Cappadocia Tours From Istanbul by Plane

Cappadocia, in short

Sixty million years ago volcanic eruptions laid down soft layers of ash and lava. Wind and water did the rest, carving the valleys, cones and 'fairy chimneys' that people carved houses, churches and entire underground cities into.

It is roughly 750 km from Istanbul, so this is a flight-based trip rather than a coach day out.

What it costs

From u20ac330 booked separately, depending on length and whether a balloon flight is included. Available on the pass u2014 check your account for the current options.

The balloon flight

Pick-up is very early u2014 typically between 03:30 and 04:30 u2014 with tea, coffee and cake at the launch field before you lift off around sunrise. It is the single most photographed thing in Turkey and it earns the alarm call. Flights are weather-dependent and cancelled more often than people expect, so build in a spare morning if you can.

Day trip or overnight

A single day means an early flight out, a full day on the ground and a flight back the same evening. It works, but it is long.

Two days and one night, or three days and two nights, let you split the valleys, the underground cities and the balloon across separate mornings u2014 and give you a second chance at the balloon if weather grounds the first.

When to go

Any time of year has something. July and August are hot and busiest; spring and autumn are the most comfortable. Winter brings snow over the rock formations, which is spectacular and grounds more balloon flights.