Adana is a major province and city in southern Turkey, set on the fertile Çukurova plain where the Seyhan River flows toward the Mediterranean. As Turkey's fifth-largest city, it pairs ancient Cilician history with a famously fiery food culture, anchored by the six-minaret Sabancı Merkez Camii, the Roman Taşköprü bridge, and the world-renowned spicy Adana kebab. Beyond the city, the province spreads across Roman ruins, Hittite carvings, mountain viaducts, and the reservoir lakes of the Seyhan and Çatalan dams.
- Public
- Adana has a clean single-line metro through the centre plus frequent municipal buses and shared dolmuş minibuses, all paid with the Adana Kart (Kentkart); regional trains link the city to Mersin and Tarsus along the Çukurova plain
- Taxi
- Yellow metered taxis are plentiful and cheap by European standards, but the trade is loosely regulated, so app-based booking (BiTaksi/iTaksi) or hailing from a hotel rank is safer than flagging on the street
- Rental
- A rental car is the most practical way to reach the province's scattered ruins, castles, viaduct, and Mediterranean beaches, which public transport serves slowly or not at all
- Walking
- The compact old city around the clock tower, Taşköprü, and the Sabancı Mosque is flat and walkable, though summer heat on the Çukurova plain makes midday walking tiring
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
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- {'airport': 'Çukurova International Airport (COV)', 'mode': 'HAVAŞ / municipal shuttle bus', 'cost': '₺150-250 (about $4-6)', 'duration': '45-60 minutes', 'notes': 'Shuttle and municipal bus services connect COV with central Adana and Mersin; check current timings at the arrivals hall'}, {'airport': 'Çukurova International Airport (COV)', 'mode': 'Taxi', 'cost': '₺900-1,400 (about $22-35)', 'duration': '40-55 minutes', 'notes': "Book via BiTaksi or iTaksi app to confirm fare; agree price in advance for a full day's hire"}, {'airport': 'Çukurova International Airport (COV)', 'mode': 'Car rental (from terminal)', 'cost': 'From ₺1,200/day (about $30/day)', 'duration': '40 minutes to the centre (self-drive)', 'notes': 'Rental desks at the terminal; recommended if visiting provincial sites'}
Local transport
Getting around the city.
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Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Overview
- Adana's metered yellow taxis (taksi) are cheap and widespread. Book via the BiTaksi or iTaksi apps or take one from a hotel rank. Always confirm the meter (taksimetre) is running before setting off.
- Apps
- BiTaksi (iOS/Android), iTaksi (iOS/Android)
- Fares
- Short city ride: ₺120-250 (about $3-6). Çukurova Airport (COV) to centre: ₺900-1,400 (about $22-35). Full-day driver hire: ₺2,000-4,000 (about $50-100).
- Items
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
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- Route
- Adana to Mersin
- Mode
- Regional train (TCDD)
- Cost
- ₺40-80 (about $1-2)
- Duration
- Approx 1 hour
- Notes
- Check current schedule at ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr; services can be affected by line works
- Route
- Adana to Istanbul
- Mode
- Intercity coach
- Cost
- ₺600-1,400 (about $15-35)
- Duration
- 11-13 hours
- Notes
- Depart from Adana Otogar (main bus station); book via obilet.com or at the terminal
- Route
- Adana to Ankara
- Mode
- Intercity coach / domestic flight
- Cost
- Coach ₺500-900 ($13-22); flight ₺1,500-4,000 ($37-100)
- Duration
- Coach 10-11 hours; flight approx 1.5 hours
- Notes
- Flights depart from Çukurova Airport (COV); coaches from Adana Otogar
- Route
- Adana to Gaziantep
- Mode
- Intercity coach
- Cost
- ₺250-450 (about $6-11)
- Duration
- Approx 3 hours
- Notes
- Frequent departures from Adana Otogar; also option by regional train (slower)
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Adana is a compact, flat city that is easy to navigate. A single north–south metro line runs through the centre, supported by frequent municipal buses and shared dolmuş minibuses, all paid with the rechargeable Adana Kart (Kentkart). Scheduled flights now use the new Çukurova International Airport (COV) to the east, which replaced the old Şakirpaşa Airport (ADA) in 2024. Regional TCDD trains link Adana with Mersin and Tarsus across the Çukurova plain, while the 24-hour otogar handles long-distance coaches across Turkey. To reach the province's dispersed sights - Anavarza, Karatepe-Aslantaş, Yılankale, the Varda Viaduct, and the Mediterranean beaches around Karataş and Yumurtalık - a rental car or a hired driver is by far the most practical option.
Airports
Çukurova International Airport
Adana Şakirpaşa Airport (former)
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
BiTaksi
iTaksi
Adana Kart (Kentkart)
obilet.com
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy an Adana Kart (Kentkart) from kiosks and machines at metro stations and major bus stops to ride the metro, municipal buses, and dolmuş at the cheapest fares with free transfers
Note that scheduled flights now use the new Çukurova International Airport (COV) east of the city, not the old Şakirpaşa Airport (ADA), so confirm which airport your ticket lists
Use the BiTaksi or iTaksi app to book metered yellow taxis and avoid fare disputes, especially from the airport or otogar
Carry small Turkish Lira cash for dolmuş minibuses and short hops, as not every shared minibus accepts the card
Rent a car for a day to combine Anavarza, Karatepe, and Yılankale, which are impractical to reach by public transport
The single metro line runs north–south through the centre and is the fastest way to skip Adana's heavy road traffic
Regional trains to Mersin and Tarsus are very cheap but check current status on ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr, as Çukurova line works can suspend services