Buses

A cheap and easy way to get around the local area. Passengers can get on and off the mini bus (dolmuş) anywhere along the route, or ride to the end.

Getting around the local area by using the white mini-busses (dolmuş) is very convenient and easy.

Passengers can get on and off anywhere along the route, or ride to the end, for a single set fare that's the same for all passengers (except kids under 7 are free) no matter what their destination. Each mini-bus has the number and destination clearly displayed on the windscreen of the bus. The word Dolmuş means "full" though the minibus might already be almost full at the beginning of its route and usually fills up quite quickly in the mornings and evenings until most or all of its seats are filled and sometimes people will have to stand.

Fares as of March 2025 are 25TL within in Altinkum, Didim. In the summer season, these dolmuş mini-busses tend to operate until 2am but best to check with the driver, as some destinations finish earlier. If you fancy a change of scene, take a trip on the dolmuş to Akbük, which also has lovely beaches, shops and restaurants though is a much quieter place than Altinkum. The price from Didim to Akbük as of March 2025 is 65 lira. If you plan to stay till late evening in Akbük, check with the driver for the time of last bus back to Didim.

City buses are inexpensive but get crowded at rush hour. Buy tickets in advance from a ticket booth for municipal buses and pay the driver on private buses City-to-city routes, which tend to be longer, may have higher fares but still far less than a taxi. Most Turkish residents and Ex-pats opt for a coach if they're on a budget and traveling to see family or friends off the beaten track (where other modes of transportation aren't available). What will surprise you is that the buses are very luxurious, of European standard, and the pricing for a seat is shockingly affordable.