Rent a car at Antalya Airport (AYT) with Yolzz. 24/7 desk, transparent pricing, air-conditioned fleet. Your gateway to the Turkish Mediterranean coast and its ancient ruins.
Antalya Airport (IATA: AYT) is Turkey's third-busiest airport and the primary gateway to the Mediterranean coast — a region that draws more than 15 million international visitors every year. Located just 13 km north-east of Antalya city centre in the Muratpaşa district, AYT handles an extraordinary variety of traffic: direct low-cost flights from across Europe, charter packages from Russia and the Gulf States, and year-round Turkish Airlines and Pegasus services connecting Antalya to Istanbul, Ankara and beyond. For every one of these travellers, the question of getting from the airport to the beach, the ruins, the mountains or the next destination along the coast is answered most effectively by a rental car.
The Turkish Riviera — loosely defined as the 650-km stretch of Mediterranean coastline running from Fethiye in the west to Alanya in the east — is one of the most varied and rewarding driving regions in the world. Ancient Greek and Roman cities appear around almost every bend in the road: Aspendos with its extraordinary intact Roman theatre, Perge with its colonnaded streets, Side with its temple and harbour, Olympos with its tree-rooted ruins and Chimera flames nearby. Between them, the D-400 coastal road winds through rocky headlands, past turquoise coves and citrus-scented orange groves. None of this is accessible by public transport at the pace and flexibility that makes it truly rewarding. A rental car from Yolzz at AYT is, for visitors to this region, not a convenience — it is the key that unlocks the coast.
This guide covers everything a first-time or returning visitor to Antalya needs to know: 2026 rental rates, required documents, Yolzz's desk location, the best routes from AYT, a detailed city guide, food recommendations, seasonal travel advice, the local road and toll network, and thorough answers to the questions our international customers ask most frequently. Read it before you land.
Antalya Airport comprises two terminal buildings — Terminal 1 (domestic) and the larger, more modern Terminal 2 (international) — operating under a single management umbrella. The terminal complex sits at sea level at the foot of the Taurus Mountains (Toros Dağları), giving arriving passengers a spectacular view of the mountains rising steeply behind the city. The D-400 coastal road and the O-31 Akdeniz Motorway (Mediterranean Motorway) connect the airport to Antalya city centre and to the coastal towns in both directions.
Airlines operating from AYT include Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, SunExpress, easyJet, Ryanair, TUI fly, Condor and many other charter and scheduled carriers. In summer (May–October), over 200 flights may depart or arrive on a single day. Domestic routes serve Istanbul (both SAW and IST), Ankara, İzmir, Trabzon and other major Turkish cities. International routes concentrate heavily on Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia, the Netherlands, Scandinavia and the Gulf States.
Daily rates at AYT reflect the market's strong seasonal variation. July and August rates are significantly higher than the shoulder months; booking well in advance is the most effective strategy for securing a good vehicle at a fair price.
Summer booking advisory: AYT is Yolzz's highest-demand location in July and August. Fleet availability at all price points can be exhausted 3–4 weeks before the rental date during peak summer. Book as far in advance as possible. Call +90 850 500 0 777 for current availability.
The Yolzz counter is located in the arrivals hall of Terminal 2 (the international terminal), within the car rental zone near the baggage-reclaim exits. After clearing passport control and collecting your luggage, follow the car rental signs — Yolzz is clearly marked. If you are arriving at Terminal 1 (domestic), follow the signs to the Terminal 2 building; it is connected by a short walkway.
Antalya is, by almost any measure, Turkey's premier tourism destination. The city itself has a population of approximately 2.5 million people but it hosts more than 15 million international visitors every year — a ratio of tourists to residents that few cities in the world can match. This extraordinary draw is explained by a combination of factors that are difficult to replicate: over 300 days of sunshine annually, a warm Mediterranean sea that is swimmable from April to November, a coastline of exceptional scenic beauty where limestone mountains plunge directly into turquoise water, and a density of ancient ruins scattered along the shore and through the pine-forested hinterland that is quite unlike anywhere else in Europe or the Middle East.
The region's history stretches back to deep antiquity. The Antalya basin — ancient Pamphylia — was home to Greek colonies in the 7th century BC, absorbed into the Persian Empire and then liberated by Alexander the Great in 333 BC. The Romans built one of their finest provincial cities here, leaving behind the theatre at Aspendos, the colonnaded streets of Perge and the harbour baths at Side that survive to this day. The Byzantine Empire held the coast until the Seljuk Turks captured the region in the late 11th century, leaving their own architectural legacy in the distinctive fluted minaret and the caravanserais (kervansaray — roadside inns for Silk Road traders) that dot the mountains. The Ottomans added their own layer: the covered bazaar, the hamams (Turkish baths) and the hans (merchants' warehouses) of Kaleiçi.
Kaleiçi (kah-leh-ee-chee — literally "inside the castle") is the historic heart of Antalya, a neighbourhood of narrow cobbled lanes running between restored Ottoman houses, Roman columns incorporated into later walls, and the ancient harbour where wooden gulets (traditional Turkish wooden sailing boats) are moored beside modern yachts. The main gate into Kaleiçi is the Hadrianus Kapısı (Gate of Hadrian) — a triple-arched Roman triumphal arch built in 130 AD in honour of the Emperor Hadrian's visit, and still standing in almost perfect condition. Walking through this arch from the modern city into Kaleiçi is one of those rare moments of historical immediacy that no museum can replicate.
Beyond the city, the geography of the Antalya region is exceptional. The Taurus Mountains (Toros Dağları) form an almost continuous wall behind the coast, rising to peaks of over 3,000 metres within 30 km of the sea. This dramatic topography — from sea level to alpine snowfields in the distance of a half-day drive — creates a remarkable variety of microclimates and landscapes. The coastal pine forests, the high-altitude cedar woodlands, the deep river canyons (Köprülü and Saklıkent are among Turkey's most spectacular) and the glacier-fed rivers running through them make the Antalya hinterland as rewarding to explore as the coast itself. None of it is meaningfully accessible without a car.
Antalya's economic importance to Turkey extends well beyond tourism. The region is the country's most productive greenhouse agriculture zone, supplying tomatoes, peppers, aubergines and citrus fruit to much of Europe in winter. The distinctive orange groves that line the roads between the airport and the coast are a visual signature of the region — and the source of the portakal/turunç reçeli (orange and bitter orange jams) that appear on every hotel breakfast table and in every market stall in the old town.
From AYT, drive the 13 km to Kaleiçi (Antalya's historic old town inside ancient walls) and park in one of the car parks just outside the Roman gate — the interior streets are extremely narrow and unsuitable for driving. Begin at the Hadrianus Kapısı (Gate of Hadrian, built 130 AD) and walk into the labyrinth of restored Ottoman houses, flower-draped lanes and Byzantine towers. The Yivli Minare (Fluted Minaret), a 13th-century Seljuk tower decorated with blue tiles, is the city's most recognisable symbol. At the bottom of the old town, the ancient Roman harbour sits below a clifftop park with views along the coast — one of Antalya's finest vantage points.
After Kaleiçi, drive north to Düden Waterfalls (Düden Şelalesi — a 40m-high waterfall where the Düden River pours directly into the Mediterranean from a clifftop). The lower falls, where the water meets the sea, can be viewed from a boat excursion or from the cliff path. Return along the clifftop promenade to Konyaaltı (Antalya's main public beach, 7 km long) for a swim and lunch at one of the beach-front restaurants. In the afternoon, visit the Antalya Museum (Antalya Müzesi) — one of Turkey's most important archaeological collections, housing finds from Aspendos, Perge, Termessos and other regional sites. Entry approximately 250 TL. Evening: return to Kaleiçi for dinner at one of the harbour-view terrace restaurants.
Day 1: Follow the one-day itinerary above.
Day 2 — West Coast: Take D-400 west from Antalya. The road immediately becomes spectacular as it climbs the coastal headlands: mountains fall steeply to the sea, pine forests line the road, and the water below shifts from jade to deep cobalt. Your first stop is Kemer (35 km, 40 min), a purpose-built marina resort with a promenade, beach and several good restaurants. Continue to Olympos (65 km, 75 min): park at the village and walk through the site — the ruins of this ancient Lycian city are engulfed by tree roots and undergrowth, giving them a distinctly Indiana Jones quality. From Olympos, a 4 km mountain path leads to Yanartaş — the Chimera (kee-meh-rah), where natural methane venting from fissures in the rock has maintained eternal flames since ancient times. The Greek myth of the fire-breathing monster part-lion, part-goat, part-snake is believed to have originated here. The flames are best seen after dark — arrange to walk up in the evening. Dinner in Çıralı (a small beach settlement at the base of the Olympos site): the village's quiet restaurants, often serving produce from their own gardens, are among the most charming dining experiences on the entire coast.
Day 1–2: Follow the above itineraries.
Day 3 — East Coast Antiquities: Take the O-31 motorway east from Antalya (fast and well-maintained, HGS required). Exit for Aspendos at approximately 47 km from AYT. Aspendos Roman Theatre (built 2nd century AD by the architect Zeno) seats 15,000 people and is the best-preserved Roman theatre in the world — the stage building is nearly fully intact, which is extraordinarily rare. Still used for performances during the Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival each June. Entry approximately 250 TL. Return to the motorway and continue to Side (75 km total, 1 hour from AYT). Side (see-deh) was a prosperous Hellenistic harbour city; the old town occupies the original peninsula, with the Temple of Apollo (two columns of which still stand on the shoreline, silhouetted against the sea at sunset) and the Side Museum housed in the restored Roman bath building. For lunch, the restaurants along the old harbour serve excellent fresh fish. After lunch, drive 5 km to Manavgat Waterfalls (a wide, shallow waterfall on the Manavgat River — more impressive in volume than height) for a coffee stop. Return to AYT along the motorway.
Antalya's culinary identity reflects the region's extraordinary agricultural abundance: Mediterranean vegetables and herbs, locally caught fish, lamb and kid goat from the mountain pastures, and the citrus fruits for which the region is famous throughout Turkey. The food here is lighter and more vegetable-forward than Istanbul's cuisine — closer in spirit to Greek and Levantine cooking than to the meat-heavy traditions of Central Anatolia.
All Yolzz vehicles are equipped with an HGS transponder (Hızlı Geçiş Sistemi — Fast Passage System). When you drive through a toll plaza, the transponder is read automatically — no stopping, no cash, no ticket. The O-31 motorway east of Antalya uses this system. Tolls incurred during your rental period are recorded and invoiced to you at vehicle return. If the HGS account balance is zero, a fine is generated for each missed payment (typically 3–5× the normal toll). Check the balance at collection and top it up via a PTT branch, bank or the government online portal if needed.
Kaleiçi has multiple car parks immediately outside the historic walls (the interior streets are far too narrow for cars). Typical rates: 15–25 TL per hour or 100–150 TL all-day flat rate. Konyaaltı (the main beach) has free car parks at the western end of the beach strip, becoming paid as you move towards the city centre. Aspendos, Side and Perge all have free large car parks directly at the site entrance.
Antalya in summer is everything its postcards promise and considerably more challenging than they suggest. Temperatures regularly reach 35–42°C in July and August, with low humidity making the heat feel less oppressive than comparable temperatures in humid climates — but still exhausting during midday hours. The Mediterranean is at its warmest (28–30°C sea temperature) and the tourist infrastructure is fully operational: gulet cruises, open-air restaurants, beach clubs, night markets. Kaleiçi and the Aspendos car park are very crowded by 10:00; plan ancient site visits for 08:30 opening, return to the beach by noon and revisit cultural sites in the early evening when the light is beautiful and the crowds thinner. Air conditioning in your rental car is essential — specify it at booking (all Yolzz vehicles have it). Book your car 4–6 weeks in advance; summer is the most constrained period for AYT fleet availability.
The two shoulder seasons are when most experienced Turkish Riviera travellers choose to visit, and for good reason. In April and May, temperatures settle between 18–26°C: warm enough to swim (the sea reaches 22°C by May), cool enough to walk for hours through ancient ruins without suffering. The wildflowers are extraordinary in April — the Taurus foothills are covered in poppies, rock roses and wild orchids. Tourist numbers are dramatically lower than summer, car park queues at Aspendos are non-existent and the best Kaleiçi restaurants have walk-in availability every evening. September and October bring the same relief: the sea is still 26–28°C (warmer than in May), crowds thin rapidly after the first week of September, and the air temperature drops to a deeply pleasant 22–28°C. Pamukkale is particularly rewarding to visit in autumn, when the absence of summer crowds means you can photograph the travertines without other visitors in frame.
Antalya's winter is mild by northern European standards — 12–18°C, with occasional rain in January and February — and genuinely pleasurable if you seek tranquillity over beach weather. The city empties of tourists, Kaleiçi becomes a neighbourhood where locals outnumber visitors, and the ancient sites can be visited in near-complete solitude. Hotel prices fall significantly. The Taurus Mountains have snow from December onwards; the Saklikent Canyon closes in winter but the Köprülü Canyon remains accessible. AYT car rental prices are at their annual lows — an economy car for a week in January costs considerably less than the same car in August.
Kaleiçi (Antalya's historic old town inside ancient walls) is approximately 13 km from AYT and takes 15–20 minutes by car under normal traffic conditions. From the airport, take the D-400 westbound towards the city centre; follow signs for Kaleiçi/Liman (harbour). Park in one of the car parks immediately outside the old city walls (15–25 TL per hour) — the interior streets are too narrow for anything but pedestrians. A taxi to Kaleiçi costs approximately 150–200 TL; a rental car covers the same distance and gives you the freedom to drive on to Konyaaltı beach, Düden Waterfalls or beyond afterwards.
All Yolzz vehicles are equipped with fully operational air conditioning as standard; there is no additional charge for its use. In Antalya's summer heat (regularly 35–42°C), air conditioning is not a luxury but a safety necessity. It is also standard under Turkish traffic regulations for rental vehicles. When collecting your car, test the air conditioning before leaving the car park.
Yes — but it requires an early start and disciplined time management. Pamukkale is approximately 235 km from AYT via D-650 (Antalya–Burdur) and D-585, taking around 3 hours in normal traffic. Depart by 07:00, arrive by 10:00, spend 4–5 hours at the travertines and Hierapolis ruins, drive back, arriving at AYT by 20:00–21:00. A long but entirely feasible day trip. In summer peak traffic (especially returning on Sunday afternoons), add 30–45 minutes to the return journey.
Kemer has free and paid parking areas near the marina (10–15 TL/hour in the central zone, free further out). Olympos ancient city has a small free car park at the site entrance; it fills by mid-morning in summer — arrive early. Yanartaş (Chimera flames): park in Çıralı village at the base of the hill and walk up (approximately 30–45 minutes on a clear rocky path). No car access to the flames themselves.
Konyaaltı (Antalya's main public beach, 7 km long) is approximately 10 km from AYT and takes 15 minutes in normal traffic. Lara (Antalya's eastern beach district with luxury hotels) is approximately 18 km from AYT and takes 20–25 minutes. In summer July–August peak, beach road traffic can double these times during the 10:00–14:00 arrival rush and the 17:00–20:00 return rush. Use navigation apps for real-time routing.
The D-400 coastal route (Antalya → Kemer → Kaş → Kalkan → Fethiye → Marmaris → Bodrum) is approximately 340 km and takes 4.5–5 hours — longer, but extraordinarily scenic. The inland alternative via Burdur and Denizli is approximately 350 km but uses higher-speed roads and can be completed in around 4 hours. The Bodrum Milas Airport is an option for one-way car returns. For pure speed: inland route. For the journey itself: coastal road, without question.
From AYT, take the O-31 motorway east (HGS required) and exit at the Aspendos turnoff, approximately 47 km from the airport (40–45 minutes). From the exit, follow the signs for a further 4 km to the theatre entrance. A large free car park is directly in front of the site. Entry to Aspendos: approximately 250 TL (2026). The site is open daily from 08:00. Photography is permitted throughout; the acoustics of the theatre are best appreciated early morning before tour groups arrive.
At AYT, the difference between booking 6 weeks in advance and booking 1 week before travel in July or August can be 25–40% on the daily rate — and at peak periods, certain vehicle classes may not be available at all for last-minute bookings. The most popular classes (economy and SUV) are the first to sell out. If your travel dates fall in July or August, booking at least 4–6 weeks ahead at a confirmed rate is strongly recommended. Call +90 850 500 0 777 for current availability and advance-rate options.
21 years for standard economy, mid-size and saloon classes. 25 years for executive and premium vehicles. Your licence must have been held for at least 1 year.
Yes — for both payment and the security deposit block. Visa, Mastercard and American Express are accepted. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the deposit.
Standard CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) is included in every rental, limiting your liability for vehicle body damage to the excess amount. Super Cover (zero-excess full protection) is available as an optional extra at booking and is strongly recommended for summer driving in the Antalya region.
Turkish rental cars cannot cross to Northern Cyprus (TRNC) via the Green Line from the Republic of Cyprus — different insurance jurisdictions and border regulations apply. Driving between Turkey's mainland cities and through Anatolia is unrestricted. For travel to Cyprus, flying is the practical option.
Antalya Airport is the gateway to one of the world's most spectacular holiday coastlines. The ruins, the mountains, the beaches and the food that make the Turkish Riviera exceptional are all within a half-day's drive of AYT — but they can only be fully explored with the freedom that a rental car provides. Yolzz's 24/7 desk, wide fleet and transparent pricing make us the natural choice for visitors landing at AYT, whether you are spending a week in a coastal resort, spending two weeks driving from ruin to ruin, or simply passing through Antalya on a longer Turkish journey.
Use the booking form at the top of this page to check availability and secure your vehicle. Safe travels — welcome to the Turkish Riviera.
