Getting to Kalkan: Airports, Transfers, Car Hire and Buses

Kalkan isn't on the way to anywhere, which is a big part of its charm. There's no airport in town and no motorway, just the D400 coast road winding along the cliffs between Fethiye and Kaş. Getting here is easy once you know the options, but it's worth sorting before you book flights, because the airport you choose can add more than an hour to your journey.

Which airport: Dalaman or Antalya?

Fly into Dalaman if you can. It's the closest airport, about 120 km away, and the drive takes around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. Almost every Kalkan regular uses it.

Antalya is the backup. It's a bigger airport with more flights, especially out of season, but Kalkan is around 3 hours away by road, sometimes more on busy summer weekends. It makes sense if Dalaman flights are full, much more expensive, or don't run on your dates.

Flights from the UK

Direct flights to Dalaman take around four hours from most UK airports. In summer you're spoilt for choice, with Jet2, easyJet, SunExpress, British Airways, Wizz Air and others flying from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Scotland and the North East.

Out of season the choice drops, but it doesn't disappear. Several UK airports still have direct Dalaman flights through the winter, and Turkish Airlines connects via Istanbul all year. If you're planning a winter or early spring trip, check direct routes before you commit to dates. See Kalkan out of season for what to expect when you get here.

Private transfer

For most people this is the simplest way to arrive. A driver meets you in arrivals with a name board, loads the bags and drops you at the door. Pre-booked private transfers from Dalaman to Kalkan typically cost around €90 to €120 per vehicle each way, not per person, so they're good value for a family or group.

A few things worth knowing:

• Book ahead. A taxi from the rank at Dalaman can cost noticeably more than a pre-booked transfer.
• Give them your flight number. Good transfer companies track your flight, so a delay doesn't leave you stranded.
• Ask for child seats when you book. Don't assume they'll be in the car.
• Late arrivals are normal. Plenty of UK flights land in the evening. A transfer is the easiest way to deal with a 1am arrival and a dark coast road.

From Antalya, expect to pay more for the longer journey and allow a full three hours.

Still looking for somewhere to stay? See our villas in Kalkan.

Car hire

If you want to explore, and you should, a car is worth having. Most of the best day trips, such as Saklıkent, Patara and the hill villages, are far easier with your own wheels. Many villas around Kalkan, including those in Üzümlü, Kördere and İslamlar, are a drive up the hill from the harbour, so a car makes the shopping and the evening trip into town much simpler.

All the major hire companies and plenty of local ones have desks at Dalaman. Some local firms will also deliver a car to your villa, which is handy if you'd rather take a transfer on arrival and pick up a car the next day.

Driving tips

• They drive on the right. If you're used to the UK, the first roundabout is the one to concentrate on.
• The Göcek tunnel has a toll. Just after leaving Dalaman airport you'll go through it. There's no cash booth. Hire cars come fitted with an electronic HGS sticker or tag, and the toll is charged to you after you return the car. Ask the hire desk how they bill it.
• The D400 is beautiful but demanding. The stretch from Fethiye to Kalkan is mostly good road, but it's winding, with sharp bends, slow lorries and drivers who overtake where you wouldn't. Take your time and don't drive it tired after a late flight if you can avoid it.
• Kalkan's old town is steep and narrow. Park on the edge of the old town rather than trying to drive down to the harbour.
• Licence and deposit. A UK photocard licence is generally accepted for holiday car hire, but check your hire company's terms. You'll usually need a credit card in the main driver's name for the deposit.

By bus

There's no direct bus from either airport to Kalkan, but you can do it by public transport if you're travelling light and have time.

From Dalaman: Take the Havaş or Muttaş airport bus to Fethiye otogar (bus station). It takes about an hour and runs to Fethiye only, not to Kalkan, whatever older guides say. At Fethiye, change onto a Batı Antalya coastal bus heading towards Kaş, which stops at Kalkan. All in, allow around three hours or more, depending on how well the connections line up.

The Havaş service is timed around domestic flight arrivals, so if you land on an international flight there may be a wait. Check times before you rely on it, especially late at night.

From Antalya: Get from the airport to Antalya otogar, then take the Batı Antalya coast bus towards Kaş and Fethiye, which stops at Kalkan. It's a long ride, usually 4 to 5 hours and sometimes more, but the coastal scenery after Kemer is spectacular.

Kalkan's otogar is at the top of town on the main road. From there it's a steep walk down to the harbour, or a short taxi ride to most villas.

Getting around once you're here

• Dolmuş: Shared minibuses run along the coast to Kaş, Kaputaş and Patara, and are cheap and frequent in summer. Tell the driver where you want to get off.
• Taxis: Easy to find in town. Agree the fare or check the meter before you set off.
• Water taxis: In summer, small boats run from the harbour to the beach clubs around the bay, which saves the drive.

Before you travel

Check the latest entry requirements for Turkey on the UK government's foreign travel advice before you fly, including how long your passport needs to be valid. Rules change, and it's the airline that checks at the gate.

Getting to Kalkan FAQs

What is the nearest airport to Kalkan? Dalaman, about 120 km away, or roughly 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours by car.

How long is the transfer from Dalaman to Kalkan? Usually 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on traffic and stops.

Is it worth flying into Antalya instead? Only if Dalaman doesn't work for your dates or budget. The drive from Antalya is around 3 hours.

Is there a bus from Dalaman airport to Kalkan? Not directly. Take the airport bus to Fethiye otogar, then a coastal bus to Kalkan.

Do I need a car in Kalkan? Not if you're staying in town and planning to relax. If your villa is outside the old town or you want to explore the coast and villages, a car makes life much easier.