Getting There and Away

Scenic view of Uzungöl Mosque amidst tranquil lake and lush mountains in Trabzon, Turkey.
Samer Daboul, Pexels

Trabzon is served by Trabzon Airport (TZX), an international airport approximately 6 kilometers from the city center, and the Trabzon Bus Station (Trabzon Otogarı), located about 2.8 kilometers from the city's core.

Flights:

Trabzon Airport (TZX) offers direct domestic flights from major Turkish cities including Istanbul (Sabiha Gökçen and Istanbul Airport), Ankara, Izmir, and Antalya, with travel times from Istanbul typically ranging from 1 hour 40 minutes to 1 hour 55 minutes. International direct flights also connect Trabzon with various cities across 13 countries, such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Baku.

Buses:

The Trabzon Bus Station provides extensive intercity bus services to over 85 cities within Turkey, alongside international routes to destinations like Batumi and Tbilisi in Georgia.

  • A bus journey from Istanbul to Trabzon generally takes around 16 hours 48 minutes, with fares starting from approximately €32.66 (around $35).
  • Travel by bus from Ankara to Trabzon averages 12 to 12 hours 33 minutes, and tickets can be found from approximately $18.13 to $37.08 (or €23.75 to €28.06).

From Trabzon Airport to City Center:

Several options are available upon arrival at Trabzon Airport.

  • Havaş Shuttle Buses:: These services offer a practical connection to central areas, with a journey time of about 15-30 minutes to key stops and costs around 45-50 TL.
  • Public Buses:: Municipal bus lines, including routes 501, 503, 121, and 123, provide an economical way to reach the city center in approximately 40-50 minutes, with fares ranging from 10-15 TL.
  • Dolmuş (Minibuses):: Shared minibuses are a popular and affordable choice for reaching the city center or bus station directly from the airport.
  • Taxis:: Readily available 24/7, taxis offer a direct route to the city center in about 15-20 minutes, with fares estimated between 120 and 150 TRY (€3.50–€4.30) for downtown locations as of 2025.
  • Car Rental:: Various car rental companies have offices at Trabzon Airport, with an average daily rate for car rental around 900 Turkish Liras.