What you should know before hiring a car in Antalya
| Antalya city centre | ||
| Antalya International Airport (AYT): 13 mi from city centre | ||
Car hires in Antalya: practical information
Where to rent a car in Antalya
Antalya is one of the most popular cities along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. For holidaymakers with an inkling for something different, Antalya is your spot. Have you booked your tickets from London to Antalya yet? Dubbed the Turkish Riviera, it has everything you need for the perfect holiday. Car rentals in Antalya are available from the airport, which is just 10km away, from the bus terminal as well as from the city centre. From Antalya Airport there are always a ton of car hire deals to choose from, especially during the off-peak season. Filo Rent, National, Europcar, Hertz, Budget, Avis and Ay-Tu Turizm are located at all terminals.
From the city centre there are still quite a few options for car hires in Antalya, but the prices will no doubt be cheaper at the airport. Altalya Cars is on Tuzcular Mh, ISIK Car Hire along Guzeloba Mh, Elit Car Rental along Çağlayan Mh and Kros Rent A Car along Barbaros Mh. If you're interested in picking up a rent car, choose one that is located close to your hotel in Antalya for easy pick-up and drop off.
Driving in Antalya: parking and other tips
It's a nightmare to drive in Antalya, even worse to find good parking. Avoid the city centre at all costs, Cumhuriyet, Atatürk and the old city especially. The Turkish are fierce drivers that love speed. As for parking, it can be tricky to find a vacant car park in the very central part of the city. Also, watch out for parking restrictions. The city authorities don't give any warnings to foreign drivers other rented cars. If you find yourself lost, or at a loss for finding parking, pull over and as a young local, most of them can speak English.
Having a rent car in Antalya is perfect if you're staying at a hotel further outside of the city along the coast. From there you have the freedom to drive into the city, just leave your car on the outer limits of the centre rather than driving right in and wasting precious time looking for a spot.
Road trips from Antalya: what to do, what to see
Kemer
Kemer is about 30 minutes drive from Antalya, along the coast. It has a few beaches but the real gem is the teleferique from the sea to the summit of Mount Tahtalı. The trip takes around 10 minutes and is worth every Euro for the views of the entire region. Seriously stunning. The teleferique leaves every half hour between 10am and 7pm and costs 40 TL (£24). If you're staying overnight, there are hotels on the north and south side of the city.
Olympos
If you're looking for a little adventure, head to Olympos. It's very popular among backpackers, especially the treehouse-style hostels. More a village than anything else, Olympos has a great vibe to it. Nearby are some Lycian ruins and the beach. Grab your trekking boots and hike up Mount Olympos to visit the Eternal Flames of the Chimera.
Kaş
Kaş, two hours from Antalya, is pure charm and delight. The beaches here are more rocky than in Antalya but it makes a great escape from the crowds while you're on holidays in Antalya. Many of the restaurants and cafes along the coast even provide free loungers for the sun… heaven!