Istanbul to Cappadocia: How to Go, Where to Stay, and What to Do?

If you are already in or planning to come to İstanbul, then you know this beautiful city is full of things to do and must-see places. People say that even a lifetime is not enough to see all of İstanbul. It is crowded, messy, chaotic, huge but amazingly beautiful, breathtakingly vibrant, and alive with its deep history. 

There is so much to see, discover and enjoy in Turkey other than Istanbul; one of the most popular is definitely magical Cappadocia! In Cappadocia, one is amazed by the one-and-only natural beauty of the region, the history of the area, and the amazing hospitality of the region. 

Having 25+ years of experience in tourism, we as the Istanbul Tourist Pass®  decided to carry our experience to Cappadocia and created a similar concept with the same professionalism. That is the story behind our sister Pass® the Cappadocia Travel Pass®. You can check out the incredible offers here. 

In this article, we’d like to share with you everything you need to travel from İstanbul to Cappadocia and more. Let’s start the journey!

From Istanbul to Cappadocia: How to Get There?

There are plenty of transport choices to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia. You can decide depending on your time, budget or style. Here are the best ways to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia.

Flights from Istanbul to Cappadocia

If you want to save time, getting to Cappadocia from İstanbul by plane is the best option. By 2022, Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines offers regular flights to the Cappadocia region's two airports, and the flight time is around 80 minutes.

The two airports are Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport and Kayseri Erkilet Airport. From İstanbul to both airports, there are flights getting on from Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport.

Turkey’s flag carrier Turkish Airlines offers the most options for Cappadocia flights. Pegasus Airlines can reduce the number of flights during off-season times but you can also check their website to see the seasonal situation. 

Before you pick your ticket, consider that there are some differences between Cappadocia's two airports. Kayseri Erkilet Airport is around 80 kilometers east of the center of Cappadocia. The newer one, Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport is roughly 40 kilometers northwest of the center. 

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You don’t need to worry about getting from the airport to your hotel. We know how tiring can be to plan and make all the arrangements when you go somewhere new. For that reason Cappadocia Travel Pass®. offers you discounted Private Transfer from/to Cappadocia from/to both Kayseri and Nevşehir airports. So you can safely and comfortably arrive at your hotel by paying less than other tourists! Although there are other options like airport shuttle buses and taxis, it is the fastest and the most comfortable option. 

Bus from Istanbul to Cappadocia 

There are bus companies that offer direct transport from Istanbul to Nevşehir Bus Station. Bus Station in Nevşehir is around 18 kilometers far from the Cappadocia region. 

Some of the bus companies are Nevşehir Seyahat, Kamil Koç, and Metro; and the travel takes around 11 hours. So if you plan to get there by bus, it may be a good choice to take an evening bus and get there in the morning. Since there is no difference between the ticket prices of the companies, you can decide by looking at the departure times. 

Although it is a long trip, buses are generally comfortable with their airline-style seating, and individual entertainment systems and they provide electricity for charging your phones. Traditionally on every bus trip, there are complimentary hot and cold drinks and a snack in Turkey, so enjoy them. 

When you get there, you can use the discounted private transportation of Cappadocia Travel Pass® to your hotel -which is the best way- or you take a local minibus to get to your hotel’s area. 

Trains from Istanbul to Cappadocia

First things first: there are no direct trains from İstanbul to Nevşehir or Kayseri. But if you’d like a train trip then you can still go there by changing trains. 

First of all, you need a train ticket from İstanbul to Ankara, the capital of Turkey. You may want to add Ankara to your itinerary while you are there or you can look for a train ticket to Kayseri. Kayseri has the nearest train station to Cappadocia. When you get there you may want to use our private transfer services and comfortably arrive at your hotel. 

Where to Stay in Cappadoccia?

There are more than 500 hotels in the Cappadocia region but we recommend you go authentic! There are one-of-a-kind cave hotels in the region. 

Wherever you stay, buy your Cappadocia Travel Pass® right away so you can save time and money on your trip. For only the Balloon Tour price, you’ll have 25+ amazing attractions for FREE. 

What to do in Cappadocia?

Having 25+ years of experience in tourism, we handpicked the best attractions for you in the Cappadocia region so you won’t get lost in many things to do.  While we creating this Cappadocia Travel Pass® we also wanted to have a bargain price for you to come to Cappadocia again. Check the prices here and you’ll see the amazing deal you can get if you buy a Cappadocia Travel Pass®. 

Here are the top things to do in Cappadocia for you not to miss! There are many more included for FREE with Cappadocia Travel Pass® you can check here. 

FAQ

How do you get from Istanbul to Cappadocia Turkey?

The best way to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia is by plane. There are two airports in this region one is in Nevşehir and the other one is in Kayseri. 

How long is the train ride from Istanbul to Cappadocia?

There are no direct trains from İstanbul to Cappadocia but you can take a train to go to Ankara and then go to Kayseri if you’d like a train ride. 

How much it cost from Istanbul to Cappadocia?

If you plan to go from Istanbul to Cappadocia by plane then it is around 1500 Turkish Lira.

Is there a fast train from Istanbul to Cappadocia?

No there are no direct trains from İstanbul to Cappadocia but you can take a fast train to go to Ankara.

What is the cheapest way to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia?

The cheapest way to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia is by bus which costs around 200 Turkish Lira and takes around 11 hours. 

What is the fastest way to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia?

The fastest way to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia is to fly which takes around 2 hours. 

How far is it from Istanbul to Cappadocia?

The distance between Istanbul and Cappadocia is 567 km. But the road distance is 750 km by car.

How do I travel from Istanbul to Cappadocia without a car?

The best way to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia without a car is to go by plane and it takes only 2 hours. 

How long does it take to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia?

It takes about 2 hours to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia, it is around 3 hours including transfers.

Train, bus or fly from Istanbul to Cappadocia?

The best way to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia is to fly and it takes only 2 hours. 

How long is the flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia?

The quickest flight from Istanbul Airport to Nevsehir Airport is the direct flight which takes 1h 15m.

Can I drive from Istanbul to Cappadocia?

Yes, the driving distance between Istanbul to Cappadocia is 735 km. It takes approximately 8h 31m to drive from Istanbul to Cappadocia.

Which airlines fly from Istanbul Airport to Nevsehir Airport?

Turkish Airlines offers flights from Istanbul Airport to Nevsehir Airport.

Where can I stay near Cappadocia?

There are 500+ hotels in Cappadocia. We recommend you stay in an authentic cave hotel.