Hi – If we will be staying in Nevsehir, how difficult is it to do the following on our own without a guide, using public transportation: Open Air Museum in the Goreme, Kaymakli Underground City, and the village of Avanos?

We’d like to do all 3 in one day.

Thanks.

Nevsehir is quite close to Goreme, so I'm sure you could get to the Open Air Museum.
I'm sure Avanos has good bus connections from Goreme.
I believe Kaymakli would put the kink in your plans.
I really think it would be worth your money to rent a car or hire a guide out of Nevsehir because of the time involved in getting from place to place.
Maybe our resident Turkey experts will have better news, as my input is based solely on the planning I have done for a trip next month.

Although places such as Ürgüp, Göreme, Avanos, Uchisar, Kaymakli etc. are not far away from each other (some 10-25 kms), it is difficult to find public transport facilities running between these places frequently and regularly. I agree with yorkshire and say it would be worth your money to rent a car or hire a guide (at least for one day) because of the time involved in getting from place to place. If you don't want to drive yourself, you can also bargain with a taxi driver to take you to these places in one day.

Enjoy your stay in Cappadocia.

thanks for the replies. It seems like most of Turkey is difficult to get around on your own using public transportation. For the most part you need either a car or be a part of a tour. I think we will stick to the tour for Cappadocia then. Thanks for all the help.

In Oct. 2006, I took the public buses from Goreme to Uchisar (I think), spent 3 hours there and then took another bus from there to Neveshir for a quick walkabout for another 2 hours and then back to Goreme.
I started at around noon and was back in Goreme by 6.00pm
It was easy and fun. The buses are modern and clean and on time. You just have to know the schedules and where along the routes they stop. The drivers are very friendly, as are the passengers, and all are very helpful if they know you're a tourist. The distances between points are not far at all and the scenery is very beautiful as you travel from place to place.

Staying in Goreme for instance will help cutting your waiting bus and traveling time. You can than walk to Open air museum and take a dolmush to Avanos or even get a ride.
Underground city; if you do not wish to join a tour than possible from nevsehir bus station to Kaymakli.

Happy traveling,
Murat