✈️ Which Turkey airport suits your resort: Antalya, Dalaman, Istanbul

Türkiye is one of the most popular destinations for tourists from Europe. The plane remains the main way to reach its resorts.

For you, choosing the airport matters more than it seems. Kemer and Belek are closer to Antalya, Fethiye and Marmaris are closer to Dalaman. A mistake in the ticket adds several hours of travel and the cost of a private transfer.

Below we have gathered the country's main airports, their terminals, and the nearest resorts. We verified the terminal and distance data in September 2026 using the airports' official websites.

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Which airport in Türkiye you need

💡 In short:

Antalya (AYT) serves Kemer, Belek, Side, Alanya, and Lara.
Dalaman (DLM) serves Fethiye, Oludeniz, and Marmaris.
Izmir (ADB) and Milas-Bodrum (BJV) open up the Aegean coast.
Istanbul handles long-haul flights with two airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen (SAW).

The country's resort south stretches from Antalya to Alanya, the Aegean coast runs from Izmir to Bodrum.

Airport	Code	Which resorts and cities it serves
Antalya Airport	AYT	Antalya, Kemer, Belek, Side, Alanya, Lara
Dalaman Airport	DLM	Fethiye, Oludeniz, Marmaris, Gocek
Izmir Adnan Menderes	ADB	Izmir, Cesme, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Pamukkale
Milas-Bodrum	BJV	Bodrum, Turgutreis, Gumusluk, Milas
Istanbul Airport	IST	central Istanbul, European side
Sabiha Gokcen Airport	SAW	Kadikoy, Asian side of Istanbul
Esenboga Airport	ESB	Ankara, long-haul connections

Decide on the resort first, then check the airport code on the ticket. Below we will go through each hub in detail.

Travelers in an airport departure lounge at sunset

Antalya Airport (AYT)

Antalya Airport is located 13 km from the city center and serves almost the entire resort south of Türkiye.

Panoramic view of the round concourse at Antalya Airport with shops

It has three terminals: two international and one domestic (according to the official website).

Nearest resorts:

Belek is 32 km away, about 35 minutes by car.
Kemer is southwest of the airport, Side is to the east, the drive takes about an hour.
Alanya is the farthest, the drive takes more than two hours.

Shuttles and Havas buses run from the terminal to the resorts. A taxi to Belek will cost more than a transfer if there are two or more of you.

How to get there: rental car, shuttle, or private transfer.
Who it's for: those flying to Kemer, Belek, Side, or Alanya.
The catch: the terminal has no luggage storage, you will have to wait out an early arrival at a cafe.

Dalaman Airport (DLM)

Dalaman serves the southwestern coast. The town is small, the airport is 7 km from it.

Canopy outside the departure terminal at Dalaman Airport

The main resorts in Dalaman's zone:

Fethiye is 45 km away, about an hour's drive.
Oludeniz and Gocek are near Fethiye.
Marmaris is 95 km away, the drive takes about two hours.

The terminal is small, you get through passport control quickly. Currency exchange desks and car rental points operate right in the arrivals hall.

How to get there: Havas bus, taxi, or private transfer.
Who it's for: those heading to Fethiye, Oludeniz, or Marmaris.
The catch: fewer direct flights than Antalya.

Izmir Adnan Menderes (ADB)

Izmir Airport is named after Adnan Menderes (according to the official website, 09/2026). It serves the Aegean coast: from here it is convenient to reach Cesme, Kusadasi, and Ephesus.

Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport international terminal

You can get to central Izmir by the IZBAN suburban train or shuttle bus. A taxi is more expensive, but at night it is the only option.

How to get there: IZBAN train, shuttle, taxi.
Who it's for: those heading to the Aegean coast and the ruins of Ephesus.
The catch: the drive to the resorts of Cesme and Kusadasi takes over an hour.

Milas-Bodrum (BJV)

Milas-Bodrum Airport is located between the two cities and serves the Bodrum peninsula (according to the official website, 09/2026).

Milas-Bodrum Airport terminal with buses at the entrance

Nearby resorts: Bodrum, Turgutreis, Gumusluk. There are more flights in summer, the winter schedule is short.

How to get there: shuttle bus, taxi, rental car.
Who it's for: those heading to Bodrum and the Aegean marinas.
The catch: public transport is scarce, it is inconvenient without a transfer or a car.

Istanbul: Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen

Until 2019, Istanbul's main airport was Ataturk. The last passenger flight left from there on April 6, 2019, and all traffic was moved to the new Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side. Ataturk now handles only cargo and private flights.

Today Istanbul operates with two airports:

Istanbul Airport (IST) in the northwest. Long-haul international flights and the M11 metro to the center.
Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) on the Asian side. Low-cost carriers and domestic flights.

Sabiha Gokcen is 40 km from Kadikoy and about 50 km from Taksim. You can reach the Asian part of Istanbul on the M4 metro.

Sabiha Gokcen Airport check-in hall with passengers

How to get there: M11 and M4 metro, Havaist and Havabus buses, taxi.
Who it's for: those flying to Istanbul or making a connection.
The catch: two airports on different continents, a transfer between them takes half a day.

Other airports in Türkiye

The country's major domestic hubs: Ankara Esenboga (ESB) and the airports of resort towns. Ankara is convenient for building a connection deeper into the country, including Cappadocia.

In total, Türkiye has several dozen airports. For a tourist trip, you almost always need AYT, DLM, ADB, BJV, or one of the Istanbul airports.

How to get from the airport to the hotel

After landing, you have four options: shuttle bus, taxi, car rental, and private transfer.

The shuttle is the cheapest, but it runs on a schedule and stops at several hotels in turn. A taxi at the terminal exit is more expensive than a transfer if there are two or more of you. Renting a car is worthwhile for a long route along the coast.

A private transfer is booked in advance: the driver waits for you with a sign, and you see the price before the trip. For a family with suitcases, this option is calmer than a taxi.

Tours and tickets in Antalya

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And one more tip. Check the airport code on the ticket before booking the transfer. Resorts are served by different airports, and the driver may go to the wrong one.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Which airport is closer to Kemer?

Antalya Airport (AYT). It is 13 km from Antalya and serves the entire southern resort coast, including Kemer, Belek, and Side. You can reach Kemer in about an hour by car. Dalaman is far away, so it is not suitable for a trip to Kemer.

Does anything fly to Ataturk Airport?

No. Ataturk was closed to passenger flights on April 6, 2019, and all traffic moved to Istanbul Airport (IST). On a ticket to Istanbul, look for the IST or SAW codes, otherwise you will book a transfer to the wrong place.

Is there luggage storage at Antalya Airport?

There is no luggage storage in the terminals of Antalya Airport. If you arrive early and check-in is later, leave your suitcase at the hotel or in the luggage storage at the bus station. Check this detail in advance so you are not stuck with your bags all day.

How far in advance should you book an airport transfer?

A private transfer is best booked a few days before departure, and even earlier in high season. The price is fixed at booking, and the driver meets you in the arrivals hall. Shuttle buses can be paid for on the spot, but at peak times there are long lines at the counters.

How is Dalaman different from Antalya?

Dalaman is smaller and serves the southwest of the country: Fethiye, Oludeniz, and Marmaris. Antalya is larger and serves the southern coast: Kemer, Belek, Side, and Alanya. Choose the airport by resort, not by ticket price, and the journey will be shorter.

In short: what is worth booking

If you are going to Kemer, Belek, or Side, buy a ticket to Antalya (AYT). For Fethiye and Marmaris, it is Dalaman, for the Aegean coast, Izmir or Bodrum. For Istanbul, check which of the two airports is on your ticket.

Sort out the road from the terminal in advance. A transfer and car rental are cheaper to book before departure: the price is lower, and the transfer driver is already waiting for you. Compare flights to Türkiye on Kiwi.com.

Airports in Turkey: which one to choose for your resort