By plane, ferry or road: how to get to campsites on the Aegean and Mediterranean coast
There are three ways to come from abroad to camp on Türkiye's Aegean and Mediterranean coast. Which airport is closest to which region, which ferries run from the Greek islands, where the land border crossings are, and how to get from the airport to the campsite.
Teknovan Editorial Team ·
There are three ways to reach campsites on Türkiye's Aegean and Mediterranean coast from abroad: fly into İzmir, Bodrum, Dalaman or Antalya; take a ferry from the Greek islands to a coastal town; or drive in your own vehicle across the Bulgarian or Greek border. Which suits you depends on where you're heading and whether you're bringing your own campervan.
This post is for foreign visitors camping in Türkiye for the first time. Visa rules depend on nationality; before you travel, check your own situation on the official e-Visa site (evisa.gov.tr).
The connections in one table
By plane: which airport is closest to which region?
The distances below are approximate road distances from the airport to the centre of the region.
| Airport (code) | Nearest camping regions | Approx. distance |
|---|---|---|
| İzmir Adnan Menderes (ADB) | Urla, Seferihisar, Karaburun, Kuşadası | 30-90 km |
| Bodrum-Milas (BJV) | Bodrum Peninsula, Gökova | 35-90 km |
| Dalaman (DLM) | Fethiye, Kayaköy, Köyceğiz, Marmaris | 50-90 km |
| Antalya (AYT) | Kemer, Çıralı, Konyaaltı, Manavgat | 15-90 km |
| Gazipaşa-Alanya (GZP) | Alanya | 40 km |
| Edremit Koca Seyit (EDO) | Ayvalık, Gulf of Edremit, Kaz Mountains | 15-40 km |
| Çanakkale (CKZ) | Assos, ferry ports for Bozcaada and Gökçeada | 15-90 km |
Practical notes:
- International flights mostly arrive in İzmir, Dalaman, Bodrum and Antalya. Edremit and Çanakkale are mostly reached on domestic flights via Istanbul. Schedules vary by season; check the airports' websites.
- For Kaş, Kalkan and Patara you'll have to choose between Dalaman and Antalya. Both are about 2-3 hours' drive.
- For the North Aegean (Assos, Ayvalık), flying into İzmir and driving about 2-3 hours is also an option.
From the airport to the campsite
- Airport shuttle. Havaş and local companies run services from the big airports to city centres and resort towns. Check the timetable on the airport's website.
- Train. İzmir Airport has a station on the İZBAN suburban line. You can take the train to the city centre and south towards Selçuk.
- Intercity bus. Türkiye's bus network is dense. From the airport you can get to the city bus station (otogar) and on to towns such as Kaş, Fethiye or Ayvalık. The last stretch to the campsite is usually by dolmuş (shared minibus) or taxi.
- Hire car or campervan. Most companies hand over hired campervans at the airport or in town. For licence and hire requirements see our post on driving on a foreign licence.
- Campsite transfer. Some campsites offer paid pick-ups. Ask when you book.
If you land late at night, reaching the campsite in the dark can be hard. Spending the first night in town and setting off the next morning is often more relaxed. We describe what happens on arrival day in our check-in post.
By ferry: from the Greek islands to the Turkish coast
There are regular ferry routes from the Greek islands to the Turkish coast. All are seasonal: frequent in summer, infrequent or none in winter. Some routes carry foot passengers only, and those taking vehicles are limited. Always check timetables, fares and vehicle acceptance on the operator's current website.
| Greek island | Turkish port | Nearest camping region |
|---|---|---|
| Lesbos (Midilli) | Ayvalık, Dikili | Ayvalık, Dikili, North Aegean |
| Chios (Sakız) | Çeşme | Çeşme, Urla, Karaburun |
| Samos (Sisam) | Kuşadası | Kuşadası, Dilek Peninsula |
| Kos (İstanköy) | Bodrum | Bodrum Peninsula |
| Rhodes (Rodos) | Marmaris, Fethiye | Marmaris, Fethiye |
| Kastellorizo (Meis) | Kaş | Kaş, Kekova |
What you need to know:
- Ferry ports are international border crossings. Passport and visa checks are done at the port.
- The Greek islands are in the Schengen area. Pay attention to the exit and re-entry conditions of your Schengen visa.
- If you're crossing with your own vehicle, book a vehicle-carrying sailing in advance and prepare the documents in our post on entering with a foreign-registered vehicle.
By road: from Europe in your own campervan
Travellers driving from Europe enter Türkiye through the crossings in Thrace:
| Border crossing | Neighbouring country |
|---|---|
| Kapıkule (Edirne) | Bulgaria |
| Hamzabeyli (Edirne) | Bulgaria |
| Dereköy (Kırklareli) | Bulgaria |
| Pazarkule (Edirne) | Greece |
| İpsala (Edirne) | Greece |
Kapıkule is the biggest crossing and the busiest in summer. In midsummer and during bayram holidays there can be long waits. If you're heading for the Aegean, going south via İpsala, Keşan and Çanakkale is a practical route. You can cross the Dardanelles on the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge or on the Gelibolu-Lapseki and Eceabat-Çanakkale ferries. Bridges and motorways are paid via HGS; details in our post on campervanning on Turkish roads.
If you'd like to spend the first night after the border in the north, there are sites such as Ütopya Camping and Assos Hekimoğlu Kamping around Çanakkale and Assos. On Teknokamp you can pick a pitch on the map and book at some campsites in this region.
Which way should you choose?
| Your situation | Usually the most practical way |
|---|---|
| Coming from Europe in your own campervan | By road, through the crossings in Thrace |
| On holiday on the Greek islands, no vehicle | Passenger ferry, then hire car or bus |
| A week's camping holiday, no vehicle | Plane, then hired campervan or transfer |
| Staying a long time in winter | Plane or road; before arriving, ask whether the campsite is open in winter |
A few small preparations that make arrival day easier:
- Phone line. Airports and cities have operator shops selling local prepaid SIM cards. You buy one with your passport. Using a phone brought from abroad in Türkiye for a long time may require registration; for short stays it's usually not a problem. Check the details on BTK's website.
- Cash and cards. Big supermarkets and petrol stations take cards. Carry some Turkish lira in cash for the village market, the dolmuş and small campsites.
- Route. If you're planning a week along the coast, our Aegean and Mediterranean route posts give the daily stages and campsites.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport should I fly into?
The one closest to your camping region. Dalaman for Fethiye and Kayaköy, Antalya for Kemer and Çıralı, İzmir for Urla and Çeşme.
Do the ferries from the Greek islands run in winter?
Some routes run infrequently or not at all in winter. Check the current timetable on the operator's website.
Can I bring my own campervan by ferry?
Only on vehicle-carrying sailings. These are limited, so book your place in advance and give your vehicle's length.
Can I get from the airport to the campsite by public transport?
Often yes, but with one or two changes. For the last stretch you'll need a dolmuş or taxi.
Sources
- Türkiye e-Visa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMİ), airports
- Customs procedures and border crossings, Ministry of Trade
- İZBAN suburban train
- GESTAŞ, Dardanelles ferries
- Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK)
- Türkiye Culture Portal, Ministry of Culture and Tourism
Image credits
Photos illustrate the region; they are not photos of the campsites themselves.
- Kaş: Esginmurat, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
