Car Rental in Antalya
Antalya is the single cheapest place to rent a car in our entire coverage area. During the off-season, economy cars start at 8 EUR per day with basic insurance included. We have booked a Fiat Egea — Turkey’s ubiquitous rental car — for a full week in November and paid less than what a single day costs in Dubrovnik during summer. The airport alone has over 20 rental agencies competing for business, and that competition drives prices down to levels that barely seem real.
The city itself is a major resort hub on the Turkish Mediterranean coast, pulling in millions of package tourists every summer. But the real value of renting in Antalya is what surrounds it: 300 km of coastline in both directions, the ancient ruins of the Lycian Way, mountain roads climbing into the Taurus range, and genuinely beautiful stretches of road that most tourists never see because they stay in their all-inclusive hotels. The D400 coastal highway from Antalya west toward Kas and eventually Fethiye is one of the best drives in Turkey — winding along cliffs above turquoise water, with ancient cities and empty beaches accessible only by car.
The agency landscape at AYT Airport is the most competitive in the country. International chains (Sixt, Europcar, Budget, Hertz) have desks alongside Turkish chains (Garenta, Enterprise Turkey) and a dozen local operators. The price spread is wide: local agencies undercut the chains by 20-40%, but the trade-off is older vehicles, less transparent insurance terms, and occasionally creative damage inspection techniques. For a first-time renter in Turkey, sticking with Garenta or one of the international brands is worth the small premium. For experienced hands, the local agencies offer genuine value.
Driving tips
The D400 is the main artery and the road you will spend the most time on. West of Antalya toward Kemer and Kas, it hugs the coast with curves, tunnels, and the occasional village speed trap. East toward Alanya, it is wider and faster but heavily trafficked with tour buses and trucks during summer. In both directions, the scenery is the reward — just resist the urge to take photos while driving, because the drop-offs are real.
Speed cameras are common on the D400 and on the approach roads to Antalya. The city ring road (Antalya Cevreolu) has camera gantries at regular intervals. Inside the city, traffic is moderate by Turkish standards — nothing like Istanbul — but the one-way system around Kaleici catches newcomers off guard. Roundabouts are frequent and follow the might-is-right principle: larger vehicles have de facto priority regardless of what the signs say.
The road up to Saklikent Gorge (50 km northwest) is narrow and steep in places but paved throughout. The road to Termessos ancient city is similar — paved to the parking area but with tight switchbacks. If you are heading to Cappadocia from Antalya (about 5.5 hours via Konya), the motorway is excellent once you clear the Taurus mountain section on the Antalya-Konya road, which includes some serious elevation changes and a long tunnel.
Fuel is expensive in Turkey by regional standards — around 1.20-1.40 EUR per liter — but the distances are manageable. Antalya to Kas is about 190 km, Antalya to Alanya is 130 km. A full tank in an economy car will cover the entire Lycian coast stretch and back. Shell, Opet, and BP are the reliable station brands.
Parking
Antalya’s old town (Kaleici) is effectively car-free inside the walls. There is a small paid lot near Hadrian’s Gate at the main entrance — budget 2-3 EUR per hour, and it fills up by mid-morning in summer. The smart move is to park at MarkAntalya or one of the shopping centers on the ring road (free parking) and walk or take a tram into the old town.
Along Konyaalti Beach, paid lots line the promenade. Expect 1-2 EUR per hour in summer, with free spots available on residential streets a few blocks inland. The Lara/Kundu hotel zone east of the city has ample parking — most hotels have their own lots, and the strip is designed for car access.
At the airport, short-term parking is 3-5 EUR per hour. Long-term lots run about 8-12 EUR per day and are connected to the terminal by shuttle. For anything beyond a quick pickup, the long-term lot is the move.
