Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB) sits about 28 km north of Kızılay, the central square of Turkey's capital, and serves a city built around ministries, embassies and universities rather than tourism. That shapes the taxi picture: most arrivals are heading to Kızılay, Çankaya or the AŞTİ coach terminal, and Ankara also has unusually good airport bus links (Havaş, AnkaraAir and the EGO 442) that undercut a cab heavily for solo travellers. This guide lays out the full metered fare table and where the taxi still makes sense.
All fares are calculated using the current Ankara meter data: 65 TRY opening fare, 40 TRY/km and a 200 TRY minimum fare. Prices are estimates; the actual fare depends on traffic.
Estimated Taxi Fares from Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB)
| Destination | Distance | Est. Fare | Journey Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kızılay (City Centre) | about 28 km | about 1,185 TRY | about 25–35 min |
| AŞTİ (Coach Terminal) | about 30 km | about 1,265 TRY | about 30–40 min |
| Ulus (Old City) | about 32 km | about 1,345 TRY | about 30–40 min |
| Ankara Train Station (Garı) | about 33 km | about 1,385 TRY | about 35–45 min |
| Çankaya / Tunalı Hilmi | about 35 km | about 1,465 TRY | about 35–45 min |
Fares are estimates: 65 TRY opening fare + 40 TRY/km, subject to the 200 TRY minimum fare. Traffic can affect the final amount and journey time.
How the Ankara Taxi Meter Works
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Opening fare | 65 TRY |
| Per km | 40 TRY |
| Minimum fare | 200 TRY |
| Night surcharge | None |
Example, Kızılay (about 28 km): 65 + (28 × 40) = 1,185 TRY (route estimate)
Example, Çankaya (about 35 km): 65 + (35 × 40) = 1,465 TRY (route estimate)
Where to Find Taxis at ESB
The rank is on the ground floor, a few steps from the arrivals exit, and cars wait there around the clock. Stick to the meter: the fixed-price offers you may hear inside the terminal usually run well above what the meter would charge for the same trip.
Safety tips:
- Only use taxis from the official rank outside arrivals
- Ask the driver to start the meter immediately
- A receipt is available on request
- All licensed Ankara airport taxis display a digital taximeter
Taxi vs Shuttle, When Each Makes Sense
For solo travellers and couples, the Havaş shuttle or AnkaraAir bus to Kızılay (Havaş 230 TRY; AnkaraAir 200 TRY) saves over 1,100 TRY vs a taxi. The EGO 442 public bus costs just 130 TRY. Taxi becomes competitive for groups of 3–4 heading to the same address.
| Destination | Taxi | Shuttle | Break-even group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kızılay | about 1,185 TRY | 200 TRY (Havaş/AnkaraAir) | 4+ people |
| AŞTİ | about 1,265 TRY | 200 TRY (Havaş) | 4+ people |
| Kızılay (budget) | about 1,185 TRY | 130 TRY (EGO 442 bus) | 5+ people |
Choose taxi when:
- Travelling with 3–4 people splitting the fare
- Arriving late at night when shuttle service is limited
- Your hotel is far from Kızılay or AŞTİ shuttle stops
- Heading to a destination not on the shuttle route (Çankaya, Tunalı Hilmi, Ulus)
Choose Havaş/AnkaraAir when:
- Travelling solo or as a couple
- Going to Kızılay or AŞTİ, both are well-served by shuttle
- Budget is a priority, shuttle saves 1,100+ TRY per person
See the Ankara Esenboğa shuttle page for all shuttle routes and times.
Related Guides
- Ankara Airport to City Center, full comparison: Havaş, EGO bus, taxi
- Ankara Esenboğa Parking Guide 2026
- Ankara Esenboğa shuttle page, Havaş, AnkaraAir and EGO 442 schedules
- Ankara Airport overview, all transport options
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a taxi from Ankara Esenboğa Airport to the city centre? Approximately 1,185 TRY by metered taxi from ESB to Kızılay (about 28 km, 25–35 minutes). Havaş costs 230 TRY and AnkaraAir costs 200 TRY, both much cheaper for solo travellers.
How much is a taxi from ESB to AŞTİ (bus terminal)? Approximately 1,265 TRY by metered taxi (about 30 km, 30–40 minutes). Havaş also serves AŞTİ directly for 230 TRY.
How much is a taxi from Esenboğa Airport to Çankaya? Approximately 1,465 TRY by metered taxi (about 35 km, 35–45 minutes). Shuttle buses don't serve Çankaya directly, if your hotel is in Çankaya, taxi is the most practical option.
Are taxis 24 hours at Ankara Esenboğa Airport? Yes. The official taxi rank outside the arrivals exit operates around the clock.
Do Ankara Airport taxis use a meter? Yes. All licensed Ankara taxis use the official meter: 65 TRY opening fare, 40 TRY/km and a 200 TRY minimum fare. There is no night surcharge. Always insist the meter is running before departure.
Is there a cheaper way from ESB than taxi? Yes. Havaş costs 230 TRY and AnkaraAir costs 200 TRY to Kızılay. The EGO 442 city bus costs 130 TRY but takes longer. See the full shuttle guide.
