You have booked a holiday in Side, one of the most rewarding corners of the Turkish Riviera, and your flight lands at Antalya Airport (AYT). The stretch between the terminal and your resort is the first real decision of the trip, and getting it right sets the tone for a relaxed week. This guide walks you through the transfer from Antalya Airport to the Side region, then shows how easy it is to slot in the adventures the coast is famous for, including a two-seat off-road buggy safari through the Taurus foothills.
Where Side sits, and why the airport run matters
Side lies east of Antalya, along the coast towards Manavgat, past Belek and Boğazkent. Antalya Airport is the main gateway for the whole eastern Riviera, so almost every visitor to Side, Kumköy, Çolaklı, Titreyengöl, Evrenseki, Gündoğdu and Kızılağaç passes through AYT first. It is a comfortable coastal drive rather than a marathon, but it is long enough that how you cover it genuinely affects how fresh you feel when you arrive.
The road hugs the plain below the mountains, past greenhouses, citrus groves and the odd glimpse of the sea. If you land in daylight you get your first taste of the landscape you will later ride through on a buggy: flat coastal farmland giving way, further inland, to the pine-clad hills of the Taurus.
Your transfer options from Antalya Airport
There is no single right answer here, only the option that best fits your group, your luggage and your patience after a flight. Here is an honest run-through.
Private airport transfer
A pre-booked private transfer is the smoothest choice for most holidaymakers heading to Side. A driver meets you in the arrivals hall, usually holding a name board, helps with the bags, and takes you straight to your hotel door with no stops and no shared waiting. For families with children, prams, or a lot of luggage, this is the least stressful way to travel, and you know the vehicle is meeting your flight even if it lands late.
Shuttle and shared transfers
Shared shuttles cost less because you travel with other guests heading to the same resort strip. The trade-off is time: the vehicle may wait to fill up and then make several hotel drops before yours, which can add a fair bit to the journey. If budget matters more than speed and you are travelling light, it is a reasonable choice.
Taxis
Official taxis wait outside arrivals and will take you to Side without a booking. It is quick and convenient, but for a longer coastal run like this it is often the priciest door-to-door option, so agree the fare or confirm the meter before you set off.
Car hire
Renting a car at the airport gives you total freedom to explore Manavgat, the waterfalls and the mountain villages at your own pace. Bear in mind Turkish resort traffic in high season, unfamiliar signage, and the cost of parking at your hotel. If you plan to stay mostly around your resort and take guided day trips, you may not need a car at all.
Public buses
Budget travellers can reach Side by public transport, typically via Antalya's bus network with a change towards Manavgat. It is the cheapest route by far, but with luggage, connections and the final walk to your hotel, it really suits confident, lightly packed travellers with time to spare.
How to make the transfer smooth
A few small habits make the airport run painless. Have your hotel name and address saved offline, and screenshot your booking confirmation in case the airport Wi-Fi is patchy. Keep water and essentials in your hand luggage; the coastal heat hits the moment you step outside. If you book a private transfer, send your flight number so the driver can track delays rather than leaving you stranded after a late landing. Travelling with young children? Ask about child seats when you book. And if you land in the small hours, a pre-arranged transfer is worth its weight in gold.
You have arrived in Side. Now what?
Once you have unpacked and found the pool, the fun part begins: filling the week. Side rewards curiosity. The ancient city sits right on the coast, with its Roman theatre, the columns of the Temple of Apollo glowing at sunset, and a harbour ringed with restaurants. Manavgat, just inland, gives you the famous waterfall and a lively riverside market. And behind it all rise the Taurus Mountains, where the coast trades its beaches for forest tracks, mud and shallow river crossings — exactly where an off-road adventure comes into its own, closer than most first-time visitors expect.
Adding a buggy safari to your Side holiday
A two-seat off-road buggy safari is one of the easiest, most memorable ways to see the wild side of the region, and it fits neatly around a beach holiday. The buggy is a proper off-road machine: a roll cage, seatbelts and two seats side by side, so two people share one vehicle for a single price. That makes it ideal for couples who want to swap driving, and for families, where a child can ride buckled in safely beside a parent.
You do not need a licence or any previous experience. Before you set off you get a safety briefing, a helmet and goggles, and a practice lap to get comfortable with the throttle and steering. A lead guide sets the pace on the trail, so you are never left to find your own way, and insurance is included. The route takes you onto genuine forest and mud tracks in the Taurus foothills, with shallow water crossings that are as fun as they are refreshing on a hot day.
Best of all for a Side holiday, hotel pick-up and drop-off are free. A vehicle collects you from your resort, whether you are in central Side, Çolaklı, Titreyengöl, Kumköy or further along the strip, and brings you back afterwards, so the day slots around your holiday without a hire car. Pick-ups run in a morning or an afternoon session, with the exact time confirmed when you book, since it depends on where your hotel sits on the route.
If you want a bigger day out, the same off-road country pairs naturally with rafting in Köprülü Canyon, a stunning national-park gorge inland from Side. Rafting is seasonal, running roughly spring through autumn, so it is worth asking about combos when you plan your dates.
Booking without the guesswork
One of the nicest things about arranging adventures from Side is how relaxed the booking model is. You reserve your date online to hold your place, and you pay on the day rather than upfront, so there is no big prepayment before you have even arrived. Prices do change with the season and the tour you choose, so always check the live price when you book rather than trusting an old figure you saw somewhere. Reserve early for busy summer weeks, keep your resort name handy for the pick-up, and you are set.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the transfer from Antalya Airport to Side take?
It is a coastal drive east of the airport, comfortably done in one go. The exact time depends on your specific resort, the season and traffic, so a private transfer that goes straight to your hotel is usually quicker than a shared shuttle that makes several stops.
Is it better to book a transfer in advance or arrange one on arrival?
Booking ahead is almost always smoother, especially for late-night landings or if you are travelling with children. A pre-arranged driver tracks your flight, meets you in arrivals and takes you door to door, which removes the stress of negotiating after a long journey.
Do I need a car in Side to do a buggy safari?
No. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included free, so a vehicle collects you from your resort and returns you afterwards. You can enjoy an off-road day without hiring a car at all.
Can my children come on the buggy safari?
Yes, within the safety rules. The buggy is a two-seater, so a child can ride buckled in safely beside a parent while the adult drives. No licence or experience is needed, and helmets, goggles, a briefing and a guide are all included. Confirm age suitability when you book.