DentalGetting around Turkey for your dental trip
Turkey has a dense network of airports, cheap domestic flights, comfortable intercity coaches and modern city metros and trams. Most dental patients fly into the airport nearest their clinic, take a clinic or pre-booked transfer to the hotel, and get around town by metro, tram or a licensed taxi app. This guide covers each step.
Last reviewed: 20 July 2026
The main airports for dental patients
Knowing the right airport for your destination avoids a long, costly transfer on arrival. The gateways patients use most are:
| Airport (IATA) | Serves | Approx. distance to centre / resort |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul (IST) | Istanbul — European side | ~40 km NW of centre |
| Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) | Istanbul — Asian side | ~35 km SE of centre |
| Antalya (AYT) | Antalya | ~13 km NE of centre |
| Adnan Menderes (ADB) | Izmir | ~18 km S of centre |
| Esenboga (ESB) | Ankara | ~28 km NE of centre |
| Milas–Bodrum (BJV) | Bodrum | ~36 km to Bodrum town |
| Dalaman (DLM) | Marmaris & Fethiye | ~50 km to Fethiye; ~90–100 km to Marmaris |
Distances are approximate and depend on your exact hotel or clinic. Istanbul’s two airports are on opposite sides of the city — always check which one your flight uses.
Domestic flights
If there is no direct international flight to your chosen city, the usual route is a flight into Istanbul followed by a short domestic hop. Domestic flights in Turkey are frequent and generally inexpensive, operated by carriers including Turkish Airlines, its short-haul brand AJet, Pegasus and (for some resort routes) SunExpress. Most domestic hops from Istanbul to Antalya, Izmir, Ankara, Bodrum or Dalaman take around one to one-and-a-half hours. Book the domestic leg with enough connection time, especially if you must change between Istanbul’s two airports.
Airport and clinic transfers
Many clinics that treat international patients include an airport pickup and hotel transfers in their package — confirm exactly what is covered and which airport. If you are arranging your own transfer:
- Pre-booked private transfer: a driver meets you at arrivals; the simplest option after a flight, with a fixed price.
- Airport shuttle buses: services such as Havaist and Havabus in Istanbul, Havas at coastal airports, and Belko Air in Ankara link airports with the centre at low cost.
- Metro/rail: both Istanbul airports connect to the metro; Izmir’s IZBAN train runs from the airport into the city.
- Taxi: use the official taxi rank; for long resort runs (for example Dalaman to Marmaris) agree the fare or pre-book.
Getting around the cities
Turkish cities have good, cheap public transport, usually paid for with a single rechargeable travel card that you tap on boarding:
- Istanbul — Istanbulkart: covers metro, tram, bus, funicular and ferry. One card can pay for several people on most services.
- Izmir — IzmirimKart: covers IZBAN rail, metro, tram, bus and ferries across the bay.
- Ankara — AnkaraKart: covers the metro and Ankaray light-rail.
- Antalya — AntalyaKart: covers the Antray tram and buses.
- Resorts: shared dolmus minibuses are the cheap, frequent way to move between resort towns on the coast.
For taxis, use official ranks or apps. In Istanbul, BiTaksi and iTaksi hail licensed taxis, and Uber dispatches licensed yellow taxis; app hailing reduces route and fare disputes. Metered fares are standard; confirm the meter is running.
Travelling between cities
If you want to combine cities or move to a coastal resort after treatment, you have three options: domestic flights (fastest for long distances), intercity coaches (an extensive, comfortable and inexpensive network linking almost everywhere), and, on some corridors, high-speed rail (YHT), which connects Ankara with Istanbul, Konya and Eskisehir. Car hire is available everywhere and useful on the coast, but is not needed if you are staying in one city for treatment; note that Turkey drives on the right.
Practical travel tips
- Connectivity: a local SIM or a travel eSIM keeps you online for maps, transfers and contacting your clinic.
- Payments: cards are widely accepted in cities, but carry some Turkish lira for minibuses, small shops and tips.
- Documents: keep your passport, any e-Visa or entry document, insurance and clinic paperwork together and accessible.
- Timing: allow generous margins around flights and appointments for city traffic, which can be heavy.
- Confirm transfers: re-confirm any clinic pickup, including the airport and terminal, the day before you fly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to get from the airport to my clinic?
The simplest option is usually a transfer included in your clinic's package or a pre-booked private transfer, where a driver meets you at arrivals for a fixed price. Airport shuttle buses (such as Havaist and Havabus in Istanbul or Havas at coastal airports), metro and rail links, and official taxis are cheaper alternatives. Confirm which airport your transfer covers, as Istanbul has two on opposite sides of the city.
Do I need to take a domestic flight within Turkey?
Only if there is no direct international flight to your chosen city. In that case the usual route is a flight into Istanbul followed by a short domestic hop of about one to one-and-a-half hours to Antalya, Izmir, Ankara, Bodrum or Dalaman. Domestic flights are frequent and generally inexpensive; allow enough connection time, especially if you must change between Istanbul's two airports.
How do I pay for public transport in Turkish cities?
Most cities use a single rechargeable travel card that you tap on boarding: Istanbulkart in Istanbul, IzmirimKart in Izmir, AnkaraKart in Ankara and AntalyaKart in Antalya. These cover metro, tram, bus and, where relevant, ferries and commuter rail, and are much cheaper than taxis. Buy and top them up at machines in stations and airports.
Are taxis safe and reliable in Turkey?
Licensed taxis are metered and widely available. To avoid disputes, use official taxi ranks or apps: in Istanbul, BiTaksi and iTaksi hail licensed taxis and Uber dispatches licensed yellow taxis. Confirm the meter is running, and for long resort runs such as Dalaman to Marmaris agree the fare in advance or pre-book a transfer.
How far is Dalaman Airport from Marmaris and Fethiye?
Dalaman Airport (DLM) is about 50 km from Fethiye, roughly a 50-minute transfer, and about 90 to 100 km from Marmaris, roughly 1.5 hours. Both resorts rely on Dalaman as they have no airport of their own, so factor the transfer time into your plans, especially if your treatment needs several appointments.
Can I travel between Turkish cities during my treatment trip?
Yes. You can move between cities by domestic flight (fastest over long distances), intercity coach (an extensive, comfortable and inexpensive network) or, on some routes, high-speed rail linking Ankara with Istanbul and other cities. Plan any intercity travel around your clinical schedule and your clinic's advice on rest, especially after surgery.
Do I need to hire a car for a dental trip?
Usually not. If you are staying in one city for treatment, metros, trams, shuttles and taxis cover everything you need. A hire car is mainly useful if you want to explore the wider coast between appointments. Turkey drives on the right, and city traffic can be heavy, so many patients prefer transfers and public transport.
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