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A self-drive holiday in Turkey is certainly an enjoyable and unique way to explore every corner of the region you choose to visit. Given the distance involved, it’s definitely advisable to hire a car once you arrive in Turkey, most likely at one of Istanbul’s airports.
Istanbul is an expansive city with plenty to see both in the city centre and its surrounding areas, which is why hiring a car could be the best way to explore some of the more peripheral parts of its territory and, most importantly, attractions in nearby towns. Istanbul, in fact, is a heavily congested area, so to visit the main city sites in the ancient Constantinople district, it’s advisable to use public transport such as the metro, tram or funicular.
With a car at your disposal, you can instead organise a tour of interesting nearby towns and reach some of the most popular seaside destinations for relaxation and fun. Many of the most sought-after tourist attractions, particularly outside the city area, and some of the finest beaches, can be very difficult to reach by public transport. Fortunately, car rental is no longer as expensive: especially when booking online in advance, you can find excellent rates and various promotions.
In this article, we want to provide information and suggestions to help you hire the car that best suits your needs during your trip to Istanbul.
The prices of car rental at the in Turkey varies depending on the time of year. This graph shows the average prices in the various months to help you find out which is the best period to rent a low cost car.
Among the first advantages to consider when undecided about whether to rent a car is certainly that a vehicle allows you to avoid the constraints imposed by both public transport and organised tours. The areas surrounding Istanbul are in fact rich in sites and towns of great interest that are worth exploring at your own pace and in the way you prefer.
This is denied to those travelling by public transport, as it must necessarily follow set schedules and predetermined routes. Not only historically and culturally rich towns but also some quieter, more secluded beaches near Istanbul are often not reachable by metro or train, so having a car at your disposal makes a huge difference in those cases.
Being one of the world’s most important cities, Istanbul is home to the major international car rental companies as well as some small local agencies. If you intend to visit central Istanbul in the first few days of your holiday, you won’t need a car and you can consider the idea of renting a car in the city to take excursions to nearby locations not accessible by public transport.
Several rental agencies are located at numerous points throughout the city, but carefully consider whether to choose an office near the centre or one slightly further out. The first option has the benefit that you’ll likely be able to reach the agency very easily on foot or with a quick trip on public transport; the second option, instead, allows you to avoid driving in Istanbul’s central areas, an experience that can prove challenging in such an expansive and congested city.
One last detail to consider always concerns price and rental conditions, as sometimes it could actually be more convenient to take the car at the airport even if you don’t use it in the first few days, since the daily rental price of a vehicle often decreases if you book for multiple days.
Along the Mediterranean and Aegean coast, the airports of Antalya, Bodrum-Milas and Dalaman are ideal starting points for exploring seaside locations. Antalya Airport, in particular, is the country’s second busiest for international traffic and has a large area dedicated to car rental services. From here you can easily reach Alanya, Fethiye or Marmaris. Izmir Airport, on the other hand, serves the northern Aegean coast and is perfect for those wanting to visit Ephesus and the Çeşme peninsula.
In city centres rental options are nonetheless numerous, with offices located in central areas and commercial districts. In Istanbul, for example, you can find agencies in the Beyoğlu neighbourhood or in the Sultanahmet area. However, airport car rental remains advisable to avoid the chaotic traffic of major Turkish cities in your first hours of driving and to benefit from generally more favourable rates.
Popular coastal destinations such as Bodrum, Kuşadası, Kaş or Kalkan have local agencies offering competitive services, particularly useful if you’ve already reached your destination and decide to rent a vehicle only for some excursions. In inland cities like Ankara or Bursa, car rental is possible but the supply is more limited compared to the main airports.
If you arrive in Istanbul by air and have planned to visit its surrounding areas, you can consider renting a car directly at your arrival airport. By doing so, as soon as you arrive you can pick up your pre-booked rental car and set off on your journey without having to depend on public transport schedules or spending money on taxis or transfers. Furthermore, it should be noted that car rental rates at airports are generally lower than those of city agencies, and the choice of available models is often much wider.
The Istanbul Airport, the country’s main hub located about 40 kilometres from the city centre, hosts desks of all the major rental companies in both the international and domestic arrivals areas. Here you’ll find a wide range of vehicles available and you can compare offers from different companies right on the spot.
Below are the cheapest prices for car hire at at the Airport of Istanbul, to book click here.
According to reviews by other travellers, the following are the best car rental companies at the Airport of Istanbul. To compare rates click here.
The Sabiha Gökçen Airport, on the Asian side of Istanbul, also offers multiple rental options with often more competitive prices.
Below are the cheapest prices for car hire at at the Airport of Istanbul Sabiha Gokçen, to book click here.
According to reviews by other travellers, the following are the best car rental companies at the Airport of Istanbul Sabiha Gokçen. To compare rates click here.
Renting a car is particularly advisable for various types of travellers such as:
A very important tip when it comes to renting a car is certainly to book your vehicle before you leave, especially if you choose to travel during peak season such as the summer months. By booking a car online in advance, there are certainly several advantages, including savings: this way you can calmly check the rates of the main rental agencies, compare available vehicles and their features.
Booking in advance, in fact, allows you to have a greater choice of vehicles and this will enable you to select the car most suited to your needs and requirements. Another important advantage of booking online is that it gives travellers time to read and compare not only prices, but also the conditions imposed by different companies and the various insurance policies.
Taking a rental car on the spot, instead, often risks not having much choice among available vehicles and having to accept the price and conditions offered. Among the important details to examine whenever you take a rental vehicle are certainly the presence and amount of the excess, the type of insurance included and the fuel policy. Remember also that to rent a car you need to present a credit card in the name of the driver (or one of the drivers) of the vehicle.
Driving in Turkey requires care and adaptability to local conditions, which can differ significantly from those in Europe. Traffic in major cities like Istanbul, Ankara or Izmir is chaotic and congested, with a driving style that can seem aggressive by Western standards. Turkish drivers tend to disregard safe distances and make heavy use of the horn, whilst traffic rules are not always strictly observed. It’s advisable to avoid driving in central Istanbul if possible, using the vehicle instead to get around once you’ve left the metropolis towards other destinations on your itinerary.
Turkish motorways, called “otoyol”, are generally modern and well-maintained, with tolls managed through the HGS electronic system. Most rental companies provide a pre-installed HGS device that will automatically charge tolls at the end of your rental, eliminating the need to stop at toll booths. Pay particular attention to speed limits: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h on country roads and 120 km/h on motorways, with frequent radar checks and hefty fines for speeding.
Secondary and rural roads can present varying conditions: whilst main routes are generally tarmacked and well-signposted, some roads in central or eastern Anatolia or in mountainous areas can be narrow, winding and have deteriorated asphalt. During winter, central and eastern Anatolia areas are subject to heavy snowfall that can make some secondary roads impassable. Road signage is present but not always clear, with signs often only in Turkish Latin alphabet. A GPS navigator or the use of offline maps on your smartphone are essential, especially in rural areas where internet coverage can be limited.
Fuel is widely available along main routes, with service stations of local and international companies. Petrol prices in Turkey are relatively high compared to the European average, with diesel slightly cheaper. In remote areas, it’s prudent to fill up when possible rather than wait until you’re nearly out of fuel. Night driving in rural areas requires particular caution due to the presence of stray domestic animals and the sometimes poor state of street lighting.
To drive in Turkey, a European driving licence is sufficient, valid throughout Turkish territory. However, you must carry your passport or identity card, along with the vehicle documents and insurance certificate. Police traffic checks are frequent, especially along main roads and at city entrances. Driving under the influence of alcohol is strictly prohibited, with very restrictive limits and severe penalties for violations.
Here are some quick answers to the most common doubts about car rental in Turkey.
To reserve a car in Turkey a credit card or debit card is sufficient. However, when you go to collect the car, you will need:
The car rental companies in Turkey allow to rent a car to all those who are between 21 and 70 years old. However, there is an additional cost for under 25 and for those over 70.
A car rental in Turkey always includes:
Any extras or additional insurance coverage are separate.
Find the best rates by comparing all car rental companies in one search.
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