Çukurova International Airport (COV) opened in August 2024 about 35 km from Adana city center, replacing the old in-city Şakirpaşa airport. Because it is farther out, ground transport costs more than it used to — here is what to expect in 2026.
Havamaş shuttle bus (cheapest)
The official Havamaş airport shuttle is the budget option. Approximate 2026 fares:
- To Adana (Seyhan, Çukurova University): ~200 TL adult, ~100 TL child
- To Tarsus: ~150 TL
- To Mersin (via Mezitli): ~250 TL
- To Osmaniye: shuttle available on scheduled runs
Havamaş runs roughly 04:00-22:00, timed to flights. The Adana run takes about 40-50 minutes; Mersin is over an hour. Buy tickets at the shuttle desk in arrivals.
Metered taxi
Taxis use meters. Because the airport is ~35 km from Adana, expect:
- Central Adana (Seyhan / Çukurova): ~800-1,200 TL ($22-$33 USD)
- Tarsus: ~600-900 TL
- Adana otogar (bus station): ~900-1,300 TL
Night rates (midnight-06:00) are slightly higher. There is no separate airport surcharge beyond the meter, but the distance alone makes this far pricier than the old airport's 4 km hop.
Pre-booked private transfers
Fixed price at booking, door-to-door:
- Central Adana (sedan): ~1,000-1,600 TL ($28-$45 USD)
- Tarsus: ~900-1,400 TL
- Mersin: ~1,800-2,800 TL, about 50 km
- Osmaniye: ~2,500-3,500 TL, about 90 km
- İskenderun / Antakya (Hatay): ~3,500-5,500 TL, about 110-120 km
- Cappadocia area: ~6,000-9,000 TL, 250+ km north
For anything beyond central Adana, the fixed transfer price is easier to plan than a climbing taxi meter.
Why it costs more than the old airport
Adana Şakirpaşa sat 4 km from the center, so a taxi was a few dollars. Çukurova is a modern regional hub built out of town, ~35 km away. That distance is the whole story: budget more for the ride, and consider the shuttle or a pre-booked transfer rather than defaulting to a taxi.
Currency and payment
Taxis operate in Turkish lira; some accept contactless but cash is more reliable. ATMs and exchange are in the terminal. Havamaş tickets are paid at the desk. Pre-booked transfers can usually be paid online in advance by card.
Bottom line
Budget travelers heading to central Adana, Tarsus or Mersin should take the Havamaş shuttle (~150-250 TL). For door-to-door comfort, a specific hotel, a night arrival, or an onward trip to Mersin or Hatay, a pre-booked transfer is the better value. A taxi works but is now the most expensive way into Adana.