Layover in Antalya

If you're not flying to Turkey, you're probably flying through it. And if not through Istanbul, then through Antalya. This is another popular transit point for Russians and the country's second busiest airport. People make a stop here, traveling to Rome or taking tickets to Barcelona. But this city is even more important for travel to Cyprus. We decided to figure out how to plan a flight with a layover in Antalya, what you need to know in advance, and what to do if you have to spend a night at the airport.

About the airport

Antalya Airport is located just 10 km from the city. It consists of three terminals – one domestic and two international. Both regular and charter flights arrive here. Terminal T1 and the domestic terminal are located next to each other. During the summer, flights from Russian airlines are mainly served by the second international terminal T2. Therefore, if you arrive at T2 and your next flight departs from T1, you will have to transfer from one to the other.

Important: there is no proper transport connection between terminals T1 and T2.

Buses (route 800) run, but infrequently – once every hour and a half. A tram goes to Terminal 1, but the line is not extended to T2. Therefore, tourists either have to pay for a taxi (3-5 $), or walk, which takes 20-30 minutes. Even if you have plenty of time, this option can be nerve-wracking: sidewalks are inconvenient, and there is no navigation system. Taxi drivers readily accept cash euros and dollars, so you can do without a foreign bank card here.

The airport has its own mobile application (App Store | Google Play) with support for four languages – Turkish, Russian, English, German. In it, you can track flights, calculate parking costs, and find out which terminal your plane arrives at. Unfortunately, there is no full map with the location of all cafes, stops, and other services, and the 'Transport' section redirects to the Antalyakart application – you can only find out bus and tram schedules there.

The airport website has a small map, where you can see the location of the terminals and directions to them, as well as a map of the 'Turkish Riviera' coast – from Olympos to Side. However, where Starbucks or Burger King are located needs to be found out on site: the website only provides general information, such as 'International Terminal 1'.

Transit at Antalya Airport

Neither of the two international terminals has a transit zone. This means that passengers must go through Turkish passport control, collect their luggage, check in for a new flight, drop off their luggage, and go through all control stages again.

How much time do you need for a layover in Antalya? It all depends on the season. In summer, when Russian tourists massively fly to Turkish resorts, Terminal 2 handles them. At this time, the airport is at maximum capacity, so it's best to allow at least five hours for a transfer, especially if you need to check/collect luggage. When the holiday season ends, i.e., in late autumn, winter, and early spring, a quick transfer from one flight to another in the same terminal will take a couple of hours. Of course, provided that the first plane is not delayed.

What documents are needed to go into the city

Entry rules for Turkey are the same everywhere: you will need a passport valid for at least 4 months (120 days) from the date of entry. Since there is no transit zone, you will have to take your belongings with you or leave them in the airport's luggage storage.

How to get from Antalya Airport to the city center

Antalya is a beautiful and interesting city. So, if you have a long layover, we advise you not to stay at the airport the whole time, but to go and admire the historical and cultural sights.

Tram

The most budget-friendly way, and without traffic jams. Only one route goes from the airport to the city – T1A. The stop is located near Terminal 1. 'Antray' (Antray) goes through the center of Antalya. To get to the Old City, we recommend getting off at the İsmetpaşa stop: from there it's only a 5-minute walk to Hadrian's Gate. The same tram will take you back to the airport, the required stop is Havalimanı.

Fares are paid with the universal transport card Antalyakart, which can be purchased right here at the airport, near the exit of the same Terminal 1. The fare for 'Antalyakart' in 2025 varies:

• with an anonymous travel card – 27 lira
• with a single-use ticket Kullan At – 30 lira

If you are just passing through Antalya, there is no particular point in paying 50 lira for the card itself to get a small discount on the fare.

The tram runs from 6 AM to midnight with an interval of 15-20 minutes. It's quite realistic to reach the city center in half an hour.

Bus

Several buses run from the airport to Antalya, but the most interesting routes for us are 600, 600G, and 800. 600G will be needed if you are traveling to the city at night.

600 goes from Terminal 1 to the Otogar bus station. The journey to the center will take 40-45 minutes, and the ticket costs 54 lira. The bus departs from the airport every 2 hours: at 6:30, 8:30, 10:30, 12:30, 14:30, 16:30, 18:30, 20:30, 22:30, and 00:00. Additional services are at 01:00, 03:00, and 05:00 at night.

800 will also take you to the Old City (Kaleiçi). Travel time is 45-50 minutes, and the cost is similar. The frequency is slightly higher – once every hour and a half: at 06:45, 08:35, 10:05, 11:35, 13:05, 14:35, 16:05, 17:35, 19:05, 20:35, 22:05, and 23:35.

Shuttle

There is also a shuttle bus that transports tourists from Antalya Airport to the 5M Migros hypermarket (Konyaaltı 5M Migros AVM). It has only 12 stops along the way, including the bus station (Otogar). The frequency of movement is once an hour, starting from 04:00 until 21:00. The comfort in these buses is higher, as is the fare – 160 lira. Payment can be made in cash.

This option is worth considering if you decide to dedicate the time between flights to shopping, rather than walks around the historical part of Antalya.

Taxi

A more expensive, but more convenient option. The taxi stand is located right outside the terminal exit. The boarding fee will be 25 lira, each kilometer traveled – 36 lira. On average, to get to the Kaleiçi district, you will have to pay 450 lira. Make sure the driver has turned on the meter and that it is working. Travel time depends on traffic, but on average it takes about 40 minutes.

What to do during a layover at Antalya Airport

If you have 6 hours or more, the best option is to go for a walk in the city. If you have less time, stay at the airport – it's safer.

Dining

Around 30 different cafes and restaurants await you at the airport. Food and beverage outlets are divided into three categories – cafes and restaurants, fast food, 'grab and go'. There are both international chains like Subway, and local ones – The Kebap Factory, Via Dönerci, Maldia Bazaar. You can view the full list on the website of the airport.

Services

Passenger amenities at the airport include prayer rooms, Wi-Fi, an open smoking terrace, a pharmacy, currency exchange offices, and ATMs.

Overnight layover in Antalya

Unfortunately, there is no wide range of options at the airport. On the third floor of Terminal 2, there is a CIP Lounge business lounge with paid access. The maximum stay is 3 hours. The cost is 1,500 lira.

So it's better to book a room in a nearby hotel, for example, at IC Hotels Airport, Havalimanı Manzaralı Lux Daire, or Hampton by Hilton Antalya Airport.