Car hire in Fethiye
You can rent a car for Fethiye either by collecting it at Dalaman Airport, about 55 km and roughly an hour away on the D400, or by having it delivered to your hotel or villa in Fethiye. Booking takes three steps with no prepayment: you pay the local rental company at pickup in cash or by card, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before. Cars start from €38 per day.
At a glance
- Distance from DLM
- About 55 km by road
- Drive time
- Around 50–65 minutes
- Route
- D400 east via the Göcek tunnel (toll) or the free Göcek hill road
- Parking
- Paid car parks and attended street parking in the centre and marina area
- Best car
- Economy or compact SUV; automatic for hill villages
- Delivery
- Hotel or villa delivery in Fethiye available
How far is Fethiye from Dalaman Airport?
Fethiye is about 55 km east of Dalaman Airport by road, and the drive normally takes 50 to 65 minutes on the D400. The road is in good condition, divided on many stretches, and well signposted for Fethiye throughout, so it is an easy first drive after a flight.
Shortly after Göcek the D400 enters the Göcek tunnel, which charges a toll in both directions. If you prefer to avoid it, the older road climbs over the Göcek hill; it is free but longer, narrower and full of bends.
- Leave the airport and join the D400 heading east (signs: Fethiye, Göcek)
- Pass the Göcek turn-off, then go through the tunnel or take the hill road
- Continue along the D400 past the Fethiye bay turn-offs into the centre
Is it easy to park in Fethiye?
Parking in Fethiye centre is manageable but rarely free: the harbour front, the old town (Paspatur) and the market streets use paid car parks or attendant-run street parking, and spaces fill quickly on market days and summer evenings. Outside the centre, in Çalış and the residential districts, street parking is easier.
Use a marked car park rather than stopping on yellow-painted kerbs, and keep the parking ticket on the dashboard. A smaller car makes the narrow old-town lanes much less stressful.
What can I visit from Fethiye by car?
A car turns Fethiye into a base for the whole Lycian coast. The ruined Greek village of Kayaköy and the beach at Ölüdeniz are under half an hour away over the hills, and Saklıkent Gorge and the hilltop ruins of Tlos are inland day trips of about an hour.
Further east along the D400 lie Patara's long sandy beach and ancient city, Kalkan and Kaş, each a full day out with stunning coastal views.
- Kayaköy ghost village and the walk to Ölüdeniz
- Çalış beach for sunset
- Saklıkent Gorge and Tlos
- Patara beach and ruins, Kalkan, Kaş
Can I get the rental car delivered to my hotel in Fethiye?
Yes, choose Fethiye as your pickup place and the rental company delivers the car to the address you give. This suits travellers who take a transfer from the airport and only want a car for part of the holiday. You can also pick up at Dalaman Airport and return in Fethiye, or the reverse, as a one-way rental.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Fethiye?
Not for the town centre, which is walkable with frequent minibuses (dolmuş), but a car makes day trips to Kayaköy, Saklıkent, Tlos and Patara far easier and lets you reach quiet beaches.
Is there a toll between Dalaman and Fethiye?
Only the Göcek tunnel on the D400 charges a toll. There are no motorway tolls on this route, and the older hill road is a free alternative.
Is the road from Dalaman to Fethiye safe to drive?
Yes, it is a well-maintained main highway. Watch for slow lorries on the climbs, sudden braking near junctions and, at night, unlit sections.
Can I hire a car in Fethiye for just a few days?
Yes. Book delivery in Fethiye for the dates you need; you pay the rental company at pickup and nothing in advance.
Which car is best for Fethiye?
An economy car such as a Clio or Egea is ideal for town parking; pick an SUV or automatic if you plan mountain roads to Saklıkent or Babadağ.
Where should I fill up near Fethiye?
There are plenty of fuel stations on the D400 ring around Fethiye and on the road to Ölüdeniz; most are attended and accept cards.