Kadriye to Side is one of the easier hops on this stretch of coast — the two sit about 30 km apart, both just off the D400 that runs east along the Mediterranean, and the drive takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic and the time of year.
The short answer: if you're travelling light and don't mind a change or two, the coastal dolmuş (minibus) is cheap and cheerful. If you're a group, have luggage or are moving after dark, a taxi or a fixed-price private transfer usually makes more sense. Nobody needs to overthink a trip this short.
Here's the honest breakdown so you can pick the option that fits your day rather than the one someone's trying to sell you.
The quick answer — how to get from Kadriye to Side
| Option | Journey time | Rough cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dolmuş / minibus (coastal) | ~45–60 min with a likely change | Cheapest (per person) | Solo or couples, light bags, no rush, tight budget |
| Taxi | ~30–40 min direct | Mid to high (per vehicle) | Door-to-door in a hurry, up to 4 people with modest luggage |
| Private transfer | ~30–40 min direct | Fixed price per vehicle | Families, groups, heavy luggage, late nights, child seats |
| Car hire | ~30–40 min direct | Daily rate + fuel + parking | Those exploring the wider region for several days |
Distance and road conditions
You're looking at roughly 30 km due east, almost entirely along the D400 coastal highway — a well-surfaced, mostly dual-carriageway road that links the whole Antalya riviera. It's flat, straightforward driving with no mountain passes on this leg, which is why the journey stays comfortably in the 30–40 minute range for a direct trip.
The pinch points are the usual ones: the stretch approaching Serik and the turn-offs down towards the Side peninsula can slow in high summer, and the final kilometres into Side itself get busy with pedestrians and beach traffic in July and August. Out of season it's an easy, uneventful drive. If you're going by dolmuş, bear in mind these often follow the coast and dip into resort centres rather than taking the fastest line, which is why the bus takes longer than a direct car.
Private transfer
For a hop this short, a private transfer isn't about speed — a taxi arrives just as fast. It's about certainty: a fixed price agreed when you book, a driver who knows exactly which hotel you mean, and a vehicle sized to your group and luggage. There are no changes, no per-person maths and no haggling at the roadside.
Pros: door-to-door from your Kadriye hotel to your Side address; price locked in advance so there are no surprises; room for luggage, golf bags (Kadriye being a golf zone, this matters) and child seats on request; and it runs at any hour, including late arrivals when the dolmuş has stopped.
Cons: for one or two people travelling light in daylight, it's more than you strictly need to spend — a dolmuş or a taxi does the job. The private option earns its keep with groups and awkward luggage, where the per-vehicle price beats several individual fares. You can get an instant quote to see the fixed figure before you decide.
Taxi
Taxis are plentiful around Kadriye's hotels and are the quickest no-planning option: flag one or ask reception, and you're in Side in around half an hour. A standard taxi seats up to four passengers with modest luggage.
Pros: direct, immediate, door-to-door, and no timetable to worry about. Fine for a couple or a small group in a hurry.
Cons: the meter (or an agreed price) on a 30 km run adds up, and it's per-vehicle rather than per-person so there's no saving for a solo traveller. If you're five or more, or have several large cases plus golf clubs, one taxi simply won't hold you — you'd need two, at which point a single larger private vehicle is usually the tidier call. Always confirm whether the meter is running or agree the fare before setting off.
Dolmuş or minibus
The dolmuş is the local workhorse and the genuinely cheap way to cover this coast. Minibuses run frequently along the D400 corridor through the resort towns, and for a light-luggage solo traveller or couple on a budget, it's hard to beat on cost.
Pros: by far the cheapest option, paid per person; frequent through the day in season; and a nice slice of everyday local life.
Cons: you'll very likely need a change rather than a single through service — many coastal dolmuş routes hub through the nearest town centre, so a Kadriye-to-Side trip can mean hopping between two minibuses, which stretches the journey to the better part of an hour. There's limited luggage space (fine for a daypack, awkward for suitcases or golf bags), and services thin out or stop in the evening, so it's no good for late arrivals. Schedules and fares change seasonally — confirm the current dolmuş times and price locally at your hotel desk or the stop before you rely on them. For more on the same corridor, see our guide on how to get from Belek to Side.
Car hire
Hiring a car only makes sense if the Kadriye–Side run is one leg of a bigger plan — day trips to Manavgat, the waterfalls, Aspendos or further along the coast. For a single one-way hop it's overkill and the parking hassle in Side's old town isn't worth it.
Pros: total freedom to explore the region on your own schedule.
Cons: daily rate, fuel and the faff of finding parking near Side's pedestrianised centre; not economical for one journey. Save it for a multi-day self-drive holiday.
Which option is right for you?
| Traveller | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Solo, light luggage | Dolmuş — cheapest, and a change is manageable with just a daypack |
| Couple | Dolmuş if budget-minded; taxi if you'd rather go direct |
| Family with young children | Private transfer — child seat, door-to-door, no juggling bags on a minibus |
| Group of 5+ | Private transfer — one vehicle beats two taxis on price and hassle |
| Late-night arrival | Private transfer or taxi — dolmuş won't be running |
| Tight budget | Dolmuş — no contest on cost per person |
| Heavy luggage or golf bags | Private transfer — proper luggage room, no cramming |
So when is a private transfer genuinely worth it on this route? Not for a solo backpacker in daylight — be honest, the dolmuş wins there. But for a family with a pushchair, a group of five, anyone landing late, or travellers with suitcases and golf clubs, the fixed per-vehicle price and clean door-to-door run comfortably beat the alternatives. If that's you, get an instant quote and you'll see the exact figure before committing.
Planning the wider trip? These related guides cover the same coast: our pillar Antalya airport transfer complete guide, plus Antalya airport to Belek transfer, Antalya airport to Side transfer, how to get from Belek to Side, how to get from Side to Kemer, and how to get from Belek to Kemer.
Ready to lock in a fixed price? Book a private transfer or a driver for the day and skip the roadside maths.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Kadriye from Side?
About 30 km, running east along the D400 coastal highway. A direct car or taxi covers it in roughly 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic and the season.
Is there a dolmuş from Kadriye to Side?
Minibuses serve this coastal corridor, but you'll most likely need a change rather than a single through service, which stretches the trip to around an hour. It's the cheapest option by far. Confirm the current route, times and fare at your hotel desk or the local stop, as these vary seasonally.
How much does a taxi from Kadriye to Side cost?
Fares vary, so we won't quote a figure that could be out of date. Expect a mid-to-high price for a 30 km run, charged per vehicle rather than per person. Agree the fare or confirm the meter is running before you set off.
What's the cheapest way to get from Kadriye to Side?
The dolmuş, comfortably — it's paid per person and costs a fraction of a taxi. The trade-off is a likely change, limited luggage space and no late-night service.
Is a private transfer worth it for such a short trip?
For one or two people travelling light in daylight, not especially — a dolmuş or taxi does fine. It comes into its own for families needing a child seat, groups of five or more, late-night arrivals, or anyone with heavy luggage or golf bags, where the fixed per-vehicle price beats splitting into multiple taxis.
Can I travel from Kadriye to Side late at night?
Dolmuş services thin out and stop in the evening, so after dark your realistic choices are a taxi or a pre-booked private transfer. A private transfer runs at any hour with the price fixed in advance.
Does a taxi from Kadriye fit a family with luggage?
A standard taxi seats up to four with modest bags. Add a child seat, several suitcases or golf clubs and it gets tight fast — a private transfer sized to your group is the more comfortable choice.
Should I hire a car just for this journey?
Only if the Kadriye–Side hop is part of a wider self-drive plan taking in Manavgat, Aspendos or the waterfalls. For a single one-way trip, the daily rate plus parking in Side's pedestrian old town make it poor value compared with a taxi or transfer.