Asia > Türkiye > Dalaman (DLM)
The Car or no Car advice for Dalaman can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Dalaman ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Dalaman ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Dalaman?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🚗 Renting a car — useful, flexible, and very common
Car rental in Dalaman is extremely popular. Distances between resorts are longer than they look on the map, and the roads curve constantly through mountain terrain. Public transport works, but it can be slow. A car allows you to move at your own pace and to reach beaches and viewpoints that minibuses can’t reach.
Dalaman Airport (DLM) has a wide choice of major and local car-hire brands. Prices are usually reasonable, especially outside July and August. Roads are generally good. Nevertheless, resort traffic can grow busy in peak season, and parking in small beach areas may be tight.
🚐 Getting around without a car
You can still enjoy a Dalaman holiday without driving. The region runs on dolmuş minibuses, which connect resorts and small towns cheaply and frequently. They are not always fast, yet they are reliable and easy to use. Taxis are also widely available, but costs can rise quickly on longer runs.
Many visitors choose hotel pick-up excursions. These cover almost every major sight, including boat trips, mud baths, waterfalls, gorges, beaches, and ancient ruins. Because the scenery is so dramatic, sitting back while someone else drives can feel relaxing.
🏝️ What to see — car or no car
Without a car
-
Ölüdeniz Lagoon — one of Türkiye’s postcard beaches.
-
Paragliding from Babadağ — organised transfers included.
-
Saklıkent Gorge — easy to join as a day trip.
-
Dalyan River and Turtle Beach — boats do most of the work.
With a car
-
Butterfly Valley viewpoint — easier to reach independently.
-
Kayaköy ghost village — explore at your own pace.
-
Hidden coves around Fethiye — especially useful if you want privacy.
-
Bozburun Peninsula — peaceful and scenic, with slow rural roads.
A rental car opens up dozens of spontaneous photo stops. But the organised excursions already cover the essentials.
🛥️ Island and coastal options
Boat trips are a huge part of a Dalaman-area holiday. Because these leave from multiple ports, you don’t need a car. For example, 12-island cruises from Fethiye and turtle-spotting trips from Dalyan both include transfers. The coastline itself is often easier seen from the sea than from the road.
🧳 Conclusion — Should you rent a car in Dalaman?
Yes, if you want to explore remote beaches, viewpoints and villages at your own rhythm. A car turns the region into a flexible and varied road trip. However, if you prefer to stay in one resort, enjoy organised excursions, and use dolmuş services, then you can happily skip driving and still have a great experience.
