Getting Around Trabzon: An Overview
Trabzon is a compact Black Sea city whose main visitor sights cluster close together, but the terrain is the catch: the old town was built on a ridge between two ravines, so getting around on foot often means climbing. There is no train, no metro and no tram — Trabzon is the largest city in Turkey to entirely lack a railway, and although a line has long been discussed, nothing is in service for visitors today. Black Sea ferries no longer sail here either, so you won't be arriving or moving about by boat. In practice, visitors get around by dolmuş, city bus, taxi, on foot, or with a rental car for trips out of town.
Dolmuş: The Workhorse of Local Transport
Dolmuşes — shared minibuses — are the most common and versatile form of public transport in the city, and a swarm of them ply routes through Trabzon and out to other towns in the province. They run on fixed routes, but there are no designated stops: you flag one down anywhere along the route by waving, and the driver will drop you wherever you ask, provided it is safe and on the route. Route names are displayed in the front window.
- Pay the fare in cash directly to the driver on boarding; fares are inexpensive, so carry small Turkish lira notes.
- Make eye contact with the driver and confirm your destination before getting on.
- To get off, say "inecek var" or "müsait bir yerde".
- Dolmuşes generally run from roughly early morning until late evening.
- They can be crowded at peak hours and require climbing steps, so they are not well suited to travellers with mobility challenges.
For journeys within the city, a dolmuş is more likely to start from Meydan itself, on the southeast side beneath the viaduct of Yavuz Selim Bulvarı, and make multiple stops through town. For out-of-town services, head to the dolmuş gar on Çömlekçi Caddesi by the coastal highway, a short walk southeast of Meydan.
City Buses and the Trabzon Card
Municipality-run city buses cover more ground than the dolmuş routes and reach many of the city's attractions, though they run less frequently. Fares are paid with a prepaid contactless smart card — variously called the Trabzon Kart or Kentkart — which you tap on entry. The card can be bought and topped up at kiosks and at shops and machines selling snacks and drinks; the balance is shown on the card reader screen, and discounted categories exist for students, certain age groups, the elderly and the chronically ill.
- Buses run from early morning to late evening, with hours varying by route.
- Routes and schedules are hard to decipher without Turkish; mapping apps such as Moovit, Google Maps or Yandex Maps can help with planning.
- Expect crowding at peak times.
- Combo transport-and-entry passes are uncommon here compared with larger European cities.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Licensed taxis are yellow with a "Taksi" sign on the roof, and they are numerous in the city centre and at hotel stands; you can also hail one on the street. Taxis operate around the clock, and airport taxis are available at both the domestic and international terminal exits.
- Fares are metered — make sure the meter (taksimetre) is running when you set off. Some drivers offer fixed prices for popular routes, so agree the fare beforehand if there is no meter.
- Payment is almost always cash, and small denominations are helpful.
- Ride-hailing apps such as BiTaksi and Uber (which operates through local taxis in Turkey) show an estimated fare and driver details in advance; international apps like Lyft do not operate widely here.
- Taxis are the practical choice for late-night travel, luggage, and direct drop-offs at sites.
- Stick to licensed yellow taxis, and be wary of drivers who refuse the meter; having your destination written in Turkish helps.
Walking
The city centre around Atatürk Square (Meydan Parkı) is walkable, with shops, restaurants and key attractions close together, and the Black Sea promenade and the bazaar quarter are good for strolling. Walking will get you between the main sights of Meydan to the east, the central bazaar quarter, and the historic walled city to the southwest — the distances are short, but there is a lot of up and down.
- The terrain is hilly: expect inclines and stairs away from the coastal road, and wear comfortable shoes.
- Neighbourhoods such as Ortahisar, with the remnants of Trabzon Castle, require uphill walking.
- Pedestrian crossings may be less respected than in Western cities, so take care when crossing.
Arriving at Trabzon Airport
Trabzon Airport (TZX) sits a few kilometres east of the city centre and has the usual facilities, including car hire. Domestic connections are excellent, with frequent flights from Istanbul and at least daily services from Ankara, Izmir and Adana, plus international flights from Saudi Arabia, the Gulf and Ercan in Northern Cyprus. To reach the city:
- Havaş shuttle bus: an affordable, regular service linking the airport with the city centre at Meydan Parkı (and running on toward Rize via Beşirli).
- Minibuses: run from the airport to the city centre or the bus station.
- Taxi: available outside the terminal around the clock, but pricier than the shuttle.
- Private transfers: can be pre-booked if you prefer a fixed price and a direct drop-off.
- On foot to the dolmuş: alternatively, walk to the coastal highway and pick up a westbound dolmuş.
Car Rental and Regional Trips
A rental car is the most flexible way to reach the region's headline sights — Uzungöl Lake, Sumela Monastery and Çal Cave among them — and international and local agencies operate at Trabzon Airport and in the city centre. Book ahead, especially in peak season.
- You will usually need your national licence plus an International Driving Permit, along with a passport and credit card for the deposit; minimum rental ages typically fall between 21 and 25.
- Driving is on the right, seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants, and comprehensive insurance is recommended.
- City-centre traffic is dense and parking is scarce — paid car parks ("Otopark" signs) are often the only option.
- Roads outside the city are generally well maintained, but mountain roads are winding, steep and sometimes in poorer condition, and can be affected by fog, rain-induced landslides and winter snow.
- Cycling infrastructure is limited and motorcycle or scooter rentals are uncommon for tourists; some hotels may offer bicycle hire.
Reaching Key Sights Without a Car
- Hagia Sophia Mosque: west of the airport on the Black Sea, reachable by taxi or local transport; allow around half an hour for a visit.
- Sumela Monastery: in Maçka district, about an hour by car from the airport; dolmuşes serve the monastery during the tourist season, buses pass through Maçka, and some day buses combine Sumela with Karaca Cave. The final approach involves a walk through vegetation in Altındere National Park and a narrow staircase climb.
- Atatürk Köşkü: reachable by car, dedicated Köşk buses, or taxi.
- Uzungöl: there is no direct bus from Trabzon; take a bus to Araklı or Sürmene and continue by taxi.
Practical Tips
- Carry small Turkish lira notes — cards are not universally accepted, especially on local transport.
- A few words of Turkish go a long way: "nereye gidiyor?" (where does this go?) and "teşekkür ederim" (thank you).
- Winter weather can disrupt road travel to higher elevations, and mobile data coverage can be patchy in the mountains — download offline maps.
- Expect congestion around Atatürk Square at rush hour.