We're 2 couples trying to put together some sort of 2-1/2 weeks rough itinerary for Turkey in October. We want to see Ephesus-Afrodisias-Gulet Cruise-Cappadocia-Istanbul. We are thinking we'll fly into Izmir to start, then should be okay for a few days around Ephesus. But we are having trouble finding bus schedules/companies for Selcuk-Afrodsias (our day tour), Selcuk to Fethiye to begin Gulet Cruise, and then from Finike to Kayseri or Antalya (to pick up rental car). We will then fly Kayseri to Istanbul. Does anyone know of a web resource we could check out just to see it this would be feasible? With only 2-1/2 weeks we don't want to spend several hours once we're there trying to track down buses!

While in the Izmir area (mabe Kusadasi)for your visit to Ephesus, you can actually arrange a tour with driver/guide thru your hotel for the trip to Aphrodisias. Then take your cruise* and arrange for a car pick-up when cruise ends and drive to Antalya.

Kayseri isn't near Finike or Antalya, rather the east end in Cappadoccia area.
* October can be cold, and while during most years cruises are still scheduled, if the weather turns, it's likely cruise won't go.
In Antalya area you can visit Perge and Goreme and then head to Cappadoccia area - this is a long full-day trip (7+ hrs.), but can stop on way in Konya, then continue to Cappadoccia arriving in evening.

Having the car here is good, as there are many areas to visit and will, therefore be easy to get about. Then drop the car at Kayseri and fly onto IST.

The 2-1/2 wks is certainly enough time to do this, but double-check the situation for the cruise in October if the weather turns.

Nidwaldner_Chris,

First I have to say that you can not go to Aprodisias for daily basis unless buy private tour. Because there is no bus from Kusadasi. You can take a bus from Kusadasi or Selcuk to Denizli on the way to Denizli you get off the bus at KUYUCAK and find DOLMUS to GEYRE then walk to Aprodisias. SO I recommend you get private tour or rent a car, and GO to PAMUKKALE too. You may stay overnight in Pamukkale and drive to Fethiye.

After your Gulet Cruise you may transport to DALAMAN Airport to Kayseri VIA ISTANBUL (There is no airplane to Kayseri where you will see Cappadocia) OR rent a car again drive to Antalya on the way Antalya there are many place to visit like OLIMPOS.

There is no GOREME in Antalya. Goreme is in the Cappadocia but when you get to Antalya PLEASE PLEASE STAY in the old town. You will love it. DON'T miss the Antalya museum and another place to see are:
KURSUNLU WATERFALL (Paradise of Earth)
Perge
Aspendos
Side (Old one)

I recommend you stay overnigt in Konya on the way to Cappadocia (if you drive)
because road especially passing the Tauros mountain so beatiful. If you love Archaelogy you may visit CATALHOYUK on the way to Konya dated 9.000 BC. You know what to visit in Konya and on the way to Aksaray after Konya you may stop at SULTAN HANI one of the carevanserai belongs to Selcuk period and one of the biggest one. After Aksaray you will see many carevanserai but I recommend you visit Agzikarahan Ceravanreai too JUST Compare between and get the feeling.

There is one IMPORTANT information. If you stay in Konya then drive to Capadocia I definitly recommend you Drive to IHLARA CANYON then you can skip Agzikarahan Ceravanserai because Ihlara Canyon is different road, you have to make left right before agzikarahan but DEFINITYLY worth to drive to Ihlara. If you drive to Ihlara after Ihlara Canyon there is nice Crater Lake YOU MUST SEE then you may feel that how Fairy chimneys created by Nature.
In cappadocia DON'T MISS DERINKUYU UNDERGROUND. and I am sure you know where you go in Cappadocia.

I am sure you will love turkey and the year next you will go again BECAUSE 16 days is not enough for Turkey

Have a nice trip in Turkey
Sinan Akdeniz

Thank you both for the information. Though I am aware that Kayseri is near Cappadocia, we thought that renting a car from there would save us a considerable amount on one-way rental fees but we're now leaning more towards picking up a one-way car rental in Antalya. We are still searching for bus information from Selcuk (or Pammukale) to Fethiye and bus from Finike to Antalya (to pick up one-way rental car to Kayersi). Any suggestions??

The gulet cruise would only be 3-days beginning October 2. I look forward to more recommendations.

Hi Nidwaldner_Chris !

There will be plenty of midibuses from Selcuk to Fethiye. However to travel with a big bus is more comfortable. If you get a minibus from Selcuk to Aydin (less than an hour ) Pamukkale Turizm has sceduled buses to Fethiye...as following: 8.30-11-14-16-18-20-23.30
can be viewed at www.pamukkaleturizm.com.tr
From Finike to Antalya there are midibuses with companies like Antalya Tur between 06:30 and 18:00 hrs almost 1 bus every hour. Easy to check when you arrive Finike port and not needed to book in advance. Drives to Antalya 2-or 2,5 hours.

As far the rent a car issue; if you hire a car 5 days or more usually you do not need to pay any drop off charge.

To my experience 2,5 weeks would give you a good feeling of what Turkey offers and you wont be rushing to see things.

Should you need any further info, please do ask.

Have a wonderful time in Turkey

Murat