In April, we are planning to go from Istanbul to Cappadocia, then want to go to a Greek Island (thinking Rhodes) before ending in Athens. What is the best way to get from Cappadocia to a Greek island? Not seeing direct from from the airports that serve Cappadocia and would prefer not going back to Istanbul.
Posted by
Oregon 🌲
494 posts
Using Skyscanner, it looks like flying from Cappadocia to Dalaman Airport (with transfer in Istanbul) is 4+/- hours, then 1-1/2 hours taxi, or car hire, to Marmaris, then the ferry to Rhodes.
Or flying from Cappadocia to Rhodes (with transfers in Istanbul and Athens) is 9 +/- hours.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
7606 posts
"Cappadocia" isn't an airport, it's a region. There are two (small/medium) airports serving the area, Nevsehir (NEV) and Kayseri (ASR). Of the two, Kayseri has more flights and options.
No matter which you choose, you're going to have to stop somewhere if you want to connect to "a Greek island." That could be Istanbul (IST), or Antalya (AYT).
Istanbul IST (a huge, vast airport) has flights to literally hundreds of cities around the world, but (perhaps surprisingly) only a few to any Greek islands (Mykonos, Santorini, Crete).
There are flights from Antalya to Rhodes, so if you want to go from Cappadocia to Rhodes (RHO), you could (probably) fly from Kayseri to Antalya (on Pegasus, or maybe on Sun Express), then self-connect from Antalya to Rhodes (on TUI Fly), on a separate ticket. At least in theory.
Important! Many flights in this region are seasonal, only flying in "high season" (so in April, some flights will not be going) and even then, may not go every day. Check schedules carefully to see if that route from ASR-AYT-RHO is possible/reasonable on the specific day you want it - it might not be possible or could involve a crazy layover. Also note the very real risks of missing your self-connection on those separate tickets.
Despite looking (and actually being) so close, connecting between Turkey and most Greek islands is often a lot more difficult than one might first expect (and many times is just not possible). There are some combinations that work pretty easily, but most don't, so calibrate your expectations until you look at real-world itinerary options.
Hope some of that helps.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
3656 posts
If you're set on Rhodes, you could also fly to Antalya, take a bus to Fethiye, then a ferry for a very long travel day. If you're not set on Rhodes, you could fly to Izmir, take the bus to Kusadasi, and take the ferry to Samos. Less of a long travel day but still a long day.