Göreme itself is small enough to walk in fifteen minutes end to end. The challenge is reaching the other sights in the region.
On foot: The valleys immediately surrounding Göreme — Pigeon Valley, Rose Valley, Red Valley, Love Valley — are all accessible on foot without transport. Most walks are well signposted and take 2–4 hours. Wear proper shoes; the paths are rocky and uneven.
Dolmuş (shared minibus): A network of dolmuş routes connects Göreme to Uçhisar, Avanos, Ürgüp, Çavuşin, and Nevşehir. Fares are cheap (15–25 TL per leg). The main stop is at the otogar at the bottom of town. Services are frequent in the morning but thin out after midday; check times before relying on them for a long day trip.
Rental scooter or ATV: Several agencies near the otogar rent scooters and ATVs by the half or full day. ATVs are popular for reaching viewpoints around the valleys, though they are slow and noisy. Scooters are more practical for reaching Avanos or Ürgüp. A Turkish driving licence or international permit is technically required.
Taxi: Göreme has a small taxi rank by the otogar. Agree the price before you get in — fixed rates to the main sites are posted at the rank. A taxi to the Göreme Open-Air Museum runs about 50 TL.
Organised tours: Most hotels can book a full-day minibus tour covering the underground cities (Derinkuyu or Kaymakli), Ihlara Valley, and Selime Monastery for around 25–35 USD including transport. These are efficient if you want to cover ground quickly and don't mind sharing a vehicle.