Know Before You Go - Cappadocia, Turkey

Tips to Know Before Traveling to Cappadocia, Turkey

Cappadocia is one of those places that feels unreal in person - valleys that look like another planet, cave hotels carved into rock, and sunrise skies filled with balloons. A little prep goes a long way here, especially because it’s a more rural region than Istanbul or the coast. Here are the most useful “wish I’d known” tips before you go.

1) Know which airport you’re actually flying into (and how far it is)

Cappadocia doesn’t have one “Cappadocia Airport” in the middle of town. Most travelers fly into one of two airports and then transfer to their hotel (often in Göreme, Uçhisar, Ürgüp, or Avanos).

• Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV): closest option. ~38 km to Göreme (~39 minutes by car).

• Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR): sometimes more flight options. ~73 km to Göreme (~1 hr 6 min by car).

• General rule: NAV is the shorter transfer; ASR is farther but can work better for schedules.

Tip: Arrange your airport transfer ahead of time (hotel, private driver, or shared shuttle), especially if you land late.

Our experience with shared shuttles: We used shared shuttles and they were great. The vehicles were large Sprinter vans, so luggage cappacity wasn’t an issue. It also felt safer for the longer drive since there were other travelers with us. Drop-offs were surprisingly efficient because the hotels were grouped close together, so there wasn’t much waiting. We prepaid, so once we arrived we grabbed our bags and went.

2) Carry cash (small bills), even if you mostly use cards

Cards are common in hotels and many restaurants, but cash is still preferred in a lot of small businesses, and it’s helpful for tips, quick snacks, small purchases, and “cash only” situations.

Our lesson learned: We forgot to exchange money at the airport and didn’t have any cash. A lot of smaller shops and quick dining stops (water, snacks, etc.) only took cash. We also had a hard time finding an ATM/bank, and we were lucky to meet an English-speaking shop owner who exchanged money for us. We gave him a little extra as a courtesy. We exchanged about $200 USD, and it went a long way.

Tips:

• Keep a stash of small Turkish lira notes for taxis, tips, and markets.

• Download an exchange rate app so you can sanity-check conversions quickly.

  • Here's my Apple iPhone favorite.

• Don’t rely on “I’ll just tap my phone” everywhere. Cappadocia is touristy, but still very regional.

3) Pack a light scarf and plan to cover shoulders at religious sites

Cappadocia is relaxed, but if you visit mosques (or certain religious/historic sites), modest dress is appreciated and sometimes required. Covered shoulders is a good baseline.

Easy solution: bring a lightweight scarf in your day bag. It helps with:

• quick shoulder coverage

• optional head covering if needed

• warmth on chilly mornings

Personal note: We found Cappadocia more relaxed than other places, but I’d still recommend planning to keep your shoulders covered as a female. I noticed some lingering looks at times, and if I went back I’d personally keep shoulders covered more consistently, just to avoid unwanted attention.

4) Balloon rides are weather-dependent, so build flexibility into your trip

If balloons are a “must,” plan for the reality: flights can be canceled due to weather and are approved daily (not just by your tour company).

Best strategy:

• Book your balloon ride for your first morning (so you have backup days).

• Stay at least 2 nights / 2 mornings if balloons are the main reason you’re coming.

• Expect very early pickups (ours was 5:00am).

Our experience: We were lucky and flew our first morning, and it was otherworldly. The next morning we woke up to watch balloons from our hotel and they couldn’t fly due to weather, so having a backup morning really matters.

TIP: Force yourself to get up early at least once just to watch the balloons from town. It’s worth it.

5) Dress for big temperature swings (especially at sunrise)

Even in warmer months, Cappadocia mornings can feel surprisingly cold, especially pre-dawn for balloon pickups.

Pack layers:

• light puffer or warm jacket (mornings)

• comfortable walking shoes (uneven stone + dusty trails)

• sunglasses + sunscreen (bright, exposed landscape)

What I wore: In mid-September I wore a maxi dress with a button-down shirt for shoulder coverage and warmth. We were chilly on the balloon ride, but it was a great outfit for the rest of the day exploring.

6) Choose your “home base” town intentionally

Different towns have different vibes and conveniences:

• Göreme: most convenient for tours, food, and balloon-view terraces (we stayed here).

• Uçhisar: quieter, beautiful views, a bit more boutique.

• Ürgüp: larger town feel, good restaurants, more spread out.

• Avanos: pottery town on the river, nice for something different.

If you want the classic rooftop balloon photos, check that your hotel terrace faces the right direction and isn’t blocked by cliffs/buildings.

Our pick: We chose Göreme and the view from our hotel was incredible.

7) Tours are helpful, but you can still keep it flexible

Cappadocia’s top sights (valleys, viewpoints, underground cities, open-air museums) are spread out, so tours can save time and logistics. But you don’t have to schedule every hour.

A nice rhythm:

• One slower day (start with hot air balloon, and then a morning nap + hotel breakfast, photos, wine, hammam)

• One guided day (history + underground city)

• One self-guided day (valley hike + sunset viewpoint)

8) Expect lots of walking on uneven terrain

Even “easy” sightseeing can include:

• cobblestones

• packed dirt

• steep paths

• slick rock steps

Accessibility note: If you have trouble getting around, this may not be the best stop. The towns are very hilly, and our hotel had many levels of stairs with no elevators. (I wouldn't do this if your're pregnant or elderly and at risk)

If you’re doing valley hikes, bring a small daypack, water, and download offline maps. If you have trouble getting around, this is not a great stop for you. The towns are very hilly and our hotels had SO many levels of stairs and no elevators.

9) Bartering is normal (and a good skill to use kindly)

In Cappadocia, haggling is common in markets and many souvenir-style shops (especially for textiles, ceramics, jewelry, and gifts), but it’s not typical in restaurants, grocery stores, or places with clearly posted fixed prices.

A normal place to start:

• If it feels like a tourist-shop “high first quote,” start around 50–60% of the asking price, then meet in the middle.

• If the price already seems reasonable, start closer to 60–70%, or ask for 10–20% off.

  
  

Helpful ways to negotiate without being awkward:

• “What’s your best price?”

• Bundle: “If I get two, what can you do?”

• Cash can help, especially for small items.

• Keep it friendly. If it’s not landing, smile and walk away.

10) It’s normal for shop owners to offer you tea (and it’s okay to accept)

In Cappadocia (and Turkey in general), it’s common for shop owners to offer you Turkish tea (çay) while you browse, especially in carpet shops, jewelry stores, and boutique souvenir stores. It’s a sign of hospitality, not a commitment to buy.

Good to know:

• Saying yes is totally fine, even if you’re “just looking.”

• You’re not obligated to purchase anything because you accepted tea.

• If you’re short on time, it’s also okay to politely decline with a smile.

Quick Cappadocia Pre-Trip Checklist

• ✅ Book airport transfer (NAV or ASR)

• ✅ Carry small cash (lira) + card backup 

• ✅ Pack a light scarf for shoulders/coverage 

• ✅ Schedule balloons early in your stay + expect cancellations 

• ✅ Layer up for sunrise + wear good walking shoes

• ✅ Pick your base town (Göreme vs quieter options)