to Turkey. The lowest possible price for a flight from many European cities is now around €20 one way (when flying via Ankara).
If you are flying from other European cities, the procedure remains the same. Use the ticket search link above for the best deals.
How to Get to Cappadocia from Ankara?
Let’s begin with Ankara, which is the most budget-friendly Turkish gateway to Cappadocia. Being the closest major city, not only are flights from Europe to Ankara more affordable, but so is the subsequent journey within Turkey.
There are several options:
- By bus;
- By taxi;
- By renting a car;
- By plane.
Let’s start with the bus. The very first step after arrival in Ankara is to figure out how to reach the bus station:
- by bus;
- via a pre-arranged transfer;
- or by taxi.
Essentially, the latter two options are similar – the only difference being that a taxi can be significantly more expensive than a pre-booked transfer, as local taxi drivers sometimes charge higher fares for foreign visitors.
The bus station is shown on the map of Ankara below. You can reach it from the arrivals area by taking a Havaş bus (a sort of shuttle) that departs every 30 minutes. The stop is located near the exit from the arrivals area, and the fare is about €1–€2 (approximately 10–15 Turkish Lira).
If you’d prefer not to deal with the bus, you can pre-book a transfer. This is very convenient and can be arranged either with the company KiviTaxi or with Intui Travel. Intui Travel is considered one of the most reliable in Turkey when compared with KiviTaxi.
Taking a taxi is similarly straightforward – the only difference from a pre-arranged transfer is that you negotiate the fare on the spot. On average, a taxi to the city center will cost around €8, while a transfer will be about the same (or even slightly less) and includes assistance with your luggage right from the arrivals area.
After you reach the bus station, find one of the two ticket counters of the following companies:
- Metro Turizm;
- Kamil Koç.
You can purchase your tickets either at the bus station or at any of these companies’ offices in the city.
The bus station itself is an impressive three-story building, so it is wise to locate your designated platform promptly and proceed to boarding.
Note: Please keep a close eye on your belongings, as crowded bus stations can sometimes be hotspots for petty theft.
The journey takes about 4–4.5 hours. You can travel directly to Göreme or opt for a short detour (approximately 30 minutes) via another town.
Göreme is the town in Cappadocia where the majority of buses arrive.
Sometimes it is more convenient to choose a route that includes a stop in another town, as there are more such routes (14 compared to 9 direct ones), reducing waiting time at the bus station.
Having covered the journey from Ankara, let’s now consider the option from Istanbul.
From Istanbul
How can you get from Istanbul to Cappadocia? There are three options, each with its own pros and cons. The route options are:
- by plane;
- by bus;
- by car.
By Plane
Airline tickets in Turkey are renowned for their affordability, and flying can be two or even three times cheaper than taking an “economy” bus. A flight ticket to the Cappadocian province now costs around €15–€20, whereas by bus you might pay around €30 for the same distance – clearly making air travel the more attractive option.
Istanbul has two airports that are rather inconveniently located relative to each other. Therefore, if you plan to fly directly (without a stopover in Istanbul), we recommend arranging your connection in advance – for example, ensuring that both your arrival and departure occur at the same airport.
Near Cappadocia (close to Göreme) there are two airports:
- Nevşehir.
- Kayseri.
Nevşehir, the closer one, is located about 50 kilometers from the center, while Kayseri is roughly 40 kilometers farther. A transfer from either airport costs around €9, so there is little difference between them.
In any case, as of 2025 there are daily flights from Istanbul, with a well-organized schedule.
By Bus
If you do not like flying and don’t mind a long journey, the alternative to air travel is the bus. In fact, most travel agencies now offer tours to Cappadocia by bus – likely due to the ease of organizing such trips. Let’s review this mode of transport; perhaps this section will inspire someone to embark on a self-guided adventure through the vast Cappadocian expanses.
For the Istanbul–Cappadocia route, bus services are operated by three companies:
- Metro Turizm;
- Kamil Koç;
- Nevşehir.
The service differences are minimal; the buses are fairly standardized – some may have slightly less legroom than others, but overall the experience is similar.
You can buy tickets at the bus station or at any ticket office of the aforementioned companies. A bus ticket from Istanbul to Cappadocia costs around €4.50, and the journey takes approximately 11–12 hours.
As throughout Turkey, be mindful of your belongings at the bus station.
We recommend choosing overnight routes, which are especially convenient for those planning a short 2–3 day trip – saving you daytime for sightseeing and offering a chance to rest on board.
By Car
If you are an experienced traveler who prefers renting a car to explore a country, you can opt for a rental service and choose a small, economical car. It is advisable to choose a vehicle with good fuel efficiency since fuel in Turkey is relatively expensive by European standards. For example, 95-octane petrol costs around €0.50 per liter and diesel about €0.52 per liter.
There are plenty of rental cars in Turkey, and traffic is generally less hectic than in some other tourist regions.
Before setting off, a few tips:
- Purchase regional paper maps for the areas you will travel through – even if you have a GPS, be prepared for moments when the internet is unavailable.
- Carry cash. Some gas stations may not accept credit cards, so having some local currency on hand is essential.
And above all, don’t forget… a good mood!
The train service is no longer available as the railway station has been closed.
From Antalya
The distance between Cappadocia and Antalya is about 600 km – not very much by Turkish standards. There are several travel options here as well. Let’s provide a detailed breakdown for this city.
Again, there are three options – plane, bus, or car.
Note: Flights operate daily, with ticket prices now around €50 (the most budget-friendly option) and a travel time of no more than three hours – the longer flight duration is due to a mandatory stopover in Istanbul.
Incidentally, the return flight takes only about one and a half hours.
A flight arrives at Kayseri Airport, from where you should pre-arrange a transfer (approximately €5–€6) or take a taxi – costing around €60 (roughly).
You can also opt for a longer bus trip, which takes up to 11 hours and costs about €11.50, making it even cheaper than flying. The procedures are the same as described earlier, except the bus station is in Ankara rather than Istanbul.
From Kemer
This case is simple – flights depart from Antalya, so nothing new needs to be explained except how to reach the airport. You have the option of taking a minibus or a scheduled bus service, though the latter runs less frequently.
If you decide to take the bus, the situation is similar. Kemer is located just 20–30 minutes’ drive south of Antalya. The main challenge for visitors staying in Kemer is to reach the Antalya bus station, where you can purchase tickets for your flight to Cappadocia. In addition to the companies mentioned above, “Sukha Turizm” also operates from Antalya, following similar principles.
Tickets are purchased either at the bus station or in advance at the sales offices. If you prefer online booking, you can purchase a ticket via the official website of any of these companies (note that the site is in Turkish, but the fare details are clear).
- Nevşehir Company Website;
- Metro Turizm Website;
- Sukha Turizm Website;
- Kamil Koç Website.
Car rentals follow the same procedure as in any other city.
Finally, a simple option in terms of organization is to book an excursion. While independent travelers may prefer to explore on their own, those seeking a hassle-free experience might opt for a guided tour, costing around €100. Do be aware that some tours may include upselling of “exclusive” offers.
From Marmaris and Fethiye
Why mention two resort cities together? Simply because they are located in the same region and are served by a single airport – Dalaman.
The travel rules from Marmaris or Fethiye to Cappadocia do not differ from those described earlier: plane, bus, or car.
For flights there are three options, including two direct flights. You will need to search diligently to find an available direct flight to either Kayseri or Nevşehir. For example, a flight to Kayseri might now cost around €48–€50, whereas a ticket to Nevşehir or one with a stopover via Ankara/Istanbul may cost up to €100.
You can reach the airport by bus from the bus station of either city or by taxi.
Bus services operate from the main bus stations of both Marmaris and Fethiye. Some routes pass through Konya while others go via Isparta, resulting in varying travel times.
From Izmir
Izmir has its own airport and bus station. A flight ticket from Izmir now costs about €100, while a bus ticket is around €60. Flights depart to both Kayseri and Nevşehir. We recommend checking schedules and availability on the carriers’ websites or via a travel aggregator (see the widget below).
A bus tour may start right in Izmir or a few kilometers away in the town of Salihli, to which you must first travel by train.
As elsewhere in Turkey, the same transport companies operate here. From Izmir, Kamil Koç runs services, and from Salihli, Metro Turizm.
From Bodrum
If you are flying from Bodrum, note that it has its own airport – Milas Bodrum – from which flights with a transfer in Istanbul depart, so the price is correspondingly higher (around €100).
In summary, getting to Cappadocia from any Turkish city is not difficult – it just requires some effort and a region-dependent amount of money. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
