How Far Is Cappadocia from Antalya? The Road, Leg by Leg

Why we answer in road segments

A single distance figure would mislead you. The coach collects guests from hotels spread along the coast, so where you stay changes how long you sit before the first long stretch even begins. That is why this page gives no single distance figure: it depends on your hotel.

What does not change is the operator's plan for the open road. Those segments are the honest way to judge the trip, and they are the same whichever resort you set off from.

Day 1: from the coast to the Underground City

The first day begins in the dark. This is the operator's order, stop by stop, up to the first sight.

• Night pickup at your hotel. The exact time depends on where you stay and is sent after booking; the pickup page explains how it works for each area.
• Breakfast stop at a café. Café breakfast is not in the price, so bring the breakfast box from your own hotel.
• About 3 h 15 min on the road.
• A rest stop to stretch your legs and use the facilities.
• About 1 h 50 min on the road to the Underground City, whose entrance is included in the fare.

After the Underground City the driving shrinks to short hops between Pigeon Valley, the panorama at the foot of Uçhisar Castle, the onyx and sultanite centre, Love Valley and, if you book it, the Red Valley sunset. You reach the hotel in Cappadocia around 19:00.

Day 2: back to the coast via Konya

The return follows the morning programme in Cappadocia: the optional sunrise terrace for the balloons, breakfast at the hotel, then the leather centre and the Turkish delight centre. After that the coach heads back towards the coast by way of Konya.

• About 2 h on the road, then a short break.
• About 1 h 20 min to Konya, where lunch is available as an extra.
• About 2 h on the road, then a short stop.
• Onwards to the coast, dropping guests at their hotels.

You are back at your own hotel between 19:00 and 21:00, depending on where you stay.

What the hours on the coach feel like

The legs are long, but they are broken up. On the way out there is a breakfast stop and a rest stop; on the way back there are two short stops and the lunch stop in Konya. Your guide talks you through the programme as you go.

Outside the window the coast slowly gives way to the open country of the interior. If you can sleep on a coach, the first stretch after the night pickup is the time to do it, and you arrive at the Underground City with most of the day still ahead.

Where you start from

Hotels in the Side area and the Alanya area are collected at night on the operator's schedule, and the exact time for your hotel follows after booking. Each belt has its own page: Cappadocia from Side and Cappadocia from Alanya.

Hotels in Antalya city, Konyaaltı, Lara, Kundu, Belek, Kemer and Beldibi are booked directly, with the exact pickup time confirmed for your hotel after booking; the Kemer page explains how that works. Only Gazipaşa is on request: send us your hotel and date, and we confirm with the operator whether and when the coach can collect you.

Why the distance points to two days

With this much road in each direction, the night in Cappadocia is what turns the journey into a visit. It gives you an afternoon among the valleys, an evening at the hotel and a sunrise morning when the balloons may be in the sky.

Our guide to why we do not sell a one-day trip sets out the sum in full, and bus or flight looks at the alternative of flying in on your own.

Making the road time easier

• Wear layers: the small hours after the night pickup can feel cool, and a jumper doubles as a pillow.
• Keep water and a small snack in your day bag, not in your overnight bag.
• Ask your hotel for a breakfast box the evening before.
• Bring something to rest your neck against and a charged phone or power bank.
• If you get travel sick, take what you normally use before the long legs, and sit towards the front if you can.

The packing guide has the full list.