Dalaman Airport Car Rental

Dalaman Airport, in the Dalaman district of Mugla province, is the arrival point for much of south-west Turkey's holiday coast. From here the roads fan out to Gocek, Dalyan, Koycegiz, Fethiye, Oludeniz, Marmaris and, further along the coast, Kas and Kalkan. In summer it handles a large share of the region's international holiday flights.

A Dalaman Airport car rental gives you freedom that a hotel transfer cannot. If you are staying in a villa, travelling with children and suitcases, or want to try a different beach, bay or ancient site every day, a car is usually the easiest way to do it. If you will spend the whole week at one all-inclusive hotel, a transfer may be all you need. Otorento compares offers from independent suppliers serving the airport, from small economy cars and automatics to SUVs and 7-seaters, with the fuel policy and rental terms shown for each. Prices and availability vary with dates, car group and supplier.

Location and getting around

Distances are road distances from the airport, rounded. Expect the upper end of each range, or more, in July and August.

The airport lies close to the D400, the highway that links the Mugla coast with Fethiye and Antalya. Heading east to Fethiye, the Gocek Tunnel between Dalaman and Gocek is a toll tunnel; how the charge is passed on for rental cars is set out in each supplier's terms. Other short hops: Dalaman town is approx. 7 km, Sarigerme beach approx. 18 km, Akyaka approx. 71 km, Kalkan approx. 127 km and the Datca peninsula approx. 166 km.

Taxis, private transfers and shuttle services also run from the terminals. Gocek, Dalyan, Sarigerme and Fethiye are short trips, but Marmaris, Akyaka, Datca, Kas and Kalkan are long enough that a comfortable car and a planned break make a difference. Sarigerme, with its wide sandy beach, is the closest resort and popular with families who want a short first drive. Of Mugla's two big airports, Dalaman is the closer one for Fethiye, Gocek and Dalyan; Milas-Bodrum Airport is the better choice for the Bodrum peninsula.

Picking up your car

Dalaman's domestic and international terminals are separate buildings, so first check which one you are landing at. The pick-up point depends on the supplier you book: a rental desk in the terminal, a meet-and-greet with a name board in arrivals, or a car park or office close by. The meeting point and the supplier's phone number are in your booking confirmation.

• Flight number: include it in your booking so the supplier can adjust the handover if you are delayed.

• Documents: your driving licence, your passport and the card named in the booking. A foreign licence can be used in Turkey for up to six months from entry. UK government travel advice says UK drivers need a 1968 International Driving Permit or a notarised Turkish translation of their licence, so it is worth getting the IDP before you fly.

• Deposit and age: a credit card in the main driver's name is usually needed for the deposit. Deposit, minimum age and how long you must have held your licence vary by car group and supplier and are listed before you book.

• Night flights: if you land late, the search results show which offers cover out-of-hours pick-up and any fee.

Have any existing scratches recorded on the handover form and photograph the fuel level; it saves arguments at return. On your last day, allow enough time to drop the car, have it checked and queue for check-in, which gets long in high season.

Places to visit by car

• Dalyan and Iztuzu Beach: rock tombs above the river, boat trips along the channel and a long turtle-nesting beach; approx. 30 km.

• Gocek: marinas, bays and day-boat trips, the closest resort town to the airport; approx. 25 km.

• Fethiye and Oludeniz: Calis Beach, the abandoned village of Kayakoy, Saklikent Gorge and paragliding from Babadag; Fethiye approx. 55 km.

• Koycegiz and Akyaka: a calm lakeside town and a small resort on the clear Azmak river, popular with kitesurfers; Koycegiz approx. 37 km, Akyaka approx. 71 km.

• Marmaris and Datca: Marmaris marina, the bays of Icmeler, Turunc, Selimiye and Bozburun, and further on Datca with the ruins of Knidos; Marmaris approx. 96 km.

• Kas and Kalkan: two hillside harbour towns in Antalya province, reached along the D400 coast road; Kas approx. 154 km.

Driving and parking tips

• Traffic in Turkey keeps to the right. Summer weekends, public holidays and evenings bring queues on the roads into Fethiye, Oludeniz, Gocek, Marmaris and Dalyan.

• The descents to Oludeniz, Kayakoy and the smaller bays are narrow and winding; a compact car is easier to park and manoeuvre.

• Parking near beaches, marinas and restaurants is scarce in high season; arrive early at Oludeniz and Iztuzu.

• Before a long run to Kas, Kalkan or Datca, fill up and plan to drive back in daylight.

• If you plan to return the car elsewhere or cover long distances, compare the mileage allowance, fuel policy and one-way fee before you book your Dalaman car hire.

Nearby locations

Also compare Marmaris if you are staying there, Milas-Bodrum Airport for the Bodrum peninsula, Antalya Airport for the eastern end of the coast and Denizli Airport for Pamukkale. All suppliers include free cancellation and 24/7 support with Dalaman Airport car rental.