Dalaman Airport→Kundu

Kundu is a resort world of its own. It sits east of Antalya city, on the stretch of coast that begins where Lara Beach ends and runs on toward the mouth of the Aksu River. This is where the famous themed mega-hotels stand side by side. Some recreate the canals of Venice, the Kremlin, Topkapı Palace and ancient temples. They are surrounded by infinity pools, water parks and all-inclusive dining. Families with children and couples who enjoy a little grand spectacle choose it year after year.

Dalaman Airport (DLM) is on the Turquoise Coast, a long way from this part of the Mediterranean. The road distance to Kundu is 180 km. The drive takes about 189 minutes, which is just over three hours without long stops. Turkey Transfer carries you the whole way in one private vehicle. There is no change at a bus station, no second taxi and no luggage to move between legs. Your driver meets you in arrivals and takes you to the entrance of your themed hotel.

This page describes the journey step by step. It also covers the resort you are heading to, who it suits, what to do around it, and how to plan the return to Dalaman.

Dalaman is not the closest airport to Kundu. Antalya Airport (AYT) is about 18 km from the Kundu strip, a drive of roughly 20 to 30 minutes. Many guests land at Dalaman because that is where their flight, their tour operator or a cheaper fare took them. If that is your case, the transfer is a real journey and deserves some planning.

Compare the options:

• A scheduled bus drops you at Antalya bus station. You must then find onward transport to the Lara and Kundu coast with all your bags. That is a long, multi-leg day after a flight.
• A metered taxi over 180 km becomes expensive, and the total is unknown until the end of the ride.
• A private transfer is arranged before you leave home. The vehicle waits for your flight, the driver holds a sign with your name, and the car stops at your hotel entrance.

With a private transfer you also choose your own pace. If the children are tired, you can take a longer break. If you are in a hurry to reach the pool, the driver goes straight on.

Dalaman has a single terminal, and arrivals are straightforward. After passport control and baggage reclaim, you walk into the arrivals hall. Your driver stands there with a sign showing your name.

We track your flight by its number. If the aircraft lands early or late, the driver adjusts to the new arrival time. There is no extra waiting charge for a delayed flight. After a long flight, a familiar face with your name on a board takes away the first stress of the trip.

The driver helps with suitcases and pushchairs and shows you to the vehicle. Our cars are spacious, clean and air-conditioned. That matters on a summer afternoon, when the car park outside can feel like an oven. Once everyone is seated, the driver sets off for Kundu.

The route between Dalaman and Kundu follows one of the most beautiful coastal drives in southern Turkey. It runs through the old region of Lycia, between the lakes and river valleys near Dalaman and the broad plain around Antalya.

Near the start, the road passes the Köyceğiz Lake area and the river valleys of the Dalaman basin. Then it climbs into pine-covered foothills of the Taurus Mountains. Mountains meet the sea along much of this coast. You see small coves, steep forested slopes and, in clear weather, blue water far below the road. Further on, the land opens out and you descend onto the Antalya plain. A ring road leads past the city to the Lara district and then to Kundu.

How long it takes

The journey is 180 km and about 189 minutes. That is the time of the drive itself. In practice, add time for the following:

• a short comfort or coffee stop, which most guests want on a drive of over three hours
• baggage delay at the airport before the driver can leave
• summer traffic near Antalya, especially on the approaches to the city in the late afternoon

For most guests, door-to-door time is between three and a half and four hours from landing. If your flight is due in the evening, plan for a late hotel arrival. Your hotel reception is staffed at night. Night arrivals are normal in this region, and there is no late-night surcharge for them.

Stops on the way

Because the trip takes more than three hours, your driver is happy to stop at a safe, scenic spot. Tell the driver at the start if you want a stop. You can ask for any of these:

• a coffee and a toilet stop at a roadside rest area
• a short pause at a viewpoint for photographs of the coast and mountains
• a quick stop to buy water or snacks for children

We do not hurry you through these stops. A relaxed start to the holiday is part of what you are buying.

Travelling with children

The drive is long for small children. A few simple steps help:

• Keep snacks, water and a change of clothes within reach, not in the boot.
• Tell us your child's age when you book, so the right child seat is in the car when we arrive.
• Plan one break around the middle of the journey.
• Bring a tablet, a book or a small game for the back seat.

Infant and child seats are available on request, and we do not charge extra for them.

Kundu is not a town with a centre and a main square. It is a long line of large resorts along a wide sandy beach, backed by Turkish red pine forest. The resorts are spread out, and many sit well back from the main road behind gardens and security gates. A taxi driver who does not know the area can lose ten minutes circling for the right gate.

Our drivers know the area. For many hotels, the lobby is a long way from the road, and the drop-off point is not where first-time visitors expect it. Tell us the name of your hotel at booking. Then the driver goes to the correct entrance.

Hotels our drivers visit often include Titanic Beach Lara, Delphin Imperial, Delphin Palace, Nirvana Cosmopolitan and Royal Holiday Palace. We serve most of the major resorts along the strip, not only these.

Early arrival and check-in

Hotel check-in times vary, and an afternoon arrival is usually fine. If you reach the hotel before your room is ready, you can still use the beach, the pools and the restaurants in most all-inclusive resorts. Ask reception about early use of the facilities. Arriving straight at the door after a smooth private transfer saves the first day, even if the room is not ready yet.

Kundu is one of several areas east of Antalya city. Choosing the right one helps you enjoy the stay. The areas are listed here from the city outward.

Lara

Lara is closest to the centre of Antalya. It has a long sandy beach, a mix of large hotels, restaurants and shops outside the hotel gates. It suits guests who want a livelier area and an easy ride into town. Lower Düden Waterfalls are near Lara. The falls tumble into the sea and make a good photo stop, especially toward sunset.

Kundu

Kundu has the biggest and most elaborate resorts. They are famous for their themed architecture and large grounds. The beach is wide, the pine forest gives shade, and the space between resorts makes even a busy season feel less cramped than closer to the city. Many guests here barely leave the hotel grounds. Water parks, multiple pools, evening shows and children's clubs fill the day.

Kundu suits:

• families with children of all ages
• groups of friends or several generations travelling together
• couples who want a large, comfortable all-inclusive base
• anyone who enjoys big, theatrical hotels

It does not suit travellers who want a small, quiet village or a wide choice of independent restaurants within walking distance.

Aksu and beyond

Further east, toward the mouth of the Aksu River, the coast becomes quieter and more open. It is less built up than Lara and has more space between buildings. It suits guests who want fewer crowds.

Other bases in the Antalya area

If you want a different style of holiday, Kaleiçi in the old town and other districts around Antalya give a very different feel. They offer cobbled lanes, small hotels and a harbour. Our drivers can take you to these places too, but the rest of this page assumes you have chosen the resort coast.

The Lara and Kundu coastline has some of the longest uninterrupted sandy beaches near Antalya. The sand is fine, the sea is clear, and the water gets deep gradually in many places. The pine trees behind the beach give shade in the hot part of the day.

Most resorts have their own beach area with sunbeds, umbrellas and a beach bar. Check your hotel's rules for towels, sunbeds and water-sport equipment. Facilities differ from hotel to hotel, so confirm anything important with your hotel before you travel.

Some practical beach advice:

• Go to the beach early in July and August. The sand becomes very hot by midday.
• Use sun cream and a hat, even on cloudy days.
• Watch flags and instructions at the beach if the sea is rough.
• Keep sandals on the sand in the afternoon.

You can have a full holiday without leaving your resort. Still, there are interesting places a short ride away. We run all of these as simple taxi trips. They can be one way, or a round trip with waiting time if you want the driver to bring you back.

• Lower Düden Waterfalls. Freshwater falls that drop straight into the sea near Lara. The trip is short and the falls are especially nice toward sunset.
• Antalya Aquarium. One of the longest tunnel aquariums in the world. It is a strong choice for families with children. The ride from Kundu is roughly 20 to 25 minutes.
• Kaleiçi and the harbour. Antalya's old town has cobbled lanes, Hadrian's Gate, old Ottoman houses and the fluted minaret. It is about half an hour from Kundu. Go in the evening for cooler air and soft light.
• Aspendos. One of the best-preserved Roman theatres anywhere, still used for performances today. It is further out, around 40 to 45 minutes, and makes an easy day trip.
• Land of Legends. A large theme park in the Antalya area, popular with children and teenagers.
• TerraCity and Mall of Antalya. The two most popular malls for shopping, a change of scene or a meal outside the hotel buffet.

For longer days out, you can ask about other places in the Antalya region, such as Perge, Side, the Manavgat waterfall and the Köprülü Canyon area. Tell us what you want to see, and we will discuss the timing with you.

All-inclusive hotels in Kundu provide breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Most also offer à la carte restaurants, which often need a reservation. Ask reception how this works when you check in.

If you want to eat outside the resort, take a short taxi ride. Antalya offers many places for Turkish food:

• grilled meat and kebabs
• fresh fish at the harbour
• mezes and salads
• Turkish breakfast with cheese, olives, tomatoes, eggs and bread
• lahmacun and pide, which are thin and thick Turkish flatbreads
• local ice cream and Turkish tea

A trip to Kaleiçi is a popular evening out. The old town is lively after dark, the lanes are lit and the harbour looks its best. It is about half an hour from Kundu. We can arrange a return ride so you do not need to look for a taxi late at night.

Many resorts hold evening shows, live music or children's mini discos. These are the evening highlight for many families and need no travel, because they take place inside the resort.

Kundu is very much a family destination, and the transfer is designed with families in mind.

• Larger minibuses and VIP vehicles carry big groups, pushchairs and extra luggage.
• Infant and child seats are available on request. Tell us the age of each child when you book.
• The driver can adjust the pace of the drive and the number of stops.
• The vehicle is air-conditioned, which helps in summer.

If you travel with grandparents, teenagers and small children together, a larger vehicle is more comfortable than two taxis. Everyone arrives together at the same hotel.

Check your luggage count when you book. Large families often have more cases than they expect. A larger vehicle avoids the problem of bags that do not fit.

Many flights to and from this region land or depart at night or in the early morning. A night transfer is normal business for us and not a special request.

For a late-night arrival, note these points:

• Check the hotel's reception hours before you travel, so staff expect your arrival.
• Tell us your flight number. If the flight is delayed, we track it and the driver waits.
• Keep your hotel's address and phone number ready for the driver.
• Bring a light jacket. The car is air-conditioned and the night air can feel cool after a hot day.

A flight that lands after midnight means a hotel arrival in the small hours. If that is a worry, ask your hotel in advance about a late check-in. You can also request a small breakfast pack for the morning.

For an early-morning departure, plan the pickup time carefully. See the next section.

The return trip is the same distance, 180 km, and takes about 189 minutes. You do not need to hurry in the final hour, but you must leave early enough.

Airlines usually ask international passengers to be at the airport about two to three hours before departure. Check your ticket or your airline's message for the exact time. Then count backwards:

1. Start with your flight departure time.
2. Subtract the check-in time your airline asks for, usually two to three hours.
3. Subtract the drive time of about three hours and nine minutes.
4. Subtract a margin for a coffee stop and traffic, at least 30 to 45 minutes.

For example, suppose your flight leaves at 14:00. If you want to be at the airport by 11:00, you should leave the hotel at around 07:00 to 07:30. For a flight at 06:00, you leave the hotel the evening before, or in the middle of the night. A very early flight means a very early start. Some guests decide to spend the last night closer to the airport instead.

A few practical tips for the return trip:

• Check out of the hotel the evening before if you have an early pickup. Settle your minibar and extras bill in advance.
• Pack passports, tickets and valuables in your hand luggage, not in the boot.
• Ask the hotel to prepare a breakfast box if the dining room opens after your pickup time.
• Tell your driver if you need to stop on the way.

We plan the return transfer with the same comfort as the arrival, and we aim to get you to Dalaman with time to spare before your flight. Give us your flight number, so we can plan the pickup time with you.

Kundu is a good base for exploring Antalya province. Some trips need a full day, and a private car is more comfortable than a crowded coach.

Possible day trips:

• Aspendos for the Roman theatre, then Perge or Side for more ancient ruins
• the Manavgat waterfall and the town of Side, combining history and beach time
• the Köprülü Canyon, a good option for guests who like nature
• Antalya's old town and harbour, with time for a boat trip

Ask your driver for advice on timing. Hot afternoons are tiring at ruins that have little shade. Go early, and rest in the afternoon.

You can also arrange transfers between the hotel and other places in the region, for example to restaurants, the shopping malls or the airport at Antalya.

The weather on this coast is mild in winter and hot in summer. The sea is warm for a long season, and the best weather for beach holidays usually falls between late spring and early autumn.

• Spring. Mild days, green hills and fewer visitors. The sea is still cool, but the sightseeing weather is good.
• Summer. Hot and sunny, with the warmest sea and the busiest resorts. Roads near Antalya are busier. Book the transfer early and plan for heat in the car park and at ruins.
• Autumn. The sea stays warm, crowds thin out and temperatures are comfortable. Many guests find September and October the best months for a resort holiday.
• Winter. Cooler and wetter. Some resort facilities close or run reduced services, so check with your hotel. The mountains on the drive can look dramatic after rain.

The drive itself is safe and comfortable in every season. In heavy rain, the driver takes extra care on mountain roads, which can lengthen the trip slightly. Allow some extra time in winter.

Booking takes a few minutes. You need:

• your arrival date and flight number
• the name of your hotel in Kundu
• the number of passengers and the ages of children
• the amount of luggage

The price is confirmed when you book, so you know what to expect before you travel. After you book, you receive confirmation, and your driver is ready when your flight lands.

Our service includes a meet and greet with a name sign, live flight tracking and a private vehicle for your group alone. Support is available through WhatsApp if you need to change something or have a question about your trip.

A transfer of 180 km and 189 minutes is a real commitment. Choose a driver who knows the roads, the resorts and the hotel entrances. Turkey Transfer gets you from the arrivals hall at Dalaman to the lobby of your themed hotel in Kundu, so the first day of your holiday starts well.