Esenboğa International Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended…

Esenboğa is about 28 km north of Kızılay, the heart of the capital, with no rail connection at all: only the Havaş shuttle, public buses or taxis. For this reason, short layovers and dawn flights find a convenient solution in the small cluster of hotels a few minutes from the terminal, while those with business commitments or who want to visit Anıtkabir still need to allow 30-60 minutes of transfer depending on traffic.

Esenboğa, around the airport

Airport area · About 4-5 km and 5-10 minutes by car from the terminal.

Best for: Dawn flights and one-night layovers, staying a few minutes from the terminal instead of tackling the 28 km to the centre.

Pros

Both hotels a few minutes from check-in, handy for those departing before dawn
Lower prices than the hotels in the centre

Cons

An isolated area with no services outside the hotels themselves
For central Ankara you still need 30-60 minutes depending on traffic

Recommended hotels in this area

Holiday Inn Express - Ankara - Airport by IHG: About 4 km from the terminal, with 125 rooms; breakfast included in the price and among the features most praised by guests.
ibis Ankara Airport Hotel: About 5 km from the terminal, with 147 rooms, some connecting: handy for families in transit.

See more hotels in this area →

Kızılay and the business district

City centre · About 28-33 km and 30-35 minutes by car in normal conditions, up to 45-50 at rush hour (7-9 and 17-19); the Havaş shuttle connects the airport, Kızılay and the AŞTİ bus terminal in 45-60 minutes.

Best for: Those with business commitments or who want to visit Anıtkabir and the capital's museums.

Pros

Kızılay metro just steps away, for getting around the rest of the city without a car
Anıtkabir and the ministries reachable in a few minutes by taxi

Cons

No direct rail link with the airport: only shuttle, bus or taxi
At rush hour, the trip from the airport can take over an hour

Recommended hotels in this area

Sheraton Ankara Hotel & Convention Center: In the Kavaklıdere district, 4.4 km from the Kızılay metro; 306 rooms and a panoramic bar on the 22nd floor.
JW Marriott Hotel Ankara: In the Söğütözü business district, a few minutes from the Congresium convention centre and about 3.5 km from the Presidential Complex.

See more hotels in this area →