How to Complete a Booking with Our Agency
Once you are satisfied with your itinerary, we will request a minimum 30% deposit to confirm all reservations. We have a secure credit card form to safely send your credit card details at www.goreme.com/secure Once your deposit is received, we will confirm all details of your itinerary and email you the travel voucher within 7 business days. The balance due can be paid at any time prior to arrival – or if you will be in Cappadocia during your travels, we can arrange that you pay your balance at our office in Goreme – we are located between the Kelebek Cave Hotel and Sultan Cave Suites. In our office we accept all major currencies for cash payments, as well as Visa, MasterCard and AMEX.
Traveler's Checklist
- 1. Prior to leaving your country register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
- 2. Obtain a cell phone that works internationally to stay in regular contact with family and friends and advise them of your whereabouts.
- 3. Research the region you are visiting and familiarize yourself with local procedures.
- 4. Keep an up-to-date list of local emergency phone numbers, as well as contact numbers for your nearest Embassy, Consulate, or Consular Agency.
- 5. Protect your vital travel documents from potential water damage by placing them in a waterproof container.
- 6. Obtain travel insurance prior to your trip to cover unexpected medical expenses in the event of an emergency.
- 7. Leave a detailed itinerary and your local contact information with a friend or family member in the United States.
- 8. Make two photocopies of your passport identification page, airline tickets, driver's license, and the credit cards you plan to take. Leave one copy of each with family or friends at home and pack the other copies separately from the originals to take with you.
Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints. Turkish Antiquities Warning!
Turkish law has a broad definition of "antiquities" and makes it a crime to remove any from the country.
All historic sites such as fortresses, castles and ruins, and everything in them or on the grounds or in the water, are the property of the Turkish government. While many sites do not have signs cautioning the unwary, official silence does not mean official consent.
One may buy certain antiquities, but only from authorized dealers who have been issued a certificate by a museum for each item they are authorized to sell. If one has acquired a possible antiquity without having obtained the necessary certificate, competent museum personnel should evaluate it before its removal from Turkey.
Offenders are prosecuted and if convicted, sentences may range from five to ten years. Individuals can expect to spend at least one month in jail pending a hearing, even in cases where it appears to have been an accidental purchase of antiquities.
A list of prohibited items includes but is not limited to:
All kinds of animal and plant fossils, human skeletons, all kinds of bone or metallic tools, volcanic glasses, china, ceramic and similar pots and kettles, statutes, figurines, defensive and offensive weapons, tablets, icons, glassware, rings, earrings, needles, hooks, seals, bracelets and the like, masks, stones, documents written or designed on leather, cloth, papyrus, parchment or metal, weighing instruments, coins, decorations, sealed or inscribed plates, china, medals, manuscript or illuminated books, miniatures, oil or watercolor paintings bearing artistic value, earthen, glass, wooden, cloth and similar movable goods.
Additionally, one should be advised that a carpet older than 99 years, and any article that predates 1923 can be considered an antique and therefore cannot be purchased or removed from Turkey. Individuals should check with local authorities if they intend to purchase or transport any article which could be in question.
Many travelers to Turkey purchase replicas of antique items, such as small statues and the like. Be aware that a traveler with an imitation antiquity may still be detained at the airport while a local museum examines the item. In some cases, items which are clearly replicas are confiscated, and the traveler is deported from Turkey. Seemingly the only way to make sure that everything is in order is for the traveler to take the replica item to a local museum and get a certificate stating it is not an antiquity. The shopkeeper’s certificate is apparently not enough to avoid problems at the point of departure in all cases.
Currency Information
The official currency of Turkey is the New Turkish Lira (YTL). While traveling around Turkey it is advisable to use Turkish Lira “on the street” (cafes, shopping, taxis, etc) – as you will get the best exchange rate and value. Many shops, restaurants, hotels accept other currency but they do not always use the most advantageous exchange rate for guests. All ATM (bank machines) and currency offices dispense Turkish Lira as well as other currencies.
We quote most of our rates in Euros. In past years the Euro was the more stable currency and it was easier for our guests to understand - before the “new” Turkish Lira, our currency was a little confusing, e.g., 1 New Turkish Lira today was 1,000,000 Old Turkish Lira (6 zeros have been eliminated). All credit card charges in our office are charged in New Turkish Lira. We use the official Turkish Government Bank rate on the day the charge is made. This method avoids excessive bank conversion charges for both parties. You can view the current rates here www.tcmb.gov.tr (left side panel – for other currencies, please click on the “today” button). we use the “FX selling” or “DÖVİZ SATIŞ” rates for all conversions. If you prefer to have your charge processed in Euros or US$ please advise your agent – we cannot be responsible for any charges or transaction fees from your bank.
Tip: Please advise your bank and credit card companies where and when you will be traveling. It is very common for banks to put a hold on your credit card due to suspicious activity from foreign transactions. Also check with your personal account to see what your bank will be charging you for foreign transactions (both credit card charges and cash withdrawals).
Please send us an email for further information.
Travel Insurance
We suggest supplementing your holiday plans with travel insurance. Although we do not provide travel insurance and we are in no way affiliated with any insurance companies, our guests have found it useful to have travel insurance in case of illnesses, sudden cancellations or “acts of God”. There are many online companies that offer affordable insurance policies – many combine “trip cancellation, lost baggage, airline delays, etc” policies with “medical evacuation and emergency” policies. One useful link is www.insuremytrip.com (other companies can be found by doing a basic search on Google.)
You can also check with your bank or credit card companies to see what additional insurance is offered when using their card. We do not require travel insurance for any of our confirmations – this information is offered only as a useful suggestion for our guests.
Travel Visas
Travel visas are required for many nationalities. Most visas can be purchased at the point of entry (airport, ferry port, etc) and do not require any paperwork. The visa offices accept cash only and the entire transaction takes just a few seconds. You can find more information on travel visas – and the requirements for your nationality here: www.turkey travel planner.com
Transportation in Turkey
Turkey is a vast country with many of the main sightseeing areas separated by hundreds of kilometers. Fortunately, there are many transportation alternatives to make getting from one location to the next easy for travelers.
Flights: There are many airlines operating domestically in Turkey to/from all major cities. Turkish Airlines offers non-stop flights to Cappadocia (Nevsehir or Kayseri airports) to/from Istanbul. You can also reach Cappadocia by flights from Izmir, Antalya and Ankara with several budget airlines. Please send us an email with your flight plans and dates and we can check rates and availability. We also offer airport transfers for most airports to/from your hotel. Please check our Airport Transfer for more information.
Train routes: Turkey offers a few popular and convenient train routes: The Ankara Express is a modern overnight sleeper train operating nightly between Istanbul and Ankara. The 6Th of September train is a day train plus high speed ferry combination operating between Istanbul and Izmir (except Tuesdays). Both offer affordable, comfortable and convenient travel. Please send us an email with your travel plans and dates and we can check rates and availability.
Buses: The public bus system in Turkey is both a convenient and affordable way to travel the long distances between locations. Buses are available for overnight travel or day travel. All buses are large, modern buses with seats similar to airline economy seats. Stewards are available on the bus to serve coffee and tea. The buses make scheduled stops at large rest areas offering toilets, restaurants and convenience shops. Please see our bus page for more information, pricing and schedules. Please see the additional information on bus travel below.
Rental cars: Rental cars are a convenient way to travel on your own schedule. We can arrange rental cars throughout Turkey. Please note that gas/petrol rates are very high in Turkey and drop off fees apply if leaving the car in a different location. Rental cars are most affordable when renting for a few days in each location. Please see our Rental Car page for more information.
Private Driver and Transport:We can also arrange a driver and vehicle for a one day tour or we can arrange a private transfer from one city to another. Please send us an email with the number of people, the locations and the dates and we can check the rates and options available.
Useful Bus travel information
Safety: Bus travel is generally regarded as safe for all travelers – of course, as in any country one should exercise caution. Keep all personal belongings (passport, money, etc) on you – not under your seat. Do not accept offers to move to seats in the back of the bus so you can lie down easier – it is best to keep the seat you were assigned. Women solo travelers should request seats towards the front of the buses when possible. The bus seats in Turkey are assigned by gender – they will generally not put men and women next to each other unless they are related or traveling together. All bus tickets in Turkey are non-refundable, non-changeable after purchasing. Please check your tickets carefully before buying.
Bus travel into Cappadocia: If you are buying a ticket for a journey to Goreme, your bus may stop at the Nevsehir bus station and transfer you to a smaller shuttle bus to Goreme. If this happens, the stewards on the bus will notify you. Please have these employees bring you to the free shuttle bus (operated by your bus company). There are many vendors and agencies offering a “faster” ride to Goreme. This is not possible – the journey into Goreme takes 15-20 minutes and they are most likely trying to sell you tours or carpets. Upon arriving in Goreme – the bus station is located in the center of the village – an easy walk to any of the hotels. Many hotels also offer free pickup service for bus station arrivals.
Please send us an email for further information.
Tipping
As in any part of the world where tourism is one of the main industries, tipping is common for services performed. The amount of the tip (if any) is at the discretion of the giver…generally 5-20% is common for services well performed. In the past it was not very common for tips to be given in Turkey, however, with the influx of tourism over the past few decades, tipping is customary in the main tourism regions of Turkey (eg. Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, the coastal areas, etc).
Weather in Cappadocia
Cappadocia is famous for its rich history, spectacular landscapes and mild climate. For most of the year, the climate is dry (not humid), sunny and pleasant for all outdoor activities. In summer months (June-September), the weather is very consistent – with mostly sunny skies, hot days and slightly cooler evenings. Rain during these months is rare – mostly in the first half of June and typically just a quick storm in late afternoon. Temperatures during the day range from 20-35 Celsius with the average around 30 degrees. During summer months, sunblock, light layers, sunglasses and hats are highly recommended as many valleys and sites do not have sufficient shade. Most hotel rooms are either cave rooms or constructed of quarried cave stone and stay comfortably cool during the day and evening. Winter (December-March) is a lovely time to experience Cappadocia – all major tourism sites remaining open 365 days per year. The weather changes from pleasant, sunny days - perfect for long walks in the valleys to blustery, wet days and powdery snow covering the valleys and dusting the fairy chimneys. The temperatures vary during these months with the averages during the day in 0-8 Celsius and much colder and icy at night. At times during winter – especially in January and February – the temperatures during the day can reach -15/-20 with very cold evenings.
| Month | Mean Temp °C | Mean Min Temp °C | Mean Max Temp °C |
January |
-2.2 °C | -8.0 °C | 3.8 °C |
February |
0.4 °C | -5.4 °C | 6.4 °C |
March |
4.9 °C | -1.7 °C | 11.8 °C |
April |
10.5 °C | 2.8 °C | 17.7 °C |
May |
14.8 °C | 6.1 °C | 22.3 °C |
June |
18.7 °C | 8.9 °C | 26.3 °C |
July |
22.1 °C | 11.0 °C | 30.2 °C |
August |
21.3 °C | 10.0 °C | 30.1 °C |
September |
16.5 °C | 6.1 °C | 26.4 °C |
October |
10.9 °C | 2.6 °C | 20.1 °C |
November |
4.8 °C | -1.5 °C | 12.8 °C |
December |
0.5 °C | -5.0 °C | 6.4 °C |
Layers of warm clothing and shoes meant for cold weather are important as some of the cobblestone hills are difficult to maneuver when icy. All area hotels have central heating and the cave stone walls keep the heat at a very comfortable temperature. The spring months (March-May) are a mix ranging from amazingly sunny days, intense rain showers and an occasional snow fall well into early April – sometimes all three weather patterns in the same day! Autumn (October and November) are also a mixed bag regarding weather – with comfortable, sunny days and longer periods of rain. During both spring and autumn, layers are highly recommended as the temperatures can vary greatly within the day.
Please send us an email for further information.
What to wear in Cappadocia
Cappadocia is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise – with amazing walking trails, incredible vistas overlooking stunning valleys and quaint villages. Most guests find casual, outdoor/sportswear the most comfortable for this region. For the hiking trails, good walking/hiking shoes are recommended and as many streets, especially around Goreme are cobblestone and with the steep hills – high heels or dress shoes are not as practical. Comfort is key in Cappadocia as most days are filled with walking and visiting different sites. Many local shops sell comfortable clothing for all seasons and for those traveling in the cooler months; the local women make beautiful hand-knit gloves, hats, scarves and socks.
Although Turkey is a secular nation, the predominant religion is Islam. In Cappadocia, the majority of locals dress more on the conservative side – especially in smaller villages, and non-tourism areas. If you will be visiting the open fruit & vegetable markets of Nevsehir, Avanos or Urgup, these markets are mostly non-tourist areas and conservative clothing is recommended. On the coastal areas of Turkey (Antalya, Side, Fethiye, etc) the locals have become more accustomed to tourist wearing beachwear. In Istanbul, as with most major European cities, many locals dress in modern city clothing. Cities such as Konya and anywhere in the Eastern areas of Turkey are still very much conservative in all aspects of daily life.
Please send us an email for further information.
