🔵 THE SHORT ANSWER
No, buses in Antalya are not free, but they are very cheap. As of 2026, a single journey by AntalyaKart costs 42 TL, whether you’re on a municipal bus or the tram — a fraction of a taxi fare. The AntalyaKart itself is a one-time 100 TL card fee, then you top up as you go. Paying by contactless bank card instead works too, but costs slightly more (around 50 TL per ride) and doesn’t get you the discounted transfer window. Cash is not accepted on board, so getting a card (or a single-use paper ticket from a machine) is the way to go.
📝 A Local’s Note
Buy your AntalyaKart at the airport tram station the moment you land, not later in town. It means you can take the tram straight into the city on arrival without needing cash or a working contactless card, and you’ll already have it sorted for the rest of your stay.
One card can cover a whole group — just tap it again for each person as you board, the reader resets between taps. You only need to buy and top up one AntalyaKart per group, not one each.
🔵 HOW IT WORKS
Buy an AntalyaKart from kiosks, machines, or shops near stops, load some credit, and tap it each time you board a bus or the tram. Transfers within a short time window are discounted rather than charged a second full fare. It is far cheaper than taxis and covers most places a tourist needs, including the route toward the airport. A single card can be used for more than one passenger by tapping multiple times, so groups only need one card between them.
How do you pay for the bus in Antalya?
With an AntalyaKart travel card, which you top up and tap on boarding — a single journey costs 42 TL. Cash is not accepted on board, so buy a card (100 TL one-time fee) or a single-use ticket in advance.
Is the tram cheaper than a taxi?
Much cheaper. The tram and buses cost a fixed 42 TL per ride with an AntalyaKart, a fraction of a taxi, making them the budget way to get around the city.
Can tourists use the AntalyaKart?
Yes. Anyone can buy and top up an AntalyaKart from kiosks and machines near stops, including at the airport tram station, making it easy for visitors to use the buses and tram from the moment they land.
More Antalya practical tips
Page last updated: August 2026.