In this article we explain most of the ways you can get from Dalaman Airport to Ölüdeniz, Fethiye, Marmaris, Kalkan and beyond.
If you are going on holiday to Fethiye, Ölüdeniz, Marmaris, Dalyan, Kalkan, Kaş or other popular southern Turkish resort you are likely to arrive at Dalaman International Airport.
Dalaman International Airport has no rail links. All transport to and from the airport is by road.
So if you are on a DIY holiday, have arrived by no frills airline, package holiday or visiting friends and family under your own steam your options to get to and from the airport are as follows:
Dalaman Airport Car Hire
You can hire a car at the airport or pre-book from one of the many companies represented on the internet. Prices vary depending on time of the year and the type of vehicle you want.
Car hire is convenient and one of the quickest ways to get to your holiday destination and good value for 4 people travelling.
Many of the hire companies will pick you up from the airport and drop you to your accommodation if you ask in advance (Dalaman only) which saves stress if you are driving in Turkey for the first time, are tired after a long journey or have had a drink on the flight.
However, always check with the company that they are able to collect you at the airport as restrictions operate from time to time.
Most companies operate on an empty to empty fuel tank system. So when you pick up your vehicle the first task you will have will be to fill up with fuel.
There is a fuel station a couple of km’s outside the airport on the exit road so that is the first and easiest place to fill up.
All fuel stations in Turkey are attended so just say the attendant ‘full’ and they will know what you want, most speak the essential English words.
Payment can be made by cash or international credit/debit card with chip and pin.
Travelling to Fethiye, Ölüdeniz, Çalış, Kalkan, Kaş or beyond
IMPORTANT – If you are travelling to Gocek, Fethiye, Oludeniz, Kalkan or other resorts to the south you will need to drive through the Göcek Tunnel. Make sure you have some Turkish Lira to pay the toll – 5 TL as at June 2017 – each way.
Later this year (2017) the free second tunnel should open up but a one way system is likely to operate so it will be free one way but not both. Well that’s the word on the street at the moment but that could change.
Dalaman Airport Taxi (or Taksi in Turkish)
Official Yellow taxis operate to and from the international terminal.
The taxi rank is located just outside the arrivals lounge and a man in a booth will guide you to the first available vehicle.
Taking a taxi is great for ‘walk ins’ who just turn up and want to get on their way. Fees are posted on a board by the taxi rank and are also available on the Dalaman Airport website.
The fares quoted show a fee of around £55 one way from Dalaman to Fethiye town and Marmaris. However, fares do vary depending on the exact location of your resort and fuel price vary so always ask and agree a price up front before departing.
You may be able to negotiate the price lower if you ask – you are now in the land of negotiation…….don’t be shy, nothing ventured nothing gained and a whole lot of money to be saved!
Dalaman Airport Taxi Tips
Always take detailed directions/map of where you are staying with you to guide the driver as most don’t have a clue where places are.
If you’re on a tight budget and you’re travelling in a party of two or less try and find someone who is going to the same resort. That way you can half the cost by sharing the fare.
The prices of taxis are listed in £’s, Euro’s and US Dollars. Watch out for the conversion hustle and ask how much the fare will be in Turkish Lira. We have also noted that the fare listed in US Dollars is a little bit cheaper than those listed in the other currencies so try to negotiate on that price.
When it comes to paying drivers they will generally say they are unable to give you the correct change. You may be happy to round the fare up but if not ask that the driver to go and get some change from the local shop.
Dalaman Airport Fly Transfer
The next option is the fly transfer.
Airlines such as Thomas Cook offer a transfer on one of their package tour coaches when you book a ‘flight only’.
Prices start from around £15 one-way for the trip between Dalaman and Fethiye. This option is a bit limited as the service only goes to the main resorts/hotels.
If your place is off the beaten track you might need to take a taxi to take you on to your final destination which will ramp up your total costs.
Dalaman Airport Private Transfer
Many companies operate private transfers to and from the airport but these MUST be pre-booked.
Most vehicles are modern, air-conditioned and large enough to take a large family and their entire luggage. Service is door to door.
Prices start from around £30 one way for up to 3 people from Dalaman to Fethiye. Add extra if going to Ölüdeniz.
Private Transfer Tips
Legal? – It is very important to check that the transfer company you are booking with is a fully licenced operator. If the company you use doesn’t have the correct credentials they may be refused entry to the airport and you’ll be left stranded.
Price is too Cheap – Watch out when searching the internet for a private transfer when the price is TOO low compared with others. It could be too good to be true and the lift will never turn up!
Fixed Price and Extras – Check too that the price is not a fixed one based on x persons sharing, has hidden extras or will only drop off in a central location rather than at your hotel or villa rental.
Reliability – There is nothing more stressful than waiting around for a transfer that is late or does not turn up especially on your homeward leg when you have a flight to catch. So, search the internet for reliability reports for your transfer company.
Be Prepared – Get hold of a 24 hour contact so you can talk to someone if your transfer is late, and arrange a backup so you don’t miss your flight.
As with the taxi tips above always take detailed directions or a map with you to guide the driver.
Dalaman Airport Public Transport
The regional council run a bus between Dalaman Airport and Fethiye every day. The fare was 7.50 TL one-way – check for latest prices.
The timetable varies depending on the season.
Dalaman Airport Other Bus Service – The Havaş
Not public transport but the prices are keen if you are a couple or individual. The official airport bus for passengers of Turkish Airlines (THY) and other domestic flights is run by Havaş.
Anyone can use their service. It picks up at the domestic terminal and the international terminal. It waits first of all at the Dalaman Airport Domestic terminal and then drives round to the Dalaman Airport International side where it waits near to the taxi rank behind the Individual ‘Meet and Greet’ canopies. The service runs all year.
The bus departures are timed with the arrival of domestic flights. There are flights more or less throughout the day so it is pretty good coverage in the summer season.
Be warned you may also have a lengthy waiting time if you arrive outside normal times.
Click here for the Havaş bus timetable
The ticket price is 15 TL to Fethiye and 17.50 TL to Marmaris per person as at June 2017.
However, prices may increase in the summer months to 20 TL to 25 TL.
The driver will drop you anywhere along the bus route but will not deviate off it.
So this option is fine if travelling into the towns but a further bus (dolmuş) or taxi would be required to get to out-lying resorts.
The route does have some official stops including Göcek, Inlice, Yanıklar and Çiftlik.
The Fethiye route is – Fethiye Intercity Bus Terminal, Adnan Menderes Boulevard, Günlükbaşı, Göcek, Dalaman and Airport.
Further details here
Dalaman Airport Taxi / Bus
Public buses do not operate from the airport. The nearest bus station (Otogar in Turkish) is on the main road outside of Dalaman town and is a 15 minute taxi ride away. From the bus station you can catch one of the regular buses to Fethiye and other destinations.
Ask the taxi driver for the Otogar and then take a bus to Fethiye – a 60 minute journey or Marmaris around one and half hours depending on the driver.
Make sure the taxi driver puts the meter on or negotiate the fee.
You will need nerves of steel to resist his sales pitch to bring you all the way to Fethiye – he will ask where you are going and try to persuade you to hire him.
Journey will cost around 40 TL depending on traffic to the bus station. However, fares are double that between midnight and 6am.
Dalaman bus station
At the Dalaman bus station, which is on the outer edge of town not in the centre, get a tea and wait for next bus to Fethiye.
They come through 24 hours a day – We have done this several times and never waited more than half an hour. There is nearly always tea and food available at the bus station but grab something en-route just to be safe.
The bus takes about 45 minutes to Fethiye bus station and the views en route are wonderful during the day.
Costs around less than 40 TL depending on the bus company used. If you are going out to the airport just reverse the journey. Buses leave Fethiye Otogar for Dalaman and beyond, 24 hours a day.
You can buy your ticket in advance and, once you get out at Dalaman Otogar, there will always be a taxi to take you to the airport. Cost:30-40TL one way.
Dalaman Airport Alternatives for the Adventurous
Hitch Hike
Hitch-hike to the bus station as some of the on-airport workers do. Be careful though as some people who have been picked up have demanded a fee for their their journey by drivers!
Bike It
Got a folding bike? Bring it with you and ride out to the bus station! The road is flat all the way to the bus station. Let the bus take the strain of getting you on to Fethiye or Marmaris.
And Finally….
Friends and Accommodation
This is the best and potentially cheapest option. Even with the Gocek tunnel toll (10TL return), parking at Dalaman (minimum 15 TL) and some of the most expensive fuel charges in the world, it is still the cheapest and easiest option if you have friends who live in the area and are able and willing to pick you up.
Some accommodation providers will include the price of a transfer in your deal. Check when booking.
Have a safe trip.
The post Getting from Dalaman Airport to Your Turkish Holiday Destination appeared first on Fethiye Times.