How to Get from Side and Manavgat to Antalya City Centre
From Side and Manavgat, you can reach Antalya by taxi, by public transport via Antalya Bus Terminal, or on a city tour. The main difference is the journey: a taxi is direct, while the public-transport route normally involves two changes before you reach Kaleiçi.
Travelling from Side to Antalya by Yellow Taxi
A licensed yellow taxi can collect you at your hotel and take you to a specific address in Antalya. The journey is roughly 70–90 km, depending on your starting point and destination; allow around 75–100 minutes in normal traffic, and longer in summer or at rush hour.
Ask for the total estimated fare before setting off, showing the driver the exact address. Confirm whether the quote covers one way or a return trip, and whether waiting is charged separately. Hotels in Çolaklı or Gündoğdu are closer to Antalya than those in Titreyengöl, Kızılağaç or Kızılot, so a single price does not fit every departure point.
A taxi is useful for families with small children, older travellers, passengers with luggage and anyone heading to a hospital, consulate, workplace or other time-sensitive appointment. Three or four travellers can share the vehicle cost; compare the total rather than a per-person bus fare.
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 dolmuş fares depend on your boarding point and distance. Ask the driver for the current fare 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.
Manavgat Seyahat: official route and departure information (Turkish)
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?
Manavgat Seyahat serves Antalya Bus Terminal (Otogar); it is not a door-to-door service to Kaleiçi. For the old town, Republic Square or Hadrian’s Gate, continue by tram, municipal bus or licensed taxi. Other destinations, such as Konyaaltı or Lara, need their own onward route.
The terminal is not within a convenient short walk of Kaleiçi. Heat, busy roads and luggage make onward public transport or a taxi more practical than walking the whole way.
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 20 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
For Republic Square, the Clock Tower, Yivli Minaret or the old harbour, take the city-bound tram to a suitable central stop such as İsmetpaşa, then follow a walking route towards Kale Kapısı. Check the station map for your chosen entrance; do not assume Kale Kapısı is a direct stop on the modern Otogar tram route.
From Kale Kapısı or Republic Square, the lanes descend towards the harbour. Stone paving, slopes and steps can make the walk difficult with wheeled luggage.
Total Tram Journey Time
When the transfer from the bus terminal to the tram station, waiting time, the approximately 20-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.
The official AntalyaKart information (in Turkish), checked on 27 October 2026, lists the following fares. Check again before travelling, as tariffs can change:
- 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
City buses are another way to reach the centre from the terminal. Check your exact boarding stop and destination in the AntalyaKart app on the day rather than relying on an old route-number list.
Depending on the route, you may get off near Republic Square, Kale Kapısı, Üçkapılar or Muratpaşa. A bus can bring you closer to a particular entrance, but traffic and route changes make the tram easier to follow for many first-time visitors.
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.
- Allow time to wait for Manavgat Seyahat; the advertised 20-minute interval is not a guaranteed maximum wait.
- 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
Add the current fares for all three legs in each direction. For two ordinary city rides in Antalya, the tariff above comes to 84 TL with AntalyaKart or 100 TL with a contactless bank card; buying a new AntalyaKart costs extra. Your hotel–Manavgat and Manavgat–Antalya tickets are separate.
Travelling with the Vigo Tours Antalya City Tour
The Antalya City Tour from Side is an alternative if you want to see the city rather than reach a private address. It includes hotel pickup and return transport from the Side area, with a full-day sightseeing programme covering places such as Kaleiçi, Hadrian’s Gate, the old harbour and a waterfall visit.
Allow the full day: the product page gives a duration of roughly 8–9 hours including transfers. Morning pickup is around 08:30, but your confirmed time depends on the hotel. Check the selected date for the current price, itinerary, inclusions and return arrangements; traffic and operating conditions can change the timing.
Useful Safety Information
- Use licensed transport rather than hitchhiking or accepting an unlicensed taxi offer.
- At ATMs, shield your PIN and do not hand your card or personal details to strangers. Decline unsolicited help or persistent approaches.
- Keep children and valuables close in busy areas, and avoid isolated, poorly lit routes. Choose food outlets whose hygiene you are comfortable with.
- Use crossings and traffic lights, but look both ways before stepping into the road, even when you have priority.
Related travel guides
Antalya Airport Private Transfer Meeting and Return Guide · How to Get from Side Hotels to Manavgat Waterfall by Dolmuş
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