Getting Between Stops
All three transfers are flights. Istanbul to Cappadocia takes about 80 minutes to Nevşehir or Kayseri. Cappadocia to Bodrum usually means a connection through Istanbul, which takes most of a day. Bodrum to Istanbul is about an hour.
Domestic flights leave from both Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), which are on opposite sides of the city. Always check which airport your ticket uses.
In Istanbul, use the T1 tram, ferries and a rechargeable Istanbulkart. Taxis are plentiful, but use the BiTaksi app or ask your hotel to book one. In Cappadocia, taxis are cheap and a rental car gives you freedom for early viewpoints. On the Bodrum peninsula, a rental car is the easiest way to move between bays, though most luxury hotels arrange transfers and boat trips for you.
Where to Stay
In Istanbul, Çırağan Palace Kempinski occupies a 19th-century sultan's palace with an infinity pool on the Bosphorus. The Four Seasons Sultanahmet, in a former prison, puts you next to Hagia Sophia. Pera Palace in Beyoğlu has period atmosphere and history.
In Cappadocia, Uçhisar is the quietest base. The Museum Hotel fills restored caves with antiques. Argos in Cappadocia spreads through old mansions and tunnels with valley views. In Göreme, Sultan Cave Suites is famous for its rooftop, where balloons drift past at breakfast. Ask for a carved cave suite with a private terrace.
On the Bodrum peninsula, the north coast is the luxury zone. The Mandarin Oriental Bodrum has terraced villas and its own beaches above Cennet Koyu. Amanruya is a collection of stone cottages with private pools in pine forest. Gümüşlük suits couples who prefer village life and sunsets.
When to Go
May, June and September are the best months for the full route. Istanbul is mild, Cappadocia has clear mornings for ballooning and the Aegean is warm enough for long swims.
April and October are lovely in Istanbul and Cappadocia, but the sea around Bodrum is cool and some beach clubs are closed. July and August are hot in Istanbul and Bodrum, with peak prices and busy beaches.
Cappadocia's balloons fly year round when the weather allows. Winter brings snow on the chimneys, which is beautiful but cold and more likely to ground flights. Whatever the month, three nights in Cappadocia gives you backup mornings.
Ramadan dates move each year. Most sights stay open, but some restaurants keep shorter hours in conservative areas, while Istanbul and Bodrum carry on much as usual.
What It Costs
Turkey can be good value outside the top hotels. As an approximate guide, Bosphorus palace hotels such as Çırağan Palace start around $650 a night for two. Boutique hotels in Sultanahmet cost far less. In Cappadocia, cave suites range from about $250 at Sultan Cave Suites to $650 or more at the Museum Hotel. On the Bodrum peninsula, the Mandarin Oriental starts around $750 in season, while Gümüşlük guesthouses are much cheaper.
Domestic flights are usually inexpensive if booked early.
The extras worth paying for are a private balloon basket, a private gulet day, a Bosphorus boat and a couples' hammam. Dinners in Istanbul's meyhanes are good value. Bodrum's beach clubs and marina restaurants are the most expensive meals in the country, so balance them with simple fish dinners in the villages.
Tips for the Two of You
Mosques ask both of you to cover shoulders and knees. Women also cover their hair, so carry a scarf. Remove shoes at the entrance. Avoid visiting during Friday midday prayers.
In the bazaars, bargaining is expected and usually friendly. Decide what you will pay before you start and walk away smiling if the price is wrong.
Cappadocia balloon companies vary in quality. Choose a licensed operator with a strong safety record, even if it costs more. Dress in layers, since dawn is cold even in summer.
Bodrum's sun is strong and many bays are rocky, so pack water shoes and reef-safe sunscreen. Drink plenty of water on hot days.
This route gives each of you something. One may want the Ephesus ruins while the other wants a beach club day. Splitting a day is easy, since the peninsula is compact and taxis are plentiful.
Make It Shorter or Longer
With eight or nine days, drop to two nights in Istanbul and three in Bodrum. Keep three nights in Cappadocia for the balloon backup.
With 14 days, add a gulet cruise of three or four nights along the coast between Bodrum and Fethiye, sleeping on board in quiet bays. Or add Kaş, a small harbor town with sea kayaking over sunken ruins, or Alaçatı near Izmir, with stone houses and windsurfing.
History lovers can add Ephesus with a night in the hill village of Şirince, between Cappadocia and Bodrum, flying into Izmir instead. Another option is the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, though they work better on a road trip than with flights.
If you would rather end in a city, reverse the route: start in Bodrum to rest after the long flight, then Cappadocia and finally Istanbul.
