On stepping out the exit doors at Antalya airport you immediately understand you’re at something of a tourism hub. Instead of the usual taxi ranks, a long line-up of dozens of bus ticketing booths to nearby seaside resorts awaits you. After pacing the length of the bus booths for a few minutes you’ll eventually discover the local taxi rank at the right extreme of these booths. A 20-minute ride will take you into Antalya Old Town (Kaleici) for about 55 TL (in 2017). Kaleici can be a bit of a labyrinth to navigate for first-timers so it’s a good idea to insist that the taxi drop you to the door of your destination instead of the just the Old Town gates. Navigating the cobbled laneways of a crowded, sweaty 35C Kaleici with 20kg luggage is not fun.
A couple of days later I discovered that there is actually a tram stop at the havalimanı (airport).
The Antalyakart, similar to the Istanbulkart, is all-inclusive for local tram and bus travel. If you’re staying in Kaleici you can buy your Antalyakart at a booth near the Clock Tower (Saat Kulesi).
I was advised to buy my Antlayakart loaded with 15-20TL credit to cover 1 week of typical travel. The first day I used the tram it was free – the gates were open – either because it was the weekend or because it was Kurban Bayrami.
Once you find your feet, the Antalyakart and tram system (two lines) is easy to use.
So great to see young Turkish guys and girls still leaping to their feet to surrender their seat when they see a senior citizen board the tram! Harika.
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