Cappadocia 3-Day Tour from Istanbul: Flights, Red & Green Tours, Lunch
Overview
Cappadocia 3-Day Tour from Istanbul: Flights, Red & Green Tours, Lunch
Planned so you can see Cappadocia at an easy pace, this three-day trip from Istanbul starts with a flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir. A transfer takes you to your hotel, and the first evening is free.
Balloon Morning and Red Tour
Day two can begin with an optional hot air balloon flight at sunrise above Cappadocia's fairy chimneys and valleys. After that you join a guided Red Tour around North Cappadocia.
Green Tour and Flight Home
On day three the Green Tour takes you around South Cappadocia. Stops include an underground city, the Ihlara Valley and the Selime Monastery. You then fly back to Istanbul.
What the Package Covers
Because you stay overnight, a sunrise balloon flight fits into the trip. The price includes return flights, two nights' accommodation, every transfer, an English-speaking professional guide for the two tours, and lunch on both tour days.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Flight to Cappadocia & Free Evening
We book your flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia for the morning or the afternoon. Your driver is waiting when you land at Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport and brings you to your cave hotel.
Once checked in, you have the rest of the day to rest and get a feel for Cappadocia in your own time.
Optional: in the evening you can go to the popular Cappadocia Turkish Night Show, an evening of traditional dance, live music and local culture. Depending on the package you pick, dinner and unlimited drinks (soft or alcoholic) can be included.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 2 – Optional Balloon Flight & Cappadocia Red Tour
Optional: begin early with Cappadocia's famous dawn balloon flight and see the first sun fall on the valleys and fairy chimneys. Breakfast follows back at your hotel.
Cappadocia Red Tour
With a professional local guide you visit the key places in the north of Cappadocia:
- Goreme Panorama viewpoint
- Open Air Museum at Goreme
- Pasabag, also called Monks Valley
- Devrent Valley
- A pottery workshop in Avanos
- The viewpoint at Uchisar Castle
Lunch is part of the tour. In the evening the vehicle drops you at your hotel. You sleep in Cappadocia.
Day 3 – Cappadocia Green Tour & Flight to Istanbul
Following breakfast at the hotel, you set out on the Green Tour, exploring the natural and historic sights of South Cappadocia:
- Derinkuyu Underground City
- Ihlara Valley
- A nature walk through the valley
- Belisirma Village
- Selime Monastery
- Pigeon Valley Panorama
Lunch on the tour is included. Afterwards a transfer takes you to the airport for the evening flight back to Istanbul. Our services end on arrival there.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Domestic Flight Tickets, Both Ways
- ✓Airport Transfers in Both Istanbul and Cappadocia
- ✓Two Nights in a Hotel
- ✓Hotel Breakfast
- ✓Red Tour of Cappadocia, Full Day
- ✓Green Tour of Cappadocia, Full Day
- ✓English-Speaking Professional Guide
- ✓Entry Tickets to Museums on the Tours
- ✓Lunch on the Red and Green Tours
- ✓Transport on Both Tours
- ✕Hot Air Balloon Flight (Optional)
- ✕Dinners
- ✕Drinks with Meals
- ✕Personal Expenses
- ✕Tips and Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
Cancel at no charge until 7 days before your tour and you receive a full refund. If you cancel within the final 7 days before the tour, no refund is given. All times shown are local.
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Three days in Cappadocia from Istanbul: the key facts
This trip gives you three unhurried days in Cappadocia, starting at $1,050 per person. You fly from Istanbul to Kayseri or Nevsehir and have the first evening to yourself. Day two is the guided Red Tour in the north of the region, day three the Green Tour in the south, and that evening you fly back to Istanbul. The price covers domestic flights both ways, airport transfers at both ends, two nights in a hotel with breakfast, a professional English-speaking guide for both tours, museum entry and lunch on both tour days.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| How long | 3 days, 2 nights |
| Cost | from $1,050 per person |
| Flights | Istanbul to Kayseri or Nevsehir and back, included |
| Accommodation | 2 nights with breakfast |
| Guided days | Red Tour and Green Tour, each a full day with lunch |
| What is extra | Hot air balloon (optional), dinners, drinks with meals, tips |
Are three days enough to see Cappadocia?
Three days suits most people best. A guide takes you through both parts of the region, you sleep two nights in Cappadocia, your first evening is free, and the second morning is open for a sunrise balloon ride before the Red Tour begins. Should wind ground the balloons that day, the third morning gives you another try, something a two-day trip does not allow.
What happens on each of the 3 days?
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Fly to Cappadocia in the morning or afternoon, transfer to the hotel, free time; Turkish night show in the evening if you wish |
| Day 2 | Sunrise balloon flight (optional), breakfast, then the Red Tour: Goreme Panorama, Goreme Open Air Museum, Pasabag, Devrent Valley, Avanos pottery workshop, Uchisar Castle viewpoint, lunch |
| Day 3 | Breakfast, then the Green Tour: Derinkuyu Underground City, Ihlara Valley walk, Belisirma Village, Selime Monastery, Pigeon Valley panorama, lunch; fly back to Istanbul in the evening |
In this package the Red Tour visits the Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO-listed group of churches cut into the rock and decorated with frescoes. The Green Tour calls at Belisirma, a village that sits on the bottom of the Ihlara Valley.
Should you spend 2 or 3 days in Cappadocia?
| Package | Nights | Guided days | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-day flight package | 1 | None; you add your own | $599 |
| 2-day trip with Red Valley tour | 1 | A single guided day | $699 |
| 2 days with Red and Green tours | 1 | Both tours at a quick pace | $800 |
| This tour | 2 | Both tours at an easy pace | $1,050 |
| Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus, 5 days | 4 | Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus | $1,280 |
Which extras can you add?
| Optional activity | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Standard sunrise balloon flight | $199 |
| Comfort balloon flight | $275 |
| Turkish night dinner show with folk dance | $80 |
| Whirling Dervish ceremony | $60 |
| Sunset ATV quad safari | $65 |
Your free first evening is a good slot for either the Whirling Dervish ceremony or the Turkish night show.
What is the best season for Cappadocia?
From April to June and from September to November the days are mild, the Ihlara Valley walk is pleasant and balloons fly most often. Summer afternoons are hot, yet flying conditions are very good. December to February is cold and frequently snowy, which makes for lovely photos but more cancelled balloon flights; the spare morning in this package is useful then.
What should you pack?
Take shoes that are comfortable for the valleys and the underground city, warm layers for the early starts, a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses, and your passport or ID for the domestic flights. A small bag that you can easily carry on board is best.
How do I make a booking?
Pick your date on this page and submit the form, or send us a WhatsApp message. If you would like the balloon or an evening show, say so and we will book it together with the package. Your flights and hotel are confirmed in writing, and payment is due only once that confirmation arrives. For other ideas, browse our Cappadocia tours and our Turkey tour packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to pay during the tour?
Yes. You can pay when you arrive or while the tour is running. We send you the full details beforehand so payment is easy and secure. If you would like to use a specific payment method, just tell us.
Does the price include the hot air balloon flight?
No. The balloon flight is an optional extra that you can add when you book.
Does the package cover the flights?
Yes. The package includes your return domestic flights from Istanbul to Cappadocia and back.
What kind of hotel is included?
The package comes with standard hotels. If you prefer, you can request an upgrade to cave or luxury accommodation.
When does the balloon take off?
Balloons usually lift off in the early morning, between 05:00 and 07:00. The exact time depends on the season and the weather.
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