Van Ferit Melen Airport (VAN) lies about 7 km from Van city centre, in the İpekyolu district, and is one of the busiest gateways in eastern Türkiye. It is the arrival point for most travellers heading to the Lake Van basin, Akdamar Island and the Iranian border. There are two main ways to reach the city from the airport: the Van Metropolitan Municipality city bus (line 351) and taxi. This guide compares each with current fares and practical tips, and also covers parking and onward links to sights such as Akdamar Island.
Important: there is no Havaş shuttle at Van Airport. The only public-transport link to the city is the municipal line 351. Prices are valid as of June 2026; confirm current times with Van Metropolitan Municipality.
Option 1: City Bus (Line 351)
The airport is served by the Van Metropolitan Municipality line 351. This is the cheapest way into the city centre.
- Full fare: 33 TRY (with a Van Kart)
- Time: about 25 minutes
- Route: Airport, İpekyolu Caddesi, Van centre
Payment is by Van Kart only; cash is not accepted on board. You can buy and top up a Van Kart at kiosks and card points around the terminal. Departures are timed to flight arrivals rather than a fixed clock, so they vary with the day's landings. For current times and stops see our Van Airport shuttle page.
Option 2: Taxi
Official taxis wait at the rank outside the terminal and run on the meter. The 2026 Van tariff is:
- Opening fare: 50 TRY
- Per kilometre: 50 TRY
- Short-distance minimum (indi-bindi): 180 TRY
- Waiting: 190 TRY per hour
| Destination | Distance | Estimated fare | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Van centre (İpekyolu) | about 7 km | about 400 TRY | 15-20 min |
| Edremit (lakeside) | about 14 km | about 750 TRY | 20-25 min |
| Gevaş (Akdamar ferry) | about 40 km | about 2,050 TRY | 45 min |
| Erciş (north shore) | about 95 km | about 4,800 TRY | 1 hr 30 min |
Fares move with the meter and traffic; the figures above are estimates. For longer runs such as Gevaş and Erciş, agree the fare with the driver before you set off. For all route estimates see our Van Airport taxi page.
Option 3: 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.
| Duration | Car | Motorcycle |
|---|---|---|
| 0-1 hour | 70 TRY | 35 TRY |
| 1-3 hours | 80 TRY | 50 TRY |
| 3-6 hours | 105 TRY | 60 TRY |
| 6-12 hours | 125 TRY | 70 TRY |
| Per day (12-24h) | 180 TRY | 90 TRY |
For the full tariff see our Van Airport parking page. Renting a car gives the most flexibility for touring the Lake Van shore and sights like Çavuştepe and Hoşap Castle; rental desks are on the arrivals level.
Comparison
| Option | Fare (to centre) | Time | Door to door |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus 351 | 33 TRY | about 25 min | No (stop) |
| Taxi | about 400 TRY | 15-20 min | Yes |
For solo or budget travellers, the 351 bus is the cheapest option. For travellers with luggage, families or late-night arrivals, a taxi is more practical, since bus departures depend on flight arrivals and you may not find one after the last flight.
Which Option, When?
If you are travelling light, alone and in daytime, the 351 bus is both cheap and convenient and reaches the centre in a single ride. With a family, heavy bags or a late arrival, a taxi makes more sense. A taxi also saves time if you do not have a Van Kart and want to leave quickly. If you are heading straight to lakeside spots such as Edremit or Gevaş, a taxi or rental car is usually more efficient than the bus.
Practical tips: make sure you have a Van Kart before boarding the bus, as cash is not accepted. In the busy summer season, tourist traffic around the Akdamar ferry and the lake increases, so plan your connections ahead. You can confirm the current taxi tariff at the official rank in the terminal before you leave.
Exploring Van: Akdamar and Beyond
Van Airport is the gateway to many of eastern Türkiye's icons:
- Akdamar Island: For the island in Lake Van and the 10th-century Akdamar (Holy Cross) Church, head to the ferry pier in the Gevaş district. Gevaş is about 40 km from the airport; a taxi or rental car is the most practical way there.
- Van Castle: Close to the centre, an Urartian-era fortress with the ruins of old Van below it.
- Van cat: Famous for its white coat and two different-coloured eyes, the Van cat can be seen at the Van Cat House at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University.
- Çavuştepe and Hoşap Castle: Southeast of the city on the Gürpınar road, Urartian and Ottoman-era structures.
Public transport to most of these is limited; for a lake tour, a rental car or a day-rate taxi is the most flexible choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Van Airport to the city centre? Take the municipal line 351 bus for 33 TRY (with a Van Kart), about 25 minutes. A taxi is about 400 TRY and 15-20 minutes. The airport is about 7 km from the centre.
Is there a Havaş shuttle at Van Airport? No. There is no Havaş shuttle at Van Airport. The only public-transport option is the Van Metropolitan Municipality line 351 bus; payment is by Van Kart.
How much is a taxi from Van Airport? The 2026 tariff is a 50 TRY opening fare, 50 TRY per km and a 180 TRY minimum. The centre is about 400 TRY, Gevaş (Akdamar) about 2,050 TRY and Erciş about 4,800 TRY. Fares vary with the meter.
How do I get from Van Airport to Akdamar Island? The Akdamar ferry leaves from the Gevaş district, about 40 km from the airport. The most practical way is a taxi (about 2,050 TRY) or a rental car, then the ferry across to the island from the Gevaş pier.
Is there parking at Van Airport? Yes. In the open-air car park a car is 180 TRY per day and 70 TRY for 0-1 hour. The first 15 minutes are free on entry; a motorcycle is 90 TRY per day.
Do I need a Van Kart for the 351 bus? Yes. Municipal buses take payment only by Van Kart, not cash. You can buy and top up a Van Kart at kiosks around the terminal.