Demre-Kaş-Antalya (and local sites): transportation options in September

There are definitely frequent minibuses along that route. However, I have never seen a schedule. I have done round trips from Antalya to Kemer, and Antalya to Demre. I definitely recall that some of the buses went on to Kas. If I recall correctly, I just went to the bus stop (or station) and just waited for the next bus to show up.

When I went to Demre, I didn't read the sign before I got on a bus that ended in Kumluca. I got off at the station and waited about 20-30 minutes for the next bus, which went on to Demre. On the route back to Antalya, I don't recall any special pressure to be at the station by a certain time. I ambled back from Myra to Demre on foot, visited St. Nicholas church, had a nice meal, and wandered over to the bus station when I was ready to return to Antalya. There may be a schedule posted at the bus station, but I don't especially recall that.

I can provide more details later, if you want.

Rambling: Part II ....I haven't been to Kas, but my guess is that you will have no problem getting from Demre to Kas, Kas to Antalya, or any points on the main road between the two. However, you will want to hire a taxi is to get from the towns to the more remote sites. For example, you could take a minibus to Finike and then hire a taxi to Arykanda or Lmyra. Or, take a minibus to Kemer or Tekirova, and then hire a taxi to Phaselis.

Kas is more or less the end of the Antalya minibus route, and so I don't know what kind of transit options there will be heading north out of Kas if you have any plans to head in that direction.

Thanks for your helpful replies, Marie. I'm hoping we will have a similar experience. We'll have luggage (carry-on) going from Demre to Kaş, so waiting a while would not be the best especially if the weather is inclement. From Kaş, we'll be visiting local sites for a few days, then we'll need to transfer with luggage to Antalya. I'm guessing getting to Antalya might be a bit easier than getting to Kaş, but perhaps it's the same dolmus route going both directions.

Regarding the taxis to specific sites off the main road, does one use the Uber app or just inquire in town as to what local taxis are available? How best to contact them? Also, is it generally a negotiated price before getting in, or is there a meter running? (Our experience in more rural areas in other countries is the former.) And I'm guessing the transactions are all in cash? That's one thing we'll have to be careful about is cash management since I doubt there will be many ATMs once we get out of the larger towns. That's one benefit of driving yourself - you don't have to worry about having as much currency on hand.

Any other advice along these lines would be great from anyone who might be reading this. And suggestions for places to see in this region (Kaş to Antalya) would be most appreciated.

Thanks for your helpful replies, Marie. I'm hoping we will have a
similar experience. We'll have luggage (carry-on) going from Demre to
Kaş, so waiting a while would not be the best especially if the
weather is inclement.

My experience is that people in Turkey tend to be friendly and helpful, and I am betting that someone near your disembarkation point in Demre will be able to point you in the right direction. I am also betting that there will be taxis at the marina.

Although I am pretty sure you should be able to get a dolmus from Demre to Kas, it might be worth the money just take a taxi to Kas, especially with luggage. The yacht port in Demre is far enough outside the city center that I wouldn't want to hike to the bus station with luggage.

I'm guessing getting to Antalya might be a bit easier than getting to
Kaş, but perhaps it's the same dolmus route going both directions.

I am guessing it's the same route. I do remember see Kas on the route signs in some of the bus windows.

Regarding the taxis to specific sites off the main road, does one use the Uber app or just inquire in town as to what local taxis are available? How best to contact them? Also, is it generally a negotiated price before getting in, or is there a meter running? (Our experience in more rural areas in other countries is the former.)

I have never used Uber in Turkey. However, I have had very good experiences with taxis in Antalya and along the coast.

And I'm guessing the transactions are all in cash? That's one thing
we'll have to be careful about is cash management since I doubt there
will be many ATMs once we get out of the larger towns.

Yes, I always pay cash for taxis and buses.

Although I haven't been to Kas, I imagine that they have ATM's. It's a tourist town, and ATM's tend to be ubiquitous wherever there are tourists. (I have definitely used an ATM in Kemer.)

Any other advice along these lines would be great from anyone who
might be reading this. And suggestions for places to see in this
region (Kaş to Antalya) would be most appreciated.

Oh gosh, there are lots of places between Kas and Antalya (although I am not sure how many I would want to visit with luggage in tow, and I don't know where you would stash luggage.) It's a very scenic route.

I did a trip report last year that includes Myra/Demre and Phaselis between Kas and Antalya, as well Perge, Aspendos, Termessos, and Sagalassos out of Antalya. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/ancient-cities-of-western-turkey

Arykanda, north of Finike, is on my bucket list. Olympus is another popular stop.

I will be happy to answer questions because I have spent a fair amount of time in and around Antalya.

And one more thing .... I am pretty sure this is the bus company I used. Unfortunately, their website is broken, just as it was when I was in Antalya last year. It's not a true dolmus, more like a half bus.

https://www.batiantalyatur.com.tr

There were no tickets. The driver collects cash. In Antalya, he collected the money before the bus departed. From other locations, he collected money at random times. There was a price list on a laminated sheet next to the driver. I think it cost about 100TL (about $5 or $6 at the time) to go from Demre to Antalya.

Oh gosh, there are lots of places between Kas and Antalya (although I am not sure how many I would want to visit with luggage in tow, and I don't know where you would stash luggage.) It's a very scenic route.

We will only have luggage on transfer days, so no worries there. We are planning 3 nights each in Kaş and Antalya, so we'll have plenty of time to explore with just a day pack.

Although I am pretty sure you should be able to get a dolmus from Demre to Kas, it might be worth the money just take a taxi to Kas, especially with luggage. The yacht port in Demre is far enough outside the city center that I wouldn't want to hike to the bus station with luggage.

I was thinking the same thing. The gulet company said they can arrange private transport from the dock, but that often is at a higher cost than something we'd arrange ourselves. If there are taxis at the dock, that would be ideal.

I have never used Uber in Turkey. However, I have had very good experiences with taxis in Antalya and along the coast.

I'm not thinking it would be an Uber driver we'd contact, rather we've had experiences in other countries where the way to contract with a taxi is actually through the Uber app. Strange, I know, but that's how it worked. Didn't know if Turkey worked the same way or if there was some other generic way to reach taxis within an area.

I did a trip report last year that includes Myra/Demre and Phaselis between Kas and Antalya, as well Perge, Aspendos, Termessos, and Sagalassos out of Antalya.

Very nice! I'll look into the places you mention. One place I cannot figure out how to get to on our route is Dalyan. We'd like to see both the rock tombs and the turtle center. Unfortunately, we won't have a car by that point and will have little time in the Fethiye area. Still working on it.

I will be happy to answer questions because I have spent a fair amount of time in and around Antalya.

Wonderful! Thanks so much. When we get things a bit more firmed-up, I'll post our tentative itinerary on the forum and would appreciate your insights.