Transport in Trabzon: airport, buses, roads and driving

Getting around Trabzon: airport, buses, minibuses and roads

In short

Trabzon Airport is very close to the centre on the coast, with frequent daily flights to Istanbul. The city has no metro: people get around by bus, minibus (Dolmuş) along the coastal road and into the neighbourhoods, taxi and private car. Kanuni Boulevard, the inland road, takes pressure off the coast, and the Zigana Tunnel has shortened the route south. Living near the coastal road or a minibus line means you can do without a car most days.

Written by Mohammed Bukhari, Real estate consultant

Last reviewed October 7, 2026

Trabzon stretches along a narrow coastal strip with hills rising behind it. That shapes how you get around: the coast is the main artery, steep streets climb into the hills, and the airport is minutes from the centre.

The airport

It lies on the coast, east of the centre, and is one of the closest airports to a city centre in Turkey.
Frequent daily flights to Istanbul, Ankara and other cities.
International flights, including seasonal summer flights from Arab cities.

Living in Yomra or east of the centre puts you closer to the airport.

Buses and minibuses

Minibus (Dolmuş): runs along the coastal road and into the neighbourhoods, stopping wherever you ask along its route. The most widely used option.
Municipal buses: lines to the neighbourhoods, the university and the hospitals.
Taxis: available in the centre and the main neighbourhoods.

Roads

The coastal road: links Akçaabat in the west with the centre, Yomra and Arsin in the east, and gets congested at peak times.
Kanuni Boulevard (Kanuni Bulvarı): an inland road across the hills that eases pressure on the coast and brings neighbourhoods closer.
The road south: towards Maçka and Gümüşhane; the Zigana Tunnel has cut the distance considerably.
The road to Uzungöl: east along the coast, then south through the valleys. See the guide to buying in Uzungöl and the highlands.

Driving

Hills: steep, narrow streets in some neighbourhoods.
Rain: frequent, so watch for slippery roads.
Parking: scarce in the centre, so choose a property with parking.
Foreign driving licence: residents may use it only for a limited period. See the guide to owning a car in Turkey as a foreigner.

Transport and choosing where to live

Near the coastal road or a minibus line: life without a car is possible.
In the hills: better views, more reliance on a car. See the guide to the hillside neighbourhoods.
If you travel a lot: being close to the airport is an everyday advantage.

In short

Getting around Trabzon is simple if you choose your location well: the coast and minibus lines for daily life, a car for the hills and highlands, and the airport minutes away. Ask about transport before you ask about the view.

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