Trabzon Airport to Rize: Shuttle Bus, Taxi & Tips (2026)

Rize sits around 75 kilometres east of Trabzon Airport along the Black Sea coast, a straightforward journey, but one that catches many travellers off guard when they see the taxi price. The good news: there is a direct Havaş shuttle bus from Trabzon Airport to Rize that covers the full route for a fraction of the cab fare.

This guide explains both options, shuttle and taxi, so you can choose what works for your trip.

Fares current as of May 2026. Verify at havas.net or the Havaş desk at the terminal before travel.

Trabzon Airport to Rize by Shuttle Bus

Havaş operates a direct service from Trabzon Airport (TZX) to Rize along the E70 coastal highway. It is the most cost-effective transfer option for solo travellers and small groups.

Fare: 320 TRY (adult)
Journey time: ~75 minutes
Route: TZX → Araklı → Sürmene → Of → İyidere → Derepazarı → Rize

The bus runs along the Black Sea coast, so the scenery is a welcome bonus. Luggage is loaded into the hold at departure and returned at your stop, no overhead wrestling needed.

Where to board: The Havaş departure area is immediately outside the arrivals exit. Follow the Havaş signs; no pre-booking required.

For live departure times, see the Trabzon Airport shuttle page.

Trabzon Airport to Rize by Taxi

A metered taxi from TZX to Rize costs approximately 3,640 TRY, around eleven times the shuttle fare. Journey time is similar (roughly 70 minutes) since both follow the same coastal road.

Taxis are available 24/7 at the rank outside arrivals. The opening meter charge is 71.50 TRY; the practical minimum for any ride is 208 TRY.

Taxi is worth considering if you are travelling as a group of three or four people, arriving very late at night, or carrying equipment that makes a shared bus inconvenient.

Which Is Better?

	Havaş Shuttle	Taxi
Fare to Rize	320 TRY	~3,640 TRY
Journey time	~75 min	~70 min
Door-to-door	No (city bus stop)	Yes
Night service	Limited	24/7
Luggage hold	Yes	Yes

For a single traveller, the shuttle makes obvious financial sense. For a family of four splitting a taxi fare, the per-person cost gap narrows considerably, though at 700 TRY each it still favours the bus.

Beyond Rize: the eastern coast

The Rize-bound Havaş line runs along the Black Sea coastal road and stops at several towns on the way, so you can use it to reach intermediate destinations too:

Of, 270 TRY · ~55 minutes (passes through Araklı and Sürmene)
İyidere and Derepazarı, served as stops before Rize centre

If you are continuing further east (Fırtına Valley, Zilkale, or the teahouse villages around Çamlıhemşin), Rize is the natural transfer hub: frequent intercity minibuses (dolmuş) run from Rize to Ardeşen, Çayeli and Pazar.

Trabzon City Center First?

If your plan is to spend a night in Trabzon before heading to Rize, the city center shuttle is only 190 TRY and takes around 30 minutes. From central Trabzon you can continue to Rize by intercity bus from the Trabzon bus terminal (Otogar), services are frequent and typically under 90 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Rize from Trabzon Airport? About 75 km along the E70 coastal road; allow 70–80 minutes by road.

Is there a direct bus from Trabzon Airport to Rize? Yes, Havaş operates a direct shuttle from TZX to Rize. The fare is 320 TRY and the journey takes approximately 75 minutes.

How much does a taxi from Trabzon Airport to Rize cost? Approximately 3,640 TRY by metered taxi (May 2026 estimate).

Does the Trabzon to Rize shuttle stop anywhere? Yes, the service calls at Araklı, Sürmene, Of, İyidere, and Derepazarı before reaching Rize. Journey times to these intermediate stops are listed on the shuttle page.

Can I get further east than Rize by shuttle? The Havaş line terminates at Rize. To continue to Ardeşen, Çayeli or Pazar, take a frequent intercity minibus (dolmuş) from Rize centre.