İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport is the largest airport on the Aegean coast and the closest gateway to Kuşadası, Çeşme, Alaçatı and Ephesus. It lies south of the city centre, so Selçuk and Kuşadası to the south are easy to reach, and the Çeşme peninsula to the west is a quick motorway drive.
Distance and driving time
| To | Distance | By car |
|---|---|---|
| Central İzmir (Alsancak, Konak) | about 20 km | 30 min |
| Selçuk (Ephesus) | about 60 km | 50 min |
| Kuşadası | about 75 km | 1 h |
| Alaçatı | about 85 km | 1 h 10 min |
| Çeşme | about 95 km | 1 h 15 min |
| Didim | about 130 km | 1 h 45 min |
| Pamukkale | about 250 km | 3 h |
Times are without traffic. On summer weekends expect delays on the Çeşme motorway and at the entrance to Kuşadası.
Your options
Airport bus (Havaş): some routes, such as towards Çeşme and Kuşadası, have scheduled buses. Timetables change with the season, and if your flight is late you wait for the next one. The bus usually stops in the town centre or at the bus station, so you still need to get to your hotel.
Public transport: the İZBAN commuter train runs from the airport into central İzmir. For Kuşadası, Çeşme or Selçuk you need to change, which is tiring with luggage.
Taxi: taxis wait outside the terminal. On longer trips the meter adds up quickly, so ask for an approximate fare before you get in.
Private transfer: your driver waits in the arrivals hall with a sign showing your name and takes you straight to the door of your hotel or villa. The price is fixed per vehicle, and if your flight is delayed you pay nothing extra. It is the easiest way for families and groups with a lot of luggage.
Kuşadası cruise port and Ephesus
If you are joining a ship in Kuşadası, the transfer can drop you directly at the cruise port. The ancient city of Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary are right next to Selçuk; from the airport you can go to your hotel in Selçuk or straight to the Ephesus entrance.
From İzmir to Pamukkale
Pamukkale is about 3 hours from İzmir Airport. By bus or train you first go to Denizli and then on to Pamukkale; with a private transfer you go straight from the airport to your hotel. We cover the other routes in how to get to Pamukkale.
For route-by-route prices, see the İzmir Airport transfer page.