Overview
Antalya is the sun-soaked capital of Turkey's Turquoise Coast, where the Taurus Mountains tumble down to a warm, clear sea. It pairs a characterful Ottoman old town with long beaches, Roman ruins and easy access to resorts such as Belek, Side, Kemer and Alanya, which makes it one of the most popular summer choices for UK holidaymakers. This page shows live fares, so you can see how prices for cheap flights to Antalya are moving before you book.
Best time to fly to Antalya
The main season runs from April to October, with reliably hot, dry weather from June to September when daytime temperatures often sit in the low-to-mid 30s Celsius. May, early June and September bring pleasant heat, a warm sea and lower demand, and tend to be kinder on fares. July and August are the busiest and priciest. Winter is mild but quiet, with fewer direct flights and many seasonal hotels closed. Check the When to book chart above to see how prices vary by month.
Airlines and routes
In summer you can fly direct to Antalya from many UK airports, including London Gatwick, Stansted and Luton, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Jet2, easyJet, TUI and Pegasus operate the bulk of the direct routes, with SunExpress also serving the airport and British Airways flying seasonally from London. A direct flight from London takes around 4 hours; from northern UK airports allow roughly 4 hours 15 to 4 hours 30. Outside the summer months you will usually connect through Istanbul with Turkish Airlines or Pegasus.
Things to do in Antalya
From ancient theatres to clifftop waterfalls, Antalya rewards travellers who venture beyond the hotel pool.
- Kaleici Old Town: cobbled lanes, boutique hotels and the Roman-era Hadrian's Gate, leading down to the picturesque old harbour.
- Antalya Museum: one of Turkey's finest, with outstanding Roman statuary gathered from the ancient cities nearby.
- Duden Waterfalls: the lower falls plunge straight into the sea and can be admired from clifftop parks or by boat.
- Konyaalti and Lara Beaches: the city's two main beaches, one pebble with mountain views, the other sandy and lined with hotels.
- Aspendos and Perge: a superbly preserved Roman theatre and a sprawling ancient city, both easy half-day trips inland.
At Antalya Airport (AYT)
Antalya Airport sits about 13 km northeast of the city centre, around 20 to 30 minutes by road. The AntRay tram runs from close to the terminal into town, the Havas shuttle bus serves the centre, and taxis wait outside arrivals. If you are staying in a resort such as Belek, Side, Kemer or Alanya, a pre-booked private transfer or hotel coach is usually simplest, with Alanya about two hours away.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Antalya
- Book roughly six to twelve weeks ahead for summer travel; last-minute peak-season fares are rarely a bargain.
- Fly midweek, as Tuesday and Wednesday departures are often cheaper than weekend ones.
- Travel in the shoulder months of May, June or September for lower fares and thinner crowds.
- Compare charter carriers like Jet2 and TUI against low-cost airlines such as easyJet and Pegasus, and use the price charts on this page to time your booking.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders no longer need a visa for tourist stays in Turkey of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Your passport should be valid for at least 150 days from your date of arrival and have a blank page for stamps. The currency is the Turkish lira; pounds are sometimes accepted in resort areas, but you will usually get better value paying in lira, and card payment is widespread. No vaccinations are required for travel from the UK, but the UK GHIC is not valid in Turkey, so comprehensive travel insurance with medical cover is strongly recommended.
