3-Day Private Cappadocia and Ephesus Tour from Istanbul by Plane
Overview
Cappadocia’s rock-cut churches and Ephesus’ ancient streets offer two very different ways to explore Turkey. This three-day private tour connects them by domestic flights, starting and ending in Istanbul. In Devrent Valley and Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley), you’ll see fairy chimneys and mushroom-shaped pinnacles up close. At Goreme Open Air Museum, your private guide helps you understand the churches carved into the rock. You’ll also trade roadside viewpoints for a roughly 5 km hike through Rose Valley, followed by an underground city visit.
Near the Aegean coast, Ephesus Ancient City Ruins brings a different scale, with its Great Theater, Temple of Hadrian and Trajan Fountain. The route also includes the House of the Virgin Mary and Isa Bey Mosque, then gives you an hour to explore Sirince Village on your own. You’ll stay one night in a Cappadocia cave hotel and one night in Kusadasi. Your English-speaking private guides lead the sightseeing, while a private driver and air-conditioned car handle the scheduled road travel. It’s a full schedule, with an early departure, connecting flights and outdoor walking, balanced by time to explore the places you’ve come to see.
Highlights
- See fairy chimneys in Devrent Valley
- Explore the rock-cut churches of Goreme Open Air Museum
- Photograph the natural rock castles of Uchisar
- Hike approximately 5 km through Rose Valley
- Explore Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City
- Walk through Ephesus Ancient City Ruins with your private guide
- Visit the House of the Virgin Mary
- Spend one hour exploring Sirince Village independently
Itinerary
Day 1Fly from Istanbul to Cappadocia and Explore North Cappadocia
Your day starts early, with pickup from your Istanbul hotel at around 4:15 AM. We'll transfer you to the airport for your flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir, departing between 6:00 and 7:30 AM. On arrival, you'll transfer to Cappadocia and meet your private guide there.
Start at Devrent Valley, where you'll see fairy chimneys shaped by erosion. Continue to Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley) for its mushroom-shaped pinnacles, then drive to Avanos.
After your included lunch, explore the rock-cut churches and former Christian settlements at Goreme Open Air Museum. Finish with about 15 minutes for photos of the natural rock castles of Uchisar. This is a photo stop, rather than a castle interior visit.
Expect walking at the outdoor sites, including uneven ground. Wear comfortable shoes and bring sun protection and a light layer for the early start. After sightseeing, we'll transfer you to your Cappadocia cave hotel for check-in.
- Overnight in Cappadocia.
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
Day 2South Cappadocia and Flight to Izmir via Istanbul
You can start with an optional early-morning hot air balloon ride, at an additional cost. The balloon ride is shared with other participants, not private, and depends on weather conditions. For the sightseeing tour, you'll have breakfast at your hotel before pickup at around 9:30 AM and a briefing from your private guide.
Begin in Red Valley, exploring rock-cut churches before hiking approximately 5 km through Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi). Continue to Cavusin Village to see its old houses and churches. Wear sturdy walking shoes and bring water and sun protection for the hike.
Stop for your included lunch at around noon, then drive to Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi). In the afternoon, explore Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City. Expect steps and low, narrow passages underground.
After sightseeing, we'll transfer you to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for your flight to Izmir through Istanbul. At Izmir airport, a representative will meet you holding a sign with your name. You'll then transfer to your hotel in Kusadasi for the night.
- Overnight in Kusadasi.
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
Day 3Ephesus, Sirince Village and Return Flight to Istanbul
After breakfast, you'll meet your private guide at your Kusadasi hotel for pickup at around 8:30 AM. Begin your full-day tour at Ephesus Ancient City Ruins. You'll visit the Temple of Hadrian, Great Theater and Trajan Fountain.
After your included lunch, visit the House of the Virgin Mary, traditionally associated with Mary's final years. Pass by the Temple of Artemis, where little remains of the ancient structure. Then visit Isa Bey Mosque.
Continue to Sirince Village, known for wine production and traditional village shops. You'll have one hour to explore independently, without your guide, and look around its food and wine shops. Expect walking on ancient paving and village streets; wear shoes with good grip and bring sun protection. Bring clothing that covers your shoulders and knees for the mosque, plus a headscarf if needed.
After the tour, we'll transfer you to Izmir airport for your return flight departing between 7:00 and 10:00 PM. The flight to Istanbul takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Our service ends when your flight arrives at Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen Airport. You'll arrange your own onward transfer, which 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
Kusadasi
Derici Hotel
4 Star
Efe Boutique Hotel
Boutique
Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel
4 Star
Marina Hotel
4 Star
Neopol Hotel Deluxe
4 Star
Hotels are subject to availability; alternatives of an equal standard may be provided.
What's included
- 2 nights of accommodation with breakfast: 1 night in a Cappadocia cave hotel and 1 night in Kusadasi, specified as a 4-star hotel in the reference inclusions.
- 3 breakfasts and 3 lunches, as listed in the daily itinerary.
- Domestic flights from Istanbul to Kayseri or Nevsehir, from Cappadocia to Izmir via Istanbul, and from Izmir to Istanbul: 4 flight segments.
- Initial pickup from your Istanbul hotel on the European side only and transfer to the airport.
- Scheduled airport transfers in Cappadocia and between Izmir airport and Kusadasi, plus the final transfer to Izmir airport after sightseeing.
- Private driver and spacious air-conditioned car for scheduled road travel.
- English-speaking private guide during the sightseeing tours.
- Entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary.
- Local taxes and service charges.
What's not included
- Transfer from Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen Airport to your Istanbul hotel after the return flight.
- Optional Cappadocia hot air balloon ride.
- Other optional activities mentioned in the program, which carry additional charges and are shared with other participants.
- Drinks with meals.
- Travel insurance, which is recommended.
- Services not mentioned in the program.
Good to know
- The sightseeing order may change, but all described visits will take place. Approximate pickup times remain subject to the flight and sightseeing schedule.
- Bring comfortable walking shoes. Day 2 includes an approximately 5 km hike, and underground-city visits involve steps and confined passages. Outdoor sites can be hot, so bring water and sun protection.
- For Isa Bey Mosque, wear clothing covering shoulders and knees; women should bring a headscarf. Access may be restricted during prayers, particularly Friday congregational prayers.
- The optional hot air balloon ride depends on weather conditions. It costs extra and is shared, not private.
- Domestic-flight luggage allowance is 15 kg checked baggage per person, plus one carry-on weighing up to 8 kg per person.
- Vegetarian lunch is available on request.
- Source room arrangements are: 2 travelers, one double/twin room; 3 travelers, one triple room; 4 travelers, two double/twin rooms; 5 travelers, one double/twin room and one triple room.
- Your return airport is Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen Airport, depending on flight availability when tickets are purchased. Email any airport preference before booking. Changes after confirmation incur an additional cost.
The reference lists a normal Istanbul arrival window of 8:00–10:00 PM, alongside a return departure window of 7:00–10:00 PM and an approximately 90-minute flight. Use your issued flight details for onward planning. The operator recommends onward flights from 1:30 AM the following morning; allow for your actual arrival airport and any airport change.
- Book early, especially for public holidays. Bookings may be accepted up to 2 days before departure, Istanbul local time, subject to availability. Within 2 days, contact us by email or phone for an availability check before confirmation.
Frequently asked questions
Is this Cappadocia and Ephesus tour private?
Yes. Sightseeing is for your own party, with an English-speaking private guide and a private driver with an air-conditioned car. Guides are provided during tours, not as a tour-long escort. Flights and any optional balloon ride are shared with other passengers.
Where does the tour start and finish?
It starts with pickup from your European-side Istanbul hotel at around 4:15 AM. It ends when your return flight arrives at Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen Airport. The final transfer to your Istanbul hotel isn't included.
Which flights are included?
The package includes Istanbul to Kayseri or Nevsehir, Cappadocia to Izmir through Istanbul, and Izmir to Istanbul. That's four flight segments. Your first flight departs between 6:00 and 7:30 AM, and your final flight departs between 7:00 and 10:00 PM.
What accommodation and meals are included?
You'll have one night in a Cappadocia cave hotel and one night in Kusadasi. The reference inclusions specify a 4-star stay in Kusadasi. Each of the three days lists breakfast and lunch, for three breakfasts and three lunches in total. Drinks with meals aren't included.
How much walking does the tour involve?
Day 2 includes an approximately 5 km hike through Rose Valley. You'll also walk at outdoor sites in North Cappadocia, through an underground city, and around Ephesus and Sirince Village. Sturdy shoes are useful for uneven paving, trails and steps.
Is the Cappadocia hot air balloon ride included?
No. You can book it as an optional early-morning activity on Day 2 at an additional cost. It's shared with other participants and depends on suitable weather.
Will we visit both underground cities?
No. The itinerary includes either Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, not both.
Does Sirince Village include a guided wine tasting?
The schedule provides one hour of independent time in Sirince Village, without your guide. You can explore its food and wine shops, but an organized wine tasting isn't listed as an included service.
How far ahead should I book?
Book as early as possible, particularly around public holidays. You can book up to 2 days before departure, Istanbul local time, if space remains. For requests within 2 days, email or call us so we can check availability before confirming.
Can I request a particular Istanbul return airport?
Yes, email your preference before booking. The arrival airport otherwise depends on flight availability when tickets are purchased. Airport changes requested after your booking is confirmed incur an 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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