Touching down at Antalya Airport (AYT) is the start of almost every Turkish Riviera holiday — but the airport sits 13 km east of the city, and the resort towns you're probably heading for are spread along 200 km of coastline. Knowing your options before you land saves you money, queueing time, and the classic "how much?" haggle at the taxi rank.
This guide breaks down every way to get from AYT to your hotel, realistic transfer times to each resort, and how to choose the right option for your group.
How far is Antalya Airport from the resorts?
Antalya Airport has two international terminals and one domestic terminal, all within a few minutes of each other. From there, drive times to the main holiday areas look like this:
| Destination | Approx. distance | Typical drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Lara Beach | 10 km | 15–20 min |
| Antalya city / Konyaaltı | 13–18 km | 30–40 min |
| Belek | 35 km | ~40 min |
| Side / Manavgat | 65 km | ~1 hour |
| Kemer | 55 km | 50–60 min |
| Alanya | 125 km | 2–2.5 hours |
Summer traffic on the D-400 coastal road can add 20–30 minutes, especially on Saturday changeover days when half the coast swaps hotels at once.
Your transfer options from AYT
1. Pre-booked private transfer
For most families and groups, a pre-booked transfer is the simplest choice: your driver tracks your flight, meets you in the arrivals hall with a name board, and takes you directly to your hotel with no shared stops. The price is fixed when you book, so there's no meter anxiety after a long flight. Our sister company runs a door-to-door private Antalya airport transfer across the whole region — you can see prices for your exact route before you commit.
This is usually the best value for the longer routes (Side, Kemer, Alanya), where a metered taxi gets expensive fast.
2. VIP and premium vehicles
Travelling for a special occasion, a corporate trip, or simply want more space and comfort? A premium option puts you in a Mercedes V-Class, Maybach or luxury minibus with a professional chauffeur, bottled water and meet-and-greet service. If that's your style, look at a dedicated Antalya VIP airport transfer rather than a standard car.
3. Airport taxi
Official taxis wait outside arrivals and are metered. They're convenient if you haven't booked anything, but for the longer resort runs the meter adds up quickly and you'll want to confirm the rough fare before setting off.
4. Public bus / Havaş shuttle
The cheapest route into Antalya city centre is the Havaş shuttle or municipal bus from the front of the terminals, running roughly every 20–30 minutes. It's great value if your hotel is central — but with suitcases and a resort hotel in Belek or Side, it's not practical.
5. Car hire
If you plan to explore beyond your resort — Aspendos, the Köprülü Canyon, or the old towns of Side and Kaleiçi — a hire car gives you freedom. Just remember that most all-inclusive resorts have everything on site, so a car can sit unused all week.
Which option is right for you?
- Couple or family staying put at an all-inclusive: a private transfer door-to-door is hard to beat.
- City break in central Antalya on a budget: the airport bus does the job.
- Special occasion or business trip: go VIP.
- Independent travellers planning day trips: consider car hire.
Whichever you choose, book before you fly during the busy June–September window — drivers and vehicles sell out on peak changeover days.
Where to stay on the Turkish Riviera
Once your transfer is sorted, the fun part is choosing your base. Browse our guide to Antalya hotels and resorts for the best areas, or read our Belek travel guide if golf and luxury resorts are your thing. Planning to splurge? Our Antalya VIP and luxury travel guide covers the high-end side of the coast.
Ready to explore beyond the beach? See our curated Türkiye tours for day trips and excursions across the region.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the transfer from Antalya Airport to the hotel?
It depends on your resort. Lara is about 15–20 minutes, Antalya city centre and Konyaaltı around 30–40 minutes, Belek roughly 40 minutes, Side about 1 hour, Kemer around 50–60 minutes, and Alanya is the longest at roughly 2 to 2.5 hours. Traffic in peak summer season can add 20–30 minutes.
How far is Antalya Airport from the city centre?
Antalya Airport (AYT) sits about 13 km east of the city centre, so a transfer into central Antalya, Lara or Konyaaltı typically takes 20–40 minutes depending on traffic and your exact hotel.
What is the best way to get from Antalya Airport to my hotel?
For most holidaymakers a pre-booked private transfer is the easiest option: a driver meets you in arrivals, the price is fixed in advance, and you go straight to your hotel door with no shared stops. Taxis are available on the spot but cost more for longer routes, and the public Havaş/airport bus is cheapest but only serves the city centre.
Is there a bus from Antalya Airport?
Yes. The Havaş shuttle and municipal buses run from the front of the terminals into Antalya city centre roughly every 20–30 minutes. They are inexpensive but only useful if your hotel is in central Antalya — for Belek, Side, Kemer or Alanya a transfer or taxi is far more practical with luggage.
How much does an Antalya Airport transfer cost?
Prices vary by distance and vehicle. Short routes like Lara or Antalya centre are the cheapest, while Side, Kemer and especially Alanya cost more because of the longer drive. A pre-booked private transfer is usually cheaper than a metered taxi for the longer resort routes, since the fare is fixed up front.
Explore our tours
Discover Türkiye's best tours with Safaryar
Packaged for partner agencies, net-priced, and operationally proven — all in a single catalogue.