Antalya International Airport

Antalya Airport sits 13 kilometers northeast of Antalya's city center, in the Muratpasa district along Turkey's Mediterranean coast. It ranks among the country's busiest airports, handling over 30 million passengers each year, the vast majority arriving from Europe during the summer tourism season. The airport operates as a dual-terminal facility, with one building dedicated to domestic flights and the other to international traffic, connected by a walkway and shuttle service. Plan for crowds between June and September, when queues at passport control can stretch past an hour.

Getting There

Muratpasa district centers on the city of Antalya, which has a population of roughly 1.3 million. The airport lies on the eastern side of the city, reachable by several means. Havaş shuttles run from the main bus station and several points along the coast to the terminal, taking about 30 minutes in light traffic. Journey times worsen considerably in summer—the road into town, the D400 highway, jams with rental cars and transfer buses during midday and early evening. Taxis wait outside both terminal exits; a ride to Kaleiçi, the old city, costs between 180 and 250 Turkish lira (as of 2025), depending on time of day and willingness to negotiate. A public bus line, number 600, runs from the city center to the airport for a few lira, but luggage space is limited and the route can confuse newcomers. Car rental desks line the arrivals hall; driving into Antalya itself requires patience with narrow streets and aggressive local driving habits.

Inside the Terminal

The international terminal spreads across two levels: arrivals on the ground floor, departures on the upper level. Check-in desks cluster near the entrance, with self-service kiosks available for several airlines. Security screening moves quickly outside peak hours but jams up around the busiest times (Monday through Thursday at 9 p.m., per airport data). After security, a duty-free shop sells Turkish delight, spices, and electronics; prices match other Turkish airports. A food court offers sit-down meals and fast food. The terminal provides free Wi-Fi, activated by entering a mobile number and receiving a code—works for one hour, then requires re-authentication. Baggage storage is available in the arrivals area, charged by the hour and day. The entire terminal is wheelchair-accessible, with ramps at every threshold, accessible toilets, and a dedicated seating area. On-site services include a pharmacy and a small medical clinic. Heating and air conditioning run year-round—the terminal stays comfortable against Antalya's humid summers and mild winters. Smoking rooms exist but are cramped; most travelers step outside the arrivals exit. ATMs dispense Turkish lira, euros, and dollars, though exchange rates inside are poor—better to use ATMs in the city.

Antalya Airport and Muratpasa

Muratpasa is the central district of Antalya, home to most of the city's historic attractions. The airport itself sits on its eastern edge, adjacent to the D400 and the Lara Beach strip. Muratpasa includes Kaleiçi, the old walled city, where narrow cobblestone streets are lined with Roman and Ottoman-era buildings, many converted into boutique hotels, restaurants, and carpet shops. Hadrian's Gate, a marble triumphal arch from 130 AD, stands at the entrance to Kaleiçi; walk through it and you are in a place that was once part of the Roman province of Lycia. The Yivli Minare, a fluted minaret built by the Seljuk Turks in the 13th century, dominates the sky near Cumhuriyet Square. The city's archaeology museum, one of Turkey's finest, displays artifacts from Perge, Aspendos, and Termessos—ancient cities within an hour's drive. Beyond history, Antalya's coastline stretches for miles, with public beaches at Konyaaltı and Lara. The Düden Waterfalls, 20 minutes from the airport, plunge over a cliff into the Mediterranean. People come to Antalya mostly for sun and sand, but Muratpasa offers a mix of Roman ruins, good dining, and a lively bazaar district. The airport's location, between the old city and the beach resorts, means tourists rarely linger in the arrival hall—most head straight for transport to their hotel. For travelers with a layover or an extended stop, a few hours in Kaleiçi (half an hour by taxi) beats waiting in the terminal. The city's tram line runs from the airport to the city center, but it stops at the airport station at the terminal entrance and takes about 40 minutes to reach Ismetpaşa station, dropping passengers a ten-minute walk from the old city. Muratpasa's key attraction: it is compact enough to explore in a half-day, with enough depth to reward longer stays.

Practical Information

The airport website (antalya-airport.aero) lists current flight schedules, terminal maps, and contact information. For inquiries, call +90 4449298. The airport does not operate 24 hours daily—facilities close for several hours overnight, from around midnight to 4 a.m., so plan connections accordingly. Parking costs 15 Turkish lira per hour for short-term lots; long-term parking is available at a slightly lower daily rate. Wheelchair users will find ramps and accessible seating throughout, but should notify their airline in advance for boarding assistance. The busiest departure times fall on Monday through Thursday at 9 p.m., so arrive at least three hours early for international flights during those windows. One concrete piece of advice: before leaving the airport, fill a water bottle at the fountain past security—tap water is safe in Turkey, and bottled water inside the terminal costs about triple the city price.