Samsun Çarşamba Airport (SZF) sits in Çarşamba, about 25 km east of Samsun city centre, so the transfer is worth planning ahead. There are two separate public-transport networks to know at SZF: SAMAİR, the Samsun Metropolitan Municipality airport shuttle, for the city itself, and Havaş, which mainly serves the regional Black Sea corridor (Ünye, Ordu, Fatsa). This guide compares each option with current fares, and also covers taxi and parking.
Prices are valid as of June 2026. SAMAİR departure times are set daily around the flight schedule, so check samair.samsun.bel.tr or call 0362 431 10 12 before travelling.
Option 1: SAMAİR Municipal Shuttle (City Centre)
The practical way into central Samsun is SAMAİR, the Samsun Metropolitan Municipality airport shuttle. Its lines run between the terminal and key points in the city:
- H2, Public Transport Transfer Hub (centre): 145 TRY, about 40 minutes
- H1, Ondokuz Mayıs University (Rectorate): 170 TRY, about 45 minutes
- H3, Bafra Bus Terminal: 230 TRY, about 70 minutes
- H4, Çarşamba (East Side): 110 TRY, about 20 minutes
One important detail: the SAMAİR fare depends on the stop you use and ranges from about 85 TRY to 275 TRY across the network. The figures above are the typical fare for each line. Departures are set daily around flight arrivals; there is no fixed timetable. For current times and all stops see our Samsun Airport shuttle page.
Option 2: Havaş (Regional Lines)
Havaş also operates from this airport, but mainly along the regional Black Sea corridor rather than into central Samsun:
- Ünye: 410 TRY
- Ordu (bus terminal): 550 TRY
- Fatsa: 490 TRY
So if you are heading towards Ordu, Ünye or Fatsa, Havaş is a practical choice; but if you want to reach central Samsun, the SAMAİR shuttle is the better option. Havaş tickets are bought at the desk in arrivals or on board.
Option 3: Taxi
Official taxis wait at the rank outside the terminal and run on the meter. The 2026 Samsun tariff is a 140 TRY opening fare and 35 TRY per kilometre.
| Destination | Distance | Estimated fare | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Çarşamba | about 7 km | about 350 TRY | 10-15 min |
| Samsun centre (İlkadım) | about 25 km | about 980 TRY | 30 min |
| Atakum (seafront) | about 35 km | about 1,330 TRY | 40 min |
| Bafra | about 60 km | about 2,200 TRY | 1 hr |
Fares move with the meter and traffic; the figures above are estimates. For all route estimates see our Samsun Airport taxi page.
Option 4: Parking and Car Hire
If you arrive by car or rent one, there is an open-air car park in front of the terminal. The first 15 minutes are free on entry.
- Car per day (12-24h): 280 TRY
- Motorcycle per day: 140 TRY
For the full tariff see our Samsun Airport parking page. Because the airport is 25 km from the centre, renting a car is a flexible option if you plan to tour the surrounding districts (Bafra, Çarşamba, Terme); rental desks are on the arrivals level.
Comparison
| Option | Fare (to centre) | Time | Door to door |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAMAİR shuttle | 145 TRY | about 40 min | No (stop) |
| Taxi | about 980 TRY | 30 min | Yes |
For solo or budget travellers, the SAMAİR shuttle is clearly the cheaper option. For travellers with luggage, families or late-night arrivals, a taxi is faster and door to door; because the airport is far from the centre, the taxi fare is correspondingly higher.
Which Option, When?
If you are travelling light, in daytime, and heading to the city centre, the SAMAİR shuttle is the cheapest option; the H2 line goes straight to the Transfer Hub. For students and visitors heading to the university, the H1 line is convenient. With heavy luggage, a family or a late arrival, a taxi makes more sense, since SAMAİR departures depend on flight arrivals and you may not find one after the last flight. If you are heading to regional towns like Ordu or Ünye, consider Havaş; for free touring of districts like Bafra and Terme, consider a rental car.
Practical tips: the airport is in Çarşamba, 25 km from the centre, so if you land on the last flight, confirm SAMAİR times in advance. In busy periods demand for shuttles and taxis rises; if baggage takes a while, keep an eye on the stop outside the terminal early.
Exploring Samsun
Samsun is the symbolic starting point of the Turkish War of Independence; Atatürk landed here on 19 May 1919. Highlights you can reach from the airport include:
- Bandırma Ferry Museum Ship: A seafront open-air museum and replica ship marking Atatürk's landing in Samsun.
- Amisos Hill: Reached by cable car, with panoramic views of the city and the Black Sea and ancient Amisos remains.
- Atakum seafront: A long promenade and beaches west of the city, popular for walks.
- Bafra and Çarşamba plains: Bird sanctuaries and fertile deltas where the Kızılırmak and Yeşilırmak rivers meet the sea.
City-centre sights are reachable by SAMAİR and municipal buses; for the deltas and outlying districts, a rental car is more flexible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Samsun Airport to the city centre? Take the SAMAİR shuttle's H2 line to the Transfer Hub for 145 TRY, about 40 minutes. A taxi is about 980 TRY and 30 minutes. The airport is about 25 km from the centre.
Is there a Havaş shuttle at Samsun Airport? Yes, but Havaş mainly serves regional lines (Ünye 410 TRY, Ordu 550 TRY, Fatsa 490 TRY) rather than central Samsun. For the city centre, the SAMAİR shuttle is the better option.
How much is the SAMAİR fare? The fare depends on the stop you use and ranges from about 85 to 275 TRY across the network. It is about 145 TRY to the Transfer Hub, 170 TRY to Ondokuz Mayıs University, 230 TRY to Bafra and 110 TRY to Çarşamba.
How much is a taxi from Samsun Airport? The 2026 tariff is a 140 TRY opening fare and 35 TRY per km. The centre (İlkadım) is about 980 TRY, Atakum about 1,330 TRY and Çarşamba about 350 TRY. Fares vary with the meter.
How far is Samsun Airport from the city centre? The airport is in the Çarşamba district, about 25 km from central Samsun (İlkadım); a taxi takes about 30 minutes.
Is there parking at Samsun Airport? Yes. In the open-air car park a car is 280 TRY per day and a motorcycle 140 TRY per day. The first 15 minutes are free on entry.