Antalya with Elderly Parents: Practical Travel Tips

After a flight, a long drive is the part of the journey older travellers usually find most tiring. Choosing a resort close to Antalya Airport (AYT) makes the first and last day much easier.

• Lara and Kundu: ≈ 20–26 minutes from the airport, with large beach hotels and the city nearby. See Antalya Airport to Lara.
• Belek: ≈ 40 minutes, quieter, with spacious resorts and golf courses. See Antalya Airport to Belek.
• Side and Kemer: ≈ 70–75 minutes, still manageable for most people, with more character but longer drives.
• Alanya: ≈ 2 hours from AYT; if Alanya is your choice, check whether a flight to Gazipaşa (GZP), about 40 minutes from Alanya, is an option.

For a direct comparison of the two closest areas, read Lara or Belek. A quiet, flat hotel site with short walking distances often matters more than the resort name, so look at the hotel layout before booking.

Shared shuttle buses stop at several hotels on the way, and the person staying furthest away can spend a long time on board. With a private transfer, the car goes straight from the airport to your hotel door, with no changes and no other passengers.

• The driver meets you in the AYT arrivals hall with a name sign, so nobody has to search the car park.
• Your flight is tracked and waiting is free if the plane is delayed, so there is no rush through passport control and baggage claim.
• The VIP Mercedes-Benz Vito offers more space and comfortable seating; for larger families, there is the Mercedes Sprinter for 8–16 people. See our fleet.

The price is fixed per vehicle, not per person, and agreed before the trip, which often makes it practical for a family travelling together.

Walking sticks, rollators and foldable wheelchairs travel as luggage in our vehicles. The important thing is to tell us when booking: how many people, how many suitcases and what kind of walking aid you bring. That way, a vehicle with enough room for everything comes to the airport.

Please note that our vehicles are standard passenger vans; the passenger needs to be able to get in and sit in a normal seat, with the folded wheelchair stowed as luggage. If you are unsure, describe the situation when you book and we will tell you what is possible. Also arrange airport assistance directly with your airline well before the flight, as this is organised by the airline and the airport, not by the transfer company.

Keep all regular medication in your hand luggage, in the original packaging and in enough quantity for the whole trip plus a few extra days in case of a delay. A short list of medicines and their active ingredients, and a copy of any important medical documents, can be useful if you need a pharmacy or doctor abroad. Check the rules for carrying medicines with your airline and your doctor before you travel.

Travel insurance that covers medical care abroad is worth checking before departure. Keep the insurance details and emergency phone numbers on paper as well as on the phone.

Antalya summers are hot, and the sun around midday is strong. For older travellers, the simplest rules are the most effective:

• Plan sightseeing for the morning or late afternoon and rest in the hottest hours.
• Drink water regularly, wear a hat and look for shade.
• Choose one main activity per day rather than a full programme.
• Spring and autumn are milder and are often more comfortable for seniors; see the best time to visit Antalya.

Kaleiçi, Antalya's old town, is charming but has narrow, cobbled lanes and some steep sections down towards the old harbour. Cars cannot drive everywhere inside the old town, so the driver will stop at the nearest point a car can reach. Walk at your own pace and take breaks in the many cafés.

Some visitors combine a holiday with a planned appointment at a private hospital or clinic in Antalya, or need to reach one during their stay. We also offer private transfers to and from hospitals; see our hospital transfers page. In an emergency, call the local emergency number or ask your hotel reception for help first; a private transfer is not a replacement for an ambulance.

Book the arrival and the return transfer together, so that the departure day is planned too. In the booking, mention the ages of travellers if it matters, the walking aids, the number of suitcases and anything else the driver should know, such as a need for extra time getting in and out of the car. You can book 24/7 via WhatsApp or the booking form, and you pay in the vehicle with no prepayment. Free child seats are also available if grandchildren are travelling with you.