Axel2DP

Hello,

I'm planning to visit Istanbul and Cappadocia in May (I don't have much time to plan ...). I'm thinking about spending 3-4 days in Cappadocia as suggested by some guide books, using Goreme as my base. I've never driven outside of the U.S. before. Will it be easy for me to arrange for a rental car when I arrive at Kayseri's airport? Will there be easy to read maps that I can buy at the airport or get from the car rental agency? I just want to have as easy an option as possible to explore the area aound Goreme, Urgup and Uschisar.

Also, I plan to spend 4-5 days exploring Istanbul. Do you think that's too much time? Of course I would love to see other sites in Turkey also, but I really don't want to get to a place to do a quicky tour and then pack up for the next place. Maybe I can get back some other times to do Ephesus and some other sites in the SE.

Thanks.

Aduchamp1

We rented a car in Cappadocia, but we have rented dozens of times in other countries. The roads are usually fine but there are some hairpin turns here and there. And Cappadocia is over run with tourist buses with whom you must share the road.

When renting a car in Turkey be sure to understand from whom you will be renting and to whom you will be returning the car. There are a number of off-site car rental companies and we had some unusual adventures returning cars.

And please know one other thing, the gas prices in Turkey are the highest in the world, near $10.00US a gallon. So put that in your budget and do not be surprised.

yorkshire

I think 4-5 days is a minimum for Istanbul--you will never feel bored! I did not rent a car in Cappadocia, but if you decide not to, just post again and I'll give some tips on how to see a lot without renting a car.

Axel2DP

Thanks for the replies.

Yorkshire,

I plan to spend 4 full days in Cappadocia. I know I want to do the balloon ride and take a full day photo safari offered by one of the outfitter from the guide books. If I stay in Goreme then I can spend a morning exploring Goreme open-air museum on my own. Can you provide tips on how to see other parts of Cappadocia if I don't have a car. Thanks!

yorkshire

If you are a walker, you can make it to Uchisar and Cavusin on the amazing hiking trails. I hired a driver so I could be dropped at one end of the Ilhara Valley and be picked up at the other. If you drive there you don't have that option so in that case it is better. He also took me to the underground museum and a few other stops. Your hotel or the tourist office can book this. He was a driver, not a guide, but I saw many people hiring guides. So you might only need a car for one day if you want to go to the Soganli valley and see anything else you miss.

propertravel

Istanbul ( do not drive on own at all + fly to Cappadocia and if you hire a car there ask the delivery guy if they are locals from Cappadocia; to drive together to Cappadocia, sometimes it can be complicated to drive out of Kayseri, fly to Izmir for Ephesus. 4-5 days barely enough for Istanbul, 3 to 4 days good for Cappadocia and few days for Ephesus and environs....Driving in general is easy and always recommend to drive day time only....With a good local map you can navigate the Cappadocia area easy and From Izmir you can also drive around with rental car. For the rest driving basic are the same with Usa and Turkey