4-Day Ephesus, Pamukkale and Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul by Plane & Bus
Overview
Walk through the ruins of Ephesus, see mineral-white terraces at Pamukkale, and explore the rock-cut settlements of Cappadocia on this four-day group tour from Istanbul. Your guide helps connect the places you see, from Ephesus’s theater and temples to the caves and churches at Zelve Open Air Museum. You’ll also visit the House of the Virgin Mary and Isa Bey Mosque, adding two different religious sites to your time near Ephesus.
This is a busy route for you if you’d rather spend your days sightseeing than stay in one place. Two domestic flights connect Istanbul with the route, while an overnight coach carries you from Pamukkale to Cappadocia. You’ll have two hotel nights: one in Kusadasi and one in a Cappadocia cave hotel. Expect an early start, a night on the road, and walking at archaeological sites. The Rose Valley hike covers 5 km, with an underground city visit later that day. Three breakfasts and four lunches are included, and optional activities let you add a balloon ride or an evening experience without changing the scheduled route.
Highlights
- Explore Ephesus Ancient City Ruins with your guide.
- Visit the House of the Virgin Mary near Ephesus.
- Walk beside Pamukkale’s Cotton Cliffs.
- See the theatre and Roman Baths in the City of Hierapolis.
- Explore the carved caves and churches of Zelve Open Air Museum.
- Photograph Uchisar Castle during an exterior photo stop.
- Hike 5 km through Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi).
- Explore either Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City.
Itinerary
Day 1Fly from Istanbul to Izmir and Explore Ephesus
Your day starts early, with pickup from your Istanbul hotel at around 4:00 AM. You'll transfer to the airport for your Izmir flight, departing between 6:00 and 8:00 AM. On arrival, you'll travel to Selçuk, where you'll meet your guide and fellow travelers.
Begin your full-day tour at Ephesus Ancient City Ruins. Explore the Temple of Hadrian, Great Theater, and Trajan Fountain with your guide. Wear comfortable shoes for walking among the ruins, and bring water and sun protection.
After your included lunch, visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a site associated with Mary's later life. Continue to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. You'll also visit Isa Bey Mosque; bring clothing suitable for a mosque visit.
The tour ends at around 4:00 PM, followed by your transfer to Kusadasi. Check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring or resting.
- Overnight in Kusadasi.
- Included Meal(s): Lunch
Day 2Pamukkale and Hierapolis, Overnight Bus to Cappadocia
After breakfast, you'll be picked up from your Kusadasi hotel at around 7:30 AM. Transfer to Selçuk, where your fellow travelers gather before departure at approximately 8:30 AM. The drive to Pamukkale takes about three hours, with a 10-minute restroom stop halfway.
Arrive at around 11:45 AM for your included lunch at a local restaurant. At around 1:00 PM, begin sightseeing with your professional licensed guide. Explore Pamukkale's Cotton Cliffs, formed by mineral deposits, and City of Hierapolis, including its theatre and Roman Baths.
You'll have one hour of free time after the guided visit. You can explore independently or swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools at an additional cost. Your guide will explain the meeting point and time; bring swimwear if you're considering the pools, plus comfortable shoes for sightseeing on foot.
The tour ends at around 4:00 PM, followed by a transfer to the bus station. You'll have free time before the 9:00 PM bus departure, including time for dinner nearby. Your overnight journey to Cappadocia covers approximately 650 km and takes about 10 hours, with three stops for personal needs.
You'll spend tonight on the coach, not in a hotel. There isn't a restroom on board, so make use of the scheduled stops. Keep a light layer and overnight essentials in your carry-on.
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
Day 3North Cappadocia Tour
Arrive at Goreme bus station in the morning, where our representative will meet you. Transfer to your Cappadocia hotel for breakfast, then rest in the lobby until pickup at around 9:30 AM. You'll meet your guide as your North Cappadocia tour begins; hotel check-in follows the tour.
Start at Devrent Valley, where rock formations suggest animal shapes. Continue to Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley) to see its mushroom-shaped formations. Next comes Avanos, a town with longstanding pottery traditions, where you'll have your included lunch.
Explore carved caves and old churches at Zelve Open Air Museum. Then stop for about 15 minutes to photograph Uchisar Castle from outside; this itinerary doesn't include an interior visit. Wear shoes with good grip for walking around the rock formations and cave settlement, and carry sun protection.
The tour ends at around 4:00 PM, followed by your hotel transfer and check-in. The remaining time is free, or you can add one paid activity: a Turkish Night show with dinner, a two-hour ATV tour, a two-hour horseback riding tour, or a one-hour Whirling Dervish show. Time allows only one of these optional activities.
- Overnight in Cappadocia.
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4South Cappadocia Tour and Flight to Istanbul
You can book an optional early-morning hot air balloon ride at an additional cost. After breakfast at your hotel, check out for pickup at around 9:30 AM. Meet your guide and fellow travelers before setting out to explore South Cappadocia.
Your first stop is Red Valley, with its rock-cut churches. Hike 5 km through Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi), passing pink-toned rock formations. Bring sturdy walking shoes, water, a hat, and sun protection for the hike.
Continue to Cavusin Village to see old cave houses and churches. Stop at around noon for your included lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, visit Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi) and see pigeon houses carved into the cliffs.
In the afternoon, explore either Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City. The tour ends at around 3:30 PM, followed by a transfer to Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport.
Your flight to Istanbul typically departs between 7:00 and 10:00 PM, subject to availability. Flying time is approximately one hour and 30 minutes. Our services conclude with your return flight; transportation from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to your Istanbul 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
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 hotel nights: 1 in a 4-star hotel in Kusadasi and 1 in a cave hotel in Cappadocia, both including breakfast.
- 3 breakfasts and 4 lunches, as listed in the daily itinerary.
- 2 domestic flight tickets: Istanbul to Izmir, and Kayseri or Nevsehir to Istanbul.
- Overnight intercity coach ticket from Pamukkale to Cappadocia.
- Day 1 hotel pickup and airport transfer from the specified European-side Istanbul districts.
- Scheduled destination transfers described in the itinerary, including Izmir to Selçuk, hotel transfers, bus-station transfers, and the final transfer to Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport.
- English-speaking guide during the sightseeing tours.
- Entrance fees for the included visits mentioned in the itinerary.
- Local taxes and service charges.
What's not included
- Transfer from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to your Istanbul hotel after the return flight.
- Cappadocia hot air balloon ride.
- Optional Pamukkale Antique Pools swim.
- Optional Turkish Night show with dinner, two-hour ATV tour, two-hour horseback riding tour, and one-hour Whirling Dervish show.
- Drinks with meals.
- Travel insurance, which is recommended.
- Services not mentioned in the program.
Good to know
- This is a regular group tour with scheduled departures and shopping stops. A private version may be requested at an additional cost.
- The sightseeing order may change, but all described visits will take place. The underground city visit is to either Kaymakli or Ozkonak, not both.
- Istanbul pickup covers Taksim, Şişli, Sultanahmet, Eminönü, Fatih, Beşiktaş, Karaköy, and Bakırköy on the European side. Travelers outside these districts or on the Anatolian side must arrange their own airport transportation.
- Plan for pickup at around 4:00 AM on Day 1. Operational notes also give approximately 3:50 AM, with timing dependent on the flight schedule.
- Domestic-flight baggage allowance is 15 kg of checked luggage and one carry-on weighing up to 8 kg per person.
- The overnight coach has no onboard restroom. The approximately 10-hour journey includes three stops for personal needs, and no hotel room is included that night.
- On arrival in Cappadocia, breakfast and lobby time come before sightseeing. Hotel check-in is after the North Cappadocia tour, not on morning arrival.
- Bring comfortable walking shoes and sun protection. Day 4 includes a 5 km hike; bring modest clothing for the Isa Bey Mosque visit.
- Vegetarian lunch is available upon request. Only one of the four optional Day 3 activities can fit into the schedule.
- Confirm return-flight timing with the operator before booking onward travel, as departure times are subject to flight availability. The transfer from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to your Istanbul hotel is not included.
Frequently asked questions
Where does this four-day Ephesus, Pamukkale and Cappadocia tour start and end?
It starts with pickup from an eligible European-side Istanbul hotel and an airport transfer. Services end with the return flight to Istanbul on Day 4. The transfer from your arrival airport to your Istanbul hotel isn't included.
How do I travel between the destinations?
You'll fly from Istanbul to Izmir, travel by road to Ephesus and Pamukkale, and take an overnight coach to Cappadocia. The final flight departs from Kayseri or Nevsehir for Istanbul. Guides lead the sightseeing tours, rather than accompanying you throughout the entire journey.
How many hotel nights are included?
Two hotel nights are included: one in Kusadasi and one in a Cappadocia cave hotel. You'll spend the second night on the overnight coach. Morning arrival at the Cappadocia hotel includes breakfast and lobby time, with check-in after sightseeing.
Which meals are included?
Lunch is included on all four days. Breakfast is included on Days 2, 3, and 4. Drinks with meals aren't included, and vegetarian lunch can be requested.
Is the Cappadocia hot air balloon ride included?
No. You can book it as an additional-cost, early-morning option on Day 4.
How much walking does the tour involve?
You'll explore archaeological sites, rock formations, and cave settlements on foot. Day 4 specifically includes a 5 km hike through Rose Valley. Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes and bring water and sun protection.
Can I visit both underground cities or enter Uchisar Castle?
The itinerary visits either Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, not both. Uchisar Castle is an exterior photo stop lasting about 15 minutes; an interior visit isn't part of this tour.
When should I book this group tour?
Book as early as possible, especially around public holidays and festivities. Reservations can be made up to two days before departure, using Istanbul local time, if places remain. For requests less than two days before departure, contact us by email or phone so availability can be checked before confirmation.
What luggage allowance applies to the included domestic flights?
The supplied allowance is 15 kg of checked luggage per person, plus one carry-on weighing up to 8 kg.
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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We have just arrived home from our trip and wish to thank All Istanbul Tourstravel.com for a wonderful experience in Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Cappadocia. Everything went smoothly, pick up and tours were on time and as per expectation. Would highly recommend this tour company to anyone visiting Turkey.
Our recent November trip to Turkey was nothing short of fun, educational and adventurous. We were told you need at least 2 weeks in Turkey. However, due to limited leave which was slightly more than a week, we planned to cover the ‘places not to be missed. We found the perfect tour online which was a 4 day programme put together by All Istanbul Tours. This tour essentially covers Ephesus, Pammukale and Cappadoccia which we booked before leaving Singapore. Bilal was quick to respond to all our queries and Can Bebber, the Sales Manger, whom we met in Istanbul, was very efficient and helpful. He gave us his contact and to reach out for him anytime during our 4 day trip. Came in handy when one of the transfers didn’t take place as planned and he made special arrangements for us to be picked up by his friend. We really appreciated the service provided. The 4 day tour was well planned and the guides were knowledgeable. We loved Ephesus and the highlight was the Hot Air Balloon in Cappadocia. Pammukale was a little underwhelming. Not sure if it was the time of year or over the years with too many hotels built around, the cotton cliffs were not all that white and widespread. Overall it was worth a visit and a dip in the Hot springs is a must. We have given our feedbackk to Can suggesting further improvements on hotel locations used (eg. Goreme area in Cappadoccia instead of Urgup) and optional arrangements in Pammukale after visiting the coton cliff/hot sprngs and waiting for our bus ride from Pammukale to Cappadoccia. Tour in Pammukale ends at around 2pm and the bus doesnt leave till 10pm. We are hoping our suggestions will be implemented. We made our own arrangement to stay at Divan Hotel in Istanbul at Taksim. 5-star hotel with awesome service and a very helpful concierge Semen who went out of his way to make our trip very pleasant. Centrally located and walking distance to the metro that connects to the old city where all the attractions are. We plan to return to Turkey in the near future and visit more places. We would use All Istanbul Tours service again for sure, Cheers, chitra
We had a very pleasant experience with All Istanbul Tours. The pick up, drop offs, tour guides and hotel arrangements were very good. Our whole trip was very efficiently planned and we got to see all the sights that we wanted to. We were a little disappointed with the meals offered, but other than that the whole experience was a great one.
I do have to say that the items in the rug stores, gem factories and pottery places are very highly overpriced. You can buy them much cheaper at the government stores in Istanbul.
Excellent tour. We would have liked to spent more time at Cappadocia and Pamukkale town. The lunch stops could be more planned but food was good and people nice. The guide , Aylin was simply wonderful, very knowledgeable and explaining patiently. Good natured and helpful.
I enjoyed the 4-day tour of Ephesus, Pamukkale and Cappadocia. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and we all learned new information. I would recommend this tour to anyone traveling to Turkey.