Terminal T1 hosts 4 airlines. It's SunExpress's home turf at AYT. You'll find 9 dining options, 3 lounges, 10 shops here.
Five-minute walk from Havalimani tram gets you to T1
International Terminal 1 at Antalya (T1) sits just west of the Havalimani tram stop, and that location is the whole play: you can roll a carry-on from tram to doors in about five minutes while Terminal 2 riders sit in traffic. T1 handles a mix of European leisure and Turkish carriers, with Corendon Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, SunExpress, and Turkish Airlines all running international flights from here.
Layout, check-in, and security timing
T1 is the older international building, a straight-shot layout with departures on the upper level and arrivals down below, all under one roof. Check-in desks line the front of the hall in long banks by airline, with Pegasus, Corendon, SunExpress, and Turkish Airlines clearly zoned but sharing the same security funnel. In high summer, reviews talk about “insanely busy” queues, so treat security and passport control as a 60–90 minute exercise, not a 20–30 minute one.
Build the buffer on the way in
Road access into the Antalya airport complex gets jammed, especially on weekends when T2 traffic backs up toward the main junction, and that spillover can still slow cars heading for T1. TripAdvisor regulars say to add at least an extra hour beyond the usual two hours for international departures in July and August. If you land at the wrong terminal, the shuttle hop back to T1 can eat 30 minutes or more once the approach roads clog.
Tram vs taxi: how regulars handle ground transport
Because T1 sits beside the Havalimani tram stop, repeat visitors with light luggage just tap onto the AntRay tram instead of queuing for taxis at the curb. The tram ride into Antalya city takes around 35–40 minutes and costs far less than an airport cab, which often runs several hundred lira depending on traffic. Regulars only bother with taxis here late at night when tram frequency drops or when juggling more than one checked bag.
Food: fast chains and one local option
Once you clear security in T1, food is mostly international fast food with a single row of Turkish options scattered between gates. You’ll see Burger King and McDonald’s near the central departures concourse, Popeyes and Subway near several Schengen-bound gates, and Starbucks plus Caffe Nero pulling espresso from early morning through late night. Simit Sarayi and Turkish Kitchen are the better bet for local flavors; grab a simit and tea at Simit Sarayi or a plate from Turkish Kitchen instead of defaulting to burgers.
Lounges: three options, variable crowds
International Terminal 1 has three pay-in lounges post-security: FTA Exclusive Lounge, Comfort Lounge, and Elite Lounge, all inside the departures zone. Entry typically runs around €35–€45 per person or is bundled with some premium tickets and lounge programs. In peak charter season these rooms fill up, so don’t expect quiet, but you do at least get soft drinks, a basic hot buffet, Wi‑Fi, and a seat away from the gate crowds.
Shopping: duty free plus mid-range Turkish brands
Just past passport control, the Duty Free Store and Main Store wrap around the central walk-through, selling liquor, perfume, and travel basics at standard holiday-airport pricing. Side corridors host Bazaar Shop for souvenirs, Turkish Delight for boxed sweets, and LC Waikiki for last-minute clothes, with Tech & Go handling cables and headphones and Relay covering magazines and bottled water. Eczane Pharmacy and Toyzz Shop round things out for last-minute medicine or kid distractions before three- to four-hour flights back to Europe.
What regulars do, and one thing to watch
Seasoned Antalya flyers on forums say they show up three hours early for a 23:00 departure from T1 in August and still spend close to 45 minutes just in passport control. Many of them time their arrival tram to land around 30 minutes before that three-hour mark, giving space for ticket checks and security screening at the terminal doors. The main watch-out is crowding across the whole evening bank of European departures, so fill water bottles and sort snacks before you join any line that already snakes back to the check-in entrance.
Final tip
If you’re choosing between airlines, picking a Corendon, Pegasus, SunExpress, or Turkish Airlines flight out of T1 keeps the Havalimani tram option open and dodges the harshest Terminal 2 traffic; trade a slightly older building for a far more predictable trip to the airport.
Airlines based here 4
Insider tips for Terminal T1
Expect long waits at security and passport control during peak summer times, particularly in T1 and T2; give yourself 45-90 minutes just for immigration clearance.
The Elite Lounge at T1 features Turkish specialities like pide, a rarity among other airport offerings, providing a local palate experience while you wait.
Families with children may find reprieve in the T1 Elite Lounge, which provides playrooms and a more spacious environment away from crowded seating areas.