not_enuf_vaca

I am going to be in Turkey in June of this year. I booked my trip out pretty far in advance and it turns out that there will be no direct flight from Izmir to Cappadoca on the day I wish to fly (Wed).

Despite warnings not to (I know it is a long drive but we are okay with it) - we are planning on making a day trip to Pamukale from Selcuk . I have a flight the next day from Izmir to Kayseri via Turkish airlines - but it does not get into Kayseri as early as I would like and we have to change planes in Istanbul.

Since we are already driving out to Pamukale - I am now contemplating taking a bus or train to Pamukkale and then a night bus From Denzili to Cappadocia and then picking up a car there.

Anyone have any experience on overnight buses? Is this trip possible? How long would the trip be? I read that most Turkish buses don't have restroom facilities on them which means a stop ever two hours - is this true?

Thanx in advance!

Michael

You may want to take a look at my trip report; click on my name to find it. We drove from Pamukkale to Cappadocia in two days. We had rented the car in Izmir to return it in Kayseri. We used http://www.economycarrentals.com/ and had no problems. But the fuel cost us as much as the rental itself.

not_enuf_vaca

Yes Michael - you tried to help me before.

We don't have two days for the trip unfortunately.

We either have to leave Selcuk early - spend our desired time in Pamukkale and surroundings and then drive on to Konya? Somewhere else? for the night and then complete the drive the next day. Or we would have to do a train or bus straight through. I'm just thinking this make more sense then doing a day trip from Selcuk to Pamukkale and back only to have to drive to Izmir the next day, fly, then pick up a car in Kayseri and drive to Urgup! Ugh!

otherchelebi

Why not add an extra day to Cappadocia area and visit Hattusas and Alacahoyuk at Bogazkale, or an extra day at Selcuk and visit Herakleia and other lovely places instead of visiting pamukkale?

I have to admit that Pamukkale is not one of my personal favorites, having been rather disappointed a number of times with the travertines, the pools, the ruins and the hotels there.

I can also pitch "a spanner" into the works rather well sometimes. -

not_enuf_vaca

I know it is not your favorite - and I seriously considered giving it a miss - but others enjoyed it and it looks so cool! And even if we do skip it - we still cant get to Cappadocia when I want to...Im hoping maybe I can work it as a stop on the way to Cappadocia..my BF would love it if I could cut two flights out of the trip - he is flying way more than he wants to.

Croesus

There are night buses from Denizli to Göreme. E.g. Metro have a 21:00 bus arriving Göreme 06:30, 50TL.
http://www.metroturizm.com.tr/en/index.htm
Also Nevşehir Seyahat - http://www.nevsehirlilerseyahat.com.tr/ - 22:45-09:30, 45TL.

ter2000

I did this trip a number of years ago, but not as an overnight. Caught the bus from Pamukkale to Konya, stayed overnight in Konya, and then onward from Konya to Goreme. I liked the trip - the buses were safe and comfortable and we were well looked after by a steward who supplied us with snacks, drinks and lemon cologne along the way. There were regular comfort breaks but only for about 10 minutes or so.

I found Konya a very interesting place and we were glad of the chance to do some sightseeing there.

Later on in that trip we spent some time in Selcuk. A fellow tourist in or Pension did a day trip to Pamukkale and said that while it was a long day, it was doable. Personally I wouldn't waste too much time in Pamukkale - you'll see everything in a day.

not_enuf_vaca

Thank you all for the responses.

I added up all the time and inconvenience of flying and dropping off and picking up cars etc and we decided it would be more fun just drive. We'll find out soon enough!!