Ruth Haines
Dalaman Airport (DLM) has been called the most expensive international airport in the world, with food and drinks that are reportedly quite expensive. Travellers have noted that bringing your own food onboard is allowed and is a good way to avoid the high prices at the airport. However, there are restrictions on bringing bottles of water beyond the security scanner. The airport has a variety of dining options, ranging from fast-food burger joints to gourmet restaurants, and shops selling everything from traditional Turkish sweets to designer goods.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bringing your own food | Allowed |
| Food prices | High |
| Food options | Wide range of options, including fast food, gourmet restaurants, traditional Turkish sweets, etc. |
| Drinks | Cannot be brought through the second security scanner |
| Alcoholic drinks | Available for purchase |
| Seating | Limited |
| Toilets | Not always clean |
| WiFi | Available in designated areas, may come with a fee |
| Smoking | Permitted in two designated smoking terraces in both Domestic and International terminals |
| Opening hours | 24 hours |
| Sleeping areas | None available |
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What You'll Learn
Food prices at Dalaman Airport
Dalaman Airport in Turkey offers a variety of dining options, ranging from fast-food burger joints to gourmet restaurants. While the airport is not considered particularly expensive compared to other Mediterranean airports, food and drink prices are significantly higher than outside the airport.
Several travellers have noted that food and drink prices at Dalaman Airport are exorbitant and should be avoided. A small bottle of water, typically costing 5 Turkish Liras (TL), can cost up to 55 TL airside. A basic burger or chicken meal can range from €15 to €25, and a large fries can cost around £4.00. Some travellers have reported paying £48 for two meals at the airport, which would typically cost £15-£17 at a resort or £15 in the UK.
The high prices at Dalaman Airport are attributed to the privatisation of the airport by the Turkish government, resulting in high rental costs for shops, which are then passed on to customers.
To avoid paying excessive prices, many travellers recommend bringing your own food and drinks. Some suggest purchasing food from a nearby resort or making arrangements with your hotel for a packed lunch. Alternatively, travellers can opt to use the CIP lounge, where they can eat and drink as much as they want and even take some food with them on the flight.
While Dalaman Airport offers a variety of dining options, it is advisable to be prepared and bring your own food and drinks to avoid the high prices.
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Bringing your own food into the airport
Dalaman Airport has been called the most expensive international airport in the world, with food, drinks, and other services reportedly very expensive. It is recommended that you bring your own food to the airport to avoid high prices.
One traveller reports that they took their own food onto the plane, with sandwiches, crisps, biscuits, and sweets, and had no problems. This traveller also notes that you can take drinks through the first security scanner, but not the second one after check-in.
Other travellers report similar experiences, with one stating that they always take food with them to the airport. It seems that bringing your own food into the airport and onto the plane is a common practice at Dalaman Airport, likely due to the high prices of food within the airport.
It is worth noting that while you can bring your own food, alcoholic drinks in the VIP lounge are suspected to be expensive, though one traveller was unsure of the exact price.
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Buying food before security checks
Dalaman Airport has been described as having extortionate prices, with food, drinks, and other services being reportedly expensive. The airport has a food court with a range of options, from fast-food burger spots to gourmet restaurants. There are also shops selling traditional Turkish sweets.
If you want to save money, it is advisable to buy food before you get to the airport. One source mentions that you can take your own food to the airport and onto the plane. They recommend buying crisps, sandwiches, sweets, and biscuits at a resort before arriving at the airport. This is because food at the airport is reportedly overpriced and less satisfying.
It is important to note that there are restrictions on taking bottles of water through security at Dalaman Airport. One source mentions that you can take drinks through the first security scanner before check-in, but not through the second set of security scanners after check-in. Therefore, if you want to bring your own drinks, it is best to finish them before checking in.
Overall, while Dalaman Airport offers a variety of dining options, it is recommended to bring your own food to save money and avoid the high prices of airport food.
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Food options at the airport
Dalaman Airport has a wide variety of dining options for travellers. The airport is not particularly expensive compared to other Mediterranean airports, but food prices are higher than outside the airport. The food court offers everything from fast-food burgers to gourmet restaurants.
For those looking for a quick bite, there are several cafes, including Cafe Turka, Freedom, and Malatya Pazari, both landside and airside. If you're after something more substantial, the airside international terminal has fast-food outlets like Burger King, KFC, McDonald's, and Popeye's, as well as options like BE Bistro, Dutch Fries, and Sbarro.
For travellers with longer layovers or those wishing to dine in a more relaxed setting, the CIP Lounge offers complimentary drinks and snacks, as well as high-speed Wi-Fi access. This lounge is located in Terminal 2, Airside, on the 3rd Floor, and can be accessed by paying at the door or using a lounge pass or membership program.
Additionally, the airport has a shopping centre modelled after a 'grand bazaar', where you can find traditional Turkish sweets, foodstuffs, and other products like carpets, leather goods, and jewellery. The duty-free shops also offer a range of chocolates, perfumes, alcoholic beverages, and souvenirs.
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Food prices compared to other airports in Turkey
Food prices at Dalaman Airport are comparable to other airports in Turkey, but they are generally much higher than the prices outside the airport. The airport offers a variety of dining options, ranging from fast-food burger joints to gourmet restaurants. While the prices at Dalaman Airport are not considered particularly expensive compared to other Mediterranean airports, it is still common for airports to have higher prices than regular restaurants due to higher rents.
Istanbul Airport, in particular, has been noted to have extremely high food and beverage prices, even topping the list as the most expensive airport in Europe for food and drinks. A study by Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera found that a half-liter bottle of Evian water at Istanbul Airport averaged €6, compared to €5.9 in Berlin and €4.75 in Frankfurt. Similarly, an espresso costs around €6, and a cappuccino reaches €9 on average. Basic snacks are also priced high, with a croissant and a ham-and-cheese sandwich costing approximately €16.5 each.
Some travelers have expressed their frustration with the high prices at Istanbul Airport, stating that a burger can cost up to $25 from certain chains, and a slice of pizza can be as much as $10. Others have mentioned that food prices in Turkish airports, in general, are very expensive compared to other countries' airports.
It is worth noting that some airports and airlines are trying to address this issue. For example, coffee prices on Ryanair and easyJet flights are kept under €4, and Istanbul Airport's operator, IGA, has stated that their pricing policy aims to offer products suitable for every budget. Nonetheless, with rising costs and commercial freedom for tenants to set prices, food prices at airports in Turkey and across Europe remain a concern for travelers.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can take your own food into Dalaman Airport. However, there are restrictions on taking drinks, including water, through security.
Sandwiches, crisps, biscuits, and sweets are all good options to bring into the airport.
The airport has a variety of dining options, including fast-food burger spots, gourmet restaurants, and a 'Turkish street food' kiosk.
Yes, there are pastry shops near the airport where you can buy börek, takeaway pide, or a simit.
Yes, there is a CIP Lounge and a VIP Lounge where you can purchase food and drinks. However, food and drinks at the airport tend to be expensive.
