Istanbul to Coppadocia before cruise

Posted by ricohuahua on 04/19/24 08:55 PM

Soliciting recommendations regarding our June 22nd cruise out of Istanbul. We must see Coppadocia as it is uncertain when we will ever be able to return to Turkey. Our options are:

Book flight from Newark NJ to Coppadocia and make our way back to Istanbul for our cruise. The direct flight only has an hour layover in Istanbul.

Book round trip Newark to Istanbul, go direct to a hotel in Istanbul, after 2 days store our baggage at airport and round trip Istanbul Cappadocia.

Our concern is the amount of baggage we would prefer not to have with us in Coppadocia but then going to and from the airports can be expensive and challenging with baggage.

Suggestions are appreciated. We were researching leaving USA on June 16 for overnight flight to land late afternoon June 17. We board the cruise ship late on June 22. Would the only feasible way to get one way from Coppadocia to Istanbul be by plane?

Thank you.

Posted by Carol now retired

Lynnwood, Washington

04/19/24 10:07 PM

8399 posts

Have you checked to see if there are any tours from Istanbul? I’m touring Türkiye prior to a cruise this fall. I went with a 13 day Turkish Treasures tour from Gate 1 and we spend 2 nights in Cappadocia.

A quick search on the internet shows 3-4 day tours available from Istanbul.

I agree. If you are traveling all that way, you want to see more than what is available with just port stops.

Posted by CL

Salem, Oregon, USA

04/19/24 11:51 PM

2364 posts

I am unclear - are you planning to spend any time in Istanbul prior to your cruise? It is at least an hour from the airport to central Istanbul. If it was me, I'd probably go to Cappadocia straight away, then fly back to Istanbul for a couple days before your cruise departs, allowing more flexibility in case of travel drama. There are multiple flights a day from Istanbul to Cappadocia region. Of course you could take a bus but your time is very limited, I would choose a flight. Note that Istanbul has two airports, IST and SAW. Be very careful booking flights so you arrive and depart from the same one, or allow time to transfer between airports.

An hour transfer time at IST might be cutting it extremely close (that airport is ENORMOUS). You definitely will not make it if you book separate tickets for the Istanbul - Cappadocia leg of the trip. I did a quick search on Google flights and there is a Turkish Airlines flight Newark - Istanbul - Nevsehir that leaves at midnight on June 16 that has an almost 2 hour layover. It does leave at midnight from Newark however, so that might not be your preference.

This past thread might be helpful as you plan - the person asking question was going to do a very quick trip to Cappadocia and there is good advice there about various things, including how to plan for balloon rides https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/turkey/need-advice-and-recommendations-for-3-5-day-itinerary-istanbul-cappadocia

Posted by Charlene

Centennial, CO, US

04/20/24 12:17 AM

2127 posts

It seems that “amount of baggage” is a major concern for you. We’ve been on several cruises, including one 35 day journey, with only carry-on size suitcases. It’s possible to do so with careful planning. Packing light can remove a big burden (literally) from your trip. Lots of people on this forum are accustomed to packing light and would be happy to give you pointers.

Posted by ricohuahua OP

04/20/24 05:41 AM

2 posts

Thank you for links and all informative responses. We are much more enlightened now. Our trip will be wonderful with Coppadocia our first stop!