Tarsus to Cukurova Airport: the closest town has the edge
If you are staying in Tarsus, getting to Cukurova Airport is about as easy as it gets in this region. The airport sits inside the Tarsus district, and Tarsus centre is only about 25 km away by road. Ceyhan is a different story. That town lies east of Adana, and the drive to the airport is about 80-90 km.
Both towns use the same airport, but the trips feel nothing alike. From Tarsus it is a short hop. From Ceyhan it is closer to an intercity journey. So we cover them separately here.
A quick note for returning visitors: Cukurova International Airport (IATA: COV) opened to commercial flights in August 2024 and took over passenger traffic from Adana Sakirpasa Airport, which closed to commercial flights. If you flew out of Adana on an earlier trip, your route has changed. Ceyhan travellers who used to head to the old Adana airport now drive past Adana and on towards Tarsus.
Getting from Tarsus to the airport
The roughly 25 km trip from Tarsus is clearly shorter than the run from Adana or Mersin city centre. Here are your options:
- Havamas shuttle bus: Havamas runs services between the airport and Tarsus. People often search for "Havas", but the operator here is Havamas. Confirm departure points, times and fares through Havamas's official channels.
- Taxi: Over this short distance, a taxi from Tarsus can be a reasonable option. Night rates and luggage charges can still surprise you if they are not agreed in advance, and not every driver speaks English.
- Rental car: Easy if you have one, since the drive is short. Check your rental company's airport drop-off process and leave time for the handover.
- Private transfer: A driver collects you from your hotel or address and takes you straight to the terminal. For families and groups, a fixed price per vehicle keeps the cost per person down.
A short drive tempts people to leave at the last minute. We see this a lot. But bag drop, security and passport control don't get shorter because your drive did. Use your airline's recommended arrival time. For most travellers, being at the terminal about 1.5-2 hours before a domestic flight and about 2.5-3 hours before an international one is comfortable.
You can see route details and the fixed per-vehicle price on our Tarsus route page. Travelling with someone coming from Mersin city? Their route passes the Tarsus side anyway.
Getting from Ceyhan to Cukurova Airport
Planning the trip from Ceyhan takes more thought. The airport is about 80-90 km away, and the route runs past Adana. That means you add city-area traffic to a longer drive. At rush hour, this can stretch the journey noticeably.
Public transport is less straightforward too. Havamas services run between the airport and Adana, Mersin and Tarsus. Check Havamas's official channels to see whether there is any direct service from Ceyhan. If there isn't, taking the bus means first getting to central Adana and then boarding the airport shuttle. That's at least one change, extra waiting and moving your bags several times. Doing it in a language you don't speak adds stress.
A taxi over this distance can get expensive. The meter keeps running on a long road, and night rates make the total harder to predict. The reason guests from Ceyhan give us most often is simple: they want to know what they'll pay before they set off.
If you are leaving from Ceyhan, keep these points in mind:
- Allow for traffic around Adana, especially in the morning and evening.
- Plan food and comfort stops ahead. On a long road every stop adds time.
- For night or early morning flights, book your car at least a day ahead.
- If you are travelling as a group, one vehicle for everyone saves both time and money.
For route details and the fixed per-vehicle price, see our Ceyhan route page.
How costs compare from Tarsus and Ceyhan
The real difference between the two towns shows up in how costs build. Over a short distance, per-person options can look attractive. As the distance grows and your group gets bigger, the picture changes.
Try a quick thought exercise. A family of four on the bus buys four tickets, and may still need a ride to the stop. In a taxi, the meter climbs with every kilometre. With a fixed price per vehicle, the number of passengers doesn't change the price, as long as you fit in the vehicle. We explain this logic in more detail in our guide to Cukurova Airport transport prices.
Watch for the costs people tend to forget:
- Airport parking that keeps adding up while you are away.
- An extra taxi just to reach the bus stop.
- Night rates or unexpected waiting time.
- A replacement ticket if you miss your flight.
The last one is the most expensive. That's especially true for travellers coming the long way from Ceyhan. In Tarsus, the risk comes from thinking the airport is so close you can't be late.
EcrinVIP transfers from Tarsus and Ceyhan
EcrinVIP runs 24/7 with branches at Cukurova Airport, Adana, Mersin, Gaziantep and Gaziantep Airport. In Tarsus or Ceyhan, we pick you up from the address you give us and drive you straight to the terminal. The price is fixed per vehicle. You see it on the route page before you travel.
Our fleet includes Mercedes Vito VIP vans, Sprinter vans, midibuses and coaches. A small family and a large business group can both find the right vehicle. Child seats are available on request. We don't take online payment. You pay with the method you choose when booking: cash, card or bank transfer. Paying by card means you don't need to withdraw lira just for the ride.
Want your return covered too? We track flights. If your flight is delayed, your driver waits, meets you in the terminal with a name sign free of charge and handles your luggage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Tarsus from Cukurova Airport?
Tarsus centre is about 25 km from Cukurova Airport by road. The airport lies within the Tarsus district, so Tarsus is one of the closest towns to the terminal. Drive time depends on traffic and where you start. A short drive doesn't shorten check-in, security or passport control, so still follow your airline's recommended arrival time.
Is there a bus from Tarsus to Cukurova Airport?
Yes. Havamas runs shuttle bus services between Cukurova Airport and Tarsus. Many people call it "Havas", but the operator at this airport is Havamas. Departure points, timetables and fares can change, so confirm the current details through Havamas's official channels before you travel. If you have heavy luggage, plan how you will reach the stop as well.
How do I get from Ceyhan to Cukurova Airport?
Ceyhan is about 80-90 km from the airport, and the route passes Adana. You can drive, take a taxi or book a private transfer. For public transport, check Havamas's official channels for any direct service. Without one, you would first travel to central Adana and then take the airport shuttle. Because of the distance and the change, families usually find a private transfer more practical.
Does the transfer price from Ceyhan depend on the number of passengers?
Not with EcrinVIP. The price is fixed per vehicle, not per person, so it stays the same however many of you travel within the vehicle's capacity. On a longer route like Ceyhan, that lowers the cost per person for families and groups. You can see the current price on the Ceyhan route page and pay by cash, card or bank transfer.
Whether you start in Tarsus or Ceyhan, you end up at the same terminal. Enter your flight time and pickup address in the booking form and we'll handle the rest. Friends leaving from Mersin city can read our guide from Mersin to Cukurova Airport.
