Keep the exact hotel name on your Antalya Airport (AYT) to Çolaklı transfer request. If your accommodation paperwork says Side, add the full address from the property. A shared brand name is not a complete drop-off instruction, and the coast between the airport and Çolaklı is long enough that a wrong pin costs real time.
Check which property your room confirmation names
Several hotels in Çolaklı share brand names. Read your booking paperwork before you send the destination.
Alba Resort publishes this official address: Çolaklı Mahallesi Tilkiler Mevkii Erhan Demir Bulvarı No:3, Manavgat/Antalya.
Alba Royal Hotel lists its location as Çolaklı, Tilkiler Mevkii, Erhan Demir Blv., Manavgat/Antalya.
The two names look almost the same on a booking page. They are two different properties. Keep the words after the brand name when you send the destination.
Follow these steps before you travel:
- Copy the full property name from your room confirmation, not from a map app.
- Ask the property to confirm the full current address and the vehicle entrance, especially if your documents disagree.
- Share the entrance with your driver. Do not treat nearby map pins as interchangeable.
- If your group has rooms at different properties, name every stop before you agree the trip.
Other hotels that our drivers know along this stretch include Paloma Oceana Resort, Kirman Calyptus Resort & Spa, Side Royal Palace, Grand Art Side, Adalya Bliss, Aydınbey King's Palace & Spa, Sural Resort and Thalia Unique. The list is not complete. Our drivers also recognise entrances and reception procedures across most of the area. Even so, always send the exact name from your own paperwork.
The drive: 80 kilometres, about 80 minutes
The transfer from Antalya Airport to Çolaklı covers 80 km. The planned journey time is 80 minutes. That is more than an hour in the car, so plan the arrival day with this figure in mind.
Çolaklı lies east of Antalya, on the sandy coast between Side and Manavgat. The route follows the main coastal road east, the D-400, away from the airport and out of the Antalya urban area. From the road you pass the long run of resort country that belongs to the Antalya province: the Aksu and Serik area, the turn-offs for Belek, and the green flat land of the coastal plain. Then you reach the Side area, and Çolaklı comes shortly after. Most of the road is dual carriageway.
What the scenery gives you
The first part of the drive is the end of the Antalya urban belt. After that the buildings thin out. Pine woods, farmland, glasshouses and orchards fill the flat land between the road and the sea. Near Çolaklı you see banana and pomegranate groves behind the resorts. On a clear day the Taurus mountains stand behind the plain, and that view is a good reason to sit on the left side of the car if you like to look out of the window.
For most guests this drive is calm and easy. You land, you sit down, and the long road to the beach begins. Many guests sleep for part of it. Others watch the first sights of the coast and the first road signs for Side and Manavgat.
Typical times and busy times
The figure of 80 minutes is the planned duration for this route. Use it as your base number and add a little margin for these points:
- Your own time in the airport. Baggage can take time before you ever meet your driver.
- Heavy traffic in the high season. The coastal road carries holiday coaches, local traffic and rental cars in July and August. A slow section near a junction or a hotel entrance can add minutes.
- Weekend changeover days. Many holidaymakers arrive and leave on the same days, so the road and the airport are busier.
- A stop on the way. If you need a break with small children, tell your driver at the start.
Early in the morning and late at night the road is generally quieter. In the middle of the day in summer, expect more vehicles. Do not plan a tight connection on the day you arrive. A restaurant booking, a spa session or a shop visit within the first two hours is a risk. A calm first evening is better.
Meeting your driver at Antalya Airport
Your driver meets you inside the arrivals hall with a board that shows your name. You do not need to look for a stranger in the crowd or queue for a taxi after a long flight. Send your flight number when you book. Turkey Transfer tracks the landing time, so a delayed or early flight does not change the plan. The driver helps you with your bags and walks you to the car. The car is for your party only. There are no shared stops and no other passengers.
Keep these points in mind at the airport:
- Walk out only after you finish passport control and collect your bags. The driver waits after customs, not before it.
- If you cannot see the board, call the contact number in your booking message. Report any delay in reaching the meeting point, including baggage collection delays.
- Tell the driver your hotel name when you meet. Say it aloud even though it is in the booking. It is the fastest check against a mistake.
- If you have a child seat on your request, check that the seat is in the car before you leave the terminal.
Arrival at your hotel in Çolaklı
Resorts in Çolaklı stand back from the road and the beach. Each has its own entrance, and some have a separate gate for vehicles. Your driver goes to the entrance that you shared. This is the reason to ask the property for the vehicle entrance before you travel.
When you arrive:
- Check that the name at the gate matches the name on your room confirmation.
- Take your luggage from the boot with the driver.
- Go to reception with your passports and your booking paperwork.
- Ask reception about meal times, the pool, the beach towels and the hotel rules for the first day.
- Share your return flight number and date with reception if the hotel helps with departures.
If you arrive before the standard room time, ask reception where to leave your bags. Ask whether the hotel can keep your bags. A first swim and a first meal are often possible while you wait for the room.
If you arrive late at night, reception is still usually the first stop. Give your name and your booking details. Ask for the breakfast hours, and then go to your room.
Areas of Çolaklı and who each suits
Çolaklı is not a town centre with a big old quarter. It is a resort strip. The areas are simple to understand.
The beachfront resorts
The big, mostly all-inclusive family resorts stand close to the sand. They suit guests who want to walk from the room to the sea with no car, no timetable and no plan. This is the heart of Çolaklı. Your whole day can happen inside one property: the pool, the beach, the restaurant, the evening show.
The inland side, toward the main road
Behind the resorts, between the beach and the D-400, the land is flat and green. There are groves, a few small shops and local life. This side suits guests who like to walk or cycle and see how people in the village live. It also means a longer way to the sea if your hotel sits well back, so check the distance on your booking.
Toward Kızılağaç and Kumköy
Çolaklı's beach runs into Kızılağaç and continues toward the small lagoon at Titreyengöl and on to Kumköy. Together they form one long, largely unbroken sandy shoreline. Guests who like to walk far along the sand enjoy this stretch. It also means that your neighbour hotel may carry a different village name even though the beach looks the same.
Toward Side
Side is the busier neighbour. It has an old town, a harbour and many restaurants, and it is within easy reach. Guests who want evenings out choose a hotel that keeps a good link to Side. Guests who want quiet choose a hotel in Çolaklı itself. Both can be good, and you can visit one from the other.
The beach
The beach is the reason most guests come to Çolaklı. It is long, wide and sandy. The sea shelves gently, so it suits children and relaxed swimmers. The sea is warm and calm in summer. Çolaklı is known for a Blue Flag beach, and the golden sand runs for a long distance with no break.
Parts of this coast are protected nesting grounds for loggerhead turtles (caretta caretta) in summer. This is a good sign of how natural the beach has stayed. Follow the guidance of the hotel and of the local signs. If you walk on the beach in the evening, keep to the rules for lights and litter. Do not disturb any marked area.
Titreyengöl's freshwater lake, separated from the sea by a thin sandbar, is a short walk or a short taxi ride away. It is a pleasant change of scene for an afternoon.
Side Ancient City
Side is the best known historic site near Çolaklı. It is about a 15 to 20 minute taxi ride away. The Temple of Apollo stands by the sea, and many guests choose to see it near sunset. The old Roman theatre is also here, and the old town streets reach the harbour.
Side Museum occupies a converted Roman bath in Side's ancient town. It is a good first stop if you want to understand the objects and the story of the place before you walk through the ruins.
Plan the visit in this way:
- Go in the morning for cooler walking, or in the late afternoon for the sunset light at the temple.
- Wear shoes with grip. Ancient paving is uneven.
- Take water and a hat. Shade among the ruins is limited.
- Set the return pickup time before you enter the old town.
Food and evenings
Most guests in Çolaklı eat at the resort. The big hotels are mostly all-inclusive, so breakfast, lunch and dinner are part of the stay and the day needs little planning. This is a large part of the value of the area.
For a change, you have three simple options:
- Side for a harbour dinner and a walk through the old town. This suits couples and groups of friends.
- Manavgat for the riverside restaurants. This suits guests who want a local meal and a quieter room.
- A short walk to a local café or beach restaurant outside your hotel. This suits guests who want a tea and a view with no car.
There is no big old town or harbour in Çolaklı itself. The evening here is quiet. Expect the hotel show, a walk on the beach and an early night, and enjoy it for what it is. Guests who want nightlife usually go to Side. Ask your hotel to help you with a taxi back, and set the time before you leave.
If you eat outside the hotel, keep the hotel name on your phone for the taxi home. The shared brand names in this area can confuse a driver at night.
Families and children
Çolaklı is a family resort area. The wide, gently shelving beach, the warm calm sea and the all-inclusive hotels make a simple holiday for children. The sand is good for play and the water is easy for small swimmers when conditions are calm.
For the transfer:
- Request any necessary child seat or booster seat when you book, and tell us the age of each child.
- Confirm the equipment and possible charges before you travel.
- Give the full passenger count and the luggage list for each vehicle. Include children, pushchairs and bulky bags.
- Plan for a break on the 80 minute drive if a child is young. Tell your driver at the start.
- Keep snacks, water and a favourite toy in the hand luggage.
For the holiday itself, keep the pace slow. Many children sleep on the transfer, then wake at the hotel full of energy. A short swim on the first afternoon is often the best way to start.
Older children and teenagers enjoy the boat trips on the Manavgat River, the ruins in Side and the rafting and hiking at Köprülü Canyon. The Roman theatre at Aspendos is a good family day if you like history.
Late-night and early flights
Many flights arrive or leave at awkward hours. The drive takes 80 minutes, so the hour of the flight matters for your sleep and your day.
Arriving late at night
Your driver tracks the flight and waits in arrivals, even if the landing is late. Tell your hotel that you arrive late, so reception expects you after the long road. Plan to reach the hotel after the 80 minute drive, plus the time you spend in the terminal. Do not plan any meal or activity for that night. Go to the room and sleep.
Arriving early in the morning
An early landing can put you at the hotel before the room is ready. Ask the hotel about breakfast and luggage storage. A morning on the beach is a good way to use the hours before the room opens.
Leaving early in the morning
For an early departure, the pickup must be at night or before dawn. Check the calendar day for the pickup, because a flight after midnight or in the early morning belongs to a different date from the evening before. Tell the hotel that you check out early. Ask whether breakfast is possible at the time you leave, and whether the hotel can prepare something to take with you. Settle the bill the evening before.
Leaving late in the evening
A late flight leaves you a free day after check-out. Ask the hotel to keep your luggage. A last swim, a last meal and a walk in Side are possible. Set the pickup so that you reach the airport in good time, and give the driver a clear meeting point.
Coordinate travellers arriving on different flights
If your party travels separately, send each arriving flight number and local arrival date. Ask whether a shared pickup or separate journeys fit your plans, and clarify waiting conditions before choosing.
Keep each traveller informed of the agreed terminal, the meeting point and the contact number. Report delays in reaching the meeting point, including baggage collection delays.
Provide the full passenger count and luggage list for each vehicle. Request any necessary child seat or boarding assistance and confirm the equipment and possible charges. Compare the current total per vehicle for the selected addresses and stops. If a total is unavailable, ask for a quote. A change in the group or flight plan should be confirmed before travel.
Visit Side Museum without leaving the next pickup unresolved
Side Museum occupies a converted Roman bath in Side's ancient town.
Arrange a visit from Çolaklı separately from the airport journey. Check current admission information with the museum.
If you go after checkout, settle luggage storage first. Then decide whether the next pickup is at the hotel or at an agreed point near the visit. Give that point to the provider before you leave your accommodation. Ask about the walk from the proposed drop-off if anyone needs step-free access, and confirm what can actually be arranged.
Day trips from Çolaklı
Çolaklı is a good base because the main sights of the region are close. These are the usual taxi times from the area:
- Side Ancient City. About 15 to 20 minutes. The Temple of Apollo at sunset and the old Roman theatre.
- Manavgat Waterfall and the Thursday market. About 15 to 20 minutes. The falls, and the riverside restaurants in Manavgat town centre.
- Aspendos Roman Theatre. About 30 to 35 minutes. This is one of the best-preserved Roman theatres anywhere.
- Green Canyon (Oymapınar). About 40 to 45 minutes. The boat-trip departure point on the Manavgat River, with turquoise water below the dam.
- Köprülü Canyon. About 45 to 50 minutes. The place for rafting and hiking.
Boat trips along the Manavgat River and to the Manavgat Waterfall are classic options. A private taxi suits travellers who want to explore at their own pace instead of a group tour. You choose the start time, the stops and the length of each stop. Ask your hotel or Turkey Transfer for a return taxi, and agree the price and the waiting time before you go.
The seasons in Çolaklı
Spring
Spring is calm and green. The sea is cooler than in summer, but the countryside is fresh and the sights are comfortable to visit. It suits guests who want the ruins and the walks more than the beach.
Summer
Summer is the beach season. The sea is warm and calm, the days are long and the resorts are full. The road from the airport is at its busiest in July and August, so allow extra time. Visit the historic sites early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the midday heat. The turtles nest on parts of the coast in this season, so follow the local guidance on the sand.
Autumn
Autumn keeps the warm sea for a while, with fewer people on the road and the beach. It is a good time for guests who want a relaxed holiday and an easier transfer.
Winter
Winter is quiet. Some resorts reduce their services or close for the season, so check your hotel before you plan. If your hotel is open, the coast is peaceful and the road is easy.
Returning to Antalya Airport
For the return, keep your Antalya Airport guide alongside your flight confirmation. Give the provider the departure date, the flight number, the terminal and the place where you will wait.
The drive back is 80 km and takes about 80 minutes, the same as on arrival. Use these steps to set the pickup:
- Write down the airline's check-in and baggage deadlines for your flight.
- Count back the 80 minute drive from the time you want to reach the terminal.
- Add margin for traffic, a last stop at the hotel and slow luggage loading.
- Agree the pickup against your airline's deadlines, not against the take-off time.
- Check the calendar day for a pickup before a very early departure.
In the high season in July and August, add more margin, because the coastal road carries more vehicles. On weekend changeover days, the airport is also busier, so expect longer queues at check-in and security.
Settle your hotel bill and return keys or cards before the pickup. Bring your passport, tickets and any items from the room safe. Do a last check of the room, the bathroom and the beach bag.
If the return follows a museum visit or a hotel change, reconfirm the address, the meeting point and any revised total. Give your driver the exact hotel name and the entrance for the pickup, as you did on arrival. Name every stop if your group leaves from different properties.
Tell the driver if you want to stop for a last coffee or a last look at Side on the way. Agree this before you leave, because a stop uses part of your margin.
