Getting around — Med Coast

The Turkish Mediterranean Coast is sprawling (500 km east-west) and requires transport organisation adapted to your itinerary.

Two main airports serve the region. Antalya (AYT) is the largest: 35 million passengers/year, 3rd airport in Turkey after Istanbul IST and SAW. Direct flights from Paris (3h45, summer only, Sun Express, Corendon, Pegasus), from Lyon, Marseille, Nice (summer, Pegasus). Daily flights from Istanbul (1h15, Turkish, Pegasus, AnadoluJet, €30-100). Airport 13 km from Antalya old town — Havaş bus 30 min (€5), taxi 15 min (€15-25). Dalaman (DLM) in the west, smaller, serves the Lycian Coast (Fethiye, Ölüdeniz, Kaş, Kalkan) — seasonal summer flights from Paris (3h45) and domestic flights from Istanbul.

In the region, several options.

Rental car — essential to explore beyond beach resorts. Expect €25-50/day, agencies at AYT airport, Antalya-centre, Side, Kemer (Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Localiza). O-21 motorway Antalya-Side (60 km, 45 min, free). Coastal roads N-400 and N-650 in good condition but winding in mountainous areas (Kemer-Olympos-Kaş: 2h30 for 130 km). Free parking or €2-5/day in city centres.

Organised group tours — practical solution for excursions without a car. Classic tours from Antalya: Aspendos + Side + Manavgat (1 day, €30-50), Termessos + Düden (1 day, €35-55), Pamukkale (long, 1 day 4h round-trip driving, €50-90), Olympos + Chimera (1 day, €45-70), Kekova cruise (1 day, €40-70).

Dolmuş (collective minibuses) — practical for short distances around Antalya and Side. Antalya-Kemer 1h (60 TRY, €2), Antalya-Side 1h15 (100 TRY, €3), Antalya-Olympos 1h30 with connection.

Taxis are numerous but expensive (Antalya-Kemer €70-90, Antalya-Side €80-100). BiTaksi app works in Antalya — prefer it to street taxis. Outside Antalya, direct negotiation with local drivers.