My husband and I are spending three full days in Cappadocia at the beginning of October.
We have decided not to drive there, so renting a car is not an option, neither joining a tour. Public transportation would be too tiring for us.
I've read much about the area, including all that has been posted on this forum, so we have a clear idea of where we'd like to go. Besides, we don't have any intention of buying anything.
We need help deciding between asking for a car with a driver when we get to the hotel or risking calling a taxi in the city (Goreme) , or contacting an agency for private tours before arriving. I'm afraid the latter option is the most expensive.
What do you recommend?
Doubts about Cappadocia
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I would book a car and driver before you arrive. What if one is not available when you get there?
When you referred to Goreme as a city I thought I must have missed something when I was there so I looked up the population. It's 2,500. Small town is how I would describe it.
Is this one of those threads where we aren't supposed to say things like "rethink driving"? I know you said you don't want to, but all the driving we did in Turkey was some of the easiest driving we've done in any country. Piece of cake and made it all so easy.
Looks like car & driver is a good option for you but self drive is also possible and easy. Getting a private guide & driver is a good option if budget allows however regular tours are also available. Touring around with public transportation would be wasting your precious time.
Either case, I am sure you will enjoy Cappadocia,
Regards,
Murat
Driving IS easy there - very little traffic and good roads. That said, a car and driver is not that much. Our hotel arranged one for us - it was about $60USD for a full day.
Should add our driver was not a tour guide - a private "guide" would probably cost considerably more.
We hired individual guides as some sites -- I was under the impression that some places you MUST do that, even if you have your own "guide"/driver. So just hiring a driver with car would probably be a good option.
We used remzikayaguide@coppadociatours.com as a guide. 4 people in a van with a driver (us and two women from Toronto) A super guide with many connections to see sights ahead of tours, good meals, etc. and not expensive. The only disadvantage is we visited a place that tried to sell us carpets but that is the case everywhere in Turkey.
Yes, if you can hire any guide in Turkey who doesn't just happen to have a brother/friend/uncle/son in the carpet business and he won't just happen to take you there -- then I think you will have accomplished the near impossible.
I was on a tour in Turkey and I learned at the first shopping stop that those places all have tea rooms at the end. I would bring a book and ask for the exit and sit in the garden, sip my apple tea, and relax.