How to get to Pamukkale

Drive

Some people drive directly to Pamukkale, for example if you are staying in Marmaris then it is about a 3 hour drive.  Although it is a long drive the roads are modern wide and well made and well signposted.  With mostly agricultural land in this region the roads are not busy and it is a very pleasant area in which to drive and see the countryside.  The villages in the region are well connected by a mesh of smaller but still well maintained roads and it is possible to drive from village to village rather than take the main roads, which will mean a much more picturesque trip.

However driving from Istanbul is not practical, at least not in one day, as it would be more than an 8 hour drive.  Instead fly.

By Plane

There are regular scheduled flights from Istanbul (IST) to Denizli (DNZ) operated by the national flag carrying airline Turkish Airlines. They run from Istanbul to Denizli in the morning, then return

Two flights are day are being run at the moment, leaving Istanbul at 6:20 and 7:15 and arriving in Denizli one hour later.  The airport, formally DENİZLİ ÇARDAK AIRPORT, is a one hour drive from Pamukkale itself. 

Airtickets cost around TL1,200 each for an economy return ticket. Or about US$610 each.

The return flights are at 6:55pm which are perfect if you are making a one day trip to the region. However consider staying in a nearby hotel and exploring the attractions of Denizli Province!

By Train

Due to the current closure of the railway station in Istanbul there are no direct trains from Istanbul to Pamukkale.  However it is still possible to enjoy the modern Turkish trains on the way to here by taking a ferry from Istanbul to Bandirma, then the train from there to Izmir.  From Izmir there is a direct train to Denizli, and from there local transport such as minivan is recommended.