Ayas Transfer
Ayas private transfer to holiday complexes beside the ruins of Elaiussa Sebaste, with door-to-door trips to Kizkalesi, Kanlıdivane, Mersin and Adana.
Transfer to Ayas
Most Ayas transfer passengers are dropped at a holiday complex, and almost all of them ask the same question on day one: what are those ruins by the road? This seaside town in the Erdemli district of Mersin, just east of Kizkalesi, is built on top of the ancient city of Elaiussa Sebaste. Summer flats and two-thousand-year-old stonework share the same strip of coast. Here is what to expect in Ayas, what is nearby and where our private transfers take you from it.
An Ancient City Next to the Pool
In antiquity Elaiussa was a small island and the town on the facing shore was called Sebaste. The island has since joined the mainland, and the remains spread across both sides of the D400: a theatre, arches, tombs, piles of masonry along the shoreline. You can hardly miss them from the car. On foot the scale of the place becomes much clearer.
Between Kizkalesi and Ayas, a Roman road that once linked ancient Korykos with Elaiussa Sebaste has been cleared, and work is under way to turn it into a cultural walking route. It makes a good evening stroll once the heat drops.
Who Spends the Summer in Ayas
Ayas is not a hotel resort. It is a string of holiday complexes along the shore, mostly summer homes for families from Mersin, Adana and Central Anatolia. The population swells in high season and the complexes empty again by late September.
- Families who arrive in June and stay until September
- Workers from nearby cities who come down every weekend
- History lovers heading for Elaiussa Sebaste and Kanlıdivane
- Short-stay tenants renting holiday flats from local owners
Couples and small families are fine in a Business Sedan, Premium Sedan or Comfort Class car. A family of five or six with luggage for the whole season usually chooses a VIP Vito. For larger family gatherings the eight-seat Mercedes Vito carries everyone in one vehicle.
Easy Outings From Ayas
Ayas makes a handy base for the region's ancient sites. Inland lies Kanlıdivane, a ruined settlement built around the rim of a huge sinkhole. To the west are Kizkalesi's beach and its two castles, and a little further the Heaven and Hell sinkholes above Narlıkuyu. To the east, Erdemli has its market and shops.
Owners hosting guests over the summer book these trips with us as point-to-point transfers. Set the return time when you book and the car will be waiting when you finish, rather than you waiting for a car.
Transfers We Run From Ayas
The airport is the most frequent request, but we also drive from Ayas to central Mersin, Adana, Silifke, Taşucu and the Akkuyu area. Pickup is at your complex gate. The arrival leg, with landmarks along the way and tips for getting into your complex, is covered on our Ayas airport transfer page.
Prices are per vehicle. Choose Ayas in the booking form, enter your date and see the price for each vehicle class. Use Add return for a round trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ayas, and how close is it to Kizkalesi?
Ayas is a seaside town in the Erdemli district of Mersin province, on the D400 highway immediately east of Kizkalesi. The ruins of ancient Elaiussa Sebaste lie within the town on both sides of the road. It is best known for the holiday complexes that line its shore, so most visitors stay in flats rather than hotels.
Can I book a transfer to visit Kanlıdivane?
Yes. We run point-to-point transfers from your complex to Kanlıdivane, Kizkalesi or the Heaven and Hell sinkholes. Elaiussa Sebaste is inside Ayas itself, so most people explore it on foot. Use the Add return option to plan the trip back in the same booking, and check prices for each vehicle class in the form.
We are staying all summer. Will our luggage fit?
Summer-long stays mean a lot of luggage, so choose the vehicle by the amount of baggage rather than the number of passengers. A VIP Vito suits a family of five or six with seasonal gear, and the eight-seat Mercedes Vito suits bigger groups. With per-vehicle pricing, one large car is usually better value than two small ones.
Can I change my booking later?
Yes. On the My Reservation page you can view your booking and send a change request for the date, time or address. Guests who only learn their complex name or block number after booking use this page often. Once the request is received, our team updates the plan to match your new details.