Antalya Airport to Side takes around 1 hour by car. Side combines a Roman old town with long sandy beaches, and it is one of the most popular destinations for UK families flying into Antalya Airport (AYT). The transfer takes about an hour, long enough for the wrong choice to cost you real money. Here are all your options from AYT to Side, compared honestly by a local.
Quick answer: a pre-booked private transfer from Antalya Airport to Side costs from about £45 for the whole car, cheaper than a metered taxi (about ₺3,550–5,000), with a fixed price and a driver waiting for you. Public transport works, but you change at Antalya bus station and in Manavgat.
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Antalya Airport to Side: quick facts
| Distance | about 70 km |
| Driving time | around 1 hour |
| Best option for most travellers | Pre-booked private transfer |
| Private transfer (car, up to 3 people) | From about £45 (US$59) one way per car on KiwiTaxi, checked October 2026 |
| Official yellow taxi (metered) | About ₺3,550–5,000 (around £53–75) one way on the meter, day or night |
| Public transport | Possible via Antalya bus station and Manavgat, slow with luggage |
| Live flight arrivals | Official Antalya Airport website |
Antalya Airport to Side: your options compared
1. Pre-booked private transfer (recommended)
For most visitors this is the easiest way to get from Antalya Airport to Side. A driver usually waits for you in the arrivals area with your name (check the meeting point in your booking confirmation), helps with your bags and drives you straight to your hotel door in Side. The price is fixed when you book, so there are no surprises if the traffic is bad or your flight is delayed, because the driver tracks your flight number.
- Best for families, groups, late-night arrivals and anyone who wants zero stress after a four-hour flight from the UK.
- Ask for child seats when you book; they are not always automatic.
- Pay online in advance, so you don’t need Turkish lira cash on arrival.
2. Shared shuttle
Shared shuttles drop off several groups at different hotels along the way. They can be cheaper per person, but expect extra stops and a longer journey than the around 1 hour drive.
3. Official taxi from the rank
Licensed taxis wait outside arrivals. They must use the meter (taksimetre). Antalya has two meter rates: about ₺40–50 to start plus ₺50 per km in the city districts, and ₺60 plus ₺70 per km in outer districts such as Manavgat, where Side is (council tariff adopted on 13 March 2026, in force from 23 March). We have found no rule on which rate applies to a ride from the airport, so the taxi fares on this page are a range that covers both. Taxi chambers asked the council for higher fares in October 2026 and nothing had been adopted by 22 October, so fares may rise soon. Before you set off, agree that the meter will be used and check that it is running. Refuse “fixed prices” from people who approach you inside the terminal. That is the classic overcharge we describe in our scam alerts.
- Most taxis accept card payment, but carry some Turkish lira just in case.
- There is no separate night tariff, and there are no motorway or bridge tolls on this route.
- Take a photo of the taxi’s number plate before you get in.
4. Public transport
You can reach Side by public transport by getting from the airport to Antalya’s main bus station (otogar), taking an intercity bus or minibus towards Manavgat, and changing to a local minibus (dolmuş) to Side. It is the cheapest option but can take two to three hours with changes, so it only makes sense for light travellers on a tight budget.
Arriving in Side: local tips
- Side’s old town is partly pedestrianised; if your hotel is inside it, vehicles drop you at the entrance to the old town, so be ready for a short walk with your luggage.
- Hotels in Kumköy, Kızılağaç and Titreyengöl are all listed as “Side”, so check which area yours is in.
- Manavgat waterfall and the big Manavgat market (Mondays and Thursdays) are easy trips from Side.
Common traps to avoid
- Touts inside the terminal offering a “cheap taxi”: they usually quote a fixed price far above the meter.
- “Your hotel is closed / full” stories designed to take you to a different hotel that pays the driver commission.
- Paying in pounds or euros in cash at a poor exchange rate. Agree the currency before the journey.
- No mobile data on arrival, so you can’t check your booking or message your driver. Sort out an eSIM before you fly. See our SIM card guide.
Things to do from Side
Once you have settled in, these are the well-reviewed day trips we would look at from Side. Most include hotel pickup, but always check the pickup area for your hotel and what each option includes.
- Green Canyon jeep safari and boat trip with lunch: one of the most popular days out from Side, rated 4.9 from over 4,000 reviews. The headline price is very low, so check what your option includes. Our Green Canyon boat trip guide compares the options.
- Perge, Aspendos and Kurşunlu waterfall from Side: rated 4.9, with pickup from Side hotels and the entrance fees, lunch and a licensed guide included.
- Köprülü Canyon rafting with zipline and lunch: rated 4.7 from over 1,650 reviews, with pickup from Side hotels; see our Antalya rafting guide for age limits and what to bring.
The streets of Side old town are free to walk, so leave an evening for them and for the Temple of Apollo by the sea. For the ruins day, read our Aspendos tour guide, and for a relaxing afternoon, our Turkish bath guide.
Want more ideas? Our guide to the best things to do in Antalya covers free sights, boat trips, day trips and adventure, with 2026 prices.
The best way to get to Side
If you want the simplest, most predictable trip from Antalya Airport to Side, pre-book a private transfer: fixed price, a driver waiting with your name and no cash needed. A metered taxi from the official rank is a fair back-up if you arrive without a booking. Public transport only makes sense if you travel light and have time to spare.
Still deciding between Side and the other resorts? Our guide to where to stay in Antalya compares the beaches and transfer times.
Bringing children to Side? Read Antalya with kids for the best months and family trips nearby.
FAQ: Antalya Airport to Side
How long is the transfer from Antalya Airport to Side?
Around around 1 hour by car in normal traffic. Allow extra time on summer Saturdays, when most package holiday flights arrive and depart.
How much is a taxi from Antalya Airport to Side?
The meter comes to roughly ₺3,550–5,000 (about £53–75) one way. A pre-booked private transfer costs from about £45 (US$59) for the whole car, so the transfer is usually cheaper as well as fixed in advance.
Is there a direct bus from Antalya Airport to Side?
Not a direct one. You need to change at Antalya bus station and in Manavgat. With luggage or children, a transfer is much easier.
What if my flight is delayed?
Good transfer companies track your flight and wait at no extra charge. Always give them your flight number when booking.
For a full comparison of every way out of AYT, read our complete Antalya Airport transfer guide.
More AYT Survival Guides
- Antalya Airport Transfers: Taxi, Shuttle or Private Car
- Where to Stay in Antalya: Best Areas Compared
- Gazipaşa vs Antalya Airport: Which Is Better for Alanya?
- KiwiTaxi Review: Is It Reliable for Antalya Airport Transfers?
- Antalya Airport Arrivals: Step by Step from Plane to Hotel
- Antalya Airport Departures: How Early to Arrive
- Antalya Airport to Lara & Kundu Transfer
- Antalya Airport to City Centre & Konyaaltı
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