Esenboğa International Airport

Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB) serves Ankara, Turkey's capital city and second-largest metropolis. The airport is located 28 km northeast of the city center in the Esenboğa district.

The airport has a single terminal with domestic and international sections under one roof. A modern facility opened in 2006, it handles around 15 million passengers annually.

Key airlines: Turkish Airlines (extensive domestic network), Pegasus, AnadoluJet, SunExpress, Lufthansa, and various charter operators.

ESB is relatively far from central Ankara:

• To Ankara city center (Kızılay): 28 km, 35-50 minutes
• To Ankara train station: 30 km, 40-55 minutes
• To Atatürk Mausoleum area: 32 km, 40-55 minutes

The Havaş bus is the most popular option for reaching the city.

Uber does not operate in Turkey. Use BiTaksi app or official taxis.

Taxis available from the rank outside arrivals:

• To Kızılay (center): TRY 500-700 (~$15-20 USD)
• To Ankara train station: TRY 550-750
• To Çankaya: TRY 550-700

Tips: Insist on the taximeter or use BiTaksi app for price estimates. Night surcharges apply after midnight.

Havaş Airport Bus

The Havaş bus is the recommended option for reaching central Ankara:

• Route: Airport → AŞTİ (Bus Terminal) → Kızılay → Ankara train station (YHT Garı)
• Frequency: Every 30 minutes (aligned with flight arrivals)
• Journey time: 45-60 minutes to Kızılay
• Cost: TRY 90 (~$3 USD)
• Hours: 04:00-01:00

1. Exit arrivals and find the Havaş stop to the right
2. Purchase ticket from the driver or machine
3. Buses drop off at multiple central locations

EGO Bus (Public)

City bus 442 runs to Ankara:

• Cheaper but slower and less frequent
• Not recommended for visitors

Type	Daily Rate	Notes
Short Term	TRY 250/day	Terminal adjacent
Long Term	TRY 150/day	Shuttle available
VIP	TRY 400/day	Premium location

Book online for discounts.

ESB has reasonable dining options:

Landside:

• Cafés and fast food

Airside (Domestic & International):

• Turkish restaurant: Kebabs, pide, mezes
• Simit Sarayı: Turkish bakery—excellent simit and börek
• Starbucks
• Burger King
• Various cafés

Try: Ankara Tava (lamb dish) if available, or the ubiquitous pide and lahmacun.

Network: ESB Free WiFi

• Cost: Free (time-limited)
• Speed: Adequate for browsing
• Registration via phone or email

SIM cards from:

• Turkcell, Vodafone, Türk Telekom kiosks in arrivals
• Prices: TRY 200-400 (~$6-12) for tourist packages

Foreign phones must be registered within 120 days to keep working with Turkish SIMs.

ATMs available throughout the terminal:

• Arrivals hall
• Departures (airside)
• Major Turkish banks: Ziraat, Garanti, İş Bankası

Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY). Exchange rate fluctuates significantly.

Currency exchange: Available but poor rates. ATMs offer better deals.

Airside:

• Duty-free (Turkish Delight, raki, carpets, leather)
• Turkish souvenirs
• Fashion and accessories

Selection is more limited than Istanbul airports.

Primeclass CIP Lounge

• Location: International departures
• Access: Priority Pass, business class, or TRY 800 (~$24) walk-in
• Amenities: Hot food, drinks, WiFi
• Hours: 05:00-23:00

Turkish Airlines Lounge

• Location: Domestic departures
• Access: TK Business, Miles&Smiles Elite Plus
• Amenities: Turkish hospitality with good food selection

Comfort Lounge

• Location: Domestic departures
• Access: Various credit cards, or TRY 500 walk-in

Hotels near ESB are limited. Most visitors stay in central Ankara (40-60 minutes away).

Ankara is Turkey's political capital, a modern city with important museums and historical sites:

Top attractions (with travel time from airport):

• Anıtkabir (Atatürk Mausoleum): 45 min—impressive memorial to Turkey's founder; museum included
• Museum of Anatolian Civilizations: 40 min—world-class collection of Hittite and ancient Anatolian artifacts
• Ankara Castle (Kale): 35 min—old citadel with panoramic views and traditional houses
• Kocatepe Mosque: 40 min—Turkey's largest mosque, completed 1987
• Atakule Tower: 50 min—observation deck and revolving restaurant

Day trips from Ankara:

• Gordion: 90 min—ancient Phrygian capital, tomb of King Midas
• Cappadocia: 3-4 hours—surreal rock formations, hot air balloons, cave hotels
• Safranbolu: 3 hours—Ottoman-era town, UNESCO World Heritage

Food & drink:

• Ankara Tava: Local lamb dish cooked in a clay pot
• Çubuk turşusu: Pickled vegetables from nearby Çubuk district
• Döner kebab: Ankara claims to be its birthplace
• Rakı: Anise-flavored spirit, national drink

Local tips:

• Ankara is a government city—formal, less touristy than Istanbul
• Most visitors combine Ankara with Cappadocia (fly or drive)
• The high-speed train (YHT) connects Ankara to Istanbul in 4.5 hours, Konya in 2 hours
• English is less widely spoken than in Istanbul—learn basic Turkish phrases
• Kızılay is the main commercial/social hub
• The city is at 850m altitude—cooler than coastal Turkey, with cold winters
• Weekend: Government workers leave; good time to visit museums without crowds