Dalaman Airport to Cirali
Distance: 261 kmTravel time: 4 hours 10 minsNearest metro: N/A
Overview
The transfer from Dalaman Airport to Cirali reaches a quieter stretch of coast than most routes we run, following a mountain road that winds down towards the Mediterranean instead of a straight motorway. A driver who has been tracking your flight is waiting at arrivals with your name held up, so the car stands ready for the Cirali run whether you land on time or late. The drive takes around four hours and ten minutes and covers close to 261 kilometres, ending at a village with no high-rise hotels, just citrus groves, a turtle nesting beach and the ruins of Olympos nearby. A V-Class minivan suits couples or small families, while a Sprinter carries larger groups comfortably, and the price is agreed in writing before departure.
Highlights
- Mountain road descends to the coast instead of a flat motorway
- Village has no high-rise hotels, only citrus groves and quiet lanes
- Beach is a nesting site for loggerhead sea turtles in season
- Ancient Olympos ruins and the Chimaera flames sit within reach
- Around four hours and ten minutes covering close to 261 kilometres
- Sprinter suited to groups visiting the eternal flames together
- Driver tracks the flight so late Dalaman arrivals are covered
- Price agreed in writing before the mountain drive begins
Route details
About the destination
Tucked beneath pine-covered slopes on Turkey's Mediterranean shore, Çıralı keeps development deliberately low-key around its protected turtle-nesting beach and surrounding citrus groves, a short reach from the ruins of Olympos and the natural flames of Chimaera.
Hotels nearby
- Kimera Lounge Hotel
- Hotel Villa Lycia
- Odile Hotel
Landmarks nearby
- Çıralı Beach
- Ancient Olympos Ruins
- Mount Chimaera (Yanartaş Eternal Flames)
- Caretta Caretta Turtle Nesting Area
Restaurants nearby
- Karakuş Restaurant
- Çıralı Zakkum Restaurant
- Orange Restaurant
- Ceylan Restaurant
Nearest metro
N/A
Good to know
- Use the arrivals hall currency counter in Dalaman if you need cash before the drive.
- The road climbs into pine forest for a stretch, so light travel sickness remedies can help.
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen, since Cirali's turtle beach restricts certain products near the nesting area.
- Confirm your accommodation name clearly, as several small guesthouses share similar-sounding names in the village.
- Mobile signal can weaken in the hills, so save your driver's contact before setting off.
- Evenings in Cirali are quiet with early closing times, so plan dinner before sunset if possible.
- Comfortable shoes help if you plan to walk from the beach to the Olympos ruins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Chimaera flame site best visited after dark?
Many visitors prefer an evening visit, since the natural gas flames on the hillside are easier to see once the light fades, and the short walk up from the car park stays cool after sunset. Bring a torch for the path itself, as lighting there is minimal.
How far is Cirali from Dalaman Airport?
The route covers close to 261 kilometres and normally takes about four hours and ten minutes, following the coastal mountain road rather than the main motorway used for nearer towns.
Does the car go all the way into Cirali village?
The driver continues straight to your accommodation inside the village itself, since Cirali sits at the end of a dead-end access road rather than along a route other traffic passes through.
Can you arrange a child seat for this route?
A child seat can be added when you book, and the driver brings it along so children are secured properly for the winding mountain stretch into Cirali.
What happens if my flight into Dalaman is delayed?
Your Cirali-bound driver checks the Dalaman arrivals board throughout, so a delayed landing simply moves back when he begins waiting near the doors, while the fare agreed in writing for this route does not change at all.
Is it possible to stop near Olympos on the way?
Because the Olympos ruins sit only a short distance from the Cirali turn-off, a brief stop there can be built into the drive if you request it ahead of time.
How much luggage fits for a family trip to Cirali?
The V-Class minivan comfortably holds a family's cases for this route, and a Sprinter is offered for larger groups needing more space for beach and hiking gear.
When is payment settled for the Dalaman to Cirali transfer?
Confirmation of the Cirali fare happens in writing on WhatsApp ahead of your trip, and you can then choose to settle up with the driver on the day or beforehand, whichever suits you.
Is the mountain road to Cirali safe at night?
The road is regularly driven by our team after dark, and your driver knows the bends well, so a night arrival into Cirali is handled the same as a daytime one.
Will I share the car with other guests heading to Cirali?
No, the vehicle is booked only for your party, so nobody else joins the car at any stage of the drive from Dalaman Airport to Cirali, and the whole trip stays private.
