Car Rental in Turkey

Turkey is an amazing destination to explore by car. From stunning mountains to coasts of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean to great cities and distinct cultural regions, it is one of the most diverse countries on earth.

Having your own ride will also give you the freedom to explore the countryside where the true Turkish hospitality (and some of the best traditional food) can be found. It can also help you avoid the long-distance buses in Turkey, which are not known to be the most comfortable form of public transportation.

If you want to know more about renting a car in Turkey, don't miss our complete guide.

• Istanbul Airport: Opened in 2019 when it replaced the Ataturk Airport, Istanbul Airport is one of the largest and busiest in the world. The main port of entry for foreign visitors, it serves flights to and from destinations all around the world. Istanbul is also served by the smaller Sabiha Gokcen Airport that is a hub for low-cost Pegasus Airlines.
• Antalya Airport: Serving the coastal city of the same name, Antalya Airport is the largest on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast as it offers flights by tens of airlines, including a number of charter and low-cost companies.
• Izmir Airport: Serving the metropolis of Izmir, Turkey’s third-largest city, Adnan Menderes Airport handles about 13 million passengers every year. 
• Ankara Airport: With about 16 million travelers handled every year, Ankara Esenboğa Airport serves not just Turkey’s capital city, but also much of the central portion of the country.

• Istanbul. Straddling two continents, not just geographically, but also culturally, it is no exaggeration that Istanbul is among the most interesting cities on the planet. Known for its countless historical and architectural landmarks that embody various famous eras of the city’s history, Istanbul is – just as importantly for a traveler – a hub of contemporary culture, entertainment, and cuisine.
• Izmir. A large city in the southwestern part of the country, Izmir has long been known for its distinct culture, busy port life, and liberal atmosphere. The city is rich in attractions and also offers access to Turkey’s Aegean beaches.
• Mediterranean Coast. From Marmaris in the west to Iskenderun in the east, the Turkish Mediterranean is arguably the most popular tourist attraction in the country. The region is famous not just for its lavish resorts, but also for some of the best-preserved ancient sites in the region.
• Ruins of Ephesus. Once the seat of the Roman Empire, this ancient city is filled with fascinating temples and monuments. Visitors can explore the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, as well as other ruins from different periods of its long history.
• Hierapolis-Pamukkale. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to stunning travertine terraces and hot springs. The city was once an important religious center dedicated to the god Apollo, and has been destroyed and rebuilt many times throughout history.
• Trabzon. Located on the Black Sea coast, not too far from the border with Georgia, Trabzon is one of the most interesting and atmospheric cities of Turkey. In addition to a history that spans millennia, it provides access to the nearby Sumelia Monastery, several spectacular nature reserves, and the unexplored Turkish Northeast in general.

The most popular rental car in Turkey is the Hyundai i20, followed by the Ford Fiesta and the Opel Corsa.

• Turkey recognizes foreign driver’s licenses from around the world if they are valid and if you’re visiting on a trip that’s shorter than six months. If you’re in Turkey for longer than that period or reside there permanently, you need to acquire a local driver’s license instead.
• If your driver’s license is printed in a non-Latin alphabet (Cyrillic, Arabic, etc.), you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP).
• Similarly, if your driver’s license doesn’t show your photograph, you might be required to have an IDP.
• Even if you have an IDP, you need to also carry your original driver’s license as you might be asked to show both.
• You must carry your driver’s license, not a copy, with you at all times. 
• You need to have had your driver’s license for at least one or two years (depending on the supplier).
• Some rental car providers charge a young driver fee for drivers between the ages of 22 and 25 and a senior driver fee for drivers over the age of 65.
• You must be at least 21 years old to rent a car in Turkey.
• There may be additional requirements depending on the car provider and car category, so make sure to check the rental conditions before booking.

Crossing borders:

Turkey is bordered by Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan (via its exclave Nakhchivan), Iran, Iraq, and Syria. The border with Armenia is closed and there is only one place to cross the border into Syria (Bab al-Hawa). Most governments also advise against travel to Iraq.

Each of Turkey’s neighbors has its own visa policy. Depending on your citizenship, you may need a visa or may not even be permitted to cross the border. We strongly advise getting in touch with your Ministry of Foreign Affairs in advance to find out whether you can enter any specific country in the region. Generally speaking, Greece, Bulgaria, and Georgia are the most accessible neighbors of Turkey, but the ability to cross any specific border still depends on your citizenship and the visa policy of the specific country. 

Even if you can visit a neighboring country, most car rental providers in Turkey do not permit crossing the border in a rental car. You can find the ones that do (e.g., between Thessaloniki or Sofia and Istanbul or between Trabzon and Georgia) by entering your car pick-up and drop-off locations in our website’s search. 

The most popular car type in Turkey is Economy, followed by Compact and Mini. 

Turkey is a mountainous country, so if you plan to drive outside large cities, some terrains might be challenging and picking a larger rental might be a good choice.

• Black Sea Coast. Not as popular as the Mediterranean coast at the other end of the country, Turkey’s Black Sea shoreline is nonetheless a great place to visit. The temperatures are notably more moderate here, but summers are still lovely for swimming and suntanning. The region also harbors attractions like impressive coastal mountains, the beautiful city of Samsun and the impressive Sümela Monastery.
• Ankara. Turkey’s capital is not just the country’s political center, it is also a great place to visit as a traveler. Once inhabited by various ancient civilizations, it is rich in historical attractions and architecture. It is also the place where the various and distinct (but equally delicious) Turkish culinary styles are said to meet.
• Eastern Anatolia. A relatively remote region as it still gets very few foreign visitors, Eastern Anatolia is the right destination for travelers looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination. Attractions here include the famous Lake Van, the ancient Armenian capital of Ani that’s also called the city of 1001 churches, and the beautiful mosque of Battalgazi.
• Cappadocia. The region is full of spectacular landscapes, ancient cities, rock-cut churches and monasteries, underground settlements, cave dwellings and epic fairy chimneys. It has a wide range of activities, from hiking to hot air balloon rides and more!

You can do a number of things to get a good car rental deal in Turkey:

• Compare rates
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements