2-Day Ephesus and Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul
Overview
Walk through a Roman provincial capital, then explore rock-cut settlements on this two-day group tour from Istanbul. At Ephesus Ancient City Ruins, your guide helps you connect the streets, public buildings, and theater with the city's past. The Library of Celsus gives you a close look at its monumental architecture. Beyond the ancient city, visits to the Temple of Artemis, House of the Virgin Mary, and Isabey Mosque bring different religious traditions into the same route.
In Cappadocia, the focus shifts to how people worked and lived among the rock formations. You'll visit a pottery workshop in Avanos, explore the carved dwellings and churches of Zelve Open Air Museum, and head below ground at Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City. Devrent Valley and the Uchisar viewpoint add time outdoors. This is a packed itinerary, with an early departure and an evening connection through Istanbul between destinations. Domestic flights, shared scheduled transfers, one cave-hotel night in Cappadocia, breakfast, and two lunches are included. English-speaking guides lead the sightseeing tours, and you can add a weather-dependent balloon ride at extra cost.
Highlights
- Walk through Ephesus Ancient City Ruins from the Magnesia Gate.
- See the Library of Celsus with your guide.
- Visit the Temple of Artemis.
- Explore the House of the Virgin Mary.
- Observe pottery-making at a traditional workshop in Avanos.
- Explore rock-cut dwellings and churches at Zelve Open Air Museum.
- Go underground at Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City.
- Take in the landscape from the Uchisar viewpoint.
Itinerary
Day 1Fly from Istanbul to Izmir, Tour Ephesus, and Fly to Cappadocia
Your day starts early, with pickup from your Istanbul hotel at around 4:00 AM. Pickup covers hotels on the European side, followed by your airport transfer. Your flight to Izmir departs between 6:00 and 7:30 AM. On arrival, you'll be greeted and transferred to Ephesus, where you'll meet your professional guide.
Enter Ephesus Ancient City Ruins through the Magnesia Gate and walk through the former Roman provincial capital. With your guide and fellow travelers, see the Odeum, Temple of Hadrian, Fountain of Trajan, and Great Theater. The Library of Celsus is another stop along the route.
You'll also visit the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Continue to the House of the Virgin Mary, a Christian pilgrimage site, and Isabey Mosque. Lunch is included during today's tour.
Expect walking through open-air ruins, with uneven stone underfoot. Wear comfortable shoes, bring sun protection, and carry a modest covering for the religious sites.
The tour ends at around 4:00 PM, followed by your transfer to Izmir Airport. Your evening flight takes you to Kayseri or Nevsehir via Istanbul. An All Istanbul Tours representative will meet you on arrival and transfer you to your cave hotel in Cappadocia.
- Overnight in Cappadocia.
- Included Meal(s): Lunch
Day 2Tour Cappadocia and Fly Back to Istanbul
You can start early with an optional hot-air balloon ride over Cappadocia's valleys, available at an additional cost and subject to suitable weather. After breakfast and hotel check-out, you'll be picked up at around 9:30 AM for your full-day guided tour. You'll explore with your guide and fellow travelers.
Start with the fairy chimneys of Devrent Valley, then visit a traditional pottery workshop in Avanos. At Zelve Open Air Museum, explore cave dwellings and churches carved into the rock. Lunch is included during the tour.
You'll visit Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, built to shelter communities from invasions. Continue to Uchisar for a viewpoint overlooking the surrounding landscape and rock castle. The castle interior is closed for security reasons and isn't part of the visit.
Today's sightseeing involves walking at outdoor sites and through underground passages. Wear shoes with good grip, bring sun protection, and keep a light layer handy for the underground visit.
The tour finishes at around 4:00 PM, followed by your transfer to Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport. Your return flight to Istanbul departs between 7:00 and 10:00 PM. Our services end with your return flight; the transfer from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to your hotel isn't included.
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
Featured Hotels
Hand-picked hotels for your stay — view our featured options for each city.
Featured Hotels
Cappadocia
Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel
Cave Hotel
Heaven Cave House
Cave Hotel
Holiday Cave Hotel
Cave Hotel
Romantic Cave Hotel
Cave Hotel
Zula Cave House
Cave Hotel
Hotels are subject to availability; alternatives of an equal standard may be provided.
What's included
- 1 night in Cappadocia in a standard-quality cave hotel, with breakfast.
- Domestic flight tickets for Istanbul–Izmir, Izmir–Cappadocia via Istanbul, and Cappadocia–Istanbul.
- Pickup from your Istanbul hotel on the European side and transfer to the airport.
- Shared airport and sightseeing transfers as described, in air-conditioned vehicles.
- Professional English-speaking guides during the sightseeing tours.
- 1 breakfast and 2 lunches.
- Entrance fees for the visits in the itinerary.
- Local taxes and service charges.
What's not included
- Transfer from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to your hotel after the return flight.
- Optional Cappadocia hot-air balloon ride.
- Optional tours not mentioned in the program.
- Dinner and drinks.
- Travel insurance, which is recommended.
Good to know
- This is a regular group tour. Sightseeing tours may include shopping stops. Private tours are available on request at additional cost.
- Transfers are shared. Private transfers are available at additional cost. Initial Istanbul hotel pickup covers the European side only.
- The itinerary combines two full sightseeing days with flights, including an Izmir–Cappadocia connection via Istanbul.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for ancient paving, rock-cut sites, and underground passages. Bring sun protection and a light layer.
- Dress modestly for religious-site visits and follow on-site instructions concerning worship and visitor access.
- The underground-city visit is to Kaymakli or Ozkonak, not both. Uchisar is a viewpoint visit; its castle interior is closed for security reasons.
- The optional balloon ride operates only in suitable weather. If canceled, a full refund of EUR 360 is provided when booked through us.
- The return flight to Istanbul departs between 7:00 and 10:00 PM. If booking an international flight the same night, schedule departure after 1:30 AM. Allow for airport transfer and check-in requirements.
- Book early, especially during holidays. Last-minute bookings are possible up to 2 days before departure, Istanbul local time, if space remains.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Ephesus and Cappadocia tour from Istanbul?
It's a two-day group tour with one night in a cave hotel in Cappadocia. You'll visit Ephesus on the first day and Cappadocia on the second.
When should I book?
Book as early as possible to secure availability, especially during holidays. You can book up to 2 days before departure, Istanbul local time, if space remains.
Which domestic flights are included?
Tickets cover Istanbul–Izmir, Izmir–Cappadocia via Istanbul, and Cappadocia–Istanbul. Cappadocia flights use Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport.
Where and when does the tour start?
You'll be picked up from your Istanbul hotel on the European side at around 4:00 AM. Your flight to Izmir departs between 6:00 and 7:30 AM. You'll meet your sightseeing guide after your arrival transfer to Ephesus.
What accommodation and meals are included?
You'll have one night in a standard-quality cave hotel in Cappadocia. One breakfast and two lunches are included. Dinner and drinks aren't included.
Is the Cappadocia hot-air balloon ride included?
No, it's an optional early-morning activity at additional cost. Flights depend on suitable weather. If canceled, a full refund of EUR 360 is provided when the ride is booked through us.
Which underground city will I visit, and can I enter Uchisar Castle?
The itinerary includes Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City. You'll also visit the Uchisar viewpoint, but the castle interior is closed for security reasons.
Is the hotel transfer included when I return to Istanbul?
No. Services end with your return flight to Istanbul. Transportation from IST or SAW to your hotel isn't included.
Can I connect to an international flight after the tour?
Your return flight to Istanbul departs between 7:00 and 10:00 PM. The tour's booking guidance is to schedule any onward international departure after 1:30 AM. This isn't a connection guarantee; airport transfer and check-in requirements still apply.
Are the tours and transfers private?
This package uses regular group sightseeing tours and shared transfers. Private tours and private transfers are available on request at additional cost.
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
If you need to cancel or change your travel dates, you must notify All Istanbul Tours at least 5 days before the tour starts. For a cancellation or date-change request received at least 5 days before the tour starts, the cost of all non-refundable flight and bus tickets will be deducted from the paid balance. For a cancellation or date-change request received less than 5 days before the tour starts, the full amount paid is non-refundable. If a traveler does not appear for the booked service, the reservation is treated as a no-show and the full amount paid is non-refundable.
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This was an amazing trip! we got to see so much in just a short amount of time. The Derici hotel in Kusadasi was great, and the Dedeli konak cave hotel in Cappadocia was even better. The hot air balloon ride was the highlight of the trip for me.