3-Day Cappadocia & Ephesus Tour from Istanbul with Flights

3 Days

Departure from

Istanbul
Transportation

Airplane
Tour type

Group
Language

English
Group Size

15 - 20
Best season

Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct & Nov

Itinerary Overview:

Discover the wonders of Turkey on this 3-Day Cappadocia and Ephesus Tour from Istanbul with Flights. Begin your adventure in the magical landscapes of Cappadocia, where surreal valleys, fairy chimneys, and cave dwellings transport you to another world. Explore Devrent Valley, Pasabag Valley, the pottery town of Avanos, and the fascinating Zelve Open Air Museum, with stunning views near Uchisar. Continue to the Red Valley and Rose Valley, wander through Cavusin Village, marvel at Pigeon Valley, and descend into the mysterious Kaymakli or Ozkonak Underground City. Fly to Kusadasi and step into history at Ephesus, home to the Great Theater, Temple of Hadrian, the Library of Celsus, the sacred House of the Virgin Mary, and the remnants of the Temple of Artemis. An unforgettable journey through nature, culture, and history awaits!

Trip Highlights:

Round-trip flights from Istanbul for easy travel
Explore Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys and rock formations
Discover ancient cave dwellings and underground cities
Visit the iconic ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus
Carefully planned itinerary for stress-free travel

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day
1

Fly to Kayseri/Nevsehir from Istanbul – North Cappadocia Tour

You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul at approximately 4:00 am and transferred to the domestic airport for your flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir, scheduled between 6:00 – 7:30 am. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Cappadocia to meet your professional tour guide for a full-day tour of North Cappadocia.

The tour begins with a visit to Devrent Valley to marvel at the unique fairy chimneys. Next, explore Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley) to see the striking mushroom-shaped pinnacles. Afterwards, drive to the city of Avanos. After lunch, visit the Zelve Open Air Museum, featuring carved caves and ancient churches that reveal the region’s monastic history. Towards the end of the tour, take about 15 minutes for panoramic photos of the natural castles in Uchisar.

After the tour, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia for check-in. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day
2

South Cappadocia Tour – Fly to Izmir

For an optional extra, book an early morning hot air balloon ride to experience breathtaking aerial views of the valleys. Please note that this activity comes at an additional cost.

After breakfast at the hotel, around 9:30 am, you will be picked up by your tour guide to begin the full-day tour of South Cappadocia. The tour starts with a visit to the Red Valley, where you can explore rock-cut churches and enjoy a 5 km hike through the Rose Valley. Next, visit Cavusin Village, known for its historic houses and churches.

After a lunch break, the tour continues to Pigeon Valley. In the afternoon, explore the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, where early Christians once lived.

Following the tour, you will be transferred to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for your flight to Izmir via Istanbul. Upon arrival in Izmir, a representative will meet you holding a sign with your name and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day
3

Ephesus Tour – Fly back to Istanbul

After breakfast at the hotel, around 8:30 am, you will be picked up by your tour guide for a full-day tour of Ephesus. Explore the ruins of this ancient Greek city, visiting the Temple of Hadrian, Ephesus Ancient Greek Theatre, Trajan Fountain, and the iconic Library of Celsus.

After lunch, visit the House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be her final residence. Then, pass by the Temple of Artemis, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Next, explore the Isabey Mosque.

After the tour, you will be transferred to Izmir Airport for your late evening flight to Istanbul, subject to availability, between 7:00 – 10:00 pm (flight duration: approximately 1.5 hours).

Please Note: Drop-off transportation from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to your hotel in Istanbul is not included in the price.

END OF OUR SERVICE and TOURS.

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

Pick-up from your Istanbul hotel and transfer to Istanbul Airport (on the European side of Istanbul only).
Domestic flight tickets: Istanbul to Kayseri, Kayseri to Izmir, and Izmir to Istanbul.
1 night in Cappadocia at a cave hotel, including breakfast.
1 night in Kusadasi at a 4-star hotel, including breakfast.
English-speaking guide during the tours.
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary: (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch.
Visits and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.
Local taxes and service charges.

NOT INCLUDED:

Drop-off transportation service from Istanbul New Airport or Sabiha Gökçen Airport to your Istanbul hotel upon returning.
Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride.
Optional tours mentioned in the program (available at an additional cost).
Services not specified in the program.
Drinks with meals.
Travel insurance (recommended).

Important notes

The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described will take place.
This is a regular group tour, but if requested at cost can be provided as a private tour.
The regular group tour has shopping stops included in the tour.
For 1 traveler: 1 Single Room Accommodation.
For 2 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room Accommodation.
For 3 travelers: 1 Triple Room Accommodation.
For 4 travelers: 2 Double/Twin Rooms Accommodation.
For 5 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room and 1 Triple Room Accommodation.
Vegetarian lunch option available upon request.
On flights luggage allowance is 15 kg per person for checked in luggage. For carry-on, you can take up to 8 kg per person. One carry-on is allowed per person.
The normal arrival time in Istanbul at the end of your tour is between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM. If you plan to book your international return flight on the same day, we recommend choosing a flight that departs no earlier than 1:30 AM the following morning to avoid missing it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When will I receive confirmation after making a reservation?

Once your online reservation is received and the specified 30% deposit is charged to your credit card, your domestic flight tickets will be confirmed. You will receive an email confirmation, including all the details, within 2-3 days.

Is airport transfer included in the tour price?

Yes, airport transfers are included in the tour price. This covers pick-up from your hotel in Istanbul and transfer to the airport, as well as all airport-hotel transfers throughout the tour. However, please note that when you return to Istanbul at the end of the tour, the service will conclude at either Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport. Transfer to your hotel or chosen address from the airport will not be provided, so you will need to arrange this on your own.

Can I customize the tour itinerary?

Yes, the tour can be customized to fit your preferences. Please contact us in advance if you have specific requests or changes you’d like to make to the itinerary. Some changes may be subject to an additional fee.

What extra activities are popular in Cappadocia?

Cappadocia offers a variety of extra activities to enhance your experience, all available at an additional cost:

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride: Start your day with a breathtaking sunrise hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia’s unique landscape. This unforgettable experience provides panoramic views of the fairy chimneys and valleys.
ATV Tour: Explore the rugged terrain and hidden trails on an exciting ATV (quad bike) tour. It’s a thrilling way to discover the area’s natural beauty off the beaten path.
Horseback Riding: Enjoy a peaceful horseback ride through the valleys and hills of Cappadocia. Known as the “Land of Beautiful Horses,” this activity offers a unique perspective of the region.
Whirling Dervish Show: In the evening, immerse yourself in Turkish culture by attending a traditional Whirling Dervish Show. Witness the mesmerizing Sema ceremony, a spiritual dance that has been performed for centuries.
Turkish Night Show with Dinner: Experience an authentic Turkish Night Show featuring traditional music, folk dances, and belly dancing performances. Enjoy a delicious dinner while immersing yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Turkey.
Turkish Bath (Hamam) Experience: Relax and rejuvenate with a traditional Turkish bath, a unique experience that combines steam, massage, and cleansing rituals.

These activities can be arranged upon request and are not included in the standard tour package. We recommend booking in advance to ensure availability.

What is the luggage allowance for domestic flights during the tour?

On domestic flights in Turkey, the luggage allowance is 15 kg (33 lbs) per person for checked baggage. For carry-on luggage, you are allowed one piece weighing up to 8 kg (17.6 lbs) per person. If your total luggage weight per person is within these limits, you should be fine.

Please note that any excess luggage weight over 15 kg for checked baggage will incur additional charges by the airlines. These extra charges are not included in the tour price and are your responsibility to pay directly to the airline at the time of check-in. We recommend packing accordingly to avoid any unexpected fees.

Your luggage is your own responsibility throughout the tour. Please ensure that you handle any issues related to overweight or excess baggage directly with the airlines.

What is the cancellation policy?

If you need to cancel or change your travel dates, notify One Nation Travel at least 5 days before the tour starts. For requests received at least 5 days before the tour starts, the cost of all non-refundable flight and bus tickets will be deducted from your paid balance. For requests received less than 5 days before the tour starts, and for no-shows, the full amount paid is non-refundable.

Will I travel with the same group and guide throughout the tour?

Our multi-day Turkey packages are regular group/shared tour arrangements, not fully escorted tours with one tour leader and the same guests from arrival to departure. Sightseeing tours are shared and usually operate with about 15-20 guests, but group size and participants may change by city or day as travelers join or leave different scheduled tours. Licensed English-speaking guides lead scheduled sightseeing visits only. Guides do not travel with guests on domestic flights, intercity buses, airport transfers, hotel transfers, or free-time periods unless this is specifically stated in the itinerary. For flights, buses, and transfers, guests are met by our driver or local representative at airports, bus terminals, or hotels and assisted with the planned transfer. One Nation Travel coordinates the full itinerary, hotels, domestic tickets, transfers, local guides, and support throughout the trip.