Bodrum Airport to Demre
Distance: 320 kmTravel time: 4-5 hoursNearest metro: None
Overview
The drive from Bodrum Airport to Demre covers around 320 km and typically takes four to five hours, following the coast road east through Antalya province. Demre is best known as the home of the ancient city of Myra, with its cliffside Lycian tombs, and as the town where Saint Nicholas once served as bishop, so many travellers combine the transfer with a stop at his church. Because the town also serves as the usual gateway for boat trips to Kekova's sunken ruins, families often arrive a day before an excursion rather than passing straight through. At Bodrum Airport, look for the driver holding your name, flight checked well before landing, with the fare for the whole route already agreed on WhatsApp and the Mercedes kept exclusively for your own group.
Highlights
- Around 320 km separate Bodrum Airport from Demre's centre.
- Ancient Myra's cliffside Lycian tombs sit above the modern town.
- Saint Nicholas served as bishop in the church still standing here.
- Demre is the usual starting point for Kekova boat excursions.
- Coast road east through Antalya province shapes most of the route.
- Roman theatre ruins at Myra draw a brief stop for many visitors.
- Driver follows your flight so delays never disrupt the pickup.
- One Mercedes kept solely for your group across the whole drive.
Route details
About the destination
Demre is a historic coastal town in Antalya, Turkey, famous for the ancient city of Myra with its cliffside Lycian rock tombs, the Church of Saint Nicholas, and its gateway to Kekova's sunken ruins.
Hotels nearby
- Andriake Beach Club Hotel
- Demyra Boutique Hotel
- Kekova Garden Village
Landmarks nearby
- Ancient City of Myra
- Lycian Rock-Cut Tombs
- Church of Saint Nicholas
- Roman Theatre of Myra
Restaurants nearby
- Kaya Restaurant Mavi Yengeç
- İpek Restaurant
- Şişçi Hacı
- Demre Gaziantep Restaurant
Nearest metro
None
Good to know
- Use the facilities at Bodrum Airport before setting off, since Demre is several hours away.
- Keep a saved address for your Demre hotel, as street numbering varies locally.
- Ask in advance about a stop at the Church of Saint Nicholas if you want one.
- Sun hats help around Myra's open rock tombs, which offer little shade at midday.
- Book any Kekova boat trip a day ahead if arriving the same afternoon as your transfer.
- Small cafes near the Myra site accept cash more readily than cards.
- Pack a light layer for the coast road, where evening temperatures drop after sunset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do we find the driver inside Bodrum Airport for Demre?
Once you clear customs at Bodrum Airport, a board bearing your surname marks your driver, flight status already noted, and the coast road towards Demre begins right away.
How many hours does the trip to Demre usually take?
Expect somewhere between four and five hours for the 320 km run, since the road follows the coastline east through Antalya province rather than a direct inland route.
Can the driver take us to the Church of Saint Nicholas first?
Yes, if you would like a stop at the church before checking in, mention it when booking and the driver will build it into the route on the way through Demre.
Are the Myra ruins open every day for a stop on arrival?
Yes, the Myra site with its Lycian tombs and Roman theatre is generally open daily, though hours can shift slightly by season, so it helps to confirm the current times with your driver if you plan a stop on the way.
What if our flight into Bodrum arrives later than scheduled?
The driver tracks your flight number directly, so any delay only shifts the waiting time at arrivals; you are never charged more or left without a driver present.
Do we need Demre to be an overnight base for Kekova trips?
Many travellers do stay a night in or near Demre before a Kekova boat excursion, since it is the usual departure point, though a same-day visit is also possible.
How is the price for this long-distance transfer agreed?
A single price for the full Bodrum Airport to Demre run is settled with you on WhatsApp before the day of travel, leaving nothing to discuss once you are on the road.
Will the car stop along the coast road for a break?
Given the length of this drive, pausing once for fuel or a coffee is standard practice, and the driver is glad to stop again if your group wants extra breaks.
Are we sharing the vehicle with other travellers going the same way?
This Demre transfer travels privately, the Mercedes carries only your booking for the whole distance, with no other travellers picked up along the coast road.
What are the main sights worth knowing about in Demre itself?
Demre centres on ancient Myra's rock-cut Lycian tombs, the Church of Saint Nicholas and a Roman theatre, and also serves as the gateway for boat trips out to Kekova.
