We're going to be in Turkey for a week in May. Part of the time has to be in Istanbul due to a medical convention my brother is involved with. We also want to see some other parts of Turkey. Capodoccio looks intriguing and we are wondering if it is possible to (and makes sense to) get there in some way other than flying over and missing the countryside. Thinking about hiring a driver or possibly taking the train to Ankara (but then it seems to be a rather long way still to Capodoccio). Any thoughts?

With a week you either spend the time in Istanbul or in Cappadocia. You can't do both.

http://www.seat61.com/Turkey2.htm#Is...0to%20Gor%EBme

tells you how to do it by train

alternatively you fly to Kayseri

In either case it's a day's travel each way

Dear jcasale,

First of all, you can perfectly do Istanbul and Cappadocia (3 days Istanbul, 2 days Cappadocia, 2 days travelling) in a week even if you take the bus or rent a car.

Of course, the quickest way to go to Cappadocia from Istanbul is by air. Since you don't want to fly, you can either take a bus (much quicker and practical than train) to Ankara from Istanbul and take another bus to Nevsehir from Ankara(there are direct services from Istanbul to Cappadocia but they are less frequent than the buses running from Ankara)or just rent a car with a driver from Istanbul and let him take you to Cappadocia. (Around 9 hours driving, some 4-5 hours Istanbul-Ankara drive and another 3-4 hours Ankara Cappadocia drive)

With all good wishes.

I would not miss Cappadocia, it is amazing and there's lots to see. We took a morning flight that was no more than 2 hours, and had the afternoon to do a hike. With only a week I wouldn't sacrifice a whole day for travel just to see the countryside enroute, but that's just my opinion.

I did an 8 day trip to Istanbul and Cappadocia last September. I was with a group, and we took an overnight train to Konya and had prebooked sleeping compartments. We ate in the restaurant car, which was fun, but you might want to have supplies with you in case there is no restaurant car. We flew back to Istanbul from Kayseri, and connected with our London flight.

Some people in the group were planning repeat visits on their own, and our tour guide recommended Middle Earth Tours:

http://www.middleearthtravel.com/

Thanks so much for all of the thoughts. Since I will probably go back again for a longer time in a couple of years, maybe I will just do some day trips out from Istanbul and save Cappadocia for that trip. For flights, are there airlines that offer inexpensive rates?

The Turkey Travel Planner website lists all of the low cost airlines operating in Turkey, including to Cappadocia.

Thanks so much. That looks like a very helpful site.

Hi Jcasale;
If you had the thought of visiting Cappadocia, I would say go for it.
There is not much to see on the way unless you go further inland. Best is to Fly to Kayseri or Nevsehir and two nights Cappadocia will give you a good picture and taste, you can always come back for moe. I usually suggest 3 or 4 full days for Cappadocia.

Flights will very depending on date and route and airline; 80 YTL to 219 YTL is your range. Flight is 1 hour 15 minutes from Istanbul.

Happy travelling,
Murat