Top Tips for the Return Journey to Dalaman Airport

At the end of your fantastic Turkish holiday, you’re most likely to be nicely chilled out and perhaps not entirely looking forward to your journey to Dalaman airport and your return home!

However, it’s perhaps worthwhile just giving a few tips about things to think about for that return trip to your departure airport.

1. Take water and dress sensibly. Hopefully your shuttle will have air conditioning, but even so, it can be very hot if you’re travelling during the day in a Turkish summer.
2. Keep some UK weather-sensible clothes easily accessible in a bag for when you reach the other end where, normally, you can be sure it won’t be hot!
3. Remember what you’ve purchased in Turkey and what, if anything, UK customs regulations may have to say about it. Turkey’s not in the EU, so allowances may be less than you’re used to; some things that are commonplace in Turkey may be prohibited in the UK. Find out before you pack and prepare for your return journey to Dalaman airport.
4. Make a thorough check of all your various documents, notably your airline tickets and passport. You might be surprised if you knew just how many people every year arrive at the airport to find they’ve left their paperwork back in the hotel or villa.
5. Have some reading materials and/or technology to keep you occupied on the return journey to Dalaman. This airport serves a large number of resorts in Turkey’s southeast and some are up to two or three hours away. On the outbound journey the thrill of anticipated arrival makes this seem like nothing – on the return it can seem like a drag if you have nothing to do. This is particularly important where children are concerned.
6. Don’t pack the first aid basics away at the bottom of a suitcase. It’s amazing how often that insect bite (that you thought had subsided) can suddenly decide to resurrect itself on the journey home. That’s to say nothing of those ‘last night farewells’ and their associated over-indulgence, which may leave you feeling less than your best heading to the airport the next day.
7. Prepare for airport delays. While this airport is no more likely to experience these than any other, should the worst happen, you might have time to pass. So keep some currency on hand and think further on those above-mentioned books, electronic pastimes and children’s diversions.
8. Check out of your hotel (or villa) in advance. Depending upon your travel times you might not have much choice in this, but either way, don't leave it until the last minute. Keeping coaches waiting as you squabble about a bill item in reception isn’t going to win any popularity contests with your fellow travellers. Even if all is well, rushing leads to mistakes and oversights which can sometimes prove to be expensive.

Most importantly on your return journey to Dalaman, think back to that great holiday you’ve just had and make a resolution to come back to Turkey very soon!

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you’re planning a journey to Dalaman, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.