There appeared to be no better way, was there? "Appeared" is in the past tense and "way" is a singular noun; you must match the "question tag" to both the verb's tense and the noun form. In this case, that tag is "is" and the singular, past tense form of "is" is "was."

There appeared to be no better way, DID there?

There appeared to be no better way, are there?