More about: Day Trips to Cappadocia from Istanbul
If you are planning to visit Cappadocia, you should know that it is not a city, but rather a region within the boundaries of Istanbul. This area is famous for its strange and peculiar geological formations that are millions of years old. The provinces that make up the region include Aksaray, Niğde, Kayseri and Nevşehir.
Taking a trip to Cappadocia is one of the best things you can do in Istanbul if you have the time and budget for it. Here are the best options.
Cappadocia 2-Day Trip from Istanbul with Hot Air Balloon Ride
Travel to Cappadocia and soar through the skies in a hot air balloon
Experience two unforgettable days in Istanbul with this excursion that includes accommodation, a professional guide and the chance to fly in a hot air balloon.
With this two-day excursion to Cappadocia from Istanbul, you will discover the most incredible landscapes in Turkey and, if you wish, you can fly over them in a hot air balloon. Accompanied by a professional guide, you'll visit unique sites such as the Göreme Open Air Museum, Uchisar Castle and the underground city of Derinkuyu.
You can choose from different packages that include accommodation, domestic flights, a guide and activities such as a hot air balloon flight. Everything has been designed to ensure you have a complete and comfortable experience, tailored to your needs.
Recommended if... you want to discover the best of Cappadocia in just two days and enjoy one of the most epic experiences of your trip: watching the Turkish sunrise from above.
Why choose an organised excursion to Cappadocia from Istanbul?
Booking a tour to Cappadocia from Istanbul is the best option because you will get to know the most interesting regions and the most attractive tourist spots. All this while saving yourself the hassle of planning an adventure of this kind.
This is one of the best excursions to do from Istanbul and, with an expert guide, you will learn all about the history and culture of various points of interest such as Uchisar Castle, the open-air museum in Goreme and the underground city of Derinkuyu.
Best of all, you'll ride in a hot air balloon and see the breathtaking landscapes of Cappadocia, characterised by its unique rock formations.
What does this tour include?
- Accompaniment by a professional guide.
- Pick-up and return to your hotel.
- Round-trip transfers to Istanbul Airport and Cappadocia Airport.
- Return economy class flight ticket from Istanbul to Cappadocia.
- Two lunches and breakfast.
- One night's accommodation.
- Hot air balloon ride.
Useful information
- Duration: 2 days
- Price: £411
- Recommended if... you want to avoid worrying about logistics.
What is the 2-day itinerary for Cappadocia like?
This two-day tour from Istanbul will allow you to discover the most impressive landscapes of Cappadocia with the convenience of transfers, a professional guide and accommodation included. The itinerary varies slightly depending on the package you choose, but generally includes the following stops:
- Uchisar Castle: a fortress carved into the rock with panoramic views of the region.
- Pasabag (Valley of the Monks): famous for its fairy chimneys, rock formations unique in the world.
- Goreme Open Air Museum: a World Heritage Site with churches and monasteries carved into the rock.
- Derinkuyu Underground City: with several levels and tunnels used as a refuge for thousands of years.
- Pigeon Valley: ideal for enjoying the views and formations carved by birds.
- Ortahisar: picturesque village with a spectacular viewpoint.
On the second day, if you choose this option, you can enjoy a hot air balloon ride at sunrise to take in the landscapes from the air.
Is the hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia worth it?
Is the hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia worth it?
Yes, it's one of the most unforgettable experiences you can have in Turkey. Flying over fairy chimneys, valleys and rock formations at sunrise is something that can only be experienced here. Although it comes at an additional cost, the hot air balloon ride is one of the highlights of this excursion and a unique opportunity to contemplate the beauty of Cappadocia from above. If your budget allows, it is an experience that is completely worth it.
Other ways to get to Cappadocia from Istanbul
If you prefer to organise your trip yourself rather than booking an organised tour, there are several ways to get to Cappadocia from Istanbul. Below, I explain the most common alternatives with their advantages and disadvantages so that you can choose the one that best suits your itinerary.
Plane: the fastest option
The plane is the best option if you have a few days and want to make the most of your stay in Turkey. You can fly from Istanbul to two airports near the Cappadocia region:
- Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR), about 80 km from the tourist area.
- Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV), about 40 km away.
Both airports offer connections by public transport or taxi to Göreme and the surrounding area. This option is quick and convenient, especially when combined with airport transfer services.
- Estimated price: between £35 and £70
- Total journey time: between 3 and 5 hours
- Recommended if... you have limited time and prefer the speed and convenience of air travel.
Train: an economical and scenic option
The high-speed train can be a good alternative if you have more time and want to see other cities along the way. There is no direct train to Cappadocia, but you can combine routes from Istanbul to:
- Ankara: about 4.5 hours
- Konya: about 4 hours from Istanbul or 2 hours from Ankara
From these cities, you can continue your journey by bus or rental car to Cappadocia. Ideal for those looking for a route with several tourist stops.
- Estimated price: from £5
- Total journey time: between 13 and 15 hours
- Recommended if... you want to visit other cities such as Ankara or Konya before arriving in Cappadocia.
Car: the most flexible option
Renting a car allows you to organise your own itinerary and stop at lesser-known places. The roads are well signposted and in good condition, although you should bear in mind the language and distance.
- Suggested route: from Istanbul via Safranbolu, Gordion or Hattusa
- Popular companies: Enterprise, Budget, Sixt
- Estimated price: from £10 per day + fuel and tolls
- Total journey time: around 9 hours (735 km)
- Recommended if... you are travelling in a group or already know Turkey and want to explore on your own.
Bus: the least recommended option
Travelling by bus is possible, but not the most comfortable or efficient option. The journey is long and usually includes stops, although it may suit you if you are on a very tight budget and want to stop off in cities such as Ankara or Nevşehir.
- Estimated price: between £15 and £20
- Total journey time: around 12 hours
- Recommended if... there is no better alternative and you have plenty of time.
Compare all options
As you can see, visiting Cappadocia is one of the best things you can do in Istanbul. Here is a brief overview of all the options available:
- Organised excursion
- Price: from £480
- Duration: two days
- Recommended if... you want to avoid worrying about logistics. This is the most interesting option.
- Plane
- Price: between £40-90 per ticket
- Duration: 3-5 hours
- Recommended if... you want a quick and efficient transfer because you don't have much time.
- Train
- Price: €5 for the high-speed train
- Duration: 13 to 15 hours
- Recommended if... you have time and want to plan a route with several destinations
- Car
- Price: £10 per day for car hire
- Duration: 9 hours
- Recommended if... you have family or friends in Istanbul or you know Turkey
When is the best time to visit Cappadocia?
Although Cappadocia can be visited all year round, there are more recommended seasons if you want to make the most of the experience and increase your chances of flying in a hot air balloon.
- Spring (April to June): mild temperatures, clear skies and flowers in the valleys.
- Autumn (September to October): pleasant weather and fewer tourists than in summer.
- Winter (December to February): cold and possibility of snow, offering magical landscapes, although balloons fly fewer days.
- Summer (July and August): hotter and more tourists, but long days and good visibility.
These seasons allow you to enjoy a more comfortable and visually appealing experience, ideal for taking a balloon ride and exploring the region without crowds.