Quick answer
No hire car? You don't need one to join a boat trip in Side. Our hotel transfer is included — guests are picked up in the morning, with the exact time confirmed the day before. Here's how getting to the boat works, plus dolmus and taxi context and a comparison of your options.
You do not need a hire car to join a boat trip in Side. When you book with us, hotel transfer is included: guests are picked up in the morning, the exact time is confirmed the day before, and it varies from hotel to hotel. We collect you, run the boat, and bring you back. Prefer to travel yourself? The dolmus and taxis work too.
Short answer: your ride to the boat is included
The most common worry we hear from guests staying without a car is simple: how do I actually get to the harbour? On our shared and private boat trips in Side, the answer is that we handle it. A minibus or car collects you from your hotel or a nearby meeting point in the morning, takes you to the boat, and returns you afterwards. You book online, pay on the tour day, and turn up at reception at the confirmed time. That is the whole logistics problem solved.
We run boats across Side, Manavgat, Antalya, Alanya, Belek and Kemer, so the pickup arrangement depends on where you are staying and which trip you choose. That is exactly why we confirm your time the day before rather than printing a fixed clock time here — it genuinely changes from hotel to hotel.
How our included hotel transfer works
Here is the honest, step-by-step version so there are no surprises.
- You book online. Pick your trip, tell us your hotel, and reserve. Payment happens on the tour day.
- We confirm the day before. Guests are picked up from their hotel in the morning; the exact time is confirmed the day before and varies from hotel to hotel. If your hotel is on a side street the driver can't reach, we'll tell you the nearest meeting point.
- Morning pickup. Be at reception a few minutes early with your swimwear, a towel, sun cream, a hat and a little cash for drinks or extras on board.
- The boat, then home. After the trip, the same transfer brings you back to your hotel.
Because our captains and drivers coordinate the run each morning, small timing shifts happen — traffic, the order of hotels on the route, weather at sea. That is normal, and it is why we don't publish exact pickup times. Ready to lock in a date? Reserve your trip on the tours page and we'll sort the pickup from there.
What if I'd rather make my own way?
Some guests prefer to travel independently — maybe you are staying centrally in Side, or you want to arrive early. That is fine. Two options work well in this region.
The dolmus (shared minibus)
The dolmus is the local shared minibus and the cheapest way to move around the coast. Routes connect the main resort strips with town centres and harbours, you pay a small fare in cash to the driver, and you flag it down or use a stop. It is a genuinely useful, low-cost option if you are comfortable working out the route. Timings and stops vary by area, so ask your hotel reception for the current local route to the harbour.
Taxi
Taxis are widely available at ranks, hotels and by phone. They cost more than the dolmus but take you door to door on your own schedule, which suits early starts, groups with luggage, or anyone who would rather not think about it. Agree the fare or confirm the meter before you set off.
To be clear: if you booked with us, you do not need either of these. The included transfer already covers you. This section is only for guests who actively want to arrive under their own steam.
Transfer options compared
Here is how the three ways of reaching the boat stack up.
| Option | Cost | Convenience | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our included transfer | Included in your trip | Highest — door to door, confirmed the day before | Almost everyone, especially first-time visitors and families |
| Dolmus | Lowest — small cash fare | Moderate — you plan the route and timing | Budget-minded, independent travellers |
| Taxi | Higher — per journey | High — door to door on your schedule | Early starts, groups, extra luggage |
For the vast majority of our guests, the included transfer is the obvious choice — you are paying for it as part of the trip, so there is little reason to arrange anything else.
Which trips can I reach this way?
All of them. Whichever boat you pick, the transfer arrangement is the same. A few of our most-booked trips from the Side area and beyond:
- Green Canyon boat tour — a freshwater lake cruise. The water here is cold freshwater rather than warm salt sea, so it is a different swim entirely.
- Side pirate boat tour — a lively sea trip with swim stops, popular with families and groups.
- Suluada island boat tour — a day out to the clear waters around Suluada island.
- Side relax boat trip with waterfall — a calmer sea cruise if you want a gentler pace.
Staying elsewhere along the coast? Browse the trips that leave from your base on our Side departures hub, or check the full range on the tours page. The pickup logic works the same from every base.
Roughly what does a trip cost?
Prices depend on the boat, the date and the season, and the live figure is always on each tour page. As a rough 2026 guide, per person from:
| Trip type | Approximate 2026 starting price (per person) |
|---|---|
| Sea trips (pirate, dolphin, island day cruises) | EUR 20–25 |
| Green Canyon freshwater cruise | EUR 28–54 |
| Suluada island | EUR 42–68 |
| Private yacht or gulet | Per boat, on request |
These are starting bands only. Check the tour page for the live price before you book. Drinks are usually pay-on-board, so bring a little cash.
What to bring and know before the morning
- Swimwear and a towel — you will want to get in the water at the swim stops.
- Sun cream and a hat — the sun on the water is strong, even on breezy days.
- A little cash — for drinks (usually paid on board) and any extras.
- Note on the water: Green Canyon is cold freshwater; the open sea is warmer salt water. Choose accordingly if temperature matters to you.
- Dietary needs — vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free or an allergy? Tell us when you book and we pass it to the specific boat. We won't promise a set menu here; confirm the details on the tour page or with us directly.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really not need a car for a boat trip in Side?
No. Hotel transfer is included when you book with us. Guests are picked up from their hotel in the morning, the exact time is confirmed the day before, and it varies from hotel to hotel. We bring you back afterwards too.
What time will I be picked up?
We can't give an exact clock time in advance because it varies from hotel to hotel and depends on the route and the trip. You'll get your confirmed pickup time the day before. Be at your hotel reception a few minutes early.
What if my hotel is down a small street the minibus can't reach?
It happens, and it is not a problem. When we confirm your time the day before, we'll also give you the nearest meeting point if the driver can't pull up at your door.
Can I get to the harbour by dolmus or taxi instead?
Yes. The dolmus (shared minibus) is the cheapest option and taxis take you door to door for more money. But if you booked with us, the included transfer already covers you — you only need these if you'd prefer to travel independently.
When and how do I pay?
You book online and pay on the tour day. Drinks on board are usually paid separately, so bring a little cash. The live price for your chosen trip is shown on its tour page.
Ready when you are
Getting to the boat is the part you don't need to think about — we've built the transfer into every trip so guests without a car are covered from pickup to drop-off. Pick your date, tell us your hotel, and leave the logistics to us. Browse the full range and book your boat trip in Side today.