Izmir Airport to Demre
Distance: 458.1 kmTravel time: 5-6 hoursNearest metro: None
Overview
Izmir Airport to Demre covers about 458 kilometres and takes roughly 5 to 6 hours, taking you across the country to a small coastal town best known as the home of the historic St Nicholas Church and the rock-cut Lycian tombs above the ancient city of Myra. At Izmir Airport, the driver assigned to your booking is already watching the arrivals board, name sign in hand, and the fare for the whole run to Demre has been fixed and confirmed with you over WhatsApp well before departure. This is a route travellers usually book for its history rather than its beaches, and a private car with your own driver means you can time the drive around your visit to the ruins rather than a fixed departure slot. A child seat is fitted in advance if requested.
Highlights
- Izmir Airport to Demre spans about 458 kilometres across Turkey.
- Journey takes roughly 5 to 6 hours depending on the road.
- Driver waits at arrivals holding a printed name board for you.
- St Nicholas Church sits at the heart of the small town.
- Lycian rock tombs rise above the ancient city of Myra nearby.
- Fixed fare for the whole route confirmed before you travel.
- Timing can be arranged around your planned visit to the ruins.
- Child seats fitted in advance for the long historical route.
Route details
About the destination
Demre is a historic coastal town in Antalya Province, renowned for the ancient Lycian rock tombs of Myra, the historic St. Nicholas Church, and its scenic Mediterranean coastline.
Hotels nearby
- Hoyran Wedre Country Houses
- Winecity Hotel
- Andriake Beach Hotel
Landmarks nearby
- Church of St. Nicholas
- Ancient City of Myra
- Lycian Rock Tombs
- Andriake Ancient Harbor
Restaurants nearby
- İpek Restaurant
- Kaya Restaurant
- Şişçi Hüseyin
- Tutku Restaurant
Nearest metro
None
Good to know
- Look for your driver just past the arrivals hall doors at Izmir Airport, name board raised above the crowd.
- Withdraw local currency or buy a SIM before the long drive, since options narrow past Izmir.
- The route runs mostly by highway, with the final stretch along a quieter coastal road.
- Mention if you would like a stop near the historic sites before checking in to your hotel.
- Comfortable walking shoes suit the rock-cut tombs and the church grounds in Demre.
- Bring water and snacks for the multi-hour drive across the region.
- Confirm any child seat needs early given the length of this particular journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the trip from Izmir Airport to Demre take?
The Izmir Airport to Demre route covers about 458 kilometres and usually takes 5 to 6 hours, so many visitors plan to arrive with enough daylight left to see the church or the ruins the same day.
At what point in the terminal will I spot my driver?
Once you have cleared customs at Izmir Airport, your driver is already stationed in the arrivals hall with a name board raised, having tracked your flight so the pickup is timed to your real landing rather than the schedule.
Can the driver time the drop-off around visiting the ruins?
Yes, since the car is private, timing can be discussed in advance, whether that means heading straight to your hotel or being dropped closer to the historic sites first.
Is the price for Demre agreed before I fly?
Yes, the fare for the whole Izmir Airport to Demre route is confirmed in writing over WhatsApp before travel, covering the full distance with nothing added once you are on the road.
How is a delayed inbound flight to Izmir handled?
Flight tracking means a late landing into Izmir only moves the pickup moment itself, while the price already fixed for the drive to Demre stays exactly as agreed no matter how long the wait runs.
Is it possible to pause somewhere on the long drive to Demre?
Yes, a brief stop for food, fuel or to give younger children a break can be arranged if you mention it in advance, without any change to the fare already fixed for this journey.
Is a child seat available for a family visiting Demre?
Yes, when you confirm the Demre transfer just tell us each child's age, and the correct seat is already installed in the vehicle long before your flight into Izmir touches down, ready for the multi-hour drive ahead.
Does the driver know the way to the Lycian rock tombs?
Yes, drivers regularly cover this route and know both the town centre and the approach to the ancient sites nearby, so getting there is straightforward once you land.
Is there anywhere to eat near St Nicholas Church during a stop in Demre?
Demre's town centre around the church has small local restaurants and cafés suited to a short break, so many travellers pause there for lunch before continuing to their accommodation, and the driver is happy to wait nearby while you look around.
How much luggage can the car carry for this trip?
Both the V-Class and the Sprinter hold full-size luggage for every seat booked, practical for travellers pairing a Mediterranean stay with a day spent among Demre's ancient sites.
