Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB) sits about 28 kilometres north of the city center. The good news: there are three distinct ways to make that journey, covering a wide range of budgets and travel styles. This guide covers the Havaş shuttle, the EGO 442 public bus, and taxis — with honest trade-offs for each.
Fares as of May 2026. Verify current schedules at havas.net or ego.gov.tr before travel.
Option 1: Havaş Airport Shuttle
Havaş runs a direct shuttle from ESB to AŞTİ (Ankara's intercity coach terminal), with stops at Pursaklar and Ankamall AVM along the way.
- Fare: 230 TRY (adult), 115 TRY (child)
- Journey time: ~50 minutes
- Destination: AŞTİ (Ankara Coach Terminal)
- Frequency: Every 30 minutes, 05:00–22:00; per-flight schedule until 01:30
- Tickets: At the Havaş desk inside the arrivals hall, or pay the driver (cash or card)
- Booking: Not required
The bus departs from the kerb outside arrivals. Luggage is stored in the hold under the bus. If you're continuing your journey by intercity coach from AŞTİ, or heading into the city centre from there, this is the most direct option.
For current departure times, see the Ankara Airport shuttle page.
Option 2: EGO 442 Public Bus
The EGO 442 is Ankara's municipal airport bus, running from the terminal all the way to Kızılay — the heart of the city — with a final stop at AŞTİ.
- Fare: 130 TRY (with AnkaraKart transit card)
- Journey time: ~60 minutes to Kızılay, ~75 minutes to AŞTİ
- Route: Esenboğa → Pursaklar → Ulus → Sıhhıye → Kızılay → AŞTİ
- Frequency: Every 20 minutes, 06:00–23:00; hourly night service 01:00–05:00
- Payment: AnkaraKart only — cash is not accepted
Important: The EGO 442 requires an AnkaraKart (Ankara's contactless transit card). You can top up a card at the machines in the arrivals hall before boarding. If you don't have a card and don't want to deal with the machine on arrival, the Havaş shuttle or a taxi may be the more practical choice.
For first-time visitors, the EGO 442 is excellent value once you have the card sorted — it's nearly half the price of the Havaş shuttle and stops right in the center of the city.
Option 3: Taxi
Metered taxis are available 24/7 at the rank directly outside the arrivals exit.
- Opening meter charge: 150 TRY
- Per kilometre: 50 TRY
- Minimum fare: 250 TRY
- Night tariff (00:00–06:00): 50% surcharge
| Destination | Distance | Estimated Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Kızılay (City Center) | ~28 km | ~785 TRY |
| AŞTİ (Coach Terminal) | ~30 km | ~840 TRY |
| Ulus (Old City) | ~32 km | ~900 TRY |
| Ankara Train Station | ~33 km | ~930 TRY |
| Çankaya / Tunalı Hilmi | ~35 km | ~985 TRY |
These estimates reflect daytime metered fares. Night tariff applies from midnight to 06:00 and adds roughly 50% to the total.
Comparison
| Option | Fare | Time | Door-to-door |
|---|---|---|---|
| Havaş shuttle (AŞTİ) | 230 TRY | ~50 min | No (terminal) |
| EGO 442 (Kızılay) | 130 TRY | ~60 min | No (bus stop) |
| Taxi | ~785–985 TRY | ~30–40 min | Yes |
For most international visitors, the Havaş shuttle is the easiest option: no card needed, clear signage, and it drops you at the central coach terminal. The EGO 442 is the budget choice once you've sorted an AnkaraKart. A taxi makes sense for late-night arrivals, groups, or when you need to reach an address far from a bus stop.
What to Expect at Esenboğa Airport
Ankara's airport is a single-terminal building with a straightforward arrivals flow:
- Collect your baggage from the carousel
- Exit through the arrivals gate into the main hall
- The Havaş desk is inside the terminal before the main exit
- AnkaraKart top-up machines are near the exit
- The taxi rank and bus stop are directly outside
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Ankara Airport to the city center? Two good public transport options: the Havaş shuttle (230 TRY, ~50 min to AŞTİ) and the EGO 442 bus (130 TRY, ~60 min to Kızılay — AnkaraKart required). By taxi, Kızılay costs approximately 785 TRY in around 30 minutes.
Is there a direct bus from Ankara Airport to Kızılay? Yes — the EGO 442 runs directly from Esenboğa to Kızılay (city center) and continues to AŞTİ. Fare is 130 TRY, journey time around 60 minutes. You need an AnkaraKart; cash is not accepted.
How much is a taxi from Ankara Airport to city center? Approximately 785 TRY to Kızılay (metered, daytime rate). Night tariff between 00:00–06:00 adds 50%.
How far is Ankara Airport from the city? About 28 kilometres from Kızılay (city center), which translates to roughly 30–40 minutes by car and 50–60 minutes by shuttle or bus.
Does the Havaş shuttle go to Kızılay or only AŞTİ? The Havaş shuttle terminates at AŞTİ (the intercity bus terminal), not directly at Kızılay. From AŞTİ, Kızılay is about 3 km further — reachable by Ankara Metro (M1 line) in around 10 minutes.
Is there a night bus from Ankara Airport? Yes — the EGO 442 runs hourly between 01:00 and 05:00. The Havaş shuttle also operates per-flight schedule until 01:30. After that, taxis are the only option until early morning departures resume.