Desperately needing to spend some time in nature and to get a dose of exoticism, I set off to Turkey. My budget was rather tight, but according to my research, I wouldn’t be needing much spending money in Turkey’s easternmost province, near the border with Iran. Perfect, I thought…
As I arrived in Istanbul, I found out that unfortunately, recent political turmoil had turned the area I wanted to visit into a temporary ‘no-go zone’. I seriously considered persevering my trip despite the issues, but the travel agent almost refused to sell me a bus ticket and insisted I change plans. Eventually, the flexible and sensible traveller in me arose and I decided to go to Cappadocia instead.
Cappadocia being one of the most popular areas in Turkey, I knew it would be trickier with my small budget. Since I managed to stay within budget, I thought I’d share some of the tricks that could allow you to have a cheap Cappadocia trip.
1. The classic: take the overnight bus to get there
Obviously, it saves you a night at the hotel. Taking the long distance bus from Istanbul to Göreme, the “hub” in Cappadocia, is like flying business class. Think wide reclinable seats with lots of leg space, a complementary blanket and a personal screen displaying movies- in Turkish. During the ride, a “bus attendant” strides through the vehicle’s aisle serving drinks/snacks and makes sure the bus is always tidy. The downside: there’s a toilet/smoke break every hour or so and all lights are turned on at each stop. So, maybe not the best night of sleep.
2. Walk to enjoy the magical landscapes
There are plenty of tours designed to show you the area, but honestly, you can do without. Just pick up a map and start walking. One of the tours might be worth paying for (the Green Tour) as the attractions are spread out over a large area. However, taking this tour reminded me how much I hate group tours. Important: if you don’t take any kind of tour, make sure you read up on the history of the area. It’s fascinating!
3. Hitchhike
You might be discouraged to go for a long walk because that would also mean a long hike back to town. However, people in the area are generally open to hitchhikers and chances are you’ll get picked up by the first car/truck with an open seat.
4. Lodge in a cave
Not only is it part of the whole Cappadocia experience, it can also be very affordable. Many of the cave houses have been transformed into home stays and pensions. You can easily find an inexpensive dorm room (+- €7, at the time of writing) in a cave hotel with swimming pool. Most of these places additionally offer a generous breakfast buffet, leaving you full until the afternoon.
5. It’s OK to skip the hot air balloon flight
It seems as though every single visitor to the region embarks in a hot air balloon during their visits… “an essential Cappadocia experience”. Admittedly, it’s probably gorgeous, memorable and what not. But with prices starting at €120 for a one hour flight in a crammed basket, the budget traveller starts to doubt… That’s food for a week! A great alternative is to wake up at dawn and watch the balloons float through the morning sky. Dozens of balloons amongst the fairy chimneys. Stunning! At no point did I wish to be inside a balloon… This view was just perfect -and free.
6. Cappadocian wine tasting
Wait, what is wine tasting doing on a “budget tip” list? First of all because… Turkish wine? Who knew?! That’s just an exciting must-try! Regardless of your budget. Second, a glass of Cappadocian wine is moderately priced and -in my humble opinion- not that great (yet?), so you’re not likely to go for seconds. Still worth a taste!
7. Skip the Hammam
The Hammam in Göreme is pricey. Unless that’s where you want to splurge, I suggest you hold that experience for a larger city in Turkey.
8. Relax and Enjoy the silence
Although you’re in a touristy area, it’s still a quiet environment. Order a pot of tea and do some people watching or read that book you’ve been carrying around… Savour the peace and quite while soaking in the surroundings. This is probably my favourite thing about traveling on a budget: the monetary restrictions force you to spend at least one day not spending and consuming but slowing down and enjoying the beautiful, small things in this world.
9. Donate a strand of hair to win a trip back to Cappadocia
There is a tiny ‘hair museum’ in the town of Avanos. It’s basically a cave with over 16.000 hair strands hanging from the walls and ceiling. Female visitors from all over the world donate a lock of hair to which their names and address is adhered. Twice a year, Mr. Galip, potter and owner of the museum, picks a lucky winner to return to Cappadocia and learn the art of pottery, all expenses paid. He has not mailed me yet. Entrance to the museum is free.
Have you been to Cappadocia?
The post “Cappadocia on a budget” first appeared on Travel Cake.
Comments
26 responses to “Cappadocia on a Budget”
Hi, thank you for sharing this interesting article:) I would love to go to Cappadocia one day. I am living in Turkey (Alanya), so I plan going there within a year. Like you, I also just want look at the ballons instead of participating:)
Yes, the balloons were definitely my favourite! 🙂 I hope you reach your goal of getting to Cappadocia!
Oh my gosh…that hair museum thing is so interesting! I want to go there too! Nice tips indeed. 🙂
Thanks Renuka! The hair museum was quite weird… Loved it! 😀
I missed the hair museum when I was in Avanos, but I did take in a pottery-making workshop. I love Cappadocia – such an interesting place. And I agree about not taking the hot air balloon ride – way too expensive! I also agree that walking is a great way to explore the region. Hiking through the Ihlara Valley was one of my most memorable parts of exploring Cappadocia. Thanks for the memories!
I regret not having taken the pottery workshop! I don’t even know why I didn’t do it, they offered me a free try… Hopefully I’ll get the opportunity again someday!
Really enjoyed this post and those overnight buses sound more luxurious than any I have experienced in quite a while! Looks like you met some nice people in Cappadocia, which is always a bonus.
I was very surprised by the buses too. It seems like the luxury buses are starting to pop up everywhere though. I had similar experiences in the Myanmar overnight bus and one in Sulawesi, Indonesia!
Hi, i notice when you mentioned various hostels or hotels, you rarely give the exact info. Would you please be more specific, which hostel you used on this trip. Thanks
Hi Jacqueline, thanks for pointing that out, I’ll make sure to mention the hotels I use in the future. In Cappadocia, I stayed in “Shoestring cave house”. It was a good place to stay. I found them on hostelbookers, but apparently they are no longer listed there. They do have a website though: http://www.shoestringcave.com/en/index1.html Hope this helps! 🙂
i enjoyed browsing your blog! me and my sister is planning to visit cappadocia this august.. just wanna ask, where is the best place to stand or to watch the hot air balloons in during sunrise? 🙂 do you have any suggestions for a 2-day trip to cappadocia? thanks! 🙂
There is not really a specific place to be to watch the hot air balloons. Just climb on the highest hill you can find and you’ll be set. I actually saw them from my hotel as well. They pass all over town. But for the best pictures head to the sunset point. Ask your hotel or someone in town, they’ll tell you where it is.
Hi! Do you mind telling me which bus line you used? I’m in istanbul for a week and I’m just dying to go!!
Hi Li! I can’t recall which company it was exactly, but I just walked into a travel agency and they helped me with the tickets since I was hitting up a lot of different places in a relatively short amount of time. You can also arrange it yourself from the bus station. The bus companies are in competition with one another, so you should get descent quality, whichever bus line you end up choosing! Enjoy your time there!
Hello, I love reading your entry and I’m planning to go to cappadocia soon. May I know the name of hostel that you’ve stayed before?
Hi Tee! I stayed in the “Shoestring cave house”. You should be able to find them online. I booked in advance but I noticed that in low season, you find a lot of other cave hotels with free rooms once you’re there. But if you want to be sure to have a spot, this one was on hostelbookers.com and hostelworld.com. Enjoy the preparation of your Turkey trip!
Thanks for the great post! I was wondering about the hot air balloons but also on a budget. Which hostel did you stay in?
Hi Rosa! I stayed in The Shoestring Cave house, in the dorms. It was a great budget place to stay with a fantastic, varied breakfast buffet! Enjoy Cappadocia!!
Hi,
I’m really dying to go to Cappadocia. How long was your stay there? How much was your budget? This will definitely help me in saving for this dream trip! Thank you!
Hey! I stayed in Cappadocia for about a week but I couldn’t tell you how much the budget was as it was part of a longer trip in Turkey. However, I can tell you this: I didn’t have much money as I was just graduated and my funds were VERY limited. Ticket not included, it couldn’t have been more than €500. Good luck with putting together your dream trip! 🙂
Love your writing! Thanks for providing such great detail – very inspiring for my upcoming trip! Could you perhaps explain how you got around Cappadocia, especially for the sunrise balloon watching? I’m hesitant as well to spend €120 for a one-hour trip, especially since I am a poor exchange student 😉 Did you participate in any organized day-trips or just walked around yourself? How did you know where to go?
Muchas gracias!
Miguel
Hi Miguel! I did everything on foot and by bus to go from town to town. The balloons fly all over the town, so just ask around for a sunset point or climb on one of roofs and you’ll be set. I did take one organised day trip (the green one) which I somewhat regretted as I was reminded how much I despise group tours. The tour was OK though since we were taken to several place, all quite far from town, so it’s worth considering. The other days, I just took a local bus or hitchhiked and tailored my own day trips 🙂 . Enjoy Cappadocia!
Hi,
Great post 🙂
I really didn’t knew that Cappadocian wine tasting is on budget. Thanks for the info. Hair museum seems to be an interesting place. Next time, when I’ll visit Turkey, I will surely visit the places which I missed out.
Yes, if you just taste a glass or two, it will only set you back a few bucks/euro’s 🙂 I hope you get to visit Turkey again, beautiful country with an interesting culture! 🙂
For the budget conscious , go to Urgup by local bus and visit the (local ) hamami ( Turkish bath ) – a short walk East from Otogan ( bus station ). Two guys soap and wash you – very civilized – then you head back to the central chamber with the domed roof for a refreshing rinse. Your skin has never been cleaner – or drier – be prepared to apply moisturiser soon after. The soap is very powerful. Urgup has interesting shops – good for trekking clothes , boutique hotels and eateries. We made a couple of bus trips to Urgup from Goreme. Also Pasha is an interesting Greek village on outskirts of the area referred to as Cappadocia – there is no actual place. Ditto local bus to Avenos to visit underground pottery workshops – quality and prices are higher than you might expect – we bought a ceramic pomegranate – love it.