Overview
Dalaman sits on Turkey's south-west coast and is the main gateway airport for the Turquoise Coast, serving Fethiye, Ölüdeniz, Göcek, Dalyan, Sarıgerme and the western stretch towards Marmaris. The town itself is fairly low-key, but within an hour's drive you reach pine-backed bays, Lycian ruins and some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean. For UK travellers it is an easy short-haul trip with a strong choice of direct summer flights, which is why searches for cheap flights to Dalaman climb every spring.
Best time to fly to Dalaman
Dalaman is a seasonal destination: most flights to Dalaman from the UK run from roughly late March to early November, peaking in July and August. High summer is hot and dry, often 33-38C, ideal for the beach but intense for sightseeing. May, June, September and October bring warm days, cooler evenings and a sea that stays swimmable well into autumn, usually alongside lower fares. Check the When to book chart above to see how prices move through the year.
Airlines and routes
Direct routes are led by Jet2, easyJet, TUI and Ryanair, flying from a wide spread of UK airports including London Gatwick, Stansted and Luton, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle. British Airways adds seasonal flights from London, while Turkey's Pegasus and SunExpress offer connecting options via Istanbul or Antalya. Typical flight time from London is around 4 hours, and departures from northern UK airports take much the same. Outside the summer season direct flights thin out and you may need to connect.
Things to do in Dalaman
Dalaman makes a relaxed base for exploring the region. Highlights within easy reach include:
- Dalyan and the mud baths: river boat trips past the rock-cut Kaunos tombs to open-air thermal mud pools.
- Iztuzu Beach: a long sandspit protected as a loggerhead turtle nesting site.
- Göcek: a smart yachting village and the launch point for 12 Islands boat tours.
- Sarıgerme: a Blue Flag sandy beach backed by pine forest, close to the airport.
- Saklıkent Gorge: a dramatic canyon you can wade into on hot days.
At Dalaman Airport (DLM)
The airport has separate international and domestic terminals about 6km from Dalaman town. Most visitors head straight to their resort: Sarıgerme and Göcek are 15-20 minutes away, Dalyan around 25 minutes, Fethiye roughly 45 minutes and Marmaris about 1.5 hours. Pre-booked private transfers, shuttle buses, metered taxis and car hire desks are all available in the arrivals hall.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Dalaman
- Book summer trips around two to three months ahead, as fares tend to rise once popular weeks start selling out.
- Fly Tuesday to Thursday and avoid school holidays for the biggest savings.
- Travel in the May-June or September-October shoulder season for lower fares, thinner crowds and reliably warm weather.
- Compare Jet2, easyJet, TUI and Ryanair on the same dates, and use the price charts on this page to spot the cheapest window.
Travel essentials
British citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Your passport should be valid for at least 150 days from your arrival date and have a blank page for stamps. The currency is the Turkish lira; card payment is widespread and ATMs are easy to find, though a little cash is handy for markets and small cafés. No vaccinations are required for entry, but check the latest FCDO travel advice before you go and travel with insurance that includes medical cover.
