IreneKD

I will have one free day in Antalya and would really like to visit Pamukkale. None of the day tours I've found operate on Tuesdays so I'm considering renting a car and driving. Good idea or bad? Thanks!

otherchelebi

Depends on why and how much you wish to get there. You can do it, but only a short part of the trip will be onscenic roads. The rest will be dull although not difficult. Still, that means a great deal of driving with no fun stops to stop and gaze with the exceptions of a neat cave near Burdur, if you take that route. It is a long time since I took the Korkuteli route which was almost all single lane and what's worse was being repaired with half of it covered with piles of gravel for about 70 kilometres. Burdur route may be longer in kilometres but will be mostly divided highway with the higher 110k speed limit.

More scenic alternatives are Termesos or Phaselis-Myra-Arycanda. Interestingly enough, I would consider taking a tour to Pamukkale but self-drive to the alternatives I mentioned especially the coastal one where I love to just roll down the windows and inhale the pine and the sea smells.

IreneKD

Hmmmm....have of course seen lots of pictures of Pamukkale and read good reviews on Hierapolis so it has piqued my interest. I'll be on a 16 day tour of Turkey so will visit Istanbul, Ephesus, Cappadocia, do a 4 day gulet cruise etc. We have an optional tour to Perge and Aspendos from Antalya so was considering Pamukkale as an alternative to that. Thought it might be fun to drive for a day... Still undecided - anyone else have an opinion or suggestions? Thanks so much!

kja

According to viamichelin, its about a 4.5 hour drive each way, and as otherchelebi says, parts of the drive aren't that interesting. (Quite in contrast to everywhere else I visited in Turkey.) As I recall, it took me longer to get out of/into Antalya than I had expected and some time to get oriented once I reached Pamukkale. I definitely enjoyed my time in Pamukkale and at Hierapolis, but I'm not sure I would have enjoyed it so much if I faced that kind of a drive to see it. And I enjoy long distance driving!

Otherchelebi mentions some wonderfully scenic alternatives. I thought them sufficiently distinct from the other places you mention to make them well worth considering.

The good news is that you'll be seeing some amazing things no matter what you choose.

Tommmo

I think it's much too far to consider from Antalya - possibly 9-10hr driving!
I see you will be going to Ephesus. Check to see if it's an option to go from there on a day tour.

IreneKD

Great, thanks for all the helpful advice! Will look further into the other options mentioned and scratch the original idea. I'm sure it's going to be an amazing trip - leaving next Friday!!