How to Get To, and Around, Antalya
By Ferry
Antalya's ferry port is located in the industrial harbor (as opposed to the yacht harbor in Kale Ici), located around ten kilometers west of city center. Ferries are available to and from Venice, Italy. Transportation to and from the ferry port is limited to taxis.
By Air
Antalya's large and nicely-landscaped airport is located near a junction of highways around 12 kilometers east of city center, just off of highway E-90 (Aspendos Bulvari). If you arrive by air, you can take the HAVAS shuttle bus into the city (fee applies), where you may be dropped off in the Kalekapasi area (near the ancient harbor). It then goes to the Turkish Airlines main office at Cumhurriyet Caddesi Number 91. The tourism information office is across the street.
By Bus
Antalya's main Otogar (bus station) is located some seven kilometers north of city center just off the Ankara road , on Dumlipinar Bulvari and Namik Kemal Bulvari. Once you arrive, you can take a shuttle bus provided by your bus company into city center. These buses will generally drop you off where you want on the way to their downtown offices, but probably the best places to get off are in the Kaleici area by the belediye (municipality building), by Hadrian's gate (which leads into Kaleici) or at Kalkapasi by the fluted minaret and clock tower. You can buy tickets to various cities either at the bus company offices in town, or at the otogar.
Dolmuses (a dolmus is a shared mini-bus) also use the otogar as their main terminal, and will also take you into town. Look for placards saying Kaleici or Kalekapasi.
The Eastern Bus Terminal (Dogu Garagi): If you're coming infrom Kas or Kalkan, buses arrive at a terminal near the Devlet Hastanesi (State Hospital), about two kilometers east of city center, on Tarik Akiltopu Caddesi. Those departing Antalya on trips to Kas and Kalkan embark just near there, in front of the Falez Hotel on Yuzuncu Yil (100 Yil) Bulvari. The two buildings sit across from each other, at a junction called the Falez Koprusu Kavgagi. If you follow the Konyaalti Beach road from city center, then veer right just after the Archaeological Museum, the bus terminal is in the area of the next junction with Yuzuncu Yil Bulvari.
Antalya's Tram System
Antalya's modern tram system is a pleasant alternative to driving or taking a bus. There are two trams running parallel and opposing each other, from Konyaalti Beach, where the Archaeological Museum, the Falez Hotel, and the Sheraton Voyager Hotel are located, through town past the Kalekapasi and Kaleici, Hadrian's Gate, and Karaalioglu Park, to it's easternmost terminus at Lara Beach. The trams depart on the hour and half-hour from 07:00 AM to 9:00 PM. The tram does not go to the airport.
Car Rental
You can rent a car either at the airport, or at their office in town. International agencies in Antalya include Avis, Budget, and Europcar. There are also numerous smaller, local car rental companies in town. You can also book a car online from AutoEurope, which is what I use.
Driving in Antalya
Cars are not allowed inside Kale Ici, except for those belonging to those who live there, or who are staying in a hotel or pension there. If you need to bring your car into Kale Ici, you can get information and a registration from your hotel or pension. There is a rather large parking lot at the Belediye (municipality) building on the west end of Kale Ici, as well as several paid parking areas nearby. Driving in Kaleici can be a bit tricky because of the narrowness of the streets. You may get disoriented because about the only thing you can see is walls, and not all of the streets are well marked. Locals are happy to help you find your way, or assist you in your vehicular maneuvers. Unless you are planning to travel far, a car will probably not be unecessary, since taxis are plentiful and cheap, as are dolmuses and city buses.
The vehicular gate into Kaleici is just south of Hadrian's gate on Ataturk Caddesi.
Antalya's traffic layout can be maddening, since one-way streets make it a challenge for you to get where you need to be. It's a good idea to ask someone at your hotel to mark on a map which streets you need to look out for, and how to get to the place you need to park.
Turkey Central also has an Antalya Forum where you can meet others who share your interest in Antalya. Please feel free to visit and join our community!