Trabzon Airport is close to the city, keeping transfer costs reasonable. But many visitors to this region are heading further afield, to highland plateaus, monasteries, and mountain villages, where distances and prices increase significantly.
To Trabzon City Center (6 km)
The Havabus airport shuttle runs to Ataturk Alani, the main square; check the current fare with Havaş before you travel, as it changes. A metered taxi runs on the city tariff — 71.50 TRY to start plus 58.50 TRY per km, with a 208 TRY minimum (Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality, in force since 1 April 2026) — so the ride comes to roughly 420-550 TRY depending on which part of the city center you are going to. The Forum Trabzon shopping area and the Meydan (square) area are the most common drop-off points. Tariffs are revised regularly, so check the current one before you travel.
Fixed-price private transfer
TZX Trabzon City Center
From€35for 2 passengers
Other destinations
Pre-booked transfers to central Trabzon are typically priced higher than a metered taxi in exchange for meet-and-greet and guaranteed availability; check the current price when you book.
To Boztepe and Hilltop Areas
Boztepe, the viewpoint hill above the city, is about 8-10 km from the airport. On the same city tariff, a taxi comes to roughly 550-700 TRY. Hotels on the hillside are slightly more expensive to reach because of the steep, winding roads.
To Sumela Monastery / Macka (45 km)
The drive to Macka takes about 45 minutes through a scenic valley. There is no published fixed taxi rate for this distance — running the meter over 45 km would add up quickly, so drivers agree a fixed price before setting off instead. Agree the fare in advance, or use a pre-booked transfer, which also lets you arrange waiting time if you want the driver to wait while you visit the monastery (typically 2-3 hours) or agree a round-trip fare.
To Uzungol (100 km)
This popular lake village is about 1.5-2 hours from the airport. As with Macka, there is no published fixed taxi rate for this distance; the road is long and the last section is mountainous, and drivers agree a price before departure rather than running the meter. Agree the fare in advance, or pre-book a transfer so the price is settled ahead of time.
To Ayder Plateau via Rize (170 km)
Ayder is one of the most popular highland destinations in the Black Sea region. The drive takes about 3 hours, following the coast to Rize before turning inland. There is no published fixed taxi rate for this distance, and few drivers will agree to it without advance arrangement — agree the fare before you set off, or arrange a pre-booked transfer.
To Rize (75 km)
The tea capital of Turkey is about 1 hour east along the coast road. As with the other out-of-town trips, there is no published fixed taxi rate for this distance; agree the fare before you set off, or pre-book a transfer. Minibus services from Trabzon city center to Rize are available; check the current fare with the operator, but this requires getting to the city first.
Factors Affecting Price
Fuel prices in Turkey fluctuate, and taxi fares adjust accordingly. Summer months (June to September) see higher demand and occasionally higher informal pricing for long-distance trips. Weather conditions in the mountains can extend journey times, and some highland roads may be impassable in winter. Always confirm the price for long-distance trips before departure.