- On 21/05/2022
- In Places to visit Tips for travellers
- Tags: Antalya, istanbul to antalya, turkey trip
How to get from Istanbul to Antalya?
Are you planning a Turkey Trip and also looking for a route from Istanbul to Antalya? We have compiled every detail for you.
Antalya is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey. It is on the second rank after Istanbul. Istanbul and Antalya are the most visited cities both for foreign and local tourists.
The crystal-clear water of Mediterranean Sea, clean beaches, long shores, waterfalls, caves, and cliffs are natural beauties which Antalya offers to its visitors. On the other hand, it has so many historical and cultural beauties.
Endless beaches of Antalya
Popularity of the city first started to rise with sea, sun and sand tourism. However, then it peaked with five-star hotel chains in the last 30 years. The sun made it famous, and nightlife made Antalya a unique destination for visitors.
The city attracts tourists, not only in summer but all year long, as it is very easy to get there.
Antalya is mostly known for its endless beaches, on the other hand, the region was very popular throughout the history of Anatolia.
The old city that is called Kaleici was one of the main harbors of the Roman Empire,which made the city always remain wealthy and important.
Antalya Kaleiçi
Before the Roman Empire, there were many Ancient Anatolian Civilizations settlements. There are abundant city ruins all over the region, including the well-preserved ancient cities of these civilizations.
The most popular Ancient Cities of Antalya for visiting are; Perge, Aspendos, Patara, Myra, Olympos, Phaselis and Termessos.
How To Get To Antalya From Istanbul
You can go to Antalya from Istanbul by plane, bus, train or private vehicle. These are the most common ways. On the other hand, you can try hitchhiking or biking but they will take longer time to get there.
Full guide of Istanbul to Antalya flights
If you have a short Turkey itinerary, a plane will be the best option for you due to the limited time.
Antalya has the second-busiest international airport of Turkey, and flights from all around are operated to link Antalya to the World, especially to the European countries.
There are two international and one domestic terminal that handled a capacity of 30 million passengers in 2018 and 2019, before the pandemic.
All domestic airline companies have direct flights and connecting flights to Antalya from Istanbul and many other metropolitan cities.
Also, we would like to remind you that many airlines have direct flights from Europe, the Middle East and Russia. Antalya, one of the most popular destinations among these countries’ tourists.
Turkish Airlines usually operate 20 flights daily, with services from both Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (Asian side of city) and Istanbul Airport (European side of city).
Pegasus Airlines flies from Istanbul to Antalya 11 times in a day. It only operates from Sabiha Gogcen Airport.
How long does it take Antalya from Istanbul by plane?
Traveling from Istanbul to Antalya by plane is the fastest way, it takes about 90 minutes. Apart from this you will spend some time in both cities to get to the airport and get to the central locations upon your arrival in Antalya.
How to find a cheapest flight tickets to Antalya
Turkish Airlines subsidiary airline AnadoluJet, operates cheap flights to Antalya from Sabiha Gokcen.
In general, Pegasus operates more budget friendly flights than Turkish Airlines. But note that there are services excluded in the cheap flights such as baggage allowance limit and free snacks onboard. So it would be better for you to check them beforehand.
Also, making early booking will save money and protects you from encountering sold out tickets.
How to reach airports to city center or hotels in Antalya?
The Antalya Airport is located only 13 kilometers away from the city center. And it is connected to the central city by tram. Also, you can take buses and airport shuttles to city center.
Taxi or private transfer options will be the easiest option for those who plan to stay in one of the seaside hotels outside the city.
Before the purchase of flight tickets, check your hotel’s location. To reach western districts such as Kas and Kalkan, flying to Dalaman Airport would be a better alternative. Reaching to the hotel can be shorter than Antalya Airport from Dalaman Airport, which is located in Mugla.
In order to get private airport transfers in Istanbul and Antalya, please get in touch with our team .
How to take the bus ride from Istanbul to Antalya?
The distance from Istanbul by land is quite long so that driving lasts around 9 hours. However, please note that this will depend on the traffic situation, especially in Istanbul city.
If you are staying in the Historical Peninsula, Old Town, Sultanahmet or Taksim areas of Istanbul you can easily get to Esenler Bus Station (Otogar). Bus tickets to Antalya can be purchased just before the trip. To avoid the scammers, beware of the not official street sellers who will insistently offer tickets.
Harem is another bus station, on the Asian side, which you can reach with a ferry from Sirkeci.
As they are frequent, they are the best options for backpackers or the ones who do not like planning their trips in advance. Because it is not easy to find flights in the high season and the ticket prices go very high. That is why many tourists that do not prefer flying to Antalya take buses.
Night busses are also comfortable enough to spend the night to get there. Some companies offer comfortable airplane type seats. But if you are interested in landscape, taking a ride in daytime can be a good option for you.
Take to Antalya by Train and Bus from Istanbul
If you have got a time, the use of a train and bus combinations can be a great idea while going to Antalya. There is two routes…
The most interesting one begins by taking the high-speed train ticket from Istanbul to Eskisehir. Eskisehir is a student city where you can spend a day exploring its vibrant art scene and old town district.
Hop aboard the Pamukkale Ekspresi train in the next day early morning from Eskişehir to Denizli. Enjoy of a relaxing eight hours. Pamukkale is a town of the Denizli. It is in the UNESCO World Heritage list with its famous white calcite terraces and the Roman ruins of Hierapolis. After you arrive Denizli it will take 20 minutes by minibuses to reach Pamukkale.
And you will need a 4 hour bus ride to reach Antalya from Pamukkale. With knowing this get enjoy your day-touring the sights in Pamukkale.
Another train and bus combination is catching the high-speed train from Istanbul to Konya. Konya is home of the Mevlana and city center has the preserved Seljuk-era monuments and mosques. After you’ve got completed exploring, take a direct bus from Konya to Antalya
Don’t forget to purchase train tickets in advance, particularly in summer, as they do sell out.
Rent a car in Istanbul
Hiring a car in Turkey to ride from Istanbul to Antalya is a good option for travelers who enjoy long road trips. You may use a reputable car rental to make the most of Turkey on your journey to Antalya.
The most direct route between Istanbul and Antalya is approximately 700 kilometers. It passes through the historic cities and towns of Bursa, Kutahya, Afyonkarahisar and Isparta. There is more than a lot to see and experience on the way.
Map of the direct route between Istanbul and Antalya
If you do not have any limitation timewise, driving along the west coast of Turkey will be a fantastic trip to Antalya. This option gives you the freedom to explore towns and heritage sites of the country according to your own interest.
You can send us an email to plan your trip and have private Antalya tours along with airport transfers. Wish you a nice trip there…
