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Getting Around Trabzon: Buses, Dolmuş, Airport Transfers and What Actually Works
Trabzon is a different kind of city to get around than Istanbul or the resort coast. There's no metro, no tram — everything runs on roads that hug the Black Sea coastline and climb sharply up the hills behind it. That means municipal buses, a lot of dolmuş minibuses, and taxis doing most of the work.
Trabzonkart: The City Transit Card
Municipal buses run by the Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality take a reloadable Trabzonkart, or you can use the Trabzon Ulaşım app as a digital card.
• City center (Ortahisar, Zone 1): about 27.50 TRY (around €0.70).
• District routes (Akçaabat, Maçka, Of, Çaykara): anywhere from about 33 to 132 TRY depending on distance.
• Children under 6: ride free.
Where to buy and top up: the yellow Trabzonkart kiosks around Meydan Park, newsstands and shops near the main bus stops, or the Trabzon Ulaşım app.
From the Airport (TZX) into the City
Trabzon Airport is close — just 7 km east of Meydan, right along the coastal highway.
• Municipal buses (Lines 125 and 139): the cheapest option, departing from the marked stops right outside arrivals.
• Havaş shuttles: comfortable buses direct to Meydan on the Beşirli route, with room for luggage. Havaş also runs direct regional shuttles out to Of and Rize.
• Dolmuş: the Meydan–Pelitli/Airport line runs frequently along the coastal road right outside the terminal.
• Official taxis: metered, available 24/7 at the ranks outside the terminal. A ride to Meydan varies with traffic and exact drop-off.
• Pre-booked private transfers: a chauffeured minivan straight to your hotel in the city, or further out to Sümela Monastery, Uzungöl, Rize or the Ayder Plateau — a good option if you don't want to work around a shuttle schedule.
Several flights often land around the same time, so if you're carrying heavy luggage, booking a Havaş seat or grabbing a taxi is easier than waiting for the regular city bus.
Municipal Buses vs. Dolmuş
• Municipal buses: Trabzonkart or the app only, no cash. About 27.50 TRY (€0.70) in the city center. They stick to the main coastal roads and official stops, and they're the better choice for longer district trips or a budget airport run.
• Dolmuş: cash only, in Turkish lira. About 32–45 TRY (€0.80–1.15). These are the ones that go up the narrow streets and steep hills into the neighborhoods — the way you actually reach places like Boztepe or the Atatürk Pavilion.
Taxis
Yellow taxis run on digital meters.
• Starting fee: about 55 TRY
• Per kilometer: about 38 TRY
• Minimum short-hop fare (indi-bindi): about 180 TRY
Uber works in Trabzon the same way it does elsewhere in Turkey — it calls a licensed yellow taxi rather than a private driver. Make sure the meter's running when the ride starts.
Getting to the Sights
• Meydan to Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya Camii): any Meydan–Fatih–Ayasofya dolmuş or bus heading west along the coast, about 10–15 minutes.
• Meydan to Atatürk Pavilion: the Meydan–Soğuksu/Atatürk Köşkü dolmuş or bus up the hill from Meydan Park, about 20 minutes.
• Meydan to Boztepe: the Meydan–Boztepe dolmuş goes straight to the hilltop tea gardens, with panoramic views over the city and sea.
• Meydan to Forum Trabzon mall: any Meydan–Forum–Kalkınma dolmuş, or an eastbound bus toward Değirmendere, about 10 minutes.
Day Trips: Sümela Monastery, Uzungöl and Beyond
Sümela Monastery (Maçka)
Take a Maçka-bound municipal bus (TULAŞ) or a local dolmuş from the Değirmendere transit hub to Maçka town center, about 60 TRY (€1.55). From there, transfer to a local Sümela shuttle, about 100–150 TRY (€2.60–3.90), to reach the national park entrance.
Alternative: book a direct round-trip tour minibus from a travel agency around Meydan Park, roughly 400–600 TRY (€10.50–15.50) for the transfer. Note that the monastery's museum entry — around €20 for foreign visitors — is paid separately at the ticket counter.
Uzungöl (Çaykara)
Take a municipal bus or a private Çaykara Tur coach from Trabzon Otogar or Değirmendere directly to Uzungöl, about 132–160 TRY (€3.40–4.15).
Rize and Ayder Plateau
Take a Havaş regional shuttle (about 320 TRY / €8.30) or an intercity bus eastbound along the coast to Rize. To continue on to Ayder Plateau, keep going to Ardeşen (about 350–400 TRY / €9.00–10.50) and transfer to a local Ayder dolmuş.
A Few Things I'd Tell a Friend
• Carry small cash notes. Dolmuş don't take cards or transit cards — keep some 20s, 50s and 100 TRY notes on you.
• The hills are no joke. Trabzon rises steeply from the coast. Take a dolmuş up to Boztepe or the Atatürk Pavilion, and only walk down if you're up for it.
• Meydan is the hub. Nearly every dolmuş and bus route starts or ends around Meydan Park (Atatürk Square) or the nearby Değirmendere transfer point.
• Your Istanbulkart won't work here. You'll need a Trabzonkart, the Trabzon Ulaşım app, or cash on the dolmuş.
• Service mostly stops by 23:00. After that, taxis and Havaş airport shuttles timed to late flights are really the only options.
FAQ
Does Trabzon have a metro or tram?
No. Transport here is entirely road-based — municipal buses, dolmuş minibuses, shuttles and taxis.
How late does public transport run?
Most dolmus and municipal buses run from about 06:00 to 23:00. After that, it's mainly taxis and Havaş airport shuttles timed to late flights.
Is it safe for tourists?
Yes — public transport in Trabzon is generally safe, clean and welcoming. As anywhere, keep an eye on your belongings during busy periods.