mdojr01

Hi, happy new year! My husband and I are going to Turkey in later march and here is what we have come up with so far. Bear in mind, we don't want to travel by bus or do a night train, and we do want to make it to the coast. Thanks!

Day 1-4
Istanbul

Day 5
Fly morning to Ankara drive to Cappadocia

Day 6
Cappadocia

Day 7
Fly to Izmir drive to Ephesus drive to Bodrum

Day 8
Bodrum

Day 9
Istanbul

We go home day 10

Is this doable? We are very active and conscious that this will not be a relaxing trip.

Any recommendations are very welcomed!

Thanks!

Approach_Guides

Sounds like a great trip! I think your itinerary is certainly doable.
As for a beach location, however, Bodrum wasn't our favorite (we ended up moving on from there fairly quickly) . Our favorite coastal area is in the South -- you could fly there from Ankara (probably into Antalya) if you're willing to miss Ephesus on this trip.
Enjoy!

Sassafrass

Consider putting all of your days in Istanbul at the end together. It would save some back and forth from airports and checking in and out of hotels.
On day 5, were you planning to do any sight seeing in Ankara? It would make for a very long day. If you could make the flights work (not having to change airports), I would fly straight on to Ankara on day one and spend the night there. Drive the next day to Cappadocia.

If flights did not work out that way, you could also fly straight to Cappadocia, spend two days, then drive or fly to Ankara. Go to Izmir from Ankara.

Do you hope to do a hot air Balloon ride or any hiking in Cappadocia? If so, I would allow two days there. The balloon ride was one of our all-time best travel experiences.

Since Ephesus is one of the most impressive archeological sights I've ever seen, I would say, don't miss it.

Have not been to Bodrum, but love Turkey. Istanbul is a beautiful city and Cappadocia is amazing. Food is great everywhere. People are very kind and helpful.

Have you picked a hotel in Cappadocia yet? If not, Esbelli Evi is wonderful, one of our favorite hotels anywhere, ever! We did not rent a car. We let the hotel provide us with a driver each day. It was $45.00 one day and about $50.00 another for several hours - a bargain, imo.

RJames

Unless you plan on sightseeing in Ankara on day 5, I'd just fly directly to Cappodocia. The two airports near Cappadocia are Neveshir and Kayseri. Turkish Airlines has flights between IST airport and both these places. Fares can be very cheap if booked in advance. Be careful when booking flights in/out of Istanbul as the city has two airports and if you depart from the aiport on the Asian side you could be stuck with a time consuming or costly transfer.

I would allow an extra day or two in Cappadocia, you won't see/do much in one day. I was underwhelmed by the hot air ballon ride but if it is something you plan on doing, remember it is subject to weather, another reason to add at least one extra day in Cappadocia.

When in Ephesus make sure to visit the terraced houses.

mdojr01

Thank you sooo much for all the responses. We have done hot air balloon rides in the past and I am not a big fan so I think we will be skipping that activity. The only reason I had us in Istanbul first was because our flight doesn't get in until after 5pm on day 1. Would we still be able to flight in the afternoon to Capp? Is it safe to transport from the airport to hotel in Capp at night?

Can we then flight from Capp to Izmir? Other than Bodrum which coastal towns would you visit if you had just the one day?

Thanks again!

Sassafrass

I don't know all the fight possibilities. It depends on which airport you are arriving at in Istanbul. There are several everyday. At any rate, you would be fine and safe arriving at any time of night in Cappadocia. Just let your hotel know what flight you will be on. They have shuttles that run and pick up folks at the airports and deliver them to all the hotels in the area. The people at Esbelli Evi said Nevsehir was closer, but it was just as fast to get to Kayseri, so really, whichever one you could get a flight into from your airport in Istanbul would be fine.

If you can get a late flight on to Cappadocia, I would do that and save the cost of going into Istanbul that night and back to the airport the next morning.

mdojr01

So how about skipping Izmir/Ephesus/Bodrum and going to Olympos instead, and then going to Capp from Antalya?

Michel_Paris

Kas is my favorite Med town, small fishing village, boat tours to Lycean ruins, nice harbor...can drive to there from Antalya..with maybe stop at Olympos?

propertravel

I would sy; Skip Bodrum and add at least another day to Cappadocia before it's too late Bodrum in March is not recommended unless you have other plans. Only intereting thing will be the castle and museum. Instead Visit Ephesus nicely and do Prienne, Miletus and Didyma while you are in the region.
Have fun and happy travelling,
Murat