What a first-time arrival at Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) needs to know, in short: the airport is 14 km south of the city centre, within the Gaziemir and Menderes districts; there are separate terminals for domestic and international flights, and you reach the city by private car, Havaş shuttle, ESHOT bus or train. Used by more than 10.5 million passengers in 2023, the airport is operated by TAV Airports.
Which Terminals Does Izmir Airport Have?
Izmir Airport has two main passenger terminals:
- International Terminal: opened on 9 September 2006; international flights operate from here.
- Domestic Terminal: opened on 17 March 2014; domestic flights depart and arrive here.
If you have a connecting flight, allow time to move between the two terminals and check the terminal shown on your ticket.
What Happens After Landing?
After you leave the aircraft, the steps are:
- International passengers first pass passport control; domestic passengers go straight to baggage claim.
- The baggage belt number is shown on the hall screens; pushchairs and oversized items are delivered at a separate point.
- International passengers then pass through customs after collecting their bags.
- Finally you reach the arrivals exit, where greeters and transfer drivers wait.
Where Do You Meet the Driver?
With a private transfer, the driver waits at the arrivals exit with a sign bearing your name. We explained how meeting your driver changed with Izmir Airport's silent terminal policy, which cut announcements, in our silent terminal guide.
Egem VIP Transfer tracks your flight in real time; if the plane is delayed, the driver arrives for the new landing time and there is no waiting charge. Keeping your phone on speeds up the meeting at busy times.
How Do You Get from the Airport to the City and Resorts?
The main ways to leave the airport are:
- Havaş: serves Bornova, Çeşme, Karşıyaka, Konak, Selçuk and Urla, as well as some districts of Aydın and Manisa.
- ESHOT buses: city buses, including line 206, reach the centre.
- Train: Adnan Menderes Airport station is in front of the domestic terminal.
- Private transfer: door to door, with no changes.
We compared the options in terms of time and luggage in our transfer, car rental or bus guide.
How Long Does It Take to Reach Each Area?
Approximate times by private car from the airport: Izmir centre and Alsancak about 30 minutes, Urla 50 minutes to 1 hour, Çeşme and Kuşadası 1–1.5 hours, Didim 1.5–2 hours, Bodrum 3–3.5 hours. For Bodrum, we discussed choosing between Izmir and Milas in our Izmir or Milas? guide. If you are staying in the city, see our where to stay in Izmir guide.
When Should You Be at the Airport for Your Return Flight?
On the way back, plan to arrive at least 1.5 hours before a domestic flight and at least 2.5–3 hours before an international flight. In summer, security and passport queues at the international terminal can get long.
When setting the pick-up time from your hotel, allow for:
- Your hotel's distance from the airport and the traffic at that hour.
- Heavy traffic from Çeşme and Bodrum on summer weekends and public holidays.
- Extra steps such as returning a rental car or claiming a tax refund.
What Is There for Disabled and Reduced-Mobility Passengers?
You can find details of the airport's accessibility measures and the certificate it received in our accessibility certificate guide. Report any need for a wheelchair or assistance both to your airline and in your transfer booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Izmir Airport from the city centre?
The airport is 14 km south of the city centre; the centre is about 30 minutes away by private car.
What is Izmir Airport's code?
The IATA code is ADB and the ICAO code is LTBJ.
Are the domestic and international terminals separate?
Yes. The international terminal opened in 2006 and the domestic terminal in 2014.
Is there a bus from the airport to Çeşme?
Yes, Havaş runs to Çeşme; a private transfer is faster for door-to-door travel.
Will the driver wait if my flight is delayed?
Yes. The flight is tracked and there is no waiting charge for delays.