How to Get from Side and Manavgat to Antalya City Centre
Visitors staying in Side, Manavgat and the surrounding hotel areas can travel to Antalya city centre by yellow taxi, by using local minibuses together with Manavgat Seyahat buses, or by joining the Antalya city tour organised by Vigo Tours.
However, these options work very differently from one another. A yellow taxi takes you directly to your chosen destination, while public transport requires at least two changes. The Antalya city tour, on the other hand, is a full-day organised excursion that includes transportation as well as visits to Antalya’s main attractions.
The road distance between Side and Antalya city centre is approximately 70–90 kilometres, depending on the location of your hotel and your final destination in Antalya. A non-stop journey by private car or taxi normally takes around 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes.
When travelling by public transport, the total journey may take around 3 hours or longer because of the journey from the hotel to Manavgat, waiting time for the Manavgat Seyahat bus, stops along the route and the transfer at Antalya Bus Terminal.
Travelling from Side to Antalya by Yellow Taxi
The easiest and most direct way to reach Antalya city centre from Side and Manavgat is by yellow taxi.
A taxi can collect you directly from your hotel and take you to your chosen address in Antalya. With this option, you do not need to travel to Manavgat centre, wait for a bus or change vehicles again at Antalya Bus Terminal.
The approximate one-way taxi fare from the Side region to Antalya city centre is around 70 euros.
This is not a fixed fare. The final price may vary depending on the location of your hotel, your destination in Antalya, traffic conditions and waiting time. The fare may be slightly lower from areas closer to Antalya, such as Çolaklı and Gündoğdu, and higher from more distant areas such as Titreyengöl, Kızılağaç and Kızılot.
Before starting the journey, it is recommended to show the driver your exact destination in Antalya and ask for an approximate total price.
If the one-way fare is calculated at around 70 euros, the total cost of a same-day return journey may be approximately 140 euros. If you ask the taxi to wait for you in Antalya for several hours, an additional waiting fee may apply.
Under normal traffic conditions, the journey by taxi takes approximately 75–100 minutes. During the summer season, at weekends and during busy traffic periods at the entrance to Antalya, the journey may take close to 2 hours.
A taxi is particularly suitable for groups of three or four people, families with small children, elderly passengers, travellers carrying several bags and visitors who need to reach a specific address in Antalya at a particular time. When three or four people travel together, the total cost can be shared between the passengers.
Travelling to Antalya by Minibus and Manavgat Seyahat
Visitors looking for a more economical way to reach Antalya can use local minibuses and Manavgat Seyahat buses.
This is not a direct journey. The general route is as follows:
Hotel area → Manavgat centre → Manavgat Seyahat → Antalya Bus Terminal → Antalya city centre
This means that you cannot travel from your hotel in Side to Kaleiçi using a single vehicle.
First Stage: Travelling from the Hotel Area to Manavgat Centre
If you are staying in Side centre, Kumköy, Evrenseki, Çolaklı, Gündoğdu, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Kızılağaç or Kızılot, you must first take a local minibus to Manavgat centre.
The route is usually displayed on the front window or signboard of the minibus. However, because there are several different stops and departure points in Manavgat centre, it is useful to ask the driver the following question before boarding:
“Do you go to Doğu Garajı, where the Manavgat Seyahat buses to Antalya depart?”
The Manavgat departure point of Manavgat Seyahat is located at Doğu Garajı in Örnek Mahallesi. The company publishes the following Manavgat office numbers on its official website: 0242 746 13 27 and 0242 743 13 33.
Local minibus fares vary according to the boarding point and distance travelled. Since there is no single reliable and up-to-date fare list covering Side, Kumköy, Evrenseki, Çolaklı, Gündoğdu and all the other hotel areas, it would not be accurate to provide individual route prices here. The current fare should be confirmed with the driver before boarding.
It is useful to carry Turkish lira in cash, preferably in small banknotes, for local minibus payments.
The journey from Side centre to Manavgat usually takes around 15–25 minutes, depending on traffic and the number of stops. From Kumköy and Evrenseki, the journey may take around 20–35 minutes. From more distant areas such as Çolaklı, Gündoğdu, Kızılağaç and Kızılot, it may take longer.
Second Stage: Travelling to Antalya with Manavgat Seyahat
After arriving at Doğu Garajı, you need to board a Manavgat Seyahat bus travelling towards Antalya.
On its official website, Manavgat Seyahat states that buses operate approximately every 20 minutes in both the Manavgat–Antalya and Antalya–Manavgat directions. However, departure intervals may vary according to the time of day, season and operational conditions. It is especially important to confirm the final departure time when planning the return journey.
The current ticket price is not published on the official Manavgat Seyahat website. Therefore, instead of relying on old prices shared online, the safest option is to ask for the current fare at the ticket office at Doğu Garajı or contact the company directly.
Why Does the Manavgat Seyahat Journey Take So Long?
Manavgat Seyahat vehicles are not express buses operating non-stop between Manavgat and Antalya Bus Terminal.
The buses may stop at suitable points along the route to collect passengers and may also allow passengers to get off at appropriate places. During the summer season, this system can result in a large number of stops.
The company officially lists the return route from Antalya as Antalya Bus Terminal District Platforms, Öğretmenevi, Karayolları, Çallı, Sanayi Karakolu, Düden Junction, Hal Junction, TEDAŞ, Deepo, Airport Junction, Pınarlı, Aksu, Serik and Manavgat. The company also states that passengers are collected and dropped off at urban stops along the route.
For this reason, the journey between Manavgat and Antalya may take approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes. During the summer, in heavy traffic or when many passengers are collected and dropped off, the journey may take even longer.
If you have a flight, hospital appointment, official appointment or event starting at a specific time in Antalya, you should allow a generous amount of extra time when travelling with Manavgat Seyahat.
Does Manavgat Seyahat Go to Antalya City Centre?
The final stop of Manavgat Seyahat is Antalya Intercity Bus Terminal, not Antalya city centre.
The buses use Antalya’s ring road and main transport corridors. They do not travel directly to tourist areas such as Kaleiçi, Republic Square, Hadrian’s Gate, MarkAntalya, Konyaaltı Beach or Lara.
After arriving at Antalya Bus Terminal, you must continue to Kaleiçi or the city centre by tram, municipal bus or yellow taxi.
The distance between Antalya Bus Terminal and Kaleiçi is approximately 5–6 kilometres. Although it is technically possible to walk, it is not a practical option for tourists because of the hot weather, heavy traffic, luggage and road conditions.
How to Get from Antalya Bus Terminal to Kaleiçi by Tram
The most economical and straightforward way to travel from Antalya Bus Terminal to Kaleiçi is by using the ANTRAY tram.
After getting off the bus, follow the signs marked “Tram”, “ANTRAY” or “Otogar Station”. The Otogar tram station is located underground.
To travel towards Kaleiçi, board a tram heading in the direction of the city centre. Be careful not to board a tram travelling towards Fatih by mistake. You can confirm the direction on the electronic signs on the platform or ask a member of staff.
The modern tram does not enter the historic walled district of Kaleiçi. Therefore, you need to get off at İsmetpaşa or another suitable central stop, depending on which part of Kaleiçi you want to visit.
For Hadrian’s Gate
If you want to enter Kaleiçi through Hadrian’s Gate, also known as Üçkapılar, İsmetpaşa is one of the most suitable stops.
The tram journey between Otogar and İsmetpaşa takes approximately 19 minutes. From İsmetpaşa station, the walk to Hadrian’s Gate and the entrance to Kaleiçi takes around 5–10 minutes.
After leaving the station, follow the signs towards Atatürk Street and Üçkapılar. Once you pass through Hadrian’s Gate, you will enter the historic streets of Kaleiçi directly.
For Republic Square and the Old Harbour
If you are travelling to Republic Square, the Clock Tower, Yivli Minaret or the historic harbour area, you can get off at Kale Kapısı or another suitable stop near the city centre.
Kale Kapısı tram stop is approximately a 4-minute walk from Kaleiçi. The municipal bus stops around Republic Square are also around a 5-minute walk from the old town.
To reach the harbour, walk down through the historic streets of Kaleiçi from Kale Kapısı or Republic Square. The streets are paved with stone, steep in some areas and may include steps, so walking with wheeled luggage can be difficult.
Total Tram Journey Time
When the transfer from the bus terminal to the tram station, waiting time, the approximately 19-minute tram journey and the walk to the Kaleiçi entrance are included, the total journey from Antalya Bus Terminal to Kaleiçi takes around 30–40 minutes.
During busy periods, the journey may take longer because of waiting time and crowded trams.
Public Transport Fares from Antalya Bus Terminal to Kaleiçi
Municipal buses and ANTRAY trams in Antalya use the same fare system.
According to the current official AntalyaKart fare information:
A full-fare journey with AntalyaKart costs 42 Turkish lira.
A journey paid with a contactless bank or credit card costs 50 Turkish lira.
A single-use ticket costs 46 Turkish lira per journey.
The student fare is 20 Turkish lira for passengers who meet the eligibility requirements and use a personalised student card.
The standard plastic AntalyaKart costs 100 Turkish lira. A two-journey disposable card costs 112 Turkish lira, while a five-journey disposable card costs 250 Turkish lira. Eligible transfers made with AntalyaKart are free, but there is no free transfer entitlement when using a credit card or disposable card.
For tourists who plan to use public transport only once or twice, a contactless bank card may be the most practical option. The same card can be used for more than one passenger, but no transfer entitlement is provided.
How to Get from Antalya Bus Terminal to Kaleiçi by Yellow Taxi
There is a taxi rank outside Antalya Bus Terminal. When taking a taxi, it is better to specify the exact entrance point rather than simply saying “Kaleiçi”.
You may ask the driver to take you to one of the following locations:
Hadrian’s Gate or Üçkapılar
Republic Square
Kale Kapısı
Karaalioğlu Park
The nearest accessible vehicle entrance to Kaleiçi Old Harbour
Some streets in Kaleiçi are closed to traffic or have restricted vehicle access. As a result, the taxi may not be able to take you directly to the entrance of your hotel or chosen location. A short walk may still be required.
The taxi journey between Antalya Bus Terminal and Kaleiçi takes approximately 15–25 minutes, depending on traffic.
The fare varies according to the taximeter, current tariff, traffic and the selected drop-off point in Kaleiçi. Since the exact amount can change, it is recommended to ask for an approximate price before starting the journey. If a fixed price is offered, it is useful to compare it with the estimated taximeter fare.
Travelling from Antalya Bus Terminal to Kaleiçi by Municipal Bus
Municipal buses travelling from the bus terminal area towards the city centre can also be used. However, for visitors unfamiliar with Antalya, the tram is usually the simpler option. Bus routes may be affected by traffic, route changes and stop changes.
Some routes currently shown as serving the Kaleiçi area include CV14, KC06, KC34, LC07A and TC16. However, routes can change, so they should be checked on the day of travel through the AntalyaKart application or the electronic information system at the bus stop.
Depending on the route, you may get off near Republic Square, Kale Kapısı, Üçkapılar or Muratpaşa.
The advantage of the bus is that it may bring you closer to different entrances of Kaleiçi. The disadvantage is the need to identify the correct line and the possibility of delays caused by traffic. For first-time visitors to Antalya, the tram is generally easier to understand.
Returning from Antalya to Side and Manavgat
The same route is used in reverse for the return journey.
Walk from Kaleiçi to İsmetpaşa, Muratpaşa or the most convenient tram stop. This time, board a tram heading towards Otogar or Fatih and get off at Otogar station.
After leaving the tram station, enter the bus terminal and find the district platforms. Manavgat Seyahat buses depart from the district platforms at Antalya Bus Terminal. The Antalya office telephone number published by the company is 0242 331 10 36.
After arriving in Manavgat, you must take a local minibus towards the hotel area where you are staying, such as Side, Kumköy, Evrenseki, Çolaklı, Gündoğdu, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Kızılağaç or Kızılot.
The most important issue on the return journey is the final departure time. You should confirm both the final Manavgat Seyahat service from Antalya and the final local minibus from Manavgat to your hotel area. If you stay in Antalya until late in the evening, you may arrive in Manavgat after local minibuses have stopped operating and may need to use a taxi to reach your hotel.
Total Public Transport Journey Time from Side to Kaleiçi
Depending on the location of your hotel, the complete journey consists of the following stages:
Travelling by local minibus from the hotel area to Manavgat Doğu Garajı may take approximately 20–50 minutes.
Waiting for the Manavgat Seyahat bus may take between 0 and 20 minutes.
The journey from Manavgat to Antalya Bus Terminal may take approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes.
The tram journey and walk from Antalya Bus Terminal to Kaleiçi take approximately 30–40 minutes.
This means that the total one-way journey from a hotel in the Side region to Kaleiçi may take approximately 2 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours.
When travelling to Antalya and returning on the same day by public transport, a total of 6–8 hours may be spent on transportation. Visitors who want enough time to explore Antalya should therefore leave early in the morning.
How to Calculate the Total Public Transport Cost
The total cost consists of three separate parts:
The local minibus fare from your hotel to Manavgat Doğu Garajı
The Manavgat Seyahat ticket from Manavgat to Antalya
The tram or municipal bus fare from Antalya Bus Terminal to Kaleiçi
Since current official fares for local minibuses and Manavgat Seyahat are not published consistently online, it would not be accurate to include unverified amounts.
The verified Antalya urban transport cost is 42 Turkish lira with AntalyaKart and 50 Turkish lira with a contactless bank card. For a return journey using Antalya public transport, the total cost is 84 Turkish lira with AntalyaKart or 100 Turkish lira with a bank card.
The local minibus and Manavgat Seyahat fares must be added separately according to the prices in effect on the day of travel.
Travelling with the Vigo Tours Antalya City Tour
If your goal is not to reach a private address in Antalya but to visit Kaleiçi and Antalya’s main tourist attractions, the Vigo Tours Antalya city tour may be a more convenient option.
This is a full-day programme that includes pick-up and return transportation from hotels in the Side region. You do not need to travel to Manavgat by minibus, wait for a Manavgat Seyahat bus, change to a tram at Antalya Bus Terminal or repeat the same transfers on the return journey.
The approximate pick-up time from hotels in the Side region is 08:30. The exact time is provided after booking and depends on the location of the hotel. Return to the Side region is generally around 17:00–17:30, although traffic and the length of the programme may affect the return time.
The published Vigo Tours Antalya city tour lasts approximately 8 hours and starts from around 39 euros per person. The tour includes return transportation from the hotel. Depending on the programme, it may include visits to Kaleiçi, Hadrian’s Gate, the historic harbour and Düden Waterfall. The exact itinerary and included services should be checked in the tour description for the chosen date.
The Antalya City Tour from Side offers a full day beyond the hotel zone, combining Antalya’s historic streets, coastal atmosphere and major landmarks with organised transport.
Which Transport Option Is More Practical?
If you need to reach a specific hospital, consulate, shopping centre, workplace or private address in Antalya, the fastest option is a yellow taxi. You should allow a one-way budget of approximately 70 euros.
If your main priority is the lowest possible transport cost, you can use a local minibus, Manavgat Seyahat and the Antalya tram. However, this method requires at least two changes and the one-way journey may take around 3 hours or longer.
If you are visiting Antalya for the first time and your main goal is to see Kaleiçi, Hadrian’s Gate, Düden Waterfall and the city centre, an organised Antalya city tour is generally more practical. Hotel pick-up, the sightseeing programme and return transportation are provided within the same service.
Important Information Before Travelling
Manavgat Seyahat does not enter Antalya city centre. It travels to Antalya Bus Terminal.
From Antalya Bus Terminal, you should use the tram, a municipal bus or a taxi instead of walking to Kaleiçi.
For Kaleiçi, you can take the tram and get off at İsmetpaşa or another suitable stop near the city centre.
The full Antalya urban transport fare is 42 Turkish lira with AntalyaKart and 50 Turkish lira with a contactless bank card.
Local minibus and Manavgat Seyahat fares should be confirmed with the driver or company on the day of travel.
Manavgat Seyahat buses stop along the route to collect and drop off passengers, so the journey takes considerably longer than travelling by private vehicle.
For the return journey, the final services from Antalya to Manavgat and from Manavgat to the hotel area should be checked in advance.
The approximate one-way yellow taxi fare from Side to Antalya is 70 euros.
The Vigo Tours Antalya city tour starts from approximately 39 euros per person and includes hotel transfers.
Useful Safety Information
Hitchhiking while travelling from Side to Antalya is not recommended.
When withdrawing money from ATMs in Antalya, remain aware of your surroundings. Refuse assistance from strangers who approach you in any way and do not accept help from anyone. Never share your card, PIN or personal information with another person.
If you need to use a taxi, choose only official, licensed yellow taxis. Do not use vehicles operating as taxis without official authorisation, and avoid illegal or unlicensed taxi services.
If you encounter beggars in Antalya, do not give them money. Avoid walking through isolated, hidden or poorly lit areas.
In crowded places, keep a close eye on your children, bags, mobile phone, wallet and other personal belongings.
Do not eat at just any establishment. Choose restaurants, cafés and businesses whose cleanliness and reliability you trust.
Remain cautious around anyone who approaches you in an excessively friendly, insistent or suspicious manner. Do not immediately trust people you do not know.
Pay close attention to traffic lights and pedestrian crossings. Even when the light is red for vehicles or pedestrians have the right of way, always check both directions for approaching traffic before crossing the road.
Conclusion
The fastest way to travel from Side and Manavgat to Antalya city centre is by yellow taxi. The most economical but longest option is to use a local minibus together with Manavgat Seyahat. For visitors who want to see Antalya as a tourist destination, an organised Antalya city tour is the easiest option.
When using public transport, you must first travel from your hotel area to Manavgat Doğu Garajı, continue to Antalya Bus Terminal with Manavgat Seyahat and then travel to Kaleiçi by tram, municipal bus or taxi.
The most practical public transport option from Antalya Bus Terminal to Kaleiçi is the tram. Board a city-centre-bound tram from Otogar, get off at İsmetpaşa and walk approximately 5–10 minutes to Hadrian’s Gate. The tram journey takes around 19 minutes, while the complete journey including waiting and walking takes approximately 30–40 minutes.
The total one-way journey from a hotel in the Side region to Kaleiçi by public transport may therefore take approximately 3–4 hours, depending on waiting times. Visitors planning to explore Antalya in a single day should take the return journey into account when organising their schedule.
Important: Due to inflation in Türkiye and possible updates to transport tariffs, the prices stated in this article may change over time.
