On our quad and buggy safaris in Side, the minimum age to drive is 16 — every driver shows ID at our base and completes a supervised test drive before heading onto the track. Children join as securely belted passengers from age 6, and children aged 6–11 pay the child fare: €15 on the quad safari, €18 on the buggy safari. Infants are free on our tours, although children under 6 cannot take part in the off-road ride itself. Booking is free online and everyone pays on the day of the tour.
Age rules at a glance
We run these safaris ourselves — this table is exactly what our guides apply at our base in Side every day.
| Age | Can they drive? | Can they ride as a passenger? | Fare (Side quad / buggy) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 6 | No | No — cannot join the off-road ride | Infants free, but no ride |
| 6–11 | No | Yes — securely belted passenger | Child fare: €15 / €18 |
| 12–15 | No | Yes — passenger only | Adult fare: €25 / €30 |
| 16+ | Yes — with ID, after the supervised test drive | Yes | Adult fare: €25 / €30 |
These fares apply to our Side departures. Our Belek, Kemer and Alanya safaris have their own pricing, but the age rules are identical on every tour we run: drivers from 16, passengers from 6.
Parent and child in one buggy: the family favourite
The buggy is the machine most families pick: a two-seater side-by-side with a roll cage, a steering wheel and proper seat belts. Your child sits strapped in right next to you while you steer through forest tracks, dust, mud pits and water-splash stops in the Taurus foothills behind Side. Comparing options for a family day out? Start with our buggy safari overview — the format we recommend first to parents. The Side Buggy Safari costs €30 per adult and €18 per child, takes about 4 hours door to door and includes roughly 1.5–2 hours of real off-road driving.
Teens from 16: driving with ID
Some of our happiest drivers are 16 and 17 year olds on their first machine. Anyone who wants to drive must be at least 16 and show ID at the base. Before the convoy leaves, every driver — teenager or adult — completes a supervised test drive: guests who handle the machine confidently ride as drivers, and anyone who prefers not to drive joins as a passenger — nothing is paid in advance, so nothing is lost. For the full checklist, read our guide to the driving requirements for quad and buggy safaris in Side; if your teen has never driven before, see whether beginners can drive a quad or buggy in Side.
Why children under 6 cannot join the ride
The route is genuine off-road: bumpy forest tracks, dust, mud pits and water splashes for around 1.5–2 hours. The terrain is simply too rough for children under 6, so we do not take them on the track — a rule we hold without exceptions. For families with a baby or toddler, the practical solution is for one adult to sit the activity out, or to plan the safari for a day when the youngest are with another trusted adult.
Back or neck issues? Take the passenger seat
Off-road terrain shakes and bounces — that is the fun of it, but it also means guests with back or neck problems should not drive. Ride as a passenger instead: the belted buggy seat is the most comfortable option, and our guides control the pace on the track. Mention it when you book so we can plan your seat.
Practical info for families
- Free hotel pick-up and drop-off across the Side coast: Side centre, Kumköy, Evrenseki, Çolaklı, Gündoğdu, Sorgun and Titreyengöl — morning or afternoon session, exact pick-up time confirmed at booking.
- Included for every guest: safety briefing by our professional guides, supervised test drive, helmet, and changing cabins with showers at the base.
- Bring a complete change of clothes — dust, mud and water splashes are part of the day.
- Optional extras at the base: protective goggles, bandanas, food and drinks, and a professional photo and video service.
- Departures run with up to 40 guests; our guides control the group on the track.
FAQ
What is the minimum age to drive a quad or buggy in Side?
16, with ID shown at our base. Each driver then completes a supervised test drive: guests who handle the machine confidently drive; anyone who prefers not to rides as a passenger.
Can my child ride with me on one machine?
Yes, from age 6. On the buggy your child sits belted next to you — the roll cage and seat belts are why we call it the family pick. On the quad, a child passenger rides behind the driver. Ages 6–11 pay the child fare: €15 quad, €18 buggy.
Do teenagers aged 12–15 have to ride as passengers?
Yes. Between 6 and 15, guests join as passengers only; from 16, with ID, they can drive themselves after the supervised test drive.
How much do children pay in 2026?
On our Side tours, ages 6–11 pay €15 (quad) and €18 (buggy); from 12 the adult fare applies (€25 quad, €30 buggy). Infants are free, though under-6s cannot join the ride itself. Nothing is paid online — you pay on the day.
I have a back or neck problem — can I still take part?
Yes, as a passenger. We ask guests with back or neck issues not to drive; the belted seat next to a buggy driver is the comfortable alternative.
Whether you have a six-year-old co-pilot, a teenager desperate for their own quad, or three generations in one group, the rules are easy: drivers from 16 with ID, belted passengers from 6, child fare to age 11. Book the Side Buggy Safari online now — booking is free, there is no prepayment, and you pay on the day of the tour.