Demre lies in western Antalya, between Kas and Finike, on the site of the ancient Lycian city of Myra. Its fame comes mainly from the church where Saint Nicholas — known worldwide as Santa Claus — served as bishop, and from the rock-cut tombs of Myra. It is about 150 kilometres from Antalya Airport (AYT); the coastal drive averages 2.5 hours. Greeting you by name at the exit, your driver takes you over this long road at a fixed price, resting comfortably and straight to your address.
See Your Web-Only PriceWhat Kind of Place Is Demre?
Demre shouldn't be thought of as a beach resort. There are no crowded beach clubs or rows of sunbeds here; instead there is history, greenhouse farming and the calm pace of a fishing town. The district is about 145 kilometres from central Antalya, 45 from Kas and 30 from Finike.
In Demre, it is ordinary to see growers heading to the greenhouses in the morning and visitors hurrying to catch the Kekova boats at the same time. Most who come here come to see the Myra Ancient City and the St. Nicholas Church, and then to take a boat trip to Kekova. Known for its tomato greenhouses, the district is one of the few places on this coast that has stayed away from mass tourism.
The Town of Santa Claus: Myra and St. Nicholas Church
Demre's strongest asset is the ancient city of Myra and the St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) Church. Myra was one of the six great cities of the Lycian League with three votes; today it stands with its rock-cut tombs and a Roman theatre of about ten thousand seats.
Lycian Rock Tombs and the Roman Theatre
Myra's house-shaped tombs carved into the sheer cliffs are among the finest examples of Lycian architecture. The Roman theatre right beside them is well preserved, with its seating rows and stage ruins. The ancient city is a few kilometres from the centre of Demre.
St. Nicholas and the Santa Claus Story
St. Nicholas, bishop of Myra in the 4th century AD, was known for his help to children and the poor; after his death he grew into the worldwide legend of Santa Claus. The church built in his name has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2000 and holds a marble tomb set aside for the saint; every year on 6 December, commemoration ceremonies draw visitors from around the world. Demre is therefore a spiritual stop especially for Russian, German and Eastern European visitors.
Kekova and the Sunken City
Off the Demre coast lies Kekova (the Sunken City), half submerged by an earthquake. Ancient walls and steps can be seen beneath the clear water; the area is one of Antalya's best-known boat routes.
Ucagiz Village
Ucagiz is a calm fishing village tucked among the mountains; it is one of the key stops on the boat tours. With the fish restaurants along its shore, its clear sea and the old houses spread across the slopes, it is the heart of a Kekova trip. It is about 20 kilometres from central Demre.
Simena Castle (Kalekoy)
Across from Ucagiz, Kalekoy (Simena) is known for its medieval castle on the hill and the ancient sarcophagi scattered along the shore. Stone houses and small cafes line the path up to the castle; from the top, Kekova's sunken coast is seen from above. Gliding over the sunken city by boat or kayak is the most loved part of a Demre trip.
Andriake Harbour and the Museum of Lycian Civilisations
Often skipped by competitors, Andriake (Cayagzi) was Myra's harbour in antiquity and one of the important stops of Mediterranean trade. Today the Museum of Lycian Civilisations here is worth a visit for its finds telling the region's history; the ruins of a Roman granary are here too.
Andriake is also known for Cayagzi Beach and its wetland: where the Demre River meets the sea, this shore is a loggerhead turtle (caretta caretta) nesting site and a bird haven visited by hundreds of species. From May to September the turtles nest here; during the season it is important to respect the marked spots on the sand and avoid using light at night. The harbour is one of the departure points for Kekova boat tours. Demre is also one of the stops on the world-famous long-distance Lycian Way; the path linking the surrounding ancient cities on foot draws lovers of nature and history here.
Daily Life in Demre
Demre is not made of ancient cities alone. The Santa Claus Square, which has become the district's emblem, is busier through the day than you might expect; around the Santa Claus statue, souvenir shops, cafes and local traders gather. Visitors who tour the church usually pass through here and pause for a coffee. As the district is small, most central spots are reached on foot.
Greenhouses, the Fishing Harbour and the Local Table
Demre is famous for its tomato greenhouses; in the early morning, growers heading to the greenhouses set the district's daily rhythm. The fish restaurants at Cayagzi Harbour serve the day's catch brought in by the boats, plainly and fresh. Greenhouse tomatoes, citrus and seafood form the base of the Demre table. The town market held every Friday is daily life at its liveliest, with fresh vegetables, fruit and local produce brought in by the growers; early morning is the best time to wander it.
Tips for Your Demre Journey
Demre is a district far from the airport; planning the journey well eases the start of the holiday:
- Tip: Plan for the long road in advance. From AYT, Demre is about 2.5 hours; with a private transfer you cover it without stops, at a fixed price and resting.
- Tip: Choose direct travel over a connecting bus. First to central Antalya, then a change to a Demre minibus is tiring for a family with luggage and stretches the trip to 4-5 hours.
- Tip: Note the child seat in advance. The one child seat is free, extra seats at a fair charge with us; state what you need when booking so the long road is comfortable.
Antalya Airport – Demre: Distance and Time
The distance between Antalya Airport and Demre is about 150 kilometres, and the journey averages 2.5 hours. For anyone asking how far Demre is from Antalya airport and how long the transfer takes: about 150 km and two and a half hours; the road is long but the coast is scenic. The road runs west from the airport along the D400, past the coast of Kemer, Goynuk and Finike, and down to Demre. Along the shore, the Mediterranean and Taurus views turn the long road into a pleasant part of the holiday.
Demre is one of the last districts in the west, between Kas and Finike; so the road is long but scenic. What makes the most difference on a long road is a fixed price and a non-stop ride: passengers landing late at night, the elderly or those with children do not tire before reaching the hotel. We drive it at a price set from the start, straight to your door.
Our Vehicles
Guests coming to Demre are usually families, couples and groups on a cultural trip; for the long road the vehicle is chosen by total passengers and luggage volume. For a couple or small family, the Mercedes Vito Maybach First Class or Vito Business Class is comfortable for up to 5; for larger families and groups, the Mercedes Sprinter Group Comfort and Group Business offer a roomy interior for up to 13.
All our vehicles have free Wi-Fi, water and a one child seat free, extra seats at a fair charge, with an infant seat for babies and a booster for older children on request at booking. Just note the baby seat, child seat or booster you need when booking; air conditioning and a spacious interior keep even the 2.5-hour road comfortable.
How to Get from the Airport to Demre
There are several ways to reach Demre:
- Private VIP transfer: Straight to your address, no waiting, fixed price. You cover the long road non-stop and rested.
- Bus: First to central Antalya, then a change to a Demre minibus; tiring for a family with luggage.
- Taxi: Available, but over such a long road the taxi fare climbs steeply on the meter with no fixed-price guarantee. With us the price is set upfront, with no hidden fees. We also do not run shared shuttles; we offer only your own private VIP transfer.
- Car rental: It gives flexibility, but driving 2.5 hours of unfamiliar road after a flight isn't for everyone.
Whether you search for a Demre transfer, or a Kas or Finike transfer, we provide the same fixed-price, door-to-door service to all. With Direct Airport Transfer you arrive at Demre's history with a journey that starts without tiring you.
Distances and Times from Demre to Key Places
Approximate distances and times from Demre to notable places:
| Place | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Antalya Airport | ~150 km | ~2.5 h |
| Antalya centre | ~145 km | ~2.5 h |
| Myra Ancient City | ~2 km | ~5 min |
| St. Nicholas Church | ~1 km | ~3 min |
| Andriake (Cayagzi) | ~6 km | ~10 min |
| Kekova / Ucagiz | ~20 km | ~30 min |
| Kas | ~45 km | ~50 min |
Transfers to Areas Around Demre
We provide the same comfortable, fixed-price private transfer to areas on Demre's western line and around Antalya too:
What Our Guests Say
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We provide door-to-door hotel transfer to every address in Demre.
Most of our guests book both the airport–hotel and the return journey together. For Demre you can arrange a return transfer in a single booking and set your departure pickup time in advance.
Return Transfer from Demre to the Airport
When the holiday ends, taking that long, scenic road back with ease matters too. Our Demre airport transfer works both ways: on departure day your driver picks you up at your hotel or guesthouse door and works out the pickup time early from your flight and the 150-kilometre length of the road, so there is no risk of missing the plane. There is no need to call a separate company for the hotel to airport leg.
The round trip is arranged in a single booking — one WhatsApp message is enough. No prepayment: you pay the same fixed price to the driver in the vehicle on the way back too. We ask for no money upfront and no card details. You pay the driver at the end of the ride, once you're happy with the service — so you never worry "did I lose my money?", the risk is not on you. Wondering if the transfer waits if your flight is delayed? Your driver tracks the flight and waits at no extra cost. Even on late-night landings there is no night surcharge, and After a long flight you won't search the crowd for a driver: our airport greeter waits at the exit holding a name sign with your name and walks you straight to your vehicle.
Contact & Price
Your Demre transfer price depends on vehicle type, passenger count and date — but it is always fixed, per vehicle and free of hidden fees. Long as the road is, the price is set from the start; no surprise charges by distance. We know plans can change; that is why you can adjust or cancel your booking free of charge up to 24 hours before. Your price is fixed on the web — no night surcharge, no waiting fee, no hidden costs, no prepayment. Just tap "See Price" to book. Any questions? Message us on WhatsApp or Telegram — a real person answers, 24/7.
📞 WhatsApp / Telegram (24/7): +90 542 724 98 98
✉️ info@directairporttransfer.com
📅 Last Updated: July 2026 · This page is updated regularly.