Çukurova International Airport (COV) Transfer Guide
Adana is now served by Çukurova International Airport (COV), which opened in August 2024 and replaced the old in-city Şakirpaşa (ADA) field. Çukurova sits between Adana and Tarsus, about 35 km from the centre of Adana, so the ride into the city takes 30 to 45 minutes — a proper out-of-town airport rather than the short hop Şakirpaşa used to be.
At a glance
- Metered taxi: tariff-based, ~₺800–1,200 · 30–45 min to centre
- Compare every option
That distance changes the maths: a shuttle or a pre-booked transfer now makes more sense than it did at the old airport. The Havamaş coach is the official airport bus, running to Adana, Tarsus and Mersin roughly between 04:00 and 22:00 and timed to flights. Metered taxis wait outside arrivals around the clock, and a fixed-price private transfer is the door-to-door choice, especially if you are continuing to Mersin, Tarsus or Hatay or landing late.
Ways into the city
| Option | Duration | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Havamaş shuttle | ~40–50 min to Adana | ~₺200 (Adana) | The official airport coach to Adana, with separate runs to Tarsus (~₺150) and Mersin (~₺250), roughly 04:00–22:00 and timed to flights. |
| Private transfer (pre-booked) | 30–45 min door to door | fixed, booked ahead | Agreed in advance with the driver meeting you at arrivals; the practical choice for night landings or continuing to Mersin, Tarsus or Hatay. |
| Metered taxi | 30–45 min to centre | tariff-based, ~₺800–1,200 | 24/7 rank on Adana's 2026 meter (₺75 start, ₺65/km, no night tariff); the ~35 km distance makes it pricier than the old in-city airport. |
Taxi meter or fixed price — how to choose at COV
A street taxi runs on the official municipal meter: the fare depends on distance and traffic, and you pay in lira at the end of the ride. It is usually the quickest option to jump into and works well for solo travellers with light luggage heading to a central district. The trade-off is uncertainty — roadworks, a detour or rush-hour traffic all show up on the meter, and drivers rarely agree to a price in advance.
A fixed-price private transfer flips that logic: you agree the total when you book, the driver tracks your flight and waits at arrivals with a name sign, and the quote is typically all-in for tolls and luggage. It tends to win for families, groups of three or more, night arrivals and anyone who prefers paying by card in advance. The table above shows the current numbers side by side.
Book a fixed-price transfer
Lock an all-in price with Welcome Pickups — your driver tracks your flight and waits at arrivals, so there is nothing to arrange on the ground.
Check transfer prices →Arrival tips at Çukurova International Airport
- Use the official taxi rank outside arrivals and ignore anyone offering a ride inside the terminal — licensed taxis queue at the rank and run the meter.
- Check that the meter is running when you set off; quoting a flat price instead of using the meter is against the rules for street taxis in Turkey.
- Keep some Turkish lira for the ride: many taxis accept cards, but it is not guaranteed, and small notes make paying quicker.
- If you booked a private transfer, message your driver after landing and head to the agreed meeting point — flight delays are normally tracked automatically.
- Open the route guide for your destination before you get in: the live calculator gives a fare estimate you can sanity-check against the meter during the ride.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport does Adana use now?
Adana is served by Çukurova International Airport (COV), which opened on 11 August 2024. The old Şakirpaşa Airport (ADA), which sat inside the city, closed to flights the same month, so all Adana-area flights now use Çukurova.
How far is Çukurova Airport from Adana?
About 35 km, a 30 to 45 minute drive depending on traffic. It also sits roughly 15 km from Tarsus and 45 to 50 km from Mersin, so it doubles as the airport for that whole stretch of the coast.
How much is a taxi from Çukurova Airport to Adana?
Because of the ~35 km distance, a metered taxi to central Adana usually runs about ₺800 to ₺1,200 on the 2026 tariff (₺75 to start, ₺65 per kilometre, no night surcharge). Carry lira, as card acceptance is not guaranteed.
What is the cheapest way from Çukurova Airport to the centre?
The Havamaş airport coach, at around ₺200 to Adana, is the cheapest comfortable option and takes about 40 to 50 minutes. For a group or a late arrival, a pre-booked transfer split between passengers can work out similar and takes you door to door.