The 28 km ride from Esenboga Airport to Ankara's center is straightforward, and costs vary dramatically depending on your choice.
The short answer
Havaş bus: 130 TL (€4). Taxi: 700-900 TL (€20-25). Transfer: €20-30.
Full price breakdown
| Transport | Cost | Time | Door-to-door? | |---|---|---|---| | Havaş bus | 130 TL (€4) | 40-50 min | No — stops at Kızılay and AŞTİ | | Taxi (metered) | 700-900 TL (€20-25) | 25-35 min | Yes | | BiTaksi | 650-850 TL (€18-24) | 25-35 min | Yes | | Pre-booked transfer | €20-30 | 25-35 min | Yes |
What makes Ankara different
Ankara's airport transfer costs are moderate by European standards but can feel expensive in Turkish Lira. The key points:
The Havaş bus is excellent value. At 130 TL (€4), it's hard to argue with this. The buses are modern, comfortable coaches — not cramped city buses. They run frequently and are timed to flight arrivals. The only downside is they stop at specific points (Kızılay square and AŞTİ bus terminal), not your hotel door.
Taxis are metered and honest-ish. Ankara taxi drivers generally use meters. The starting rate and per-km charges are regulated. However, some drivers take longer routes — if you know the way, keep an eye on the route. The O-20 motorway is the direct road from ESB to the city.
The Lira factor. If you're coming from a Euro/Dollar country, the exchange rate makes everything feel cheap. A €20-25 taxi ride for 28 km is reasonable by European standards.
Hidden costs
- Rush hour surcharges: Taxis don't charge more during rush hour, but the meter runs on both time and distance. Being stuck in traffic means a higher bill. Rush hour (8-10 AM, 5-7 PM) can add 100-200 TL to the fare.
- Havaş to final destination: The bus drops you at Kızılay. From Kızılay to your hotel, you might need a short taxi ride (50-150 TL depending on distance) or a metro ride (15-25 TL).
- Late night: Taxi prices don't change at night in Ankara. The meter rate is the same 24/7.
- Luggage: No extra charges for luggage in taxis or on the Havaş bus.
Money-saving tips
- Havaş + metro combo is the cheapest way to reach almost anywhere in Ankara. Take the bus to Kızılay, then the metro to your area.
- BiTaksi app sometimes shows lower prices than hailing from the rank — compare.
- Share the Havaş bus, not a taxi. The bus at 130 TL per person is cheaper than splitting a 800 TL taxi 2 ways.
- Get Lira from an ATM at the airport rather than exchanging cash — ATM rates are much better.