Istanbul to Antalya: Flights, Bus and Road Options

Antalya is Türkiye’s Mediterranean gateway — the main arrival point for the Turkish Riviera, a beautiful old town in its own right, and the base for archaeological sites along the south coast. Getting there from Istanbul is straightforward, with frequent flights and overnight bus services making this one of the most-travelled domestic routes in the country.

By plane (recommended)

Antalya International Airport (AYT) is one of Türkiye’s busiest airports, with high-frequency connections from Istanbul’s main airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW).

Flight time: 1 hour 15 minutes.

Frequency: Multiple daily flights on both Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines. In summer (June–September), this route operates with dozens of daily departures — it is one of the highest-frequency domestic routes in Türkiye. In winter, frequency drops but multiple daily flights remain.

Airlines and pricing:

• Turkish Airlines (IST–AYT): Full-service carrier, baggage included. Return fares booked 3–6 weeks ahead typically cost approximately €50–100 as of 2026. Last-minute summer fares can exceed €150 one-way.
• Pegasus Airlines (SAW–AYT): Low-cost carrier, baggage extra. Return fares booked in advance approximately €40–80 as of 2026. Add approximately €15–25 for checked baggage if needed.
• AnadoluJet (IST–AYT): Turkish Airlines’ low-cost subsidiary, operating on some rotations. Similar pricing to Pegasus.

Which Istanbul airport? Istanbul Airport (IST) is on the European side and is the main hub. Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) is on the Asian side. If your Istanbul hotel is on the Asian side (Kadıköy, Üsküdar), SAW may be more convenient. Otherwise, IST has more flight options.

From Antalya Airport to the city: The airport is approximately 12km east of the city centre.

• Taxi: Approximately ₺200–350 to Kaleiçi (old town) as of 2026. Use the official taxi rank — agree on the meter or a fixed price before departing.
• Havaş airport bus: Runs to the city centre (Antalya otogar and Kaleiçi area). Approximately ₺50–80 per person as of 2026. Departures timed to flight arrivals.
• Hotel transfer: Many Antalya hotels offer airport transfers for approximately ₺150–300 — arrange in advance through your hotel.
• Antray tram: The T1 tram line connects the airport area to the city centre, though it requires a short connection. Approximately ₺15–20 per ride.

By overnight bus

Turkish intercity buses offer a surprisingly comfortable overnight option. The major operators — Kamil Koç, Pamukkale Turizm, and Metro Turizm — all run Istanbul–Antalya services with modern coaches.

Journey time: 11–13 hours depending on the operator and route.

Departure: Typically 8–10pm from Istanbul’s Esenler Otogar (the main intercity bus station) or the newer Alibeyköy terminal. Some services depart from the Asian-side Harem terminal.

Price: Approximately ₺350–600 per person as of 2026 (approximately €10–18). Booking through the operator’s website or app is usually cheaper than buying at the counter.

What the bus provides:

• Reclining seats with decent legroom (2+1 seating on premium services gives more space)
• Onboard attendant service with tea, coffee, water, and snacks at regular intervals
• WiFi (quality varies — do not rely on it for work)
• USB charging ports on most modern coaches
• Rest stops every 3–4 hours at roadside service plazas with restaurants and clean facilities

Arrival: The bus arrives at Antalya’s central otogar (bus station), located approximately 4km north of the old town. From the otogar, the city’s Antray tram connects to Kaleiçi and the beach areas. Taxis from the otogar to Kaleiçi cost approximately ₺80–150 as of 2026.

Who should consider the bus: Budget travellers; those who sleep well on buses and want to avoid paying for a hotel night; travellers arriving late in Istanbul who would need an airport hotel otherwise. The overnight timing means you arrive in Antalya ready for a full day.

By driving

Istanbul to Antalya is approximately 700km — around 8–9 hours of driving. Two main routes are available:

Inland route (faster): Istanbul → Bursa → Afyonkarahisar → Burdur → Antalya via the O-32 motorway and connecting highways. This is the faster option at approximately 8 hours. The road is well-maintained dual carriageway for most of the distance. Tolls apply on the motorway sections — budget approximately ₺100–200 in total tolls as of 2026. A HGS (Hızlı Geçiş Sistemi) electronic toll device is the most convenient payment method and can be purchased at PTT post offices.

Coastal route (scenic, longer): Istanbul → Bursa → Çanakkale (optional detour) → Izmir → Kuşadası → Fethiye → Antalya via the D400 coastal highway. This adds 3–4 hours to the journey but includes some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in Türkiye, particularly the stretch between Fethiye and Antalya through the Lycian coast. This route only makes sense as part of a multi-day road trip with stops along the way.

Fuel costs: Approximately ₺1,500–2,500 for the inland route (depending on vehicle consumption) as of 2026. Petrol stations are frequent along both routes.

Rental car logistics: Rental cars can be picked up in Istanbul and returned in Antalya by arrangement with most major agencies (Europcar, Sixt, Enterprise). One-way drop-off fees typically apply — approximately €30–60 extra. Budget approximately €30–60 per day for the rental itself as of 2026.

By train (not available)

There is no direct train service between Istanbul and Antalya as of 2026. Türkiye’s rail network does not extend to Antalya. The nearest major rail station is Burdur (approximately 2.5 hours north of Antalya by bus), but the connection is impractical for most travellers. Fly or take the bus.

Quick comparison

Method	Duration	Cost (approx.)	Best for
Flight	1h 15m	€40–100 return	Most travellers
Overnight bus	11–13 hours	₺350–600	Budget; saving a hotel night
Driving (inland)	8–9 hours	₺1,500–2,500 fuel + tolls	Road trips; flexibility
Driving (coastal)	12–14 hours	₺2,000–3,500 fuel + tolls	Multi-day scenic trips

What to expect in Antalya

Antalya’s old town (Kaleiçi) is one of Türkiye’s most atmospheric districts — Roman harbour walls, Ottoman-era architecture, and excellent restaurants within walking distance. The Antalya Museum (entry approximately ₺200 as of 2026, open 8:30am–7pm in summer) is one of the finest in Türkiye for Roman-era artefacts, with a particularly strong collection from the nearby ancient cities of Perge, Aspendos, and Side.

Day trips from Antalya worth considering:

• Aspendos Theatre (47km east, approximately 45 minutes by car) — one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world. Entry approximately ₺200 as of 2026. Open 8am–7pm in summer.
• Perge (18km east, approximately 20 minutes) — extensive Greco-Roman ruins including a stadium and colonnaded street. Entry approximately ₺200 as of 2026.
• Side (75km east, approximately 1 hour) — the Apollo Temple at sunset is one of the defining images of the Turkish Mediterranean.
• Düden Waterfalls (12km east of central Antalya) — the lower falls drop directly into the Mediterranean Sea. Free access. Best visited by dolmuş or city bus from the centre.
• Kaş and the Lycian Coast (190km southwest, approximately 3 hours) — a longer excursion but worth it for the dramatic coastal scenery and the sunken city of Kekova.

For what to do once you arrive, see our Antalya city guide.