Public transport
Buses
Antalya has an extensive bus network. Most areas of the city are easily accessible by bus. Canmom, the TripAdvisor forums user, describes Antalya public buses:
They are really cheap. Also the big buses are air-conditioned and very comfortable unless you are travelling at around rush hour when they can get crowded.
Public transport drivers (both bus and tram ones) wear such white shirts:
Comfortable buses with places for prams and wheelchairs are frequent and run on strict schedules.
Buses stop at designated locations only. Bus stops in the city can be found by this sign:
D is ‘durak’ which means ‘a stop’ in Turkish. Look at the picture: a stop has a number, and below it, there is a phone number. You can always use this phone number to contact the customer service: tell them the number of a stop and make a complaint about, for example, a bus being late or not having stopped.
There are also some ‘smart’ stops with air-conditioning and power outlets.
On the bus: When approaching the stop you want to get off at, press the red button on the handrail:
!If nobody presses the button, the bus driver will make a stop only if there are people waiting at the bus stop.
There is a multitude of bus routes in Antalya. However, the most popular route among tourists is KL08 which runs between Konyaalti and Lara and passes the most popular places in the city.
Vipfamily, the TripAdvisor forums user, tells about the most interesting tourist spots this bus passes on its way from Lara and back:
The KL08 bus is great for getting into Kaleici and the city centre. A little further and it goes past MarkAntalya and Micros 5M shopping centres. Stops within easy walking distance to the aquarium and mini city before terminating at Sarisu beach, picnic area and ladies beach. The other way it goes past the Saturday market, Laura, SheMall and Terra City shopping centres, Lower Duden Waterfalls and on to Lara Beach. That’s just one bus!
However, some tourists do not find it easy to get around the city by bus. Thus, the TripAdvisor forums user JonesyTraveller says:
At bus stops there aren’t maps and lists of the bus destinations.
In 2016, the Antalya government planned to replace dolmuses with ordinary buses. But according to many travelers, this did not happen.
Dolmuses in Antalya run along the same routes as city buses. However, they accept cash payments and may stop in any place on the way permitted by traffic laws, not only at bus stops.
Buses do not run after 22:00.
Trams in Antalya
There are two tram lines in Antalya: the modern high-speed AntRay (runs from 06:00 to 23:00, every 10 minutes) and the retro Nostalji (runs from 07:00 to 22:00, every 30 minutes).
The Nostalji line is very popular among tourists, as it runs from Konyaalti Beach through Old Town (the Kale Kapisi stop) and passes plenty of hotels on the way.
Conductor sitting at the table:
AntRay has two lines: one runs from Fatih District to the airport, and the other — to EXPO Center. On the way, the tram passes Old Town, the bus station, the zoo, and the largest malls in Antalya: MarkAntalya, ÖzdilekPARK, Deepo Outlet, and Mall of Antalya.
Here is a simple tram map:
According to the map, you can walk from the Kale Kapisi stop to the harbor and then take a sea bus to Kemer from there.
Fares
Cash payments are accepted only on the retro Nostalji tram. For all other public transport services, you will need to buy a plastic Antalyakart card. The price for it is 10 Lira (with 5 Lira remaining on a card). The bus fare is 2.60 Lira, and the tram one is 2 Lira. Changing buses within one hour costs 1 Lira.
There are also paper cards for 2 or 4 rides. They cost 6.50 and 12 Lira respectively (with 1 Lira for a card). You can top up a paper card not more than 5 times. There is no special rate for changing buses. So think carefully whether buying such a card is beneficial for you.
You can purchase and top up your Antalyakart card:
- at sales points at the airport and bus station
- via special machines (plastic cards only!)
- at such ticket booths:
Booths and machines can be found along tramlines or in popular tourist areas.
- in small shops (food or hardware) which have a special sign:
Shops and booths do not work on Sundays.
Paper cards can also be bought from the driver, but they may be sold out by the evening.
Travelers say that it is possible to use one card for several people.
Some tourists say that it is also possible to purchase transport cards at hotels. However, in this case, the price for them is most likely to be higher. Thus, the TripAdvisor forums user HolidayForUs says:
We bought 2 bus cards at our hotel for 20 lira which did two single trips each (we did that on the same day) then ran out.
Travel forums users recommend to download the Antalyakart app. With it, you can top up your transport card and track the nearest bus or tram.
Private transport
Taxi
Lots of travelers complain about taxi scams in Antalya. Ken Grubb, in his guide on the turkeycentral, gives advice on how to avoid such scams:
Legal taxis are yellow with yellow lighted ‘taksi’ signs on top. They have registration numbers on their license plates, sides, and roofs, as well as painted logos on their doors.
Refuse a fixed rate for a short ride within the city. Insist that the driver uses the taximeter, and make sure he turns it on. If the driver says the meter is broken, do not travel with him.
If you see that the taximeter is running too fast, stop the ride and take another taxi.
Prepare some smaller coins and notes in order to pay the exact fare. Some drivers tend to say they do not have change.
Be careful when handing over notes to the driver: he may hide one and say you did not give enough money. Or he may switch your 50-lira note with a five-lira one. Hold up the money so both of you can see it and say ‘I am giving you 50 lira.
Raisa, the dreamworkandtravel blog author, recommends:
You should pay in Turkish Lira’s. If you pay in other currencies, your exchange rate will be high.
In order not to be cheated by the driver, use this taxi fare calculator in Antalya.
The peculiarity of Turkey and Antalya particularly is calling a taxi via the button.
Press it, and a car will arrive in a few minutes. Such call buttons can be usually found in popular locations.
!In Turkey, women do not sit in front seats of taxis.
Car rental
You can rent a car in Antalya:
- via the Internet
- at the airport
- with private companies on the spot
Elaine, the author of the thewholeworldisaplayground blog, shares her experience of renting a car in Antalya in one of her blog posts. Here are some things from that post you should know:
- Most car rental companies require drivers to be 21 and have held their license for not less than one year. Some firms impose an extra charge for drivers under 25.
- An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required in case a driving license is written in a non-Roman alphabet. However, it is always better to have it.
- It’s worth taking additional insurance for the peace of mind, especially because full insurance is relatively cheap in Turkey.
- If you can, rent a diesel car, as petrol is quite expensive.
- There is a rule that says ‘do not leave anything in your car that you cannot afford to lose’.
Nephthys, the TripAdvisor forums user, advises:
Driving round Antalya can be a bit nerve-racking. Avoid the centre of Antalya.
YorkEL, the TripAdvisor forums user, points out another problem about renting a car in Antalya:
There are many car rentals in Antalya but it’s hard to find one that offers different pick-up/drop off locations especially at the cruise port.
Don’t want to face such difficulties while traveling? Here is an alternative.
Transfer
In Turkey, no one uses child car seats. So do not expect to find one in a taxi. As for a private transfer, it will definitely have such a seat if you specify this in your booking. Using a transfer, you always know the final cost of your trip. So it does not make sense for a driver to take a longer route in order to increase the fare.
Car rental with driver
It is beneficial in case you have a complicated route with some detours. Besides, you will not have to bother with an International Driving Permit and insurance. Also, you will not get tired from driving in an unfamiliar city, and will just enjoy your holidays.
Antalya transport hubs
- The bus station is located 4 km from the city center. It has two terminals: one serves suburban buses (to and from Alanya, Side, Manavgat, Belek, Kemer, etc.), and the other — intercity ones.
- International airport. To find out how to get from it to the city, click here.
Public transport is enough to get around Antalya. The only difficulty is buying a transport card. But if you are traveling with small children or elderly relatives or feeling extremely tired, it is better to choose another option.
