Antalya Airport→Myra

Myra is not a beach resort, and that is part of its charm. It is an ancient Lycian city that sits inside the working town of Demre, about 140 kilometres west of Antalya Airport. The transfer takes roughly 120 minutes, and most of that time is spent on the coast road that links the Antalya area to the quieter western end of the Turkish Riviera. With Turkey Transfer, one driver and one private car take you from the arrivals hall to the door of your hotel or guesthouse in Demre, without a change of vehicle and without a queue at the taxi rank.

This page explains what the journey is like, how arrival and drop-off work, which parts of Demre and the surrounding coast suit which kind of traveller, and how to plan your return to the airport. If you are still deciding whether Myra is worth the long ride from Antalya, the short answer is yes. Few places on this coast put rock-cut tombs, a Roman theatre and the story of Saint Nicholas within a few minutes of each other.

The distance is 140 kilometres and the usual driving time is about 120 minutes. That figure assumes normal traffic and no long stops. Think of it as a proper road journey rather than a hop to a nearby resort, and plan your first evening with that in mind.

The route follows the main coastal road west of Antalya. Early on you pass the turn-offs for Kemer and the pine-covered shoreline of the Beydağları range. This is the stretch that most holidaymakers know from postcards. The Taurus mountains rise on one side, and the sea shows itself in flashes between the trees on the other. Pine forests, citrus groves and small ancient sites appear one after another along this coast. Phaselis, an old Lycian harbour town, lies beside the road near Tekirova.

Further on, the landscape opens out and the pace of the road changes. The big resort clusters fall behind you. You pass the area around Kumluca, where the plain is covered with greenhouses, and then the orange groves around Finike. Finike has a marina, and the fruit is part of the local identity. After Finike the road continues along the coast and then turns toward the Demre plain.

Here the scenery changes once more. Demre sits on a fertile plain a few kilometres inland rather than directly on the sea. The plain is covered in plastic-roofed greenhouses, because Demre is one of Turkey's best-known tomato-growing districts. The first sight of Myra is therefore unusual. You come out of a sea of polytunnels and find tombs cut into a cliff behind the town.

Under normal conditions the drive takes about 120 minutes. Two things can stretch it.

The first is the summer season. From late spring through the early autumn, the coast road carries holiday traffic, tour coaches and local trucks. Greenhouse produce leaves Demre and the Kumluca plain by road, so slow lorries can appear at any time of year. On a busy summer afternoon, expect the journey to take longer than the base figure.

The second is the time of day. Many flights land in the late afternoon and evening, and arrivals from several flights can reach the road at once. Early morning and the middle of the night are usually the quietest. The road itself is the same, but there are fewer vehicles on it.

Your driver knows the road and the local habits on it. We track your flight, so the pickup is timed to the real landing time and not to the timetable. A delayed aircraft does not leave you waiting for a driver who set off too early, and an early arrival does not catch him unprepared.

Antalya Airport has two international terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The terminal depends on your airline. Check your booking or ask us if you are not sure, and we will confirm the meeting point with you.

When you come out of baggage reclaim, your driver is waiting in the arrivals hall with a name sign. He helps with your luggage and walks you to the car. You do not need to find an exit, compare vehicles or negotiate with anyone.

Waiting time at arrivals is included, so you can take your time at passport control and the baggage belt. Long queues at immigration are common on busy days. A driver who is already inside the hall, and who knows your actual landing time, makes the start of the trip much easier. You get a clean, air-conditioned car for a long coastal ride, and you can settle in immediately.

If you travel with children, tell us their ages when you book. Child seats are available on request, and the driver installs the right one before you set off. This matters on a 120-minute journey, and it is much easier to arrange in advance than at the kerb.

Demre is a compact town. The centre has shops, cafés, a market and local restaurants, and the ancient sites are a short ride from most places to stay. Many guesthouses and hotels are in or near the town centre, and others are on the road toward the coast. Give us the exact name and address of your accommodation when you book. A few small places sit on narrow streets or at the end of rural lanes. If the car cannot reach the door, the driver will stop as close as possible and help with the luggage.

Because the drive is long, many guests arrive in the evening. Check with your hotel about late check-in before you travel. In a smaller town, the reception desk may close earlier than it would in a large resort, and it is better to confirm the arrival time ahead of your flight.

Myra was one of the leading cities of ancient Lycia, a region of independent cities along this coast. Today its ruins lie in the middle of Demre, which is why the sights are so easy to visit. You do not need a long excursion. After you arrive and rest, a short taxi ride takes you to the main sites.

The best-known image of Myra is the cliff with its rock-cut tombs. Dozens of tombs are carved into the rock face, and many of them are shaped like the fronts of houses. Some still show faint relief carvings. Together they look like a city of the dead stacked up the hillside.

The site has two main groups, the river necropolis and the sea necropolis. They sit close to each other. Allow time to look up at the facades, because the detail is easiest to appreciate when you stand back. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to go. The stone looks warmer and the heat is less harsh in summer.

Directly below the tombs stands the Roman theatre. It is one of the best preserved on the Lycian coast. Much of the stage building is still standing, and most of the seating is intact. Carved masks and reliefs are scattered around the stage wall. Walk up through the seating rows and look back across the plain. The mix of ancient stone and modern greenhouses gives you a clear sense of the place.

A few minutes from the theatre, in the middle of Demre, stands the Church of Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas served as bishop of Myra in the 4th century and is the historical figure behind the legend of Santa Claus. The Byzantine church was built where he lived and served, and it is the reason many pilgrims and curious visitors travel here.

Traces of Byzantine frescoes are still visible inside. The site is small and easy to see in a short visit, and it works well after the tombs and the theatre. Most visitors combine all three places in one loop.

Entry to the Myra ruins and to the church both need separate tickets. The Museum Pass is accepted at both. Check the current ticket arrangements before you go.

About five kilometres from the town centre lies Andriake, Myra's ancient port. The huge granary built in the time of Emperor Hadrian stands here. It now houses the Lycian Civilisations Museum, which gives useful context on the wider region. If you want to understand how a city like Myra worked, this is a good place to start.

Right beside the harbour area, where the river meets the sea, is Çayağzı Beach. It is quiet and uncrowded, with the Beydağları mountains behind it. Loggerhead turtles nest along this shoreline in summer, so evening visits call for respect. Keep lights low and keep your distance from any nests.

Demre is not a single-resort town, and that shapes how you choose a place to stay. The main options are the town centre, the area near the ancient sites, the harbour and beach zone around Çayağzı, and the villages along the nearby coast.

Demre town centre. This suits travellers who want to walk to the Church of Saint Nicholas, find local restaurants and see everyday Turkish life. It is practical for short stays and for anyone who plans to spend most of the time visiting ruins. Evenings are quiet, and the pace is local.

Near the Myra ruins. This suits visitors whose main goal is the tombs and the theatre. You can reach them quickly in the morning, before the heat builds. Expect few nightlife options.

Çayağzı and the coast near Andriake. This suits people who want a beach and a calm setting. The shoreline is uncrowded, the mountains frame it, and it is only a short ride from the museum and harbour. It is a good choice for those who want sea and history in the same trip.

Üçağız and Kaleköy. These villages lie about twenty to twenty-five minutes from Demre by taxi. Boats leave from here for the sunken city of Kekova and the castle at Simena. They suit travellers who want a boat day as the centre of the holiday, and who prefer a small, quiet base to a town.

Kaş and Finike as bases. Kaş is around forty-five minutes west and is known for diving and its relaxed cafés. Finike is about fifteen minutes east and has a marina. If you plan to see Myra only as a day trip, these towns can be an alternative base, and we can plan the transfer to match.

Myra's main attraction is history, not a long stretch of sand. Çayağzı Beach is the most convenient place to swim, and the setting is peaceful. For a more complete beach holiday, many visitors choose the coast near Kekova or Kaş and treat Myra as a stop on the way.

The landmarks cluster closely. The tombs and the theatre are next to each other, the church is nearby, and the harbour and museum are a short drive away. This compact layout is a strength. You can see the main places in a single day and still have time to rest.

If you like walking, a branch of the Lycian Way footpath runs through the area. It is a draw for hikers, and a good reason to bring comfortable shoes. Public transport around Demre is limited, so most visitors rely on taxis or rental cars. For short hops between the ruins, the harbour and the beach, a taxi is usually the more practical choice.

Demre is a farming town, and food here follows the land. The tomatoes grown on the plain are a local pride, and you will find them in salads and in home cooking. Citrus from the Finike area adds to the fresh produce you will see in the markets. Menus tend to be simple, honest and local.

Evenings are calm. This is not a destination for late-night clubs. Dinner in the town centre or near the harbour is the main event, followed by a walk. If you want lively nightlife, Kaş has a more social café scene, and it is within a reasonable ride.

Myra suits families who enjoy history and a slower pace. Children often enjoy the theatre, because they can climb the seating rows and explore the stage. The tombs are striking from below. The story of Saint Nicholas gives younger children a hook, especially if you travel close to the winter holidays.

The transfer is the harder part for small children because it is long. Pack water and snacks, and ask for a short break halfway if the group wants one. Çayağzı Beach is a good fit for a relaxed family afternoon, but supervise children near the water and respect the turtle nesting area in summer. Midday heat in July and August can be hard on young children, so go to the ruins early or late in the day.

Many flights arrive late at night. Because we track your flight, your driver is ready at the real landing time, even if the aircraft is hours late. The roads are quieter at night, and the trip is calm. You arrive in Demre at a late hour, so confirm with your accommodation that someone will be there to receive you.

For an early-morning departure, you need to leave Demre in the middle of the night. This is the case for many flights home. Work back from your departure time. Allow the 120-minute drive, extra time for the check-in your airline requires, and a safety margin. Most airlines ask passengers to arrive at the airport two to three hours before an international departure. For a morning flight, that can mean leaving your accommodation before dawn.

Tell your hotel in advance that you will leave very early. Some places can prepare a simple breakfast box or settle the bill the evening before. Pack the night before, and keep passports and boarding passes in your hand luggage.

The return journey is the same road in reverse: 140 kilometres, with a usual driving time of about 120 minutes. Plan for the departure, not only for the drive.

A simple way to work out your pickup time is to start with your flight time and subtract three things. First, subtract the time your airline asks you to be at the airport. Second, subtract the 120-minute drive. Third, add a buffer for traffic, a short stop and any delay at the hotel. The result is the time your driver should be at your door.

In the busy season, add extra buffer. Holiday traffic, slow lorries and roadworks can lengthen the trip. Midday and late afternoon on summer weekends tend to be heavier than early morning. If you have a tight connection or a flight in the middle of the day, be more cautious with the timing.

If your plans change, contact us as early as you can. We will adjust the pickup around your new flight time.

Myra sits in the middle of the richest stretch of the Lycian coast, so it works well as a base for short excursions.

Kekova and Simena. Boats from Üçağız and Kaleköy run to the sunken city of Kekova. Half-submerged ruins of an earthquake-struck Lycian town lie in the clear water. Simena, with its castle, rises above the village of Kaleköy. Most visitors pair this trip with Myra. Start early, because the boats are most pleasant in the morning.

Kaş. About forty-five minutes to the west, Kaş is known for diving and relaxed cafés. It makes a good evening out or a half-day of strolling. Combine it with a swim.

Andriake and Çayağzı. These are the easiest additions to your Myra visit. The museum, granary and quiet beach are close enough to fit into the same day as the main ruins.

Lycian Way sections. For hikers, short sections of the footpath near Demre allow a half-day walk. Wear sturdy shoes, carry water and avoid the hottest hours.

We can arrange the car for onward travel if you want to continue along the coast after Myra. Tell us the plan when you book.

The best window is April through November. Mediterranean weather means a long sunny season. Summers are hot, often above 35 degrees, while winters are mild. Sea temperatures are at their best in the warmer months, and the sea season runs from April to November.

Spring (April to May). Temperatures are comfortable for walking around the ruins. The plain is green, and the coast is quieter than in summer. This is an excellent time for sightseeing and the Lycian Way.

Summer (June to August). Hot, bright and busy. Visit the ruins early or late in the day, drink plenty of water and use the beach in the afternoon. Boat trips to Kekova are popular, so book early. The coast road carries more traffic, and the journey from the airport may take longer.

Autumn (September to November). The sea is still warm and the heat has eased. Many travellers consider this the most pleasant period for combining history, swimming and walking. Crowds thin out, and the light is soft.

Winter (December to March). The weather is mild, but the sea is too cool for most swimmers and some seasonal services reduce their hours. It is a good time for travellers who come mainly for the ruins and for Saint Nicholas, especially around his feast on 6 December. Pack a light jacket, and check opening arrangements before you go.

Yes. Myra is the ancient Lycian city, and the modern town built around the site is Demre, sometimes written Kale. Your transfer takes you to your hotel or address in Demre, close to the tombs, the theatre and the Church of Saint Nicholas.

The distance is 140 kilometres and the usual driving time is about 120 minutes. Summer traffic, slow lorries and stops can make it longer, so allow some margin, especially before a flight home.

We track your flight number, so the driver knows the real landing time and adjusts the pickup. You do not need to call to tell us about a delay.

Many guests combine Myra with the Andriake harbour or a Kekova boat trip. Tell us your plans when you book, and we can arrange a route or extra stops that suit your group.

Yes. Child seats are available on request. Tell us the age of each child when you book, so that the right seat is in the car when you arrive.

Start with the time your airline asks you to be at the airport, then subtract the 120-minute drive and add a buffer for traffic. In summer, leave extra time. If you are unsure, ask us and we will help you plan the pickup.