Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB) sits about 28 km north of the city centre, and if you're driving to catch a flight, the on-site car parks are the most obvious option. But with rates that climb quickly for multi-day stays, it's worth knowing exactly what you're paying — and whether driving is even the best call for your trip.
This guide covers every parking zone at Esenboğa, the 2026 tariff in full, and a clear-eyed comparison with the alternatives.
Rates below are based on the DHMİ official tariff effective 01 January 2026. All prices include VAT.
Esenboğa Airport Parking Rates 2026
Esenboğa has two main parking types: indoor (kapalı otopark) and open (açık otopark). The indoor car park is covered and closer to the terminal; the open lot is a short walk away and cheaper per hour.
Indoor Car Park — Otomobil (Kapalı)
| Duration | Price (TRY) |
|---|---|
| 0–1 hour | 210 ₺ |
| 1–3 hours | 315 ₺ |
| 3–6 hours | 450 ₺ |
| 6–12 hours | 525 ₺ |
| Per day (12–24 h) | 700 ₺ |
| Monthly pass | varies |
Open Car Park — Otomobil (Açık)
| Duration | Price (TRY) |
|---|---|
| 0–1 hour | 140 ₺ |
| 1–3 hours | 210 ₺ |
| 3–6 hours | 300 ₺ |
| 6–12 hours | 350 ₺ |
| Per day (12–24 h) | 525 ₺ |
The open lot is roughly 35% cheaper per day than the indoor car park.
How Long is Your Trip? The Real Cost
Parking costs compound quickly. Here's what a typical trip actually costs at Esenboğa:
| Trip Length | Indoor Lot | Open Lot |
|---|---|---|
| 2-hour meetup | 315 ₺ | 210 ₺ |
| Weekend (2 days) | 1,400 ₺ | 1,050 ₺ |
| One week (7 days) | 4,900 ₺ | 3,675 ₺ |
| Two weeks (14 days) | 9,800 ₺ | 7,350 ₺ |
For a one-week trip, a taxi to and from the airport costs around 950 × 2 = 1,900 TRY — less than half the cost of parking your car in the open lot for the same period. If you're away for a week or longer, not driving is almost always cheaper.
Parking Tips for Esenboğa
Get there early and note your spot. Esenboğa's car park isn't enormous, and on peak travel days (Friday afternoons, Sunday evenings, public holidays) the indoor levels can fill up. Allow extra time or head straight for the open lot.
First 5 minutes are free. Like most DHMİ-operated car parks, Esenboğa gives you a short grace period — useful if you're just dropping someone off.
Special categories park free. Disabled passengers (with documentation), veterans (gazi), and first-degree relatives of martyrs (şehit aileleri) are entitled to free parking for up to 15 days per trip. Show the relevant documentation at the barrier.
Large vehicles pay more. Minibuses, pick-up trucks, vans, buses and trucks all fall into higher rate brackets. If you're travelling in a large vehicle, confirm the rate at the barrier before parking.
Pay before you reach the barrier. Like most Turkish airports, Esenboğa uses pay-on-foot machines in the terminal. Pay before you walk back to the car; the exit barrier validates the ticket. This saves time queuing at the exit.
Motorcycle Parking
Esenboğa has a dedicated motorcycle zone with significantly lower rates. If you're riding to the airport, the savings over a car are substantial — roughly 50% less across all durations.
Alternatives to Airport Parking
Havaş Shuttle — The Budget Option
If you're travelling alone or as a couple, the Havaş shuttle from AŞTİ (Ankara Central Bus Terminal) costs 230 TRY each way. A return journey is 460 TRY — already cheaper than two days of indoor parking. The journey takes 45–60 minutes and runs in sync with flight schedules.
The catch: you need to get yourself to AŞTİ first, which adds time and a further connection. For travellers staying near AŞTİ or Kızılay, this is painless. For those in Çankaya or Keçiören, the extra leg may not be worth it.
Taxi — The Flexible Option
A metered taxi from central Ankara to Esenboğa costs roughly 950 TRY one way during daytime hours — around 1,900 TRY return. For trips up to 5–6 days, parking and taxi cost about the same; beyond that, a taxi wins on price every time.
Taxis also solve the problem of arriving at the airport at 3 am — no waiting for a shuttle, no shuttle schedule to miss.
EGO Bus 442 — The Cheapest Option
The EGO public bus line 442 runs between Esenboğa and Kızılay for approximately 130 TRY. It's the cheapest way to get to the city, but requires comfort with public transport, manageable luggage, and some tolerance for the slowest journey time (60–90 minutes depending on traffic and connections).
Drop-off and Pick-up (Kiss & Ride)
If someone is dropping you off or picking you up, Esenboğa has a short-stay pick-up/drop-off zone directly outside arrivals. The first 5 minutes are free; after that, standard parking rates apply by the hour. For a quick drop-off, this works well. For picking someone up where the flight might be delayed, it's worth waiting in the car park's lowest-rate zone and walking across when the passenger lands.
Is Driving to Esenboğa Worth It?
Here's the honest answer: driving makes the most sense when:
- You're dropping off or picking up and staying less than 30 minutes.
- You have heavy or bulky luggage that makes public transport impractical.
- You're in a group of 3 or more splitting the parking cost.
- Your destination or origin is far from the AŞTİ bus terminal or any taxi route.
For solo or couple travellers on trips of 3+ days, the Havaş shuttle or a return taxi booking will almost always be cheaper than parking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to park at Ankara Esenboğa Airport for one day? The indoor car park charges 700 TRY for 12–24 hours; the open lot is 525 TRY for the same period (as of January 2026).
Is there free parking at Esenboğa Airport? The first 5 minutes are free, which covers a quick drop-off. There is no free long-stay parking for general passengers.
Where is the car park at Esenboğa Airport? The indoor car park is directly adjacent to the terminal building. The open lot is a short walk away, connected by a pedestrian path. Both are clearly signposted from the approach road.
Can I pay by card at the Esenboğa Airport car park? Yes — both the pay-on-foot machines and the exit barriers accept credit and debit cards as well as cash.
What happens if I lose my parking ticket? Report the loss to the car park office before you reach the barrier. A lost ticket fee typically applies, based on the maximum daily rate.