Dalaman Airport→Dalyan

Landing at Dalaman Airport (DLM) and heading for Dalyan is one of the gentler arrivals on the Turkish coast. The distance is about 30 km and the drive takes about 35 minutes. That is short enough that you can be standing on a riverside terrace before your first coffee has gone cold.

With Turkey Transfer, a driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign, helps with your luggage and takes you directly to your hotel or villa. The vehicle is booked for your party alone, so there are no other hotel stops and no waiting for a shuttle to fill up.

This page covers the drive itself, what happens when you arrive, the different parts of Dalyan and who each one suits, the sights on and around the river, food and evenings, travelling with children, late and early flights, the trip back to the airport, day trips and the seasons.

Dalaman Airport sits on the flat delta plain at the mouth of the Dalaman River. It is a compact airport, and the walk from the aircraft to the arrivals hall is usually short. Your driver tracks your flight, so if the plane lands early or late the pickup follows it, and you are not left standing at the kerb.

Once your bags are in the car, you leave the airport grounds and join the main coastal road that links this part of Muğla province with Fethiye in one direction and Marmaris in the other. Dalyan lies to the south-east, and the route cuts across the plain rather than following the coast.

The first part of the journey is the least dramatic and the most typical of this corner of Turkey. The land is flat and green, with irrigated fields, greenhouses and, in the right season, the citrus orchards for which the Dalaman plain is well known. Ortaca, the district town that Dalyan belongs to, lies on the way, and you will pass the kind of ordinary Turkish roadside scenery that tourists in the big resorts rarely see: tractors, fruit stalls, small workshops, minibuses collecting commuters.

After Ortaca the road turns toward the river and the landscape changes. The pine-covered hills close in on one side, reed beds and water channels appear on the other, and the pace of traffic slows. Dalyan has no motorway approach and no tunnel, only a straightforward road that gets quieter with every kilometre. The last stretch brings you down to the waterfront, where the first sight of the river, the moored boats and the cliff on the far bank usually makes the passengers stop talking about the flight.

The journey is about 30 km and takes about 35 minutes in normal conditions. That is the figure to plan around.

• Typical times. Early morning, mid-afternoon and late evening are the easiest. The road is open and the journey runs to the 35 minutes quoted above.
• Busier times. In July and August the roads around Ortaca carry more traffic, with holidaymakers, delivery lorries and local commuters sharing them. Expect the journey to feel a little slower at the end of the day and around the main weekend changeover times.
• Slow patches. The last approach into the centre of Dalyan is where you are most likely to meet a queue in high season, because the riverside streets are narrow and hotels receive guests at the same time.

None of this changes the plan. If you tell us your hotel name when booking, the driver chooses the best way in for the day.

Dalyan is small, and most of the accommodation sits either in or close to the centre, along the river, or on the quieter lanes behind it. Your driver goes to the entrance of your hotel or villa, not to the nearest bus stop or a general drop-off point, and helps carry the bags to reception.

Some lanes in the old part of town are narrow, and a few villas sit up small hills or down side streets. In those cases the driver drives as close as the road allows and tells you the last few metres. Please give us the exact name and, if you can, the address or a map pin of a private villa, as that is the detail that saves the most time on the day.

Many hotels in the area do not give rooms until the afternoon. If you land in the morning, you will probably arrive before your room is ready. That is not a problem in Dalyan, because the town gives you something to do the moment you step out of the car: leave the bags at reception, walk to the riverside, and have breakfast or lunch while the room is prepared. If you land in the late afternoon or evening, the check-in desk will be ready and you can go straight to your room.

Dalyan is a compact town, but where you sleep still changes how the holiday feels. Because every transfer ends at your own door, the choice of area is yours to make freely.

The centre of Dalyan is built around the river. Restaurants line the water, small boats shuttle back and forth, and a riverside promenade is the natural place for an evening walk. If you want to leave the hotel and be in a restaurant within two minutes, stay here. It suits couples, groups of friends and first-time visitors who want everything on foot. The trade-off is some noise in the evening from the restaurants and the passing boats.

A few minutes away from the water, the streets are calmer, and many family-run hotels and pensions have pools and gardens. These are the places for travellers who like a quiet night and are happy to walk five to ten minutes to the river. Families with young children often prefer this part, because the pool becomes the base for the day.

Some properties sit along the river upstream or on the slopes around the town. They offer more space and a more rural outlook, at the cost of needing a short drive or a taxi to the centre in the evening. These suit people who plan to rest, read and watch the river rather than spend every evening in town. We regularly take guests to BC Spa Hotel, Aktaş Hotel, Alya Hotel, Aydos Club and Basar otel, and the same door-to-door drop-off applies wherever you stay.

Dalyan also has private villas and apartments, which suit families and larger groups. Because these are often on small lanes, send us the exact address or map pin when you book.

The view that defines Dalyan is the row of Lycian rock tombs cut directly into the cliff face on the far side of the river. They have temple-like fronts and sit high above the water, and they are lit gold at sunset. You can see them from the riverside in town, but the best view is from a boat on the water, when the cliff rises above you and the reeds sway in front.

The river is the main street of Dalyan. It links Köyceğiz Lake with the Mediterranean, and small boats carry visitors along it all day. A boat trip is the standard way to see the main sights, and a trip passes the tombs, the reed beds and the ruins at a calm pace. The journey is slow and quiet, so it works for all ages.

Across the river lie the ruins of Kaunos, an ancient city with a theatre and the remains of a harbour. You reach it by taking a short taxi ride to the jetty and then a small boat across the water. The setting, among reeds and hills, is as much a part of the visit as the stones themselves.

Dalyan's sulphur mud baths and hot springs are about 10 to 15 minutes from the centre by taxi. Most people go for a couple of hours: you cover yourself in mud, let it dry in the sun, rinse in the pool and then float in the warm water. Bring a towel and swimwear you do not mind getting dirty.

Iztuzu, better known locally as Turtle Beach, is a long sandbar of about 4.5 km that separates the sea from the river delta. It is a protected nesting site for loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). A taxi from the centre reaches the car park in around 15 to 20 minutes. The beach is wild and open compared with the big resort beaches, and the sand is wide enough that you can find space even on a busy day.

Because turtles nest here, some rules apply, especially in the summer nesting months. Please follow the signs and the instructions of the staff on the beach. Keep away from marked nests, avoid bright lights at night and leave nothing behind.

Dalyan is a good place to eat well without spending heavily. Restaurants along the river serve fresh fish, grilled meats and a wide spread of meze, and the town is known for its blue crab. Menus change with the day's catch, so ask the waiter what came in that morning. Vegetarian travellers will find plenty of choice among the meze and the dishes made with local vegetables.

A typical evening begins with a walk along the water as the tombs turn gold on the cliff, followed by dinner at a table by the river. The mood is relaxed. There are bars and cafés, but no all-night strip, and that suits the people who choose Dalyan.

Dalyan has a weekly local market, and it is worth planning one morning around it. You can buy fruit, vegetables, olives, spices and simple clothing, and see how the people of the area shop. Check with your hotel for the market day, since it can change.

Dalyan suits families because most of what there is to do is slow, outdoors and close together.

• Boat trips. Children usually enjoy the river boats, the reeds and the chance to see wildlife. Life jackets are a question for the boat operator, so ask when you board.
• The mud baths. Older children often love the mud. Take a change of clothes and a towel.
• Iztuzu Beach. The sand is gentle, and the combination of river lagoon and sea gives choices. Check the conditions on the day before letting small children swim.
• Pools. Many hotels in the area have pools, so there is always a fallback if the day's plan falls through.

Please tell us when you book if you are travelling with children, and ask for the child seat you need. Child seats are available on request. Give us the age and weight of each child, so the right seat is in the vehicle when you land.

Dalaman Airport receives flights at all hours during the season, and many holiday flights land in the evening or night.

If your flight lands late, nothing changes about the pickup. Your driver tracks the flight and is in the arrivals hall when you come through. After a delayed landing, passport control and baggage collection, the driver waits for you.

Tell your hotel that you will arrive late. Reception in small hotels is not always staffed in the small hours, and a short message in advance helps your room be ready. After a night arrival, the 35 minutes through quiet roads is a gentle way to end a long travel day.

For an early-morning flight, the return pickup is early too. Plan the time with your driver in advance, and ask the hotel to prepare an early breakfast box if they can. Pack the night before, settle any bills at reception and keep passports and boarding passes where you can reach them.

The trip back to the airport follows the same 30 km route in the other direction, and takes about 35 minutes. As this is a departure journey, the timing matters more than on arrival.

Start from your flight time and work backwards. For an international flight, most travellers aim to reach the terminal about three hours before departure. Add the 35 minutes of driving time, and then add a margin for the day: heavier traffic in July and August, a slow start from the hotel, a last coffee. In practice, this puts your pickup at roughly three and a half to four hours before your flight. Your driver can suggest the exact time when you confirm the pickup.

On the morning of departure, be ready in the lobby at the agreed time with your bags. If you want to stay longer after checkout, tell the driver in advance and we will plan the pickup around it. For a villa on a small lane, agree on the meeting point the day before.

The driver takes you to the departures area. From there, you go through check-in, baggage drop, security and passport control. Allow time for each of them, as queues vary during the summer season. Have your documents ready and keep liquids and electronics where you can reach them.

Dalyan is a good base for exploring this part of the coast. The following are all within reach.

The town of Köyceğiz lies on the shore of the lake that feeds the river. It has a quieter and more local feel than Dalyan, with lakeside cafés and a calm waterfront. The lake and its wooded shores make it a restful place for an afternoon.

Sarıgerme is known for its long sandy beach and a relaxed holiday atmosphere. It is a natural day out for people who want a classic beach day with sunbeds and calm shallow water, rather than the wild sand of Iztuzu.

Göcek, on the Gulf of Fethiye, is a marina town with a yachting atmosphere, good for boat days and an evening of shopping and dining. It is the other direction from Dalyan, close to the airport road.

Fethiye is the main town on the coast to the east, and from there you can continue to Ölüdeniz and its famous lagoon. These are longer outings, so plan a full day and agree on the schedule with your driver.

Marmaris lies to the west of Köyceğiz and is a bigger resort town with a harbour and a lively waterfront. A transfer from Dalyan to Marmaris is a straightforward way to move on if you are touring the region.

Spring brings warm days, green hills and fewer visitors. May and June are especially pleasant, with comfortable temperatures for walking in Kaunos and for boat trips. The sea is still fresh in early spring. It is a good time for people who prefer sightseeing to long beach days.

Summer is hot, and that is when the river, the pool and the beach make the most sense. The town is at its busiest, the restaurants are full and the evenings are long. Book transfers early, and expect traffic to be heavier on the road from the airport. Plan outings for the morning or the late afternoon, and rest in the middle of the day.

Autumn is a favourite of many regulars. The sea is still warm, the crowds thin out and the light on the river is soft. September and October offer the same sights as summer in a calmer setting. It is also a good moment to see the river at a slower pace.

In winter Dalyan is quiet. Some businesses close or reduce their schedules, and boat trips run less often. The area is green and peaceful, and it suits travellers who want a low-key stay. Check with your hotel what is open before you travel.

The loggerhead turtles nest on Iztuzu during the summer months. If you visit then, follow the rules on the beach. The turtles are a reason to treat the beach with care, and many visitors count a quiet look at the sand in the early morning as one of the best parts of the trip.

Dalyan is not on the usual resort-bus circuits, and a shared shuttle serving several hotels along the coast may include other stops and a longer wait. A private transfer is direct. The vehicle is reserved for your party, the driver is waiting when you land, and the route ends at your hotel entrance.

For a 35-minute journey, that matters. A shared service could easily double the time in the vehicle. A private ride lets you arrive at the river while the afternoon light is still on the tombs.

• Your flight number and arrival date, so the driver can follow the flight.
• The name of your hotel, and the address or map pin if it is a private villa.
• The number of passengers and the amount of luggage.
• Any child seat you need, with the age and weight of the child.
• A mobile number you can be reached on while you travel.

How long is the transfer from Dalaman Airport to Dalyan? The distance is about 30 km and the drive takes about 35 minutes.

Can you continue to Köyceğiz or Sarıgerme? Yes. We cover the whole Dalaman region, so you can ask for a drop-off at the lake or on the coast.

What if my flight is delayed? We track your flight, and the pickup adjusts to your actual arrival time.

Will the driver take me to my hotel door? Yes. The driver goes to your hotel or villa entrance, as far as the road allows, and helps with the bags.

Can I book the return trip to the airport at the same time? Yes. Give us your departure flight and hotel, and we will plan the pickup time with you.

Do you carry child seats? Child seats are available on request. Tell us the age and weight of each child when you book.

Is Dalyan a good base for day trips? Yes. Köyceğiz, Sarıgerme, Göcek, Fethiye and Marmaris can all be reached by road, and the river sights are on the doorstep.

Dalyan rewards a slow start. The airport is only 30 km away, the drive takes about 35 minutes, and the river, the tombs and the turtle beach are waiting at the end of it. A private transfer with Turkey Transfer removes the planning from the arrival, so the first thing you do in Dalyan is look at the view.