What is the safest and most convenient driving route from Batumi, Georgia, to Göreme in Cappadocia, Turkey?

From messages by 4 participants in 2 sources · Last activity: 32 days ago

TL;DR

Travelers who drove in August 2026 recommend the route Batumi — Sarpi border crossing — Rize — Trabzon — Sivas — Kayseri — Göreme: the road was fine all the way, and Trabzon and Sivas work well for overnight stops. The alternative via Erzurum and the Vale crossing runs through the mountains, with switchbacks and almost no settlements, so it feels long and dull.

What the community said

If you cover the last stretch to Cappadocia without a car: in September 2026 a participant wrote that you can travel from Kayseri to Göreme and back by bus from the bus station, with a fare of 300 Turkish lira.

33 days ago Kayseri — Göreme bus, 300 TRY

The route one family drove in August 2026: from Batumi via Rize to Trabzon, from Trabzon to Sivas, then to Kayseri and on into Cappadocia. They said the road was fine all the way. They stayed overnight in Trabzon and in Sivas, which splits the drive into comfortable stages.

59 days ago Batumi — Rize — Trabzon — Sivas — Kayseri — Göreme

The same travelers recommended stopping to see Sumela Monastery (Panagia Sumela) on the way after Trabzon, before continuing toward Sivas.

59 days ago Sumela Monastery

A comparison of the two options from a participant's acquaintance who drove it (relayed in August 2026): almost everyone goes via the Sarpi crossing — there are more towns and villages along the way, so it is less monotonous. She returned via Erzurum and the Vale crossing: the road right before the checkpoint was bad because of roadworks, and the route itself goes through the mountains — switchbacks, hardly any settlements, and it feels very long.

60 days ago Sarpi crossing / Vale crossing — Erzurum