Antalya Airport to Side Transfer: Distance, Time & Options

Antalya Airport (AYT) to Side is about 65 to 70 km, a drive of roughly 55 to 70 minutes along the D400. The resort strip east of Side (Kumköy, Çolaklı, Evrenseki) is about 70 to 75 km away, and Manavgat town is a few minutes beyond Side. This guide compares private transfers, shuttles, taxis and the bus, and explains what to tell your driver if you are staying in Side’s car-free old town.

Antalya Airport to Side: Distance and Travel Time

Area	Distance from AYT	Drive time (normal)
Titrengöl, Sorgun (west of Side)	about 60 to 65 km	50 to 65 min
Side old town and beaches	about 65 to 70 km	55 to 70 min
Kumköy, Çolaklı, Evrenseki	about 70 to 75 km	60 to 75 min
Manavgat town	about 70 to 75 km	60 to 75 min

Typical times outside rush hour. On summer Saturdays, when most package holidays change over, the D400 near the Side junction gets busy, so allow 15 to 20 minutes extra. Add 30 to 60 minutes after landing for passport control and baggage.

Your Options at a Glance

Option	Door to hotel	Best for	Watch out for
Private transfer	Yes	Families, groups, late arrivals	Confirm the vehicle fits your luggage
Shared shuttle	Usually	Solo travellers and couples	Stops at several hotels on the way
Airport taxi	Yes	Couples who did not pre-book	Metered fare adds up over 65 km
Tram plus bus	No	Light luggage, tight budget	Changes in Antalya and Manavgat, 2.5 to 3 hours

Option 1: Private Transfer (the Family Answer)

A private transfer means one vehicle for your group, a driver who tracks your flight and a fixed price agreed before you fly. On a one-hour drive with children or a lot of luggage, it is the most relaxed way to start the holiday, and for four or more people it often costs about the same per person as a shared shuttle.

Confirm in writing the total price for the vehicle, the number of large suitcases it takes, how long the driver waits if your flight is late, and the exact meeting point at your terminal.

Option 2: Shared Shuttle

Shared shuttles charge per person and suit one or two travellers. The bus usually waits for several flights and drops passengers at hotels from Belek to Side, so the trip can take closer to 2 hours. Check that your hotel is on the route and what the luggage allowance is.

Option 3: Airport Taxi

Official taxis wait outside each terminal and run on the meter, with a higher night tariff. Over 65 to 75 km the fare adds up, so for most groups a pre-booked transfer is better value. If you take a taxi, check the official fare board at the rank first. See our Antalya taxi guide.

Option 4: Tram and Bus

The budget route is the AntRay tram from the airport to Antalya’s intercity bus station (Otogar), a bus to Manavgat, then a local minibus (dolmuş) or taxi to Side. Allow 2.5 to 3 hours. Pay for the tram with an AntalyaKart or a contactless bank card. Fine with a backpack, hard work with suitcases and children.

Which One for You?

• Family or group with luggage: private transfer in a minivan.
• Solo or couple, flexible on time: shared shuttle, if it serves your hotel.
• Landing after 22:00: pre-book a private transfer; buses stop and taxis charge the night tariff.
• Staying in Side old town: private transfer, so the driver can drop you at the nearest point and help with bags.
• Backpacker: tram, Otogar bus to Manavgat, then a dolmuş to Side.

Staying in Side Old Town? Read This

Side’s old town on the peninsula is largely closed to normal traffic, so cars usually stop at the edge of the old town or at a hotel’s agreed drop-off point. Ask your hotel before you travel where vehicles can reach and whether someone can help with luggage. For hotels in Kumköy, Çolaklı, Evrenseki or Titrengöl, send the full hotel name and map pin, as “Side” on a booking can mean any of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Side from Antalya Airport?
About 65 to 70 km to Side old town and its beaches, and about 70 to 75 km to Kumköy, Çolaklı and Evrenseki.

How long is the drive from Antalya Airport to Side?
Usually 55 to 70 minutes by car. Allow 15 to 20 minutes more on summer Saturdays.

Is there a bus from Antalya Airport to Side?
Not directly to hotels. The public route is the AntRay tram to Antalya’s Otogar, a bus to Manavgat and a dolmuş to Side, about 2.5 to 3 hours in total.

Can a car drive into Side old town?
Mostly not. Vehicles usually stop at the edge of the old town or an agreed drop-off point, so check with your hotel before you travel.

Is a private transfer to Side worth it?
For families, groups and late arrivals, yes: it is door to door, has no other hotel stops and the price is fixed. Solo travellers may save with a shared shuttle.

Can I book a return transfer from Side to the airport?
Yes. Book both legs together and agree the pickup time in advance; about 3.5 hours before an international departure is a safe pickup time.

Page last updated: October 2026. Distances and times are typical road estimates; fares and timetables change, so check the official Antalya Airport transportation page for your travel date.