Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport · NAV / LTAZ
Cappadocia Airport (NAV): the Traveller’s Guide
The closest airport to Cappadocia’s fairy-chimney valleys is Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV), near Gülşehir, about 40 km and 40 min by road from Göreme. Its flights come from Istanbul, so most visitors from the UK, the US and Australia change planes there and land here on a short domestic hop.
- Live arrivals & departures
- Official SHGM balloon flag
- Transport guide to 14 towns
Road distances · live data
From the airport to the valleys
- Nevşehir Nevşehir is the provincial capital, about half an hour from the airport, with city hotels, shops and services. 30 min30 km
- Uçhisar Uçhisar is built around a towering rock castle with sweeping views over the valleys. 35 min37 km
- Avanos Avanos sits on the Kızılırmak, the Red River, and is famous for pottery made from the river’s clay. 40 min35 km
- Göreme Göreme is the heart of Cappadocia and the best base for balloon views, with cave hotels, valley trails and the UNESCO-listed open-air museum on its doorstep. 40 min40 km
- Ortahisar Ortahisar is a traditional village beneath its own rock fortress, with old stone houses and far fewer crowds. 40 min43 km
- Ürgüp Ürgüp is the largest town in the valleys, with restaurants, local wineries and a wide choice of hotels. 45 min48 km
- Mustafapaşa Mustafapaşa is a former Greek village with finely carved stone mansions and a slow, peaceful pace. 50 min55 km
Official sector flags — SHM Cappadocia
No new assessment published for today yet; showing the latest one.
Sector A
Red · no flying
Valid: 12 Oct 06:15–18:10
Sector B
Red · no flying
Valid: 12 Oct 06:15–18:10
Sector C
Red · no flying
Valid: 12 Oct 06:15–18:10
The flight area is split into three weather sectors: A north (beyond the Çavuşin–Zelve–Devrent line), B central (around Göreme), C south (beyond the Ortahisar–İbrahimpaşa line). Updated: 11 Oct 11:55
Balloon morning outlook — Göreme
Forecast surface wind at sunrise
This morning
Looks favourable
- Sunrise
- 06:47
- Wind
- 7km/h
- Gusts
- 16km/h
- Rain chance
- %9
Tomorrow
Flights unlikely
- Sunrise
- 06:48
- Wind
- 11km/h
- Gusts
- 34km/h
- Rain chance
- %5
Thursday 15 Oct
Flights unlikely
- Sunrise
- 06:49
- Wind
- 5km/h
- Gusts
- 22km/h
- Rain chance
- %33
A forecast-based indicator, not a flight decision. Whether balloons fly is decided each morning under the supervision of Turkey’s civil aviation authority (SHGM) using on-site measurements; if flights are cancelled, operators refund or rebook.
Where is Cappadocia Airport?
Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport lies by the village of Tuzköy, in the Gülşehir district, about 30 km north-west of Nevşehir city centre. It is a compact, state-run airport (operator: DHMİ) with a single 3,000 m runway and a terminal that is open 24 hours a day. Its codes are NAV (IATA — the one on your ticket) and LTAZ (ICAO).
Do not confuse it with Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR), the other gateway to Cappadocia. Kayseri has more airlines, but it is roughly 78 km from Göreme — almost twice as far. Our Nevşehir vs Kayseri comparison explains which one suits your trip.
A new, much larger terminal building (10,500 m²) opened in February 2026, replacing the old 3,500 m² hall. Arrivals and departures, domestic and international, all use the same building — you will not get lost.
Flying in from the UK, the US or Australia
There are no regular scheduled international flights to NAV, so you will almost certainly change planes in Istanbul. These airlines serve the airport:
- Turkish Airlines from Istanbul Airport (IST) — the natural choice if you reach Istanbul on a Turkish Airlines long-haul flight.
- AJet from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), on the Asian side — a direct flight of about 1 hr 15 min.
- SunExpress has flown from İzmir in some seasons; treat it as seasonal and check before planning around it.
Before you book your connection
IST and SAW are separate airports on opposite sides of the Bosphorus. If your long-haul flight lands at one and your Cappadocia flight leaves from the other, allow plenty of time — a tight self-transfer across Istanbul is the classic way to miss the last flight of the day. As a rule you clear passport control at your first point of entry, Istanbul, so in Cappadocia you arrive as a domestic passenger with no immigration queue.
Live times for every flight are on our Nevşehir airport flights board, and the airlines page lists who flies where.
How far is the airport from your hotel?
Approximate road distances and drive times from NAV (no traffic). Most hotels are in Göreme, Uçhisar or Ürgüp.
⚠ For information only; compiled from internet sources, accuracy not guaranteed. Check the official source.
| Destination | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Avanos | 35 km | 40 min |
| Uçhisar | 37 km | 35 min |
| Göreme | 40 km | 40 min |
| Ortahisar | 43 km | 40 min |
| Ürgüp | 48 km | 45 min |
| Mustafapaşa | 55 km | 50 min |
| Nevşehir centre | 30 km | 30 min |
Distances are calculated on OpenStreetMap road data and refreshed from our transfer partner where available.
Getting from the airport to your hotel
There is no regular public bus from NAV, so you have four realistic options.
Private transfer
Booked in advance through go4transfers.com: a fixed price per vehicle, flight tracking and a driver waiting with a name sign. The least stressful choice after a long journey.
Airport shuttle
A shared shuttle (İpek Tur) runs to the flight schedule and drops at hotels — cheaper, but slower.
Taxi
A taxi rank stands outside the terminal and taxis run on the meter. Handy if you land without a booking.
Car hire
Enterprise, Avis, Garenta and ADD Car have desks at the terminal. Ideal if you want to explore freely.
Compare every option
Cost level, comfort and waiting time side by side, so you can choose in a minute.
Landing late at night?
The airport runs 24/7, but the shuttle only meets scheduled flights. Here is how to plan a late arrival.
Planning your Cappadocia days
Hot air balloon flights
Sunrise flights over the valleys, the flag system and why you should book your first morning.
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn are mild and dry; winter brings snow and more cancelled balloon mornings.
Cappadocia travel guide
Göreme, Uçhisar, Ürgüp, Avanos, the valleys and where to stay.
Göreme Open-Air Museum
Rock-cut churches and frescoes at the heart of the UNESCO site.
Underground cities
Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı, carved deep into the soft volcanic rock.
Cappadocia weather
Live conditions at the airport and the climate month by month.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the closest airport to Cappadocia?
Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV) is the closest: about 40 km from Göreme and 48 km from Ürgüp. Kayseri (ASR) is the alternative, roughly 78 km from Göreme.
Can I fly direct to Cappadocia from London, New York or Sydney?
No. There are no regular international flights to NAV, so you connect in Istanbul — Turkish Airlines from Istanbul Airport (IST) or AJet from Sabiha Gökçen (SAW).
How do I get from Cappadocia Airport to Göreme?
By private transfer, the shared İpek Tur shuttle, a metered taxi or a hire car. The drive takes about 40 min. Private transfers are booked through go4transfers.com at a fixed price per vehicle.
Is Nevşehir airport open 24 hours?
Yes. According to the official aeronautical publication, the airport and its passport, customs and security services operate around the clock.
What is the airport code for Cappadocia?
NAV is the IATA code used on tickets; LTAZ is the ICAO code. Kayseri, the other Cappadocia airport, is ASR.
Should I plan a balloon flight on my first morning?
Yes. Flights are cancelled whenever conditions are unsuitable, so booking your first morning leaves spare days to rebook.
Related Pages
nevsehirkapadokyahavalimani.com is an independent information portal. It is not affiliated with DHMİ, SHGM or any airline, and nothing is sold or booked on this site. Full legal notice →