tatersalad

Our travel dates are still quite some time in the future but in looking at using Turkish Airlines for a domestic round-trip from Istanbul to Nevsehir I am a little confused.

When I search Kayak or Airfare.com I come up with prices of something like US$600, which seems quite high for a short flight. If I use the airline’s own web-site it gives me a fare of 198 TRY.

First off; what is “TRY”? Turkish Lira is TRL if I’m not mistaken. Secondly; in the general terms and conditions of the ticket it says something about may not be able to purchase outside Turkey unless using a Turkish Airlines office; it does, however, appear to me that the web-site will process the transaction.

Please tell me your experience in purchasing domestic airfare before you arrived in Turkey and what you paid for a similar ticket.

Another question; is car rental available in Nevsehir and is it advisable?

Thanks so much.

ms_go

I bought our tickets for IST-NAV-IST via the Turkish (THY) call center. There's a US toll-free number on the website. We paid 183 Turkish Lira (~US$120) per ticket, round trip--purchased about six months in advance.

We didn't rent a car, so I can't help there.

bniemand

I bought tickets on the Turkish Airlines website last week for our September trip and it was very easy. The prices are in Turkish Lira and the transaction showed up on our credit card exchanged into US dollars.

I booked three flights (to be taken over a period of days) on one ticket:
IST > Izmir
Ismir > IST > Kayseri
Nevsehir > IST

The cost was 481 TL per person or approx $312 USD.

We're not renting a car in Cappadocia. Our hotel arranged an airport transfer for 15 TL per person, and we are opting to go on day tours using Rock Valley Tours rather than driving on our own.

Jackie

I had read it was a good idea to use a travel agency to purchase the airline tickets, so that's what I did. I had expected that they would research different airlines and give me the best options--what they provided was the Turkish air schedule. regretted the decision as they made many mistakes and total cost was more than what I got to when checking the Turkish airline site myself.

You asked about 198 TL, it is equivalent to about $128.

I booked tix in Mar for a Sept trip:
Ist-Nav 108TL
Nav-Antalya 174 TL
Ant-Ist 124 TL
Total was 412TL or $266USD.

Using the Turkish Air site, I played around with dates and times--I planned our trip around the least expensive. It added up to a considerable savings, especially when buying 5 tickets.

I was researching cars last night and pretty much decided to wait and see what happens when they get there. Saw that one of the travel agenices has a shuttle service for $10PP, so may use that and probably hire a driver.

tatersalad

Thanks,

Actually, the web-site said 198 TRY which I assumed means Turkish Lira but I have seen elsewhere that Turkish Lira is TRL, but the prices seem to be right so apparently, TRY and TRL are interchangeable.

ms-go: you spent time in Cappadocia; in your opinion would about 5 day’s time with our own car seem like a good idea? From my reading the area is rather large and interesting; we like to explore and like the independence of our own vehicle if traffic is not too great. We love to drive country roads and stop as we please. We will likely base ourselves in only one or two locations and take day trips in different directions. Within your impressions; are there any issues with anti-western people where it wouldn’t be a good idea for two Americans to be roaming the area alone? We haven’t yet read much about crime and safety issues for this part of Turkey.

NLspirit

Hi Tatersalad. We visited Turkey last May ... a wonderful trip! After 5 days in Istanbul we flew Turkish Airlines to Neveshir. I just checked the price we paid on Turkish Airlines and it cost 168 TRY for both of us taxes and fees included. Upon arrival at Nevisehir airport we were picked up (no charge) and driven to Esbelli Evi (fabulous!) in Urgup where we stayed for 5 nights. Prior to leaving Canada we had arranged a balloon ride with Murat at Travel Atelier and when we arrived we also arranged a rental car with him as well. Excellent service. I can't remember exactly what we paid but think it was about $40 a day.

We also like to explore and enjoy the independence of having our own car. We drove at a relaxed pace everywhere in the area. Nils, the manager at Esbelli Evi, spent time each morning mapping out an itinerary complete with recommendations for little known places to visit and great places to eat. Again no charge. We found five days was just right. You can certainly do it in less time but it will probably resemble a '10 countries in 10 days' tour. The people of Turkey are kind and friendly and Cappadocia is absolutely safe. Hope this helps.

Aduchamp1

I hope someone will correct me if I am wrong but TRY is the abbreviation for the new Turkish lira and TRL is the old Turkish lira.

I would also try Pegasus Air, which does mot appear on Kayak or Expedia.

We have used a few discount airlines in Europe like Ryan and Vueling that do appear on Expedia or Kayak. Just be aware of all the extra costs and restrictions.

Jackie

My turkey book says the currency is referred to as Turkish Lira (TL). My currency converter application refers to YTL-Turkish new.

otherchelebi

TRY is airline lingo.

TR is the designation for "Turkey" as a country.

Do you think "Y" is an abreviation for 'Why?'

YTL is defunct. So if anyone gives you YTL notes or coins as change or exchange, refuse it, unless you wish to keep a few to add to your collection of French Franks, Italian Liret and Greek Drahmi.

ellen75005

We were in Turkey last fall. I booked all our flights online using kayak and cheapoair for both Turkish Airlines and Atlas Air. Both were fine. I did find that Turkish Airlines seemed more expensive than the other carriers. We took Turkish from Istanbul to Nevsehir, although at the moment, I don't remember what the cost was. Car rental is available in Nevsehir. I'd say whether it's advisable or not is completely up to you. We opted not to rent a car in favor of taking day trips with Rock Valley Tours (fantastic). The driving would have been easy in Cappadocia, though, had we opted for it. (We did drive in other parts of Turkey).

I'm sure ms_go will answer your question, but I'll weigh in also. We spent 4 days in Cappadocia. Yes, we did small group day trips while we were there, but you would have no problem traveling on your own. The Turkish people are warm and hospitable. We are American and we felt very safe everywhere we traveled in Turkey.

Have you booked your hotel in Cappadocia yet? We stayed at the Melekler Evi in Urgup. I highly recommend it; it's absolutely beautiful and it spoiled us for any hotel in our future!

Ellen