Local transport guide
Getting around Antalya like a local
From the airport to Kaleiçi, from the old city to the beach — how locals actually move around, without the tourist prices.
Photo: Maksym Kozlenko · CC BY-SA 4.0
From the Airport to the City
Antalya Airport (AYT) is 13km east of the city centre. Your options:
Airport Tram
Easy & budget-friendly · no ticket needed
- Board at
- Terminal 1
- From Terminal 2
- Free shuttle bus to Terminal 1
- Goes to
- The city centre
- Runs
- Until midnight
- Pay
- Tap your contactless debit/credit card — no transport card needed
Landing at Terminal 2? Hop on the free shuttle to Terminal 1, then simply tap your contactless bank card at the tram gate.
Havas Airport Bus
Cheapest · ~45 min
- Price
- Contact us for the latest price
- Destination
- City centre (Doğu Garajı)
- Frequency
- Every 30 min, more frequent in summer
- Hours
- Roughly 04:00 – 24:00
Buy tickets at the Havas kiosk just outside arrivals — no online booking needed. Catch a dolmuş or taxi from Doğu Garajı to your hotel.
Taxi
Door to door · metered
- Meter
- Make sure it's switched on when you set off
- Booking app
- BiTaksi shows a fare estimate before you ride
- Good habit
- Photo of the plate number
Fares depend on traffic and the route, so we don't quote prices — see our taxi precautions below.
Dolmuş (Shared Minibus)
Local experience · variable
- Price
- Contact us for the latest price
- From airport
- Not direct — change at Doğu Garajı
- Best for
- Residents; not ideal with luggage
- Payment
- Cash only, exact change preferred
Not worth it from the airport with luggage. Save the dolmuş experience for getting around the city once you're settled.
Rental Car
Best for day trips
- Price
- Varies by season — contact us for the latest price
- Parking in Kaleiçi
- Difficult — use park near city walls
- Best use
- Day trips to Perge, Aspendos, Köprülü
- Apps
- Sixt, Budget, and Europcar have airport desks
Don't rent a car just to get to the city — it's overkill. Rent for day trips when you want to go further than Antalya tram reaches.
Private Transfer (via our partners)
Door to door · booked in advance
- Price
- Fixed by our partner before you travel
- Pick-up
- Driver waits at arrivals with your name
- Best for
- Groups of 3–6 with luggage, families
- How to ask
- WhatsApp or our request form
Operated by our trusted, licensed transfer partners — see the details at the bottom of this page.
Prices in Turkey change often, so we don't list them here. Message us and we'll tell you the most up-to-date prices.
Ask on WhatsAppDolmuş — the Local Minibus
Dolmuş (shared minibuses) are the backbone of local transport. They run fixed routes, leave when roughly full, and cost a fraction of a taxi. You flag them down on the street or board at designated stops. Pay the driver directly — cash only, small bills preferred.
| Line | Route |
|---|---|
| D-600 | City Centre ↔ Konyaaltı Beach |
| D-318 | City Centre ↔ Lara Beach |
| D-100 | City Centre ↔ Doğu Garajı (east bus terminal) |
| T1 (Tram) | Museum ↔ Işıklar (city centre loop) |
Google Maps knows most dolmuş routes — just select "Transit" as the travel mode and it will suggest the right line.
Taxi Tips
Taxis are easy to find in Antalya. We don't quote fares — they depend on traffic and the route — but a few simple habits make every ride smooth.
Always ask for the meter
Say "taksimetre lütfen" (taxi meter please). Legitimate drivers will turn it on immediately.
Use BiTaksi
Turkey's most popular taxi app shows a fare estimate before you ride and tracks the route — easier than hailing on the street.
Don't agree a price on the street
Fares vary with traffic and the route, so we don't quote prices. If a driver offers a fixed amount instead of the meter, politely take the next taxi.
Photograph the plate number
A quick photo of the number plate or the taxi's licence card makes it easy to get back anything you leave behind.
Follow along on your phone
Open your map app during the ride — you'll know you're going the right way, and the driver will know you know.
Renting a Car
You don't need a car to explore Antalya city. But if you want to reach Aspendos, Perge, Köprülü Canyon, or Side on your own schedule without joining a group tour, a rental is the best option.
Practical notes
- ·Sixt, Budget, Europcar, and local company Pegasus Rent all have desks at AYT arrivals.
- ·Book online at least a day ahead in summer — walk-in availability is limited and more expensive.
- ·Driving in Kaleiçi (old city) is not recommended — streets are narrow and parking is nearly impossible. Park outside the walls.
- ·Fuel is expensive in Turkey — budget for it on longer day trips.
- ·International driving permit technically required but rarely checked — your home licence is usually accepted in practice.
Within the City
Walking
Kaleiçi, the seafront, and Konyaaltı promenade are all very walkable. The old city is best explored entirely on foot — it's only 1km across.
Bike / Scooter
Electric scooters (Martı, Scotty) are available via app throughout the city. Konyaaltı beach promenade has a dedicated bike lane.
T1 Tram
Runs from the Antalya Museum (Müze) through the city to Işıklar. Cheap and air-conditioned. Buy tokens at any station.
Local tip
The best way to experience Antalya is to stay in Kaleiçi and walk everywhere within the old city, take a dolmuş to Konyaaltı when you want the beach, and hire a car or join a day tour for the ancient sites outside the city. That's how locals manage it.
Private transfers · through our partners
Prefer a driver waiting for you?
We're a local guide, not a transfer company — but we work with trusted, licensed transfer partners we know personally. Tell us your plans and our professional partners will offer you their best price, fixed before you travel, with a driver waiting at arrivals with your name and room for your group and luggage — especially handy when you're 3 to 6 people.
Our partners can take you anywhere around Antalya, for any occasion:
- Airport arrivals & departures
- Hotel transfers — Kaleiçi, Konyaaltı, Lara, Belek, Kemer, Side
- Day trips — Perge, Aspendos, Düden, Köprülü Canyon
- Private tours with your own driver for the day
- Evenings out, dinners and events
- Families & groups with lots of luggage
Transfers are provided and operated by independent, licensed transfer companies, who are responsible for the service. Antalya Local Guide puts you in touch with them; prices and booking terms are confirmed by the partner.
