Tarsus — birthplace of Saint Paul and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world — lies approximately 20 km south-west of Çukurova Airport (COV). It is also the closest major destination served by Havamaş and the cheapest shuttle route on the network. With 14 daily departures and a journey time of just 45 minutes, getting from the airport to Kleopatra Meydanı in the heart of Tarsus is remarkably straightforward.
All fares are current as of May 2026. Distance from COV to Tarsus: approximately 20 km.
Quick Comparison
| Option | Price | Journey Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Havamaş shuttle | 230 TRY | ~45 min | 14 departures/day |
| Taxi (metered) | ~835 TRY | ~20–25 min | Door-to-door |
Option 1 — Havamaş Shuttle (Recommended)
The Havamaş shuttle to Tarsus is the most economical option. With 14 daily departures, the longest gap between services is 2 hours — and morning peak departures run every hour.
Departure Times — Airport → Tarsus
| Time | Time | Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:15 | 07:15 | 14:15 | ||
| 02:15 | 08:15 | 16:15 | ||
| 04:15 | 09:15 | 18:15 | ||
| 06:15 | 10:15 | 20:15 | ||
| 12:15 | 22:15 |
For live times, see the Tarsus shuttle page.
Route Stops — Airport → Tarsus
| Stop | Notes |
|---|---|
| Çukurova Airport | Departure point |
| Yenice | Intermediate pick-up stop |
| Tarsus Kleopatra Meydanı | Final stop — heart of the old city |
Return — Tarsus → Airport
Return services depart from Tarsus Kleopatra Meydanı at the same times. The bus picks up at Yenice approximately 15 minutes after leaving Kleopatra Meydanı.
Fares
| Passenger | One-Way |
|---|---|
| Adult | 230 TRY |
| Child 6–12 | 115 TRY |
| Child 0–5 | Free (lap) |
Where to buy: Havamaş desk in the arrivals hall, or online at havamas.com.
Practical Tips
- The Havamaş desk is in the arrivals hall, ground floor, before the main exit.
- Kleopatra Meydanı is the central square of Tarsus's old town — major sights including Cleopatra's Gate and St. Paul's Well are all within a 10-minute walk.
- If your flight lands between shuttle times, check whether a taxi might be more practical — see below.
- The 06:15 and 07:15 departures are popular with business travellers heading to Mersin province offices via Tarsus.
Option 2 — Metered Taxi
A metered taxi from COV to Tarsus costs approximately 835 TRY under the official Adana UKOME tariff (35 TRY flag-fall + 40 TRY/km × ~20 km). Journey time is just 20–25 minutes — by far the fastest option.
For full taxi pricing to all COV destinations, see the Çukurova Airport taxi fares guide.
The taxi rank is outside the arrivals exit, ground floor. Taxis run 24 hours. Always use the meter — do not accept fixed-price offers inside the terminal.
When taxi makes sense for Tarsus:
- Flight lands in a gap between shuttle departures (e.g., 01:30, 03:30, 05:30)
- Travelling with 3 or more people (cost per person approaches shuttle fare)
- Need to reach a specific address in Tarsus not reachable on foot from Kleopatra Meydanı
Other Routes from Çukurova Airport
Tarsus is conveniently located between Adana and Mersin. If you're also exploring the region, Havamaş runs direct shuttles to:
- Adana city centre — 300 TRY, ~60 min, hourly 24/7
- Mersin — 340 TRY, ~90 min, hourly 24/7
- Hatay — 425 TRY, ~120 min, 8 daily
- Osmaniye — 450 TRY, ~90 min, 8 daily
- Taşucu & Silifke — 400 TRY, ~120 min, 4 daily
Full schedule: Çukurova Airport shuttle page.
About Tarsus
Tarsus was founded over 6,000 years ago and played a pivotal role in antiquity as the birthplace of Saint Paul (Saul of Tarsus) and the setting of Cleopatra's legendary meeting with Mark Antony in 41 BC — an event commemorated by the ornate Cleopatra's Gate (Kancık Kapısı) that still stands in the old town.
Key sights within walking distance of Kleopatra Meydanı:
- Cleopatra's Gate — 5 min walk
- St. Paul's Well (believed to mark his birthplace) — 10 min walk
- Roman Road (ancient paved street) — 5 min walk
- Tarsus Old Bazaar — directly adjacent to Kleopatra Meydanı
- Tarsus Waterfall — 15 min walk
Tarsus also makes an excellent day trip base from both Adana and Mersin — see the Mersin guide and the Adana guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Çukurova Airport to Tarsus? The Havamaş shuttle (230 TRY, ~45 min) runs 14 times a day from the terminal to Tarsus Kleopatra Meydanı. A metered taxi costs around 835 TRY and takes just 20–25 minutes.
How many times a day does the Havamaş run to Tarsus? 14 departures daily, starting at 00:15. Morning peak departures run at 06:15, 07:15, 08:15, 09:15 and 10:15.
Where does the Havamaş drop off in Tarsus? The final stop is Kleopatra Meydanı (Cleopatra Square) in the heart of the old city — within easy walking distance of all major sights.
How much is a taxi from COV to Tarsus? Approximately 835 TRY by metered taxi (35 TRY flag-fall + 40 TRY/km × ~20 km). Journey time is 20–25 minutes.
Is Tarsus worth a visit? Absolutely. As the birthplace of Saint Paul and the setting of Cleopatra's legendary meeting with Mark Antony, Tarsus is one of Turkey's most historically significant cities. The old town is compact and walkable, making it an easy half-day or full-day trip from Adana or Mersin.
Can I visit Tarsus as a day trip from Adana or Mersin? Yes — Tarsus is only 45 minutes from COV and about 30 minutes from Mersin by bus, making it ideal for a half-day excursion.
