Two airports serve the eastern Turkish Riviera, and picking the right one at booking can save you an hour in the car and a chunk of the transfer fare. Antalya Airport (AYT) is the big, busy main gateway; Gazipasa-Alanya Airport (GZP) is a small alternative far to the east. This guide shows which airport is closest and cheapest for each resort.
The two airports at a glance
| Antalya (AYT) | Gazipasa (GZP) | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | 13 km NE of Antalya city | 40 km SE of Alanya |
| Size | Large, two terminals | Small, single terminal |
| Flights | Very high, year-round | Limited, mostly seasonal |
| Best for | Lara, Kundu, Belek, Side, Kemer | Alanya and the far east coast |
Antalya Airport (AYT): the main gateway
AYT is one of the busiest airports in Turkey, with two international terminals and flights from across Europe all year. It sits just 13 km northeast of Antalya city, which puts the western and central resorts within an easy transfer. If you are staying in Lara, Kundu, Belek, Side or Kemer, AYT is almost always the airport you want: more flights, more airlines, more competitive fares, and a short drive at the end.
The only catch is Alanya. From AYT to Alanya is 125 km, about two hours by road, so an AYT arrival adds a long final leg for far-east resorts.
Gazipasa-Alanya Airport (GZP): the eastern alternative
GZP is a small airport about 40 km southeast of Alanya. It opened to commercial traffic in 2011 and handles a modest number of flights, heavier in the summer season and thinner in winter. For Alanya itself the difference is dramatic: 40 km and roughly 45 minutes from GZP, versus 125 km and two hours from AYT.
The trade-off is flight choice. GZP has far fewer routes and departures than AYT, so you may pay more or fly at less convenient times. Many Alanya-bound travellers still choose AYT purely because the flight was cheaper or better timed, and simply book a longer transfer.
Which airport for your resort
| Resort | Best airport | Transfer distance |
|---|---|---|
| Lara / Kundu | AYT | 13-15 km, ~20 min |
| Antalya city | AYT | 13 km, ~20 min |
| Belek | AYT | 30 km, ~35 min |
| Kemer | AYT | 55 km, ~55 min |
| Side | AYT | 65 km, ~75 min |
| Alanya | GZP (closer) or AYT (more flights) | 40 km / 125 km |
Flight availability and price
Because AYT handles the vast majority of traffic, it usually wins on both choice and price. You will find more airlines, more departure times and more competition, which tends to push fares down. GZP can be convenient for Alanya but its thinner schedule sometimes means higher fares or awkward arrival times, especially outside July and August.
The practical rule most travellers use: check flights into both airports for an Alanya trip, then weigh the fare and timing against the extra transfer distance from AYT.
Transfer times and cost from each airport
Whichever airport you land at, a private transfer is fixed at booking with no meter. From AYT the resort runs are short and cheap for the western and central coast; the Alanya run is longer and priced accordingly. From GZP the Alanya transfer is short, and we also cover the drive west toward Side if your GZP flight was the better deal.
- AYT to Lara/Kundu: from around 20 euros, about 20 minutes
- AYT to Belek: from around 25 euros, about 35 minutes
- AYT to Side: from around 35 euros, about 75 minutes
- AYT to Alanya: from around 55 euros, about two hours
- GZP to Alanya: short hop, about 45 minutes
How to choose
For everything from Antalya city east to Side and west to Kemer, book AYT and enjoy the short transfer. For Alanya, compare a cheaper or better-timed AYT flight (with a two-hour transfer) against a GZP flight (with a 45-minute transfer) and pick whichever total works for you. If you are unsure, we can quote fixed transfers from both airports so you can compare the full door-to-door cost, not just the flight.
Frequently asked questions
Is Antalya Airport or Gazipasa closer to Alanya?
Gazipasa (GZP) is much closer, about 40 km and 45 minutes, versus 125 km and two hours from Antalya Airport (AYT). But AYT has far more flights.
Which airport should I use for Side?
Antalya Airport (AYT) is the usual choice for Side, about 65 km and 75 minutes. Gazipasa is possible but has fewer flights.
Does Gazipasa have many flights?
Fewer than Antalya. GZP runs a limited, mostly seasonal schedule, heavier in summer. Antalya Airport operates year-round with far more routes.
Can you pick me up from either airport?
Yes. We run fixed-price transfers from both AYT and GZP to every resort on the coast, with flight tracking and meet-and-greet.
Which is cheaper to fly into?
Usually Antalya (AYT), because more airlines and departures mean more competition. For Alanya, check both and weigh the fare against the transfer distance.
Booking your transfer
Whichever airport you choose, we meet you at arrivals with a name board, track your flight so the pickup matches your real landing time, and drive a Mercedes fleet at a fixed price agreed at booking with no meter. Tell us your airport, your resort and your flight number, and we will handle the rest, from a 20-minute Lara run to a two-hour Alanya drive.