In the last few years, Turkey has been massively improving its infrastructure and now allows visitors and locals to use the latest technologies. Although the commute systems are quite similar to other cities in Europe, there are tips for quicker access and smoother travel.
In Antalya, the infrastructure is quite modern. The most important tip is about the AntalyaKart, an access card that will provide you great freedom to move around the city and use public transport. You will be able to travel cheaper with the card and free your mind of unnecessary worries concerning transport.
In this article, you will find important information about transport in Antalya and the AntalyaKart, including where to get it, how much it costs, and what it's used for.
What Is the AntalyaKart?
The Antalya Kart is a card that is valid on all public buses and trams in Antalya. This is the card that allows you to move easily around the city. In fact, you can't use public transportation in Antalya without it.
The credit card-sized card is made of plastic and very easy to carry. If you are a regular visitor to Antalya, you can keep the card and reuse it whenever you come back to the city.
Purchasing and Refilling Your AntalyaKart
The AntalyaKart can be purchased at authorized points of sale all around the city.
- Many kiosks sell the AntalyaKart in the city. You can usually see it on the signs.
- There are two points of sale in the airport that are open 24 hours a day.
- You can buy the card from some vending machines mainly located around tramway stations and major bus stations. Here, you can load the card, too.
You can refill your AntalyaKart at any of these places. To do so, place the card on the designated viewing area, insert the banknote into the slot and wait until the new credit added to the card is displayed on the screen.
Cost of the AntalyaKart
To get your AntalyaKart, there is a one-time fee of 7.50 Turkish Liras (2021). The card is not nominative, so no photo or proof of identity is required. After the purchase, the card can be loaded as desired and used by several people at the same time.
If you want to have a personal AntalyaKart with a photo, you must apply for one at the central office, Çallı ve Doğu Garajı Kart Merkezi. For this, you need to fill out an application and provide an identity document. There is a one-time fee of 15 Turkish liras for nominative cards.
Get more info on the current rate of the AntalyaKart here.
Fares with the Antalyakart
A journey by bus or tram currently costs 3.65 Turkish liras (2021). You are allowed to change buses or trams once within one hour.
Reduced Fares
There are discounted fares for certain groups of Turkish citizens, including teachers, students, and pensioners. These must be applied with proof of eligibility at the central office, Çallı ve Doğu Garajı Kart Merkezi. For example, the fare for pensioners is 3.15 Turkish liras, and school children pay 2.20 Turkish liras.
HES Code and How to Get It
According to the latest legislation, the AntalyaKart can only be used if it has been assigned an HES code. The HES code is an individual code for each person, which was introduced as part of the Covid-19 Health Crisis Security Measures.
Turkish citizens coming from abroad can get their HES code within minutes by clicking this link https://heskod.saglik.gov.tr/hes.html. People with a foreign Turkish identity number (German for example) send a short SMS message to 2023. The message must be structured as follows: HES (free space) foreign identity number (free space) year of birth (free space) number of days for which the code is needed. Foreign Turkish identity numbers are 11 digits long, start with 97, 98 or 99 and are issued to foreign persons who have a residence permit in Turkey, among others.
Foreign tourist can get their HES by sending a short SMS message to 2023. The message must be structured as follows: HES (free space) Nationality (free space) Passport serial number (free space) Year of birth (free space) Surname (free space) Number of days for which the code is needed.
Here's an example:
Mr. Mustermann, a German citizen with passport number XY123456789, born in 1975, would like to apply for a HES code for 10 days.
His short message to 2023 would look like this:
HES DEU XY123456789 1975 MUSTERMANN 10
The nationality is indicated according to internationally established NATO country codes.
HES Code Assignment to Your AntalyaKart
Once you have your HES code, you will need to link it to your AntalyaKart. To do this, please visit the following website: https://hes.antalyakart.com.tr/
A screen opens with three input fields, HES code, passport number, and number on your AntalyaKart. After giving explicit consent, the process is completed by clicking the "Define" field. The website is also available in English.
Lost & Found AntalyaKart
If you find an AntalyaKart, you can give to the security staff at any of the bus stops. If you lose your card, please call 153 and report the loss.
Now you know everything about you need to know the AntalyaKart. You are set to move around Antalya with public transportation.
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