Although Türkiye is a relatively cheap country to travel to, there are some areas that are a bit more expensive, and Cappadocia is one of them, thanks to its popularity with national and international tourists.
You'll probably still find trips here very reasonably priced compared to your home country, but if you've been in Turkey for a while, Cappadocia will probably seem a little more expensive than usual. Accommodation, in particular, costs a little more than elsewhere in the country, and food and drink prices are also increasing. That said, it remains a rather affordable destination. These tips will help you get the most out of your budget.
Daily costs in Cappadocia
- Bed in hostel dormitory: 500 ₺
- Hotel room for two: 2000 ₺
- Glass of çay: 30 ₺
- Pide du midi (Turkish-style pizza): 200 ₺
- Two-course meal in a restaurant for two: ₺1100
- Glass of wine: 150 ₺
- Local taxi ride: ₺300
- Dolmuş journey between cities: ₺260
- Rental car (per day): 1450 ₺
Arrive by plane
Flying is the cheapest way to reach Cappadocia, with direct flights from many cities in Turkey as well as a handful of European destinations. Domestic flights are particularly advantageous, so consider taking a flight from a budget airline to Istanbul Or Antalya with Wizz Air Or SoleilExpress, and take a connecting flight from there. (Remember, though, that Istanbul has two airports: make sure your connecting flight departs from the same one you land at.)
Two airports serve Cappadocia: Kayseri Erkelit and Nevşehir Kapadokya. Nevşehir only has flights to Istanbul, but is considerably closer to Cappadocia's main sights, while Kayseri has more connections, but you will then need to arrange transport to the heart of Cappadocia. If you can find a flight to Nevşehir at the right time, this is probably the best value route to Cappadocia.
Visit outside of high season
It is worth planning your trip to Cappadocia to take advantage of the low season. You'll be able to save on accommodation, as hoteliers tend to lower their prices when there are fewer tourists, and you'll have the added benefit of being able to see stunning scenery without the crowds.
Cappadocia's main tourist season runs from May to September, so visit a little earlier or later in the year to take advantage of lower prices. Note that it can be cold and snowy in the area during the winter months, so if you are planning to take a hot air balloon ride or hike the valleys, this may not be the best time to travel here.
Dolmus trip
If you're not in a hurry to get around, Cappadocia's dolmuş service (minibus with a prescribed route) is an excellent and cheap mode of transportation. Dolmuş connect towns and villages in the region, departing relatively frequently from the town center or the main village street, and cost a fraction of the price of a taxi.
The downside, of course, is that they aren't always available exactly when you want them and offer less capacity for visiting off-the-beaten-path places. Using a dolmuş to reach major destinations and a taxi to find hidden gems will perfectly balance budget and exploration.
Find accommodation outside the main tourist centers
Cappadocia is a popular tourist destination and hoteliers know it. There are some nice hotels here, many of which are cave dwellings built from soft tuff rock – and they are generally expensive. If you don't want to stay in a cave hotel, you can usually get a better deal, but if you want to spend the night in one of these iconic locations, consider looking outside the main tourist centers for cheaper deals . The city of Goreme there are many cave hotels, but it's not a secret and prices can be high. Instead, visit nearby towns and villages such as Çavuşin and Uçhisar to find beautiful cave hotels for less.
Look for cheap meals
Many restaurants in the area – in Göreme in particular – have geared their prices directly towards the tourist market and do not offer the best value for money. To eat cheaper, walk back a few blocks from the glitzy restaurants on the main streets and find smaller, local places. Pide parlors are a great choice for lunch: these delicious flatbreads topped with cheese or ground meat will fill you up for the afternoon and cost next to nothing.
Drink local wine
It may come as a surprise that Cappadocia has a well-established wine industry: there are two large producers and several small vineyards operating in the region. Imported wine can be expensive, but local wine usually isn't – it will almost always be the cheapest option on the menu. Luckily, it's usually pretty good too, which means it'll probably be your best choice for evening drinks.
Buy the MuseumPass Cappadocia card
If you are in Cappadocia to explore the remarkable historical sites of the region, including the Goreme Open Air MuseumTHE Ihlara Valley churches and The underground city of Derinkuyu – you will quickly notice that the entry prices are relatively high. In particular, the Göreme Open Air Museum is an expensive attraction.
Luckily, if you're visiting more than one of these sites, you can invest in the MuseumPass Cappadocia card, which is a combo ticket covering many of the region's more expensive cultural sites. It costs ₺1,500 to purchase, so it's not cheap, but if you visit four or more sites it quickly shows its value. The only problem is that you only have three days to use the card, so you may need to act quickly to get your money's worth. You can buy MuseumPass onlinebut it is usually easier and more convenient to purchase it at the ticket offices of one of the participating venues.
Avoid hot air balloon trips
Okay, one of the most iconic things to do in Cappadocia is to take a hot air balloon ride over the fairy chimneys, but it's extremely expensive – if you do, it will probably end up being the biggest expense of your visit to the area. Consider not taking a plane and getting up early to watch the balloons from the ground. There are many places in and around Göreme where you can see them, including the scenic viewpoints to the west and south of the city, or even from the roof of your hotel.
If you decide to take a hot air balloon ride, you might be tempted to cut costs by using a cheaper operator, but remember that you almost always get what you pay for: cheaper hot air balloons can have a track record of lower safety, use less qualified pilots. , or can cram too many people into the basket, with the result that you won't be able to see. This is one case where it's worth paying a little more to get a much better experience.
