Antalya Airport→Kumköy

Landing at Antalya Airport after a long flight, the last thing you want is a taxi rank, a negotiation and a map. A private Turkey Transfer car turns the arrival into the easy part of the holiday. Your driver waits in the arrivals hall with your name on a sign. He helps with the suitcases and drives you to the entrance of your hotel in Kumköy.

The route is about 70 km and takes around 70 minutes in normal conditions. It is one direct run along the Mediterranean coast. The car is yours alone, so there are no shared stops and no waiting while other passengers are dropped at other hotels. Whether you are a couple, a family with a pushchair and a pile of beach bags, or a group of friends on a week away, you leave the terminal together and arrive together.

After passport control and baggage reclaim, you walk into the arrivals hall and look for the sign with your name. Your driver has been following your flight, so an early landing or a late one is already accounted for. You do not need to find a car park or call anyone. The driver takes the luggage, leads you to the vehicle and you are on the road within minutes of leaving the hall.

The airport sits on the eastern side of Antalya city. That is a real advantage for anyone heading to Side and Kumköy. You do not drive through the city centre at all. The car joins the main coastal highway and heads east, away from the city and toward the resort strip.

For most of the way the road runs through the flat, fertile plain that lies between the Taurus mountains and the sea. On the left, the mountains rise as a long blue-grey wall, and in winter and early spring their upper slopes can still carry snow. On the other side, pine woods and farmland alternate with the outlines of the big resort areas. You pass the turn-offs for Belek, the golf and resort district that many visitors know by name, and the road continues through the Serik area toward Manavgat.

The scenery changes with the season. In early summer the plain is green and the greenhouses glitter in the sun. In high summer the fields turn golden and dusty and the air-conditioning becomes a pleasure. In autumn the light is softer and the mountains look sharper. A window seat on the left is a good choice if you like to watch the mountains as you go.

The drive is a straightforward one and it rarely feels long. After the flight, many passengers simply doze for the first half and wake up when the pine trees start to crowd the road, which is the first sign that Kumköy is close.

The journey takes around 70 minutes under normal conditions, and that is the figure to plan around. Several things can add time, and it helps to know what they are.

• Summer afternoons and Saturdays. On the busiest transfer days the highway carries many coaches, hire cars and minibuses, all heading to the same resorts. Traffic is slower but it keeps moving.
• Roadworks and local junctions. Near Manavgat the road passes through a built-up stretch, and local traffic can slow it in July and August. Your driver knows which road to choose on the day.
• Late evening and early morning. The road is at its quietest. A night arrival often reaches Kumköy a little faster than a midday one.

Kumköy has many large resorts, and some entrances sit on long internal roads or on service roads that are not obvious from the highway. Your driver drives to the actual hotel entrance and does not leave you at a roadside. Give us the hotel name when you book. The driver knows the property, the drop-off point and the quickest way in.

We regularly drive guests to well-known hotels in the area, including Barut Hemera, Crystal Sunset Luxury Resort & Spa, Kirman Sidemarin, Melas Resort Hotel, Hotel Side Star Elegance and Hotel Barut Arum. We also drive to smaller places such as Orient Apart Otel and Holiday Point Hotel. If your property is not on this list, that is not a problem. The same door-to-door service applies to any address in Kumköy, the Sorgun stretch and the resorts beside Side.

Kumköy is a beach resort on the coast of the Manavgat district, next to the ancient town of Side. Its name means "sand village", and the name is accurate. The main feature is a very long strip of fine, golden sand with a gently sloping sea floor, and behind the beach is a belt of umbrella pines and low dunes. The large resorts stand among the trees, so the shade begins close to the sand.

It helps to think of the area as a few different zones.

Most visitors stay in this part. The resorts stand in a line along the sand, with their own beach sections, pools and gardens. This zone suits guests who want a classic beach holiday where the hotel is the centre of the day. You wake up, walk to the sand, swim, eat at the hotel and walk back. The distances are short, and a car is only needed for trips.

It suits families especially, because the entrance to the sea is gentle and the beach is wide, and it suits couples who want a long, easy week without planning much.

The coast continues toward Sorgun, a quieter and more wooded stretch that many Kumköy hotels share a shoreline with, and then toward Çolaklı. Travellers who want an even calmer place often look in this direction. Our drivers cover this whole area, so the destination name on your booking can be Kumköy, Sorgun or Çolaklı, and the service is the same.

The closer a hotel is to the old town of Side, the easier it is to walk or take a short taxi ride into the ancient streets in the evening. Guests who plan to spend their evenings in Side's harbour and old streets, and not in the hotel, should look at this part of the coast. Those who prefer a calm hotel evening can choose a property farther away and still be in Side in a few minutes by car.

The beach is the reason most people come to Kumköy. It is a broad, soft sand beach that runs for kilometres, and the sea is warm and shallow near the shore, which makes it popular for children and for anyone who is not a confident swimmer. The wide sand gives everyone space, even in the busy season.

• Sunbeds and umbrellas. Hotels set up sunbeds along their own sections. If your hotel is on the beach, the sunbeds are usually only a few steps from the restaurant.
• Walking. The soft sand is pleasant to walk on at the water's edge. A sunrise walk is one of the best things you can do here, and so is a slow walk at sunset when the light turns the sea orange.

Take a hat, a rash vest for children and plenty of water, especially from June to September. The sun is strong and the sand gets hot at midday.

Side is the reason many visitors choose this part of the coast over other beach areas, and it lies next to Kumköy. It is one of the best-known historic towns on the Turkish Mediterranean, a place where Roman and Greek ruins stand on a small peninsula above the sea. The old town is a short ride from the Kumköy resorts, and many guests make it their first evening outing.

• Temple of Apollo. The white marble columns stand right on the water's edge. At sunset they glow against the sea, and it is the picture most people take home.
• The Roman theatre. The large theatre dominates the old town. You can walk in and sit on the stone seats, and the view from the top is wide.
• The museum and the ruins. The ancient streets, columns and old city walls are mixed with the modern town, and you can walk among them with no booking.
• The harbour. Small boats, waterfront restaurants and shops line the harbour. It is busy in the evening and lively without being loud.

The old town is compact and it is easy to walk through. Wear comfortable shoes, because the old stone paths are uneven. Many visitors go in the late afternoon, when the heat falls and the light is soft, and stay for dinner. A private car can take you there and bring you back, and the driver can wait or return at an agreed time.

Most hotels in Kumköy operate on an all-inclusive basis, and a great number of guests eat nearly all of their meals at the hotel. That is the simplest way to have a holiday and it suits families with young children. Even so, an evening away from the buffet is worth the effort.

Side's harbour and old streets have many restaurants, and fresh fish, grilled meat and Turkish starters are the usual choices. The seafront places have sea views, and the smaller backstreet restaurants are often quieter. Plan your dinner so that you see the Temple of Apollo at sunset first, and eat afterwards.

Kumköy itself is a calm place at night. Hotels offer evening entertainment, shows and live music, and the beach is pleasant for a stroll after dinner. If you want bars and a livelier atmosphere, Side's old town is the place. A private car makes it easy to go there and come back at any hour, with no need to check the last bus or find a taxi at midnight.

Kumköy is a good choice for families. The beach is wide and soft, the entrance to the water is gentle and the hotels are used to young guests. The practical points are these.

• Child seats. Child seats and booster seats are available on request at no extra cost. Tell us the ages of your children when you book, so that the correct seat is in the car when you land.
• A smooth arrival. After a flight with small children, the last thing you need is a queue. Your driver is in the hall, the car is ready and the journey is direct. Children often sleep in the car, which is a benefit for the whole family.
• Space. A private car or minivan has room for a pushchair, bags and beach toys. Tell us the number of people and the number of suitcases, and we will suggest the right vehicle size.
• Stops. If a child needs a toilet break or a drink, ask the driver to stop. Because the car is private, there is no timetable to follow.
• Day trips. Land of Legends, the large theme and water park near Belek, makes a full-day trip for families and takes around 45 to 50 minutes by car. The Manavgat river boat trips are also popular with children.

For the sun, bring hats, light long-sleeved tops and high-factor cream. Children burn quickly at midday, and the pines behind the beach are a good place for a rest in the shade.

Flights arrive at Antalya at all hours of the day and night, especially in the summer season. Our service is organised to meet flights at any hour, and a 03:00 landing is as normal for us as a midday one. There is no night surcharge on our transfers.

If you land late, your driver tracks the flight and is in the hall when you come out. The roads are quiet, and the drive to Kumköy can be a little faster than during the day. Contact the hotel before you travel to tell the reception about your late arrival, so that the room is ready and someone is at the desk. Most large resorts have a staffed reception through the night, but it is wise to confirm.

If you arrive in the early morning, before a normal check-in time, the hotel will hold your bags, and you can have breakfast and rest by the pool. Some hotels offer an early check-in on request, and it is worth asking when you book your room.

The return journey takes the same road and the same time, about 70 minutes under normal conditions. Plan it carefully, because it is the one transfer in the holiday where lateness has a real cost.

• Allow for the full check-in time. For an international flight, you should be at the airport several hours before departure. Airport queues, security checks and passport control can take longer in summer. Your driver chooses the pick-up time from your actual flight time and the traffic conditions, so tell us the flight number and the departure time when you book.
• Add a margin for traffic. In July and August, and on busy weekends, give yourself extra time. A relaxed arrival at the terminal is better than a rushed one.
• Check out early. If you are leaving at midday, finish your hotel check-out in good time, and leave your bags with the driver. Check that your passports, tickets and chargers are in your hand luggage.

On the way back, you can ask the driver for a stop, for example for a last meal, a gift or a photograph. Tell the driver in advance, and build the extra time into the pick-up.

You can pay online when you book, or give cash or card to the driver, whichever suits you.

The location is very good for day trips, and a private car with a driver is a comfortable way to see several places in one day. The times below are approximate, and your driver will suggest the most sensible route on the day.

• Side Ancient City. Only a few minutes from the resorts. It is best in the late afternoon and early evening, when the temple is lit by the sunset.
• Manavgat Waterfall and the river. A short drive inland, you reach the wide falls and the riverside restaurants. River boat trips run along the Manavgat River, and they are a popular half-day outing.
• Aspendos Roman Theatre. One of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world, about 30 to 35 minutes away by car. In summer, it hosts opera and ballet performances.
• Köprülü Canyon. A dramatic canyon carved by the Köprüçay river, about 45 to 60 minutes from Kumköy. It is known for rafting and hiking, and it is cooler than the coast in summer.
• Land of Legends. The large theme and water park in Belek, around 45 to 50 minutes by car. It suits a full family day.
• Titreyengöl. A small lake and pine grove near Side, a pleasant short stop for a walk and a break from the beach.
• Manavgat market. The Tuesday bazaar in the district town offers local produce, spices and textiles.
• Alanya. Farther east along the coast, Alanya has a famous castle on a headland above the sea, and it makes a long but rewarding day out.
• Antalya old town. On the way back toward the airport, Kaleiçi, the old harbour quarter of Antalya, is worth an afternoon on your last day if your flight is in the evening.

Tell the driver the places you want to see, and he can suggest a sensible order. A private car is also useful for resort-to-resort trips, for example from Kumköy to Belek or Alanya.

April and May are mild and green. The sea is still cool for many swimmers, but the sun is pleasant and the ruins of Side are at their most comfortable. The mountains behind the plain may still have snow. It is a good time for sightseeing and walking, and the resorts are quieter.

June to September is the main beach season. The days are hot, the sea is warm and the beach is busy. This is the best time for families and sunbathers, and the time when the roads are the busiest. Book your transfer early, take water with you and plan sightseeing for the early morning or late afternoon, as the middle of the day is very hot. July and August are the peak, with the heaviest traffic on the coastal road.

September and October are popular with guests who like the sea to be warm but the air to be less hot. The crowds are smaller and the light is soft. It is a very good period for combining beach days with trips to Side, Aspendos and Köprülü Canyon.

From November to March the resort strip is quiet. Some hotels reduce their services or close for the season, so check with your hotel before you travel. Days can be mild and sunny, but rain is possible and the sea is too cold for most people. Winter suits visitors who want to walk among the ruins without crowds.

A private transfer gives you a vehicle for your party only, a driver who is at the hall when you land and a direct journey to the hotel entrance. You do not queue after the flight, you do not depend on a timetable and you do not share the car with strangers. We track your flight, so a delay changes the pick-up automatically, and waiting time for flight delays and slow baggage is free.

Turkey Transfer is a family-run company based in the Antalya region. We drive this coast every week and we know the hotel entrances, the busy junctions and the quieter alternatives. Book online in about a minute, give us your flight number and hotel name, and the rest is arranged.

The distance is about 70 km and the drive takes around 70 minutes under normal conditions. In the peak summer season, traffic on the coastal road can add some time.

Yes. We track your flight and adjust the pick-up. Waiting time is free for flight delays and slow baggage, so a late plane never leaves you without a ride.

Yes. The transfer is door to door to any address in Kumköy, the Sorgun stretch, Çolaklı and the resorts beside Side. Give us the hotel name when you book.

Tell us your flight number and departure time. We choose the pick-up time from your flight and the traffic, so that you have the full check-in time at the terminal.