Renting a Car In Cappadocia: Should You Do It In 2024?
Traveling to Cappadocia, Turkey, and can’t decide if you should rent a car?
Then you’ve come to the right place.
Cappadocia is one of Turkey’s most popular destinations and a great place in Turkey to visit with children. With natural beauty, scenic vistas, and interesting history, Cappadocia is highly worth visiting.
But figuring out the best way to get around Cappadocia can be tough.
That was the difficulty I faced on my winter trip to Cappadocia. Should I take a tour? Use public transit? Rent a car? What would be the best way to explore the region, get some hiking in, and use my time most effectively?
Ultimately, renting a car stood out as the best way to get from place to place in Cappadocia, while also being an economical option.
So if you’re on the fence, this post will help you decide if renting a car in Cappadocia is right for you. Here I’ll cover the pros and cons of renting a car, what you can see with (and without) your own set of wheels, and alternatives to car rentals in Cappadocia.
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Do you need a car in Cappadocia?
Technically, you don’t need to rent a car to explore Cappadocia. The region has a well-developed local transportation system that includes buses and taxis, making it convenient to navigate and reach popular sites. Plus, if you stay in Göreme, many of the region’s top draws, such as fairy chimneys, ancient cave dwellings, and awe-inspiring hot air balloon rides, can be accessed on foot through scenic hikes.
However, a car can considerably enhance your experience in Cappadocia. Renting a car offers the freedom and flexibility to explore at your own pace and get off the main tourist circuit to discover lesser-known valleys and hidden gems.
It also opens up opportunities for spontaneous detours and unexpected discoveries.
Having a car in Cappadocia also provides convenience by allowing you to set your own pace for exploring. You won’t be beholden to bus schedules or the time limits set by guided tour groups. And you’ll be able to hike at your own pace, wander through ancient rock churches, and savor the breathtaking beauty of the valleys, all without having to rush back to catch a bus.
So while it’s not absolutely necessary, renting a car in Cappadocia can make your exploration more convenient, flexible, and adventurous.
Should you rent a car in Cappadocia? How to decide
There are many factors that will help you determine if renting a car in Cappadocia is right for you. Your budget, interest, and time constraints should all be considered.
What is your budget?
If you’re traveling to Turkey on a tight budget, then you should probably stick to public transit while in Cappadocia. We paid €55 for a single-day rental, which is a lot for one day on a backpacker’s budget.
So, if you’re doing Cappadocia on the cheap, skip the car rental and opt for public transit or walking.
What do you want to do?
Depending on what you hope to see in Cappadocia, and how much you want to pack into your time there, renting a car can help you reach various sights.
If you stay in Göreme, you’ll have easy access to the Göreme Open Air Museum and many nearby hikes.
To reach other top sights, such as Uçhisar Castle, Pasabag Valley, and the Zelve Open Air Museum, renting a car is a good idea. Renting a car is also good for reaching popular hiking spots such as Love Valley, Rose Valley, and Red Valley.
If you’re interested in seeing these places but don’t want to drive yourself, then a group tour is a good alternative. While group tours can be more expensive and don’t provide the flexibility of a rental car, they are a great option for seeing more sights.
For one of our days in Cappadocia, we took this Green Tour. It took us to the famous Derinkuyu underground city, out to the Ihlara Valley, and the Selime Monastery. This circuit was a lot of driving and would have been tiring to do on our own, so we appreciated having a driver for such a long day. Plus, we were able to get dropped off at one end of the Ihlara Valley, hike through, and get picked up at the other end, saving a lot of time and energy.
How many days do you have?
How long you have in Cappadocia will make a difference in deciding whether to rent a car.
If you’re only spending one day in Cappadocia, you’d probably make the most of your limited time by joining a group tour.
With more time to explore, renting a car may be the best option. This will allow you to thoroughly experience the region at your own pace, pull off at viewpoints whenever you’d like, and visit smaller sights that aren’t on the main tourist circuit.
Is it safe to drive around Cappadocia?
Cappadocia is safe to drive around. The roads were well-paved and maintained, and there was very little traffic.
I was surprised at how easy it was to drive there. While Turkish drivers can be aggressive, the whole experience was certainly less harrowing than driving in Sicily!
While towns like Göreme have narrow, winding streets that are poorly lit at night, experienced drivers should be fine driving in Cappadocia. Especially if you stick to the highways and avoid driving through the neighborhoods of the towns (and just stick to their centers, where there tends to be decent parking).
To get to some of Cappadocia’s hiking trails, you may need to drive along dirt roads. Most were in good shape, but we did encounter some remote dirt roads with deep ruts we had to maneuver to avoid. For the most part, road conditions were not an issue. See for yourself by exploring the Maps street view below:
My experience renting a car in Cappadocia
I visited Cappadocia on a recent family trip to Turkey. When we arrived in Göreme, we still weren’t sure about whether we should rent a car or hire a taxi for the day. Since we were traveling with young kids, had limited time, and it was winter, we didn’t want to rely on public transit.
One positive of staying in touristy Göreme: there are many places around town to rent a car.
On a whim, we walked into a tour company and inquired whether or not they rented cars. Within thirty minutes, we had scheduled a rental car to be dropped off the following morning at our hotel. They even provided us with two car seats for our children, at no extra cost!
The company dropped the car off at our hotel first thing the following morning, and they came to pick it up at the hotel that evening before dinner. The process was quick, efficient, and fairly informal compared to other car rental experiences I’ve had in the United States and Europe. For a single day (less than 24 hours), the rental cost us €55.
Where to rent a car in Cappadocia, Turkey
It’s easy to find a place to rent a car in Cappadocia. Below are the main places to find car rentals in the area.
Kayseri Airport
If you’re visiting Cappadocia, chances are you’re arriving by plane. Kayseri Airport is one of two airports in Cappadocia. While it’s further than Nevşehir Airport (one-hour compared to a 45-minute drive), it is a larger airport and has more flights daily. If you know before you arrive that you’ll want to rent a car, you’ll save time and money by pre-booking your rental.
🤩Check prices and availability!
Nevşehir Airport
One of two major airports in Cappadocia, Nevşehir Airport is a 45-minute drive from the touristic heart of Cappadocia. The downside of Nevşehir Airport is that there are fewer flights serving this airport.
If you do fly into Nevşehir Airport, you can save time and money by booking your rental car in advance.
🤩Check prices and availability!
Göreme
If you’re staying in Göreme, you can walk into practically any travel agency or tour company (of which there are many!) and rent a car on the spot.
During the high season, you’ll probably want to book in advance, but if you’re heading to Cappadocia in winter you should have no trouble renting a car last minute.
If you’re the anxious type, you can click here to compare car rental rates in Göreme.
🤩Check prices and availability!
5 Tips for driving in Cappadocia
Driving in Cappadocia is fairly straightforward and easy, but here are some tips to help you drive safely in Cappadocia.
- Drive on the right
Like the United States and most of Europe, they drive on the right in Turkey. If you are coming from the UK, Ireland, or other left-side driving countries, you will need to adjust to right-side driving.
- Be aware of speed limits
Speed limits are not always posted on the roads, so you won’t always know how fast you can drive in Cappadocia. Turkey has national speed limit rules, so stick to the following speed limits and you’ll be okay:
Urban areas: 50 km/h
Double lane roads: 90 km/h
Motorways: 120 km/h
- Study the map ahead of time
While Google Maps works in Turkey and is pretty accurate in Cappadocia, you should still preload your directions and study the map before setting out.
One key reason for this is you never know when you’ll lose cell service. We encountered a few dead zones en route, especially while driving out to more remote hiking trails. You never know when you’ll lose service in remote areas, which is why I always recommend pre-loading your maps and directions and having a general sense of where you’re going.
Another reason to have your directions in mind while driving in Cappadocia is that many roads are unmarked and unpaved. This can make it difficult to find your turnoffs if you haven’t surveyed your route ahead of time.
- Follow road signs
While many smaller roads are unmarked, the routes between towns are well-signed. When in doubt (or if your navigation app suddenly cuts out), follow road signs to get between villages.
- Don’t drink and drive
The legal blood alcohol limit for drivers in Turkey is zero. Please don’t risk it. Don’t drink and drive in Cappadocia (not even one).
Cappadocia by car itinerary: One day in Cappadocia
After picking up your rental car (or having it dropped off at your hotel), drive out to Uçhisar Castle. This is the highest point in Cappadocia and one of the best ways to get a bird’s eye view of the valley (a great backup option if your hot air balloon ride gets canceled!).
From Uçhisar, drive out to the Rose Valley for a hike. Sometimes called the Red Valley, this scenic area is crisscrossed with trails and dotted with hidden rock churches to explore.
One of the highlights along the trail is the Column Church. Carved directly into the rock, this large church with hulking columns is a remarkable feat.
Combine trails to create a loop, winding up back at your car (expect to spend about two hours hiking).
After the hike, drive on to the Love Valley viewpoint. This valley gets its name from the phallic shape of its rock formations.
At this viewpoint over the valley, you can take in these stunning formations in panorama. It’s also a great place to stop for a casual lunch. Grab some gözleme, a local dish consisting of bread stuffed with cheese and grilled (almost like a quesadilla), often served with a sweet grape sauce. Sit outside and enjoy the views while munching on this savory dish. End your meal with some chai, the Turkish national beverage, before heading back to the car.
Drive on to Pasabag Valley, another concentration of Cappadocia rock formations, many carved into homes.
You can see all of Pasabag in 30 minutes to an hour depending on how long you spend exploring and climbing into rock caves.
From Pasabag, drive to the Zelve Open Air Museum.
Zelve is a highlight of Cappadocia and one of the many reasons renting a car here is a good idea. Inhabited until the 1950s when erosion made the dwellings unsafe to live in, this open-air museum gives you a real sense of how Cappadocians used to live.
Expect to spend 1-1.5 hours wandering around Zelve.
End your day by driving back to Göreme for dinner. Along the way, stop at Devrent Valley for the views. Also called “Imagination Valley,” the rock formations in this area are some of the most unique in Cappadocia. They resemble ducks, camels, and other animals. This is an especially fun stop when visiting Cappadocia with kids, as they can get creative and say what the rocks look like to them.
Enjoy dinner and souvenir shopping in Göreme. I recommend Top Deck restaurant for delicious mezze and lamb entrees.
Alternatives to renting a car in Cappadocia
If you decide you don’t want to rent a car in Cappadocia, then there are many other ways to thoroughly explore the region. Below are some of your options.
Group Tour
Group tours are very popular in Cappadocia. They’re one of the best ways to explore Cappadocia without renting a car.
Pro tip: Unsure whether you need to tip your tour guide? Check out my handy Turkish Tip Calculator!
One of the benefits of booking a group tour in Cappadocia is that you’ll have a guide to tell you about the history, which is especially useful in places with few signs, like Kaymakli underground city. This way you’ll learn more and gain a broader understanding of the history and people here.
On a group tour, you also won’t tire yourself out with the driving and can just enjoy the scenery and rest between stops.
The main disadvantage of a group tour is that you can’t go at your own pace. If you’re someone who wants to spend a long time walking around, shopping, or taking photos, you may find the quick pace of a group tour doesn’t meet your expectations.
Group tours in Cappadocia also focus on the historic sights and are not geared toward hikers.
🤩Check prices and availability!
Hire a driver or a taxi
If your main interest in Cappadocia is hiking, then hiring a driver or booking a taxi are great alternatives to renting a car. Taxis in Cappadocia are affordable, but prices for booking one for a whole-day tour would vary.
An added benefit to hiring a driver or a taxi is that they can pick you up at the end of a hike, saving you the time and energy of having to double back towards the start.
Hiring a driver or taxi can also be a good option for those interested in sightseeing at their own pace. While you won’t get the benefit of a tour guide, you will still be able to see the sights without the onus of a group tour schedule.
From what I’ve seen, prices for hiring a driver in Cappadocia range anywhere from €30 to €100.
This private driver in Cappadocia has excellent reviews and would be a great choice for people interested in a private tour of the region.
Public transport
The main towns in Cappadocia are well-connected via buses and dolmus. These are the most affordable options for exploring the region, and perfect for backpackers and those traveling on a tight budget.
The cons of taking public transit in Cappadocia are that you’re beholden to the transit schedule. This may reduce your flexibility and ability to see as much in a day.
Walking
Cappadocia’s towns and attractions are relatively close to each other, making walking a viable option for those on a strict budget.
Within the main towns like Göreme, Uçhisar, and Ürgüp, you can explore the narrow streets, visit local shops, and enjoy the scenic beauty on foot.
While it will take a lot of your time, walking between Göreme and Uçhisar is feasible and a great way to enjoy the scenery (particularly if you drive via one of the valleys instead of the main road). However, relying on walking as your main form of transit in Cappadocia will severely limit where you can go and how much you’ll be able to see within a day.
FAQ: Renting a car in Cappadocia
Like in the United States and most of Europe, Turkish people drive on the right side of the road.
Car rental prices will vary depending on the size of the car, time of year, and whether or not you book in advance. For a last-minute 24-hour rental (plus two car seats), we paid €55.
Yes, foreigners can rent a car in Turkey. To rent a car in Turkey you must hold a valid driver’s license, a passport, and be over the age of 21.
The cheapest way to get around Cappadocia is via public bus or dolmus.
Yes, you should rent a car in Cappadocia! Renting a car in Cappadocia is the best way to explore the area at your own pace.
Driving in Cappadocia is easy. The roads are well maintained and there is little traffic. It can be difficult to find trailheads, so be sure to study the map before setting off.
You don’t need a car to get around Cappadocia. Other ways to get around Cappadocia include booking a group tour or riding public buses.
No, there is no Uber in Cappadocia. However, taxis are easy to hail in towns, or your hotel can call a taxi for you.
Final thoughts on renting a car in Cappadocia
If you were on the fence about renting a car in Cappadocia, then I hope this post helped you make an informed decision. Cappadocia is a beautiful place to visit. While I think renting a car is the best way to see the region it may not be the best choice for everyone. Your level of comfort driving in another country, what you want to see and do, as well as your budget, are all factors to consider before renting a car in Cappadocia. Regardless of whether you rent a car or not, you’ll have an amazing time exploring this magical destination.