Car Rental in Antalya

Why rent a car in Antalya?

Antalya is a great place to explore by a rental car. Most travelers come here for the world-class beaches, but having your own ride will let you also see how interesting and diverse this historic city is, as well as to travel east and west along the Mediterranean Coast.

Top ways to enter Antalya

• Antalya Airport: Located just northeast of the city center, Antalya Airport is the third busiest airport in Turkey and among the 30 busiest in the whole of Europe. 
• Dalaman Airport: Located 180 km (112 mi) from Antalya, this small and cozy airport becomes very active during the summer months when it hosts flights by more than 30 different airlines.
• Gazipasa Airport: Located about three hours drive southeast along the coast, Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport hosts many domestic flights, as well as flights to and from such European countries as Germany, Finland, Russia, Denmark, and others.
• By sea: If you’re arriving in Antalya by ferry, you can conveniently pick up your rental car at Antalya Port.

City facts

• Located on the coast, Antalya enjoys typical Mediterranean climate. The summers are extremely hot, with temperatures reaching even 35 °C  (95 °F), so getting properly hydrated is important. Even winters are warm and sunny, with temperature often 15 °C  (60 °F). Antalya has around 300 sunny days per year.
• Antalya is the biggest city and resort on the so-called Turkish Riviera or Turquoise Coast area. The city and its surrounding towns, beaches, and resorts accommodates nearly 15 million tourists every year.

Top sights and activities

• Chimaera. Located above the Temple of Hephaestus, a Greek god of blacksmiths and fire, the eternal flames of Chimaera are one of the greatest natural phenomena in Turkey. In ancient times they guided the sailors not to crash on the rocks of Antalya beach. If you go on a yacht trip today, you can still see them from the sea.
• Karaalioğlu Park. Bordering the old harbor of Antalya, Karaalioğlu Park is one of the nicest green spots in all of the city. Here you can go on a long stroll, have a picnic, and make new friends, or, if you’re inclined to learn something new, to visit the ancient Roman fortress of Hidirlik.
• Kaleiçi. Antalya’s oldest quarter is made up of a network of labyrinthine streets that are enclosed by the walls of the original, ancient settlement. Visit Hadrian’s Gate built by the Roman emperor, go inside one of the area’s historic mosques, or simply go on a long stroll to enjoy the atmosphere or take in the views of the city below.
• Antalya Museum. Antalya has been inhabited for millennia and has seen the rise and fall of many famous civilizations. The best place to learn about it is the city’s main museum. Divided into 13 exhibition halls and boasting a wealth of various artifacts, it is often considered among the best in all of the country. The Antalya Museum is in the nearby Konyaaltı neighborhood, about a 15-minute drive west of the city center.
• Düden Waterfalls. The most epic nature sight within the city, you can literally spot it high above the ground while landing at Antalya Airport. There are two Düden waterfalls but the lower one, located in Düden Park, is more picturesque as it falls right into the sea.

Traffic and parking

• Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits are 120 km/h (74.5 mph) on highways, 90 km/h (55.9 mph) on two-lane roads, and 50 km/h (31 mph) in populated and built-up areas.
• On the road, you may see weird speed limit signs like 82 km/h (51 mph). The point is that the local law allows you to drive up to 10% above the speed limit — and that’s where 82 km/h (which is 90 km/h if you speed within the limits) comes from.
• It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving.
• On regional roads, there might be fewer gas stations than on the national highways. Never stay too low on gas and always set out your route in advance to know the location of the next gas station.
• Turkey has high gas taxes yet gas prices are still lower than in most EU countries.
• Turkey is overall a warm country, but during winter roads can be covered with ice, especially in mountainous regions. Do ask your car rental provider in advance if your vehicle’s tires will be equipped for the season.
• Wildfires are commonplace on the Turkish Riviera in the summer. Keep that in mind when setting out a route ahead and check the local resources in advance.
• Occasionally you might encounter police roadblocks and even military checkpoints, especially in Southeastern Turkey. They are there for your own safety, and in most cases, they will only check your license and warn you about any potential danger that might lie ahead. 
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% if you’re driving alone and 0.00%. Exceeding the limit can lead to large fines and a license ban.
• The insurance and car documentation need to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• If you’re the driver, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The general emergency number is 112. The police number is 155, the fire brigade number is 110, and the forest fire number is 177. 

Toll roads

Driving on most national motorways, as well as some bridges and tunnels in Turkey requires a toll payment; however, there are no toll roads in the Antalya area.

Most Turkish toll roads only permit an electronic, contactless payment from an electronic toll-payment transponder that’s in a car or by an electronic chip sticker that’s on the car. This means that you cannot pay either by cash or credit card for most toll roads (only a handful of newer ones will permit that). 

All rental cars have to be equipped either with a toll-payment transponder or with a toll-payment sticker. Some rental car providers might charge an extra fee for this service. Do contact your rental car provider in advance to find out more. 

The toll roads in Turkey are divided in HGS, the High-Speed Passage System (Hızlı Geçiş Sistemi in Turkish) and OGS (Otomatik Geçiş Sistemi in Turkish). On HGS roads, you can pass through the toll area at a higher speed. On OGS roads, you need to slow down as you go through a toll gate and the toll payment is registered through the electronic transponder that’s in a car. The exact amount you’ll have to pay will depend on the specific road you drive on and on the distance of your travels.

Find out more about the toll roads in Turkey on the European toll road website.

Ideas for day trips

• Kurşunlu Waterfall Park. One of the most popular protected areas around Antalya, Kurşunlu is only a 30-minute drive northeast of the city. As suggested by its name, it is home to a famous waterfall that’s especially impressive during the colder time of the year when the flow of the water is stronger. The area’s main walking trail has a plant tunnel, and there is also a possibility to go on a 4x4 tour. 
• Hierapolis Ancient City. As testified by many different religious sites on its territory, the city of Hierapolis has been a special place for many different cultures. Phrygians, Greeks, and Romans are just some of them, and the ruins of ancient structures like the Domitian gate, Plutonium, and the system of city baths keep telling their story. While you’re here, don’t miss the famous Travertines of Pamukkale.
• The Sunken City of Kekova. Destroyed by an earthquake almost 2000 years ago, the remains of the ancient city of Kekova can still be observed in its staircases, houses, and paths carved in the rock. Nowadays Kekova is an island and can be visited by a boat, but on the nearby mainland you can also visit Demre, another ancient settlement that is famous for buildings carved in the coastal rocks.
• Kaş. The beaches around Kaş are rocky, and not sandy like in Antalya, but the natural beauty and tranquility of the area still make it a popular alternative to the more crowded Antalya. It is known for being the home of the ancient sites of Phellos and Antiphellos, the latter of which has an impressive ancient theater. Kaş is also a neighbor of the aforementioned sunken city of Kekova, so both can be visited on the same trip. The drive from Antalya to Kaş takes about three hours. 

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Antalya is Hyundai i20, but travelers also pick the Ford Fiesta and the Opel Corsa a lot. The most popular car types are economy, compact, and mini. Most roads in and around the city are in good shape, but if you plan to drive in the nearby Taurus Mountains, getting a 4x4 vehicle might be a good idea.

Further destinations

• Çıralı. About a 90-minute drive south of Antalya on the edge of a coastal nature area, the village of Çıralı is a beautiful and tranquil spot on the Mediterranean. Its beaches are favored by sea turtles who come to the shore every year to lay their eggs.
• İzmir. A modern and bustling city with an extremely long and fascinating history, Izmir is a place like no other. It is nearly a six-hour drive from Antalya, but the long trip is worth the time because of Izmir’s beautiful architecture, delicious cuisine, and stunning beaches.
• Ankara. The national capital, located in the Anatolian heartland of the country, is a place of many interesting museums, impressive mosques, and beautiful green areas. Underrated as a travel destination compared to Turkey’s many beach cities, it is nonetheless a great place to visit. It is about a six-hour drive northeast of Antalya.

Car rental prices in Antalya

• Small cars - from $5 per day
• Medium cars - from $4 per day
• SUVs - from $22 per day
• Large cars - from $15 per day
• Vans - from $25 per day
• Station wagons - from $16 per day
• Premium cars - from $63 per day

Money-saving and other tips

These are some of the things you can do to get a good car rental deal in Antalya:

• Compare rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Antalya is the cheapest in February when renting a car is about 60% cheaper than the yearly average.