Mersin is a major Mediterranean port city and provincial capital on Turkey's southern coast, where ancient ruins, dramatic limestone gorges, sea castles and long sandy beaches stretch along the Cilician shore. The province spans from the industrial port to clifftop monasteries, Hellenistic temple cities and the birthplace of the Apostle Paul, making it one of the most historically layered destinations in Turkey.
Mersin is one of Turkey's best-connected Mediterranean cities. The city lies on the main coastal rail line, is served by frequent intercity buses and is 70 km from Adana Şakirpaşa Airport (ADA). Within the province, the D400 coastal highway links Mersin with Tarsus (east) and the string of resort towns — Erdemli, Kızkalesi, Silifke, Anamur — to the west. Within Mersin city, the light rail (Metro), city buses and taxis provide good coverage.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
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- {'method': 'Havaş Airport Bus', 'description': 'Havaş coach from Adana Airport (ADA) to Mersin city center; stops at the OtoGar and central Atatürk Cad.', 'cost': '₺80-100 (~$1.73-2.17)', 'duration': '~1.5 hours', 'frequency': 'Every 30-60 min, timed to flight arrivals'}, {'method': 'Mersin Municipality Transfer Bus', 'description': 'MEGO city bus route links Adana Airport to Mersin via the D400 (check current MEGO route 7A at mersin.bel.tr)', 'cost': '₺10-20 (~$0.22-0.43)', 'duration': '~2 hours with stops', 'frequency': 'Every 30-60 min'}, {'method': 'Private Taxi', 'description': 'Pre-book or take metered taxi from airport rank to Mersin center', 'cost': '₺600-900 (~$13-19.50)', 'duration': '~50-60 min', 'frequency': 'On demand'}, {'method': 'Intercity Bus Connection', 'description': 'From Adana OtoGar (15 min from airport by dolmuş), frequent buses to Mersin (45 min, ₺50-80, ~$1.08-1.73)', 'cost': '₺50-80 (~$1.08-1.73)', 'duration': '~1.5h total incl. OtoGar transfer', 'frequency': 'Every 15-30 min'}
Local transport
Getting around the city.
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Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
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Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
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- Destination
- Adana
- Modes
- Train · Bus · Dolmuş
- Duration
- 30-45 min
- Cost
- ₺15-80 (~$0.33-1.73)
- Frequency
- Every 15-30 min
- Destination
- Tarsus
- Modes
- Train · Dolmuş
- Duration
- 25-35 min
- Cost
- ₺15-30 (~$0.33-0.65)
- Frequency
- Every 15-30 min
- Destination
- Kızkalesi
- Modes
- Dolmuş toward Silifke
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- ₺40-60 (~$0.87-1.30)
- Frequency
- Every 30-60 min from OtoGar
- Destination
- Silifke
- Modes
- Dolmuş · Bus
- Duration
- 1.5-2 hours
- Cost
- ₺60-90 (~$1.30-1.95)
- Frequency
- Every 30-60 min from OtoGar
- Destination
- Anamur
- Modes
- Intercity bus
- Duration
- 3.5-4 hours
- Cost
- ₺180-250 (~$3.90-5.40)
- Frequency
- Several daily from OtoGar
- Destination
- Ankara
- Modes
- Bus · Train via Adana
- Duration
- 9-10 hours (bus); ~5.5h (train to Ankara via Adana)
- Cost
- ₺450-1,200 (~$9.75-26)
- Frequency
- Many daily buses; trains hourly to Adana then onward
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Mersin is reached by air via Adana Airport (ADA), by high-speed train from Ankara and Gaziantep, and by intercity bus from all major Turkish cities. Local transport uses city buses, the Metro light rail and dolmuş (shared minibus) services. A rental car is the most practical way to explore the coastal sites beyond Silifke.
Airports
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Get a Mersin Kart transit card from the machine at OtoGar for discounted bus and metro fares
Dolmuş to Kızkalesi and Silifke leave from the street in front of the OtoGar, not the terminal itself
For Uzuncaburç and Alahan Monastery, a rental car is the only realistic option in winter and the best option year-round
The Mersin-Tarsus train is faster and cheaper than the dolmuş; buy tickets at the station or via the TCDD app
The Taşucu-Girne (Northern Cyprus) ferry journey is roughly 7 hours; book at least one day ahead in summer