Van Ferit Melen Airport
Van Metropolitan Municipality
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Van Ferit Melen Airport (VAN) is the gateway to Lake Van, Turkey's largest lake, and the wider eastern Anatolia region. Sitting about 7 km from the city centre, it is the natural starting point for trips to Akdamar Island and its medieval Armenian church, the Van Cat, Van Fortress and the ski slopes around the lake. There is no Havaş service here: the practical ways into town are the Van Metropolitan Municipality bus line 351 (33 TRY, about 25 minutes), whose departures can shift with flight arrivals, or a taxi to the centre for roughly 400 TRY in 15–20 minutes. Longer taxi runs reach Gevaş for the Akdamar ferry (about 2,050 TRY) and Erciş on the northern shore (about 4,800 TRY). The open car park charges 180 TRY per day, with the first 15 minutes free.
Van Ferit Melen Airport Transport Guide
Van Ferit Melen Airport is 7 km from Van city centre. City buses, taxis and private transfers serve the centre (İpekyolu), while Edremit, Gevaş-Akdamar and Erciş are reached by taxi or transfer. This is also the starting point for the shores of Lake Van and Akdamar Island with its Armenian church. Below is the price, journey time and best use case for each option.
City Bus (VanKart)
The most affordable way into the centre is the Van municipality bus. It runs from the airport towards İpekyolu (Van centre); the journey takes about 25 minutes for 33 TRY. Payment is by VanKart travel card rather than cash, so get the card in advance. With heavy luggage or on a late-night arrival, a taxi or private transfer is more comfortable. For current times see the Van shuttle page.
Taxi and Private Transfer
Taxis wait outside the terminal around the clock. The meter opens at 50 TRY, then 50 TRY per km, with a 180 TRY minimum fare. Fixed estimated fares to the main points:
| To | Distance | Estimated Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Van centre (İpekyolu) | 7 km | 400 TRY |
| Edremit | 14 km | 750 TRY |
| Gevaş / Akdamar pier | 40 km | 2,050 TRY |
| Erciş | 95 km | 4,800 TRY |
To visit Akdamar Island you travel to the Gevaş pier on the southern shore of Lake Van and take a short boat across to the island and its 10th-century Armenian church. For destinations along Lake Van, or with a group or extra luggage, a private transfer can be arranged in advance at a fixed price, with the driver meeting you at arrivals.
Parking
At the airport open-air car park (DHMİ) the daily rate is 180 TRY for a car and 90 TRY for a motorcycle. For short-stay tariffs and current prices see the Van Airport parking page.
Distances
Approximate road distances and times from Van Ferit Melen Airport to the main points (they vary with traffic and season):
| Destination | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Van centre (İpekyolu) | 7 km | 15 min |
| Edremit | 14 km | 20 min |
| Gevaş / Akdamar pier | 40 km | 45 min |
| Erciş | 95 km | 1 hr 30 min |
Terminal
Van Ferit Melen Airport serves domestic and international flights in a single terminal building. The terminal has food and drink outlets, ATMs, car rental offices and an information desk. Traffic is mainly domestic, with scheduled international services added in certain periods.
Van Airport Flight Times — Arrivals & Departures
Van Ferit Melen Airport has year-round domestic traffic, with Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir the main routes. The principal routes and approximate flight times are below; check the current time and status of your flight (on time, delayed, landed) with your airline before departure.
| To / From | Airlines | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul (IST) | Turkish Airlines | 2 hr |
| Istanbul (SAW) | Pegasus, AJet | 2 hr |
| Ankara (ESB) | Turkish Airlines, AJet | 1 hr 40 min |
| Izmir (ADB) | Pegasus, AJet | 2 hr 15 min |
Check the current status of arrivals and departures with your airline or Van Airport information. The route network and times vary by day, with Istanbul services more frequent in the morning and evening.
