Not sure how to get from Izmir to Pamukkale? Worry not, there are a few different ways to get from A to B, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.
The easiest way to get to Pamukkale from Izmir is by a train or bus, but other methods include getting a guided tour or renting a car and driving, but those are generally not as popular, for reasons we’ll discuss below.
If you have decided to visit Pamukkale from Izmir, then you have found yourself in one of the best places to base yourself to visit both the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ephesus and Pamukkale!
Below, we’ll talk about how to get to Pamukkale, including via a day trip, and the pros and cons that come with each choice of transportation, so you can determine which one fits you best!
Don’t want to do any planning?
Check out our recommended Pamukkale day tour from Izmir!
Izmir To Pamukkale Distance
Before we jump into how to get from Izmir to Pamukkale town, let’s look at how far the two destinations are from each other. As you can see from the map above, the distance between the two places is approximately 223 km (139 mi), and it takes about 3 to 3.5 hours to drive depending on traffic.
If you consider doing a round trip, that could easily be around 6 to 7 hours of driving in one day. So, is a day trip from Izmir to Pamukkale via driving feasible? Totally. Would we recommend it? Probably not.
Though driving to Pamukkale might seem a little bit exhausting, it does mean that buses might be an option, and we will get to that shortly.
Taking A Tour From Izmir To Pamukkale
If you don’t want to do any planning or driving, then you can take a day tour to Pamukkale from Izmir.
A Pamukkale tour includes everything you’ll need for a comfortable visit. As part of your tour ticket, you can expect the following inclusions:
- Air-Conditioned Transportation from Izmir to Pamukkale and back (often higher-class buses to the long-distance bus)
- Entrance Fee to Pamukkale and Hierapolis
- A professional, local tour guide to tell you the history of the Pamukkale and Hierapolis archaeological site, a present-day UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Lunch included at a local restaurant in Pamukkale
- Shopping stops
- Local taxes included
- Pick up from your hotel and drop off at your hotel (exact pickup time determined at the time of booking)
As you can see, the tour covers everything a tourist might need – from your mode of transportation to entrance to a professional guide. The tour price varies depending on the tour operator and the time of year, but you can expect to pay around 80 Euros per person.
You may want to bring extra cash for your own expense and to tip the guide, as there are no service charges included.
It is actually great value for money, but you do need to remember it’s a long day! However, you don’t have to drive, so you can rest on the bus which is comfortable and spacious.
The roads between Pamukkale and Izmir are quite good, as it’s mostly highway, so you don’t need to worry about potholes and bumpy rides.
With tours, you will receive a full refund if the tour cannot take place for any reason.
How To Get A Train From Izmir To Pamukkale
Taking the TCDD Turkish State Railway train from Izmir to Pamukkale is one of the most popular transport to get to the white terraces of Pamukkale, but there are certainly pros and cons.
The train departs from Basmane Gar Railway Station in the center of Izmir and ends at Denizli Railway Station, which is right across from the Denizli Bus Station. From here, you can get the minibus to Pamukkale.
Unfortunately, there is no direct train from Izmir to Pamukkale, so you’ll also have to change at Denizli, a big city situated about 17 km (10.5 mi) from Pamukkale.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of getting a train from Izmir to Pamukkale is that the Basmane train station is right in the center of Izmir and likely walking distance or a couple of metro stops from Izmir hotels.
Additionally, the train passes by the Izmir Airport (Adnan Menderes Airport), perfect for those that are arriving in the city via a flight.
NOTE: At the time of writing, the train from Izmir to Denizli costs around 6.50 Euro for a return. The ticket will need to be purchased in Turkish Lira, which changes regularly due to Turkey’s falling currency rate.
However, travelers must be aware that there are ONLY 6 departures per day, which limits when you can get to Pamukkale and when you have to come back. The earliest departure is at 7:05 AM from Basmane Gar Station, and that gets you in at 12:06 AM at Denizli Station. By the time you get the minibus to Pamukkale, you’ll get there around 1 PM.
It takes about 4.5 – 5 hours to get to Denizli from Izmir via train. From Denizli, you’ll have to catch a minibus to Pamukkale, which adds another 45 minutes to 1 hour of travel time.
To catch the minibus, walk over to the Denizli Bus Station or Denizli Otogari in Turkish which is directly opposite the train station. Head to the lower level B1 and look for Gate 76 (it’s not really a gate, it’s a bus stop). The minibus departs every 15-20 minutes, and leaves when it’s full. The ride takes about 45 minutes.
IMPORTANT: The last train from Denizli back to Izmir departs quite early (at 6:15 PM), make sure you get it or you’ll be stuck in Denizli (or have to take a bus)
Because the last train leaves at 6:15pm, this leaves you with about 4 hours to explore the travertine terraces of Pamukkale and the archaeological site of Hierapolis. I would say this is just enough time, but if you want to soak in the thermal pools and properly relax, then you might want to stay the night in Pamukkale and return the next day.
Here is the schedule for the train from Izmir’s Basmane Gar Station to Denizli Railway Station (see further down for train times returning to Izmir):
| Departure Time (Basmane Gar) | Arrival Time (Denizli Railway Station) |
|---|---|
| 7:05 AM | 12:06 PM |
| 8:30 AM | 13:19 PM |
| 10:40 AM | 3:29 PM |
| 12:30 PM | 5:19 PM |
| 2:15 PM | 7:13 PM |
| 4:40 PM | 9:30 PM |
| 6:40 PM | 23:26 PM |
As always, it is good to check at the ticketing office the day before to guarantee that the schedule for the trains has not changed.
The official TCDD Railway site allows you to purchase a ticket in advance, but we found that our credit cards didn’t go through so you might want to visit the railway station the day before to purchase your tickets.
Steps To Get From Izmir To Pamukkale Via Train
Approximately: 6 hours
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Get To Basmane Gar Railway Station
The Basmane Gar Railway station is situated in the heart of Izmir’s city center. Just make sure you are getting to the railway station and not the Metro station, which Basmane so conveniently has.
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Get Your Ticket From The Ticketing Booth
The ticketing booth is situated near the entrance of the station. If you don’t want to use the machine, or the machine doesn’t take your card, there is a ticket office with staff. Just let him know that you want to go to Denizli, and he’ll hand you a ticket. It might be best to have Google Translate ready, as English is not widely spoken in Izmir.
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Get On The Train And Enjoy The Ride To Denizli
The train journey from Izmir to Denizli Railway Station takes about 4.5 hours. The journey is quite beautiful as you go through the Turkish countryside.
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Take The Minibus From Denizli Bus Station to Pamukkale
Once you get off the train, walk over to the Denizli Bus Station or Denizli Otogari in Turkish, and head to the lower level B1. Look for Gate 76 (it’s not really a gate) and you’ll find the minibus that departs regularly for Pamukkale. The ride takes about 45 minutes and they depart when they are full.
📚 Read More: How To Get From Istanbul To Pamukkale?
Getting From Izmir Airport To Pamukkale
If you are arriving into Izmir Airport and want to get to Pamukkale, your best bet is to take the TCDD Railway train.
Conveniently, there is a stop at the Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, so visitors can just hop on and make their way to Denizli. It is the same train you would take if you were coming from Basmane Gar in Izmir, so the schedule is the same.
Here is when the train arrives at Izmir Airport:
| Departure Time (Izmir Airport) | Arrival Time (Denizli) |
|---|---|
| 7:31 AM | 12:06 PM |
| 8:56 AM | 1:19 PM |
| 11:08 AM | 3:29 PM |
| 12:55 PM | 5:19 PM |
| 2:43 PM | 7:13 PM |
| 5:08 PM | 9:30 PM |
| 7:08 PM | 11:26 PM |
| 11:31 PM | 03:54 AM |
Once you get to Denizli Railway Station, just follow the steps above to get to Pamukkale!
How To Get Back From Pamukkale to Izmir by Train?
Getting back from Pamukkale to Izmir is easy. You can flag down one of the minibuses on the main street (ask one of the locals if you are not sure) to get back to Denizli.
From there you can either take the train or the bus back to Izmir. Both ways work perfectly fine, but we prefer getting the train so we could take a quick nap and it drops us off in the city center!
Just remember that the last one is at 6:15 PM!
Here is the full schedule of the trains departing from Denizli to Izmir:
| Departure Time (Denizli Railway Station) | Arrival Time (Basmane Gar) |
|---|---|
| 01:59 AM | 06:58 AM |
| 4:20 AM | 09:10 AM |
| 5:45 AM | 10:34 AM |
| 8:45 AM | 1:34 PM |
| 10:15 AM | 3:10 PM |
| 12:20 PM | 5:22 PM |
| 2:30 PM | 7:34 PM |
| 4:20 PM | 9:10 PM |
| 6:15 PM | 11:22 PM |
There are plenty of buses that go until very late at night. So if you miss the last train, you can take a bus instead. You can check the schedule of the buses here.
How To Get A Bus From Izmir To Pamukkale
Last but not least, the other option to get from Izmir to Pamukkale is via one of the long-distance buses in Turkey.
There is no direct bus from Izmir Bus Terminal to Pamukkale. Like the train, buses will take you as far as Denizli Bus Station, where you’ll have to change to a minibus to get to Pamukkale. It is the same method as taking the train.
The minibuses depart regularly but usually only when they are full. The journey takes an additional 45 minutes, which could make your overall travel time over 6 hours.
But perhaps the biggest con of taking the bus from Izmir to Pamukkale is that the Izmir Bus Station is situated far from the city center. Getting from the tourist areas to the bus station in Izmir can take an additional 45 minutes by public transport.
The biggest advantage of the bus is that you can get one early in the morning (around 5:00 AM to 6:00 AM) and get to Pamukkale at around 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM. This will give you much more time to explore this beautiful place in Turkey. The bus is also an hour faster, but getting to the bus station in Izmir might offset that difference.
Steps To Get From Izmir To Pamukkale Via Bus
1. Get To Izmir Bus Station
The Izmir Bus Station is situated on the outskirts of town, but travelers can get to it via public transportation. There many buses that will take you there, we took the 302 personally because it was near where we stayed.
2. Buy Your Bus Ticket To Denizli At The Counter (If You Haven’t Gotten It Online)
We highly recommend purchasing your ticket online ahead of time so you can secure a spot on the bus.
Otherwise, it is possible to buy it at the counter, but it might be sold out by the time you get there. We recommend getting a bus no later than 7 AM. Remember, you want to buy a ticket for Denizli (because there isn’t a direct bus to Pamukkale).
3. Get On The Bus And Enjoy The Ride To Denizli
The bus journey from Izmir to Denizli Bus Station takes about 3.5 hours. The scenery is quite beautiful on the way, but if you got up early, you might want to catch some sleep.
4. Take The Minibus From Denizli Bus Station to Pamukkale
Once you get off the bus at Denizli Bus Station, head to the B1 lower level. Find Gate 76 and you’ll see the minibus that departs for Pamukkale. The journey takes about 45 minutes. If you cannot find it, there are plenty of people at the station that can point you to where you need to go.
📚 Read More: How to Get From Izmir to Ephesus
Is it Better To Take The Bus Or Train From Izmir To Pamukkale?
If you are taking a day trip from Izmir to Pamukkale, it is better to take a bus. That is because the buses start running much earlier than the train, allowing visitors to get to Pamukkale with plenty of time to explore.
When it comes to how long it takes to get from Izmir to Pamukkale, both methods are similar. Buses take about 3.5 hours to get from Izmir Bus Station to Denizli, but visitors must also get to the bus station, which is not situated in the city center.
The train station is situated in the city center, but the train takes about 1 hour longer than the bus in total.
So in the end, the two methods even out when it comes to duration, but you get more time to explore with the bus.
FAQs About Traveling From Izmir to Pamukkale
How Many Hours Do You Need in Pamukkale?
You’ll need about 5 to 6 hours to see the entire archaeological site of Pamukkale-Hierapolis. This will give you enough time to explore the old amphitheater, the Necropolis, soak in the travertine pools, and even go swimming in the thermal Cleopatra Pool.
Can I See Pamukkale In One Day?
Yes, you can definitely see Pamukkale in one day. The area around Pamukkale doesn’t have many attractions and one day is more than sufficient to enjoy what Pamukkale and the Ancient City of Hierapolis have to offer.
What Are The Opening Hours For Pamukkale?
The opening hours for Pamukkale change depending on the season. The site opens at 6:30 AM all year round, but it closes at 6 PM between November 1st and February 28th, 8 PM between March 1st and May 1st and October 1st and October 31st, and 9 PM between June 1st and September 30th.
What is the fastest way to get to Pamukkale from Izmir
The fastest way to get from Izmir to Pamukkale is by private tour on a daytrip, because they pick you up from your hotel and drive you directly to Pamukkale. Other means of transport require you to change on en route at Denizli onto the minibus, which can slow you down.
What To Take To Pamukkale?
Before you decide to take a day trip to Pamukkale, you might be wondering what to pack! Here are some essential items to take with you:
- Comfortable shoes, as the terrain around the ruins of Heirapolis are quite rocky.
- Swimsuit for swimming in the thermal pool of the terraces and at the Antique Pool
- Cash in TL to pay for the minibuses if you decide to go yourself, as they don’t accept card.
- A sun hat, as there is little shade in Pamukkale, particularly if you are visiting in the summer time.
- Sun screen and plenty of water.
- Snacks for the journey.
- Your own towel to try yourself after swimming.
Final Thoughts
Getting from Izmir to Pamukkale might be difficult if you are a first-time visitor.
Hopefully, with our guide, you can go explore the archaeological site and soak in the pools at Pamukkale without worrying too much about the logistics!
If you have any questions, make sure you leave a comment below!
I’d like to thank you a lot for your site and tips! Very complete and helpful!
Muchas gracias, por la valiosa información. Sabe si en los trenes me dejarían llevar mi maleta o tiene alguna restricción para equipaje. Muchas gracias.