Alanya is served by two airports. Choosing the right one and understanding the transfer cost and time implications of each is a practical decision that affects every visit and significantly affects your annual travel budget if you live there. The answer is not always the same for everyone.
98a. The two airports
Antalya Airport (AYT): One of Turkeys busiest airports and one of the busiest charter airports in Europe. Located approximately 125 kilometres west of Alanya centre. Transfer time to Alanya: 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes depending on traffic. In summer, traffic on the D400 coastal road can extend this to 3 hours. A massive range of direct flights from across Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Year-round scheduled service on Turkish Airlines and Pegasus, plus extensive seasonal charter operations.
Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport (GZP): Located approximately 45 kilometres east of Alanya centre. Transfer time to Alanya: 35 to 50 minutes. Opened for commercial operations in 2011. Significantly smaller than Antalya. Route network is growing but remains limited compared to Antalya. Turkish Airlines operates year-round domestic connections via Istanbul. International routes are expanding Pegasus, Corendon, and several European carriers now operate seasonal routes from Germany, Netherlands, UK, and Scandinavia.
98b. Transfer time and cost comparison
The transfer from Antalya Airport to Alanya is one of the most significant practical inconveniences of living in Alanya. Options and approximate 2026 costs:
- Private transfer (Antalya to Alanya): 800 to 1,500 TL depending on vehicle type and season. Door to door. Most convenient but most expensive per trip.
- Shared transfer / shuttle (Antalya to Alanya): 300 to 500 TL per person. Longer journey time due to multiple drop-offs. Several operators offer this service book in advance.
- Havas bus (Antalya to Alanya): Regular bus service from Antalya Airport to Alanya bus station (otogar). Approximately 150-200 TL. Journey time 2 to 2.5 hours. Then local transport or taxi to final destination.
- Private transfer (Gazipaşa to Alanya): 400 to 700 TL. Much shorter journey.
- Taxi (Gazipaşa to Alanya): 500 to 800 TL approximately.
Annual cost impact for a permanent resident making 6 return trips per year: using Antalya with private transfers costs approximately 10,000 to 18,000 TL more per year than using Gazipaşa. This is a real financial consideration when choosing routes.
98c. Which airport for which traveller
- Use Gazipaşa if: your departure city has a direct route to GZP, the schedule works, and the fare is comparable. The time saving and transfer cost saving are significant. Always check GZP first.
- Use Antalya if: there is no direct GZP route from your city, or the Antalya flight is significantly cheaper or more convenient. Antalyas route network is vastly larger and will remain so.
- Connecting via Istanbul: Turkish Airlines operates year-round Alanya/Gazipaşa routes from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) and Istanbul Airport (IST). If your journey involves an Istanbul connection, this can make GZP accessible from almost anywhere in the world.
98d. Getting to alanya by road
- From Antalya city: D400 coastal highway, 2 to 2.5 hours. Scenic but heavy with trucks and summer tourist traffic. The Antalya-Alanya expressway (Alanya Çevre Yolu) sections have improved journey times significantly.
- From Konya: Via the Taurus mountains, approximately 3.5 to 4 hours. Dramatically scenic mountain roads beautiful in good weather, potentially challenging in winter.
- From Adana / Mersin: East of Alanya, approximately 3.5 hours via D400.
- Intercity bus: Turkeys intercity bus network (otobüs) is excellent value and reliable. Multiple daily services from Istanbul (12-13 hours), Ankara (8-9 hours), Antalya (2.5 hours), Konya (4 hours), and other major cities to Alanya otogar.
98e. Getting around alanya locally
- Dolmuş (shared minibus): The most practical local transport. Fixed routes along the D400 coastal road connecting all neighbourhoods. Fare approximately 20-30 TL. Frequent service in summer, reduced in winter.
- Taxi: Available throughout. Metered within the city. Fixed rates for airport transfers. Negotiate for longer journeys.
- Rental car: Essential for hillside neighbourhoods (Cikcilli, Bektaş, Kargıcak) and western areas (Konaklı, Avsallar). All major rental companies present at both airports and in the city centre.
- Motorcycle / scooter: Popular among residents for coastal road commuting. See Article 70 for licence and insurance requirements.
| Factor | Antalya Airport (AYT) | Gazipaşa Airport (GZP) |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from Alanya centre | ~125 km | ~45 km |
| Transfer time | 1h45m – 3h | 35-50 min |
| Private transfer cost | 800-1,500 TL | 400-700 TL |
| Route network | Vast Europe, Russia, ME | Growing limited seasonal |
| Year-round scheduled service | Yes extensive | Yes domestic via Istanbul |
| Best for | Maximum route choice | Convenience, cost saving |
EXPERT ADVICE: Always check Gazipaşa first. Most residents default to Antalya out of habit and miss GZP routes that are both cheaper and far more convenient. Turkish Airlines connects GZP to Istanbul year-round and from Istanbul, you can reach almost anywhere. The 80-minute transfer saving each way and the lower transfer cost add up to a meaningful quality of life and financial difference over a year of regular travel.
Sources: Gazipaşa-Alanya Havalimanı – https://www.dhmi.gov.tr | Antalya Havalimanı – https://www.dhmi.gov.tr | Havas – https://www.havas.net | THY – https://www.turkishairlines.com
P.S. In summer, direct flights from Europe to Gazipaşa are the easy choice you land 45 minutes from Alanya and you are done. Antalya works fine but adds time: the airport is larger, busier, and the transfer to Alanya takes around 2 hours depending on traffic. If Gazipaşa has a direct flight from your city, use it. If not, Antalya is perfectly manageable just factor in the extra journey time.
