How to get to Pamukkale from Istanbul

Once you've explored the city of Istanbul and its most important monuments: what's next on the list? Perhaps it's time to explore beyond the wonders of this city to other awe-inspiring destinations in Turkey.

To speak of Pamukkale is to speak of a region that certainly sounds like something out of the wild imagination of a creative soul, and while there's plenty to see in Istanbul, it's worth taking a few days out of your itinerary to see this incredible destination. Here I'll tell you about all the transport options available. As you'll see: there are more options than you think!

When you want to leave planning aside and simply enjoy your holiday with friends and family, an organised excursion to Pamukkale is the best alternative of all. In most cases the extra expense you incur is worth the time saved and the convenience of experiencing the experience completely free of the unexpected.

From Istanbul, excursions to Pamukkale, as well as excursions to Cappadocia, are very common and one of the best ways to escape the busy city and enjoy the natural sc enery that Turkey has to offer.

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The visit to Pamukkale is considered one of the best excursions from Istanbul. In your research, you will find many alternatives but they can be grouped into two main types:

• Day trips: Keep in mind that this type of excursion is not done by road but by plane. Be prepared for a long and intense day.
• Two or more day tours: This is possibly my ideal tour plan. It consists of a bus trip with an expert guide through the countryside and mountains of Turkey. These trips usually include stops at various sights such as the ancient city of Ephesus, the Temple of the Goddess Artemis, the House of the Virgin Mary and many more, plus accommodation and breakfast.

Useful information

• Price: The two-day Pamukkale tour costs from €590 per person. This price includes the guide, hotel accommodation and breakfast and transport to and from Istanbul.
• Duration of the trip: Minimum one day tour.
• Recommended if... Ideal for those who will be in Istanbul for three or four days and wish to dedicate part of their trip to visit the mythical site of Pamukkale.

An alternative way to travel between Istanbul and Pamukkale is by plane, which will save you hours of travel time and give you a long-awaited adventure in Pamukkale. The only downside to this option is that you won't be able to enjoy the journey through Turkey's countryside and mountains, let alone stop off at places of great historical and cultural interest.

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and companies offering this service

If you decide to take a plane to Pamukkale on your own, it is convenient:

• From Istanbul, hire an airport transfer service. You will find many alternative companies: all of them are very comfortable and punctual and will pick you up at your hotel.
• From Istanbul Airport (IST) you will fly to Denizli Cardak Airport (DNZ) on a short flight that usually takes about 1 hour.
• From Denizli your final destination in Pamukkale is over an hour's drive. It is best to hire a taxi service to take you to your final destination.

It is advisable to check the providers' websites carefully and keep an eye out for offers:

• Turkish Airlines.
• Pegasus Airlines.

Useful information

• Price: You will need to budget between €25 and €50 for the cheapest flights. Taxi service between airports is available from €15 to €30 for longer journeys.
• Travel time: Taking into account flight time and transfers to and from the airports, the transfer time is approximately 3 hours. You have to add the waiting time at the airport.
• Recommended if... You will spend only a short time in Istanbul, as you will be able to reduce a two- or three-day tour into a one-day itinerary.

If you decide to use the bus to travel from Istanbul to Pamukkale, you should know that you'll find numerous alternatives that will suit every traveller's preferences. You should take the bus that runs between Istanbul and Denizli, the city that serves as the gateway to Pamukkale.

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and companies offering this service

My main recommendation is that, due to the length of the journey, you should take the night bus which will save you time. This transport service has different departure times from Istanbul, between 8pm and 11pm, and you will arrive at your destination at dawn.

The minibus from Denizli to Pamukkale village operates from 6.30am until 11pm. Another option is to take a taxi directly from the terminal to your final destination.

You will find several companies in Istanbul offering this service operating modern, well-equipped buses with Wifi and even refreshments on very long journeys. The most popular are:

• MetroTurizm.
• Pamukkale Turizm.
• Kamil Koç.

Useful information

• Price: The ticket for the journey between Istanbul and Denizli costs around €15 each way, consider the additional cost to get to Pamukkale: by taxi it is around €10.
• Travel time: This is a long journey of about 13-14 hours.
• Recommended if... You are looking to save money on your trip to Istanbul.

Another travel alternative between the two destinations is to take one of the high-speed train services. This is a highly recommended option that is almost always more comfortable than the bus, but it does involve some planning on the part of the traveller.

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and companies offering this service

The first thing you need to be clear about is that there is no direct train service between the two cities in Turkey. With this in mind, I will explain how you can organise the route as efficiently as possible:

• Take the Istanbul-Eskişehir train route: You will find more than 10 daily services between the two destinations. The journey takes approximately 4 hours. The second part of the journey should be done the next day, so plan to arrive early so you have the afternoon to explore the city.
• And then the Eskişehir - Denizli train route: The train service to Pamukkale only leaves the city in the early hours of the morning and takes 8 hours, so you'll arrive at your destination in the early evening.
• The train station in Denizli is directly opposite the bus station, so you have the same means of transport to get there: the minibus and the taxi.

Depending on the route, these are the companies that offer the service:

• To go from Istanbul to Eskişehir, the best alternative is MetroTurizm.
• From Eskişehir to Denizli, the best alternative is Pamukkale Express.

Useful information

• Price: You can expect to pay between €15 and €20 each way.
• Travel time: If you add up all the journeys and the waiting time, it will take you about two days to get to your destination, but you'll be able to see other cities.
• Recommended if... You have plenty of time and a desire to explore other regions of Turkey.

After getting to know everything there is to see and do in Istanbul, such as the Topkapi Palace or the most important Mosques in Istanbul, an ideal option to get to know Pamukkale, especially for those who are looking to create a totally personalised and flexible adventure, is by car, although I do not recommend it for inexperienced travellers.

If you decide on this alternative, here you will find the information you need.

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and companies offering this service

A trip through the countryside and cities of Turkey can be very different depending on the route you choose. There are several alternatives:

• Via the O-5. The fastest route. The direct non-stop journey will take about 6.5 hours in total and you will pass close to various points of interest such as Balıkesir Province and the city of Akhisar in Manisa Province.
• On the D650 you will pass through the city of Kutahya, and quite close to the city of Eskişehir. The journey time on this route without stops will be seven and a half hours.
• On the 0-5 and D650, a route that will take you a little further west in Turkey, through towns such as Eskişehir, the city of Kutahya, and Isparta. The journey time on this non-stop route will also be seven and a half hours.

From the centre of Istanbul you'll find several companies offering car rental services. The most prominent are:

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car Yenibosna.
• Budget İstanbul Yenibosna
• Sixt Rent a Car.

Useful information

• Price: From 10 € per day for a single car rental, although depending on the type, size or brand, this budget may increase. Other costs to consider are tolls and fuel costs.
• Travel time: The distance between Istanbul and Pamukkale is 567 km. The journey by road takes 6.5 to 7.5 hours without stops, depending on the route.
• Recommended if... This is an excellent alternative if you will be in Istanbul for several days, have the guidance of a local friend and want to test your adventurous spirit.