Car rental in Turkey

Car Rental in Turkey: Spectacular Landscapes and Rich Cultural Heritage

Turkey is a huge country with spectacular landscapes and jaw-dropping historical sights – not to mention excellent food and lively cultural activities. While cities like Istanbul can occupy you for ages, don’t make the mistake of staying put. Book your rental car today and see Turkey at its most expansive and most intimate.

Turkish is the only official language of Turkey, though about 10% of the population speaks Kurdish, and Laz and Arabic are frequently spoken along the northern and southern borders respectively. German, Dutch, and French are also widely spoken throughout Turkey, and the younger generations in particular are likely to speak English.

The currency is the Turkish lira, and credit and debit cards are widely accepted, particularly in larger cities and tourist destinations. You will likely have to enter a pin number to use your credit or debit card. Having some cash on hand is also prudent; ATMs are available in cities and towns of any size. Bargaining, particularly in markets, is expected.

Automobile hire is available in over 60 Turkish cities, but the most popular places to book and rent a car are Istanbul in the north along the Bosporus Strait, Izmir in the west, Dalaman, Antalya and Bodrum in the south, and Kayseri in central Turkey.

Visa Regulations

Citizens of over 60 nations can visit Turkey visa-free for between 30 and 90 days depending on their nationality. Citizens of a further 50 nations can visit Turkey with an online visa (which can also be attained at your point of entry via kiosk for a somewhat higher fee) for between 30 and 90 days depending on nationality and visa status in Schengen, US, UK, or Irish states. Regulations are highly variable according to nationality, so be sure to consult the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website before confirming any travel plans.

Driving in Turkey

While driving in Turkey’s larger cities can be somewhat chaotic, driving cross-country is a true pleasure. Roads are typically in great condition and fairly empty (likely due to high gas prices), making the views even more enjoyable. Make the most of your visit to Turkey by getting out of the city and exploring the landscape at its most intimate; book your rental car now!

Right-Hand Driving

• Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road throughout Turkey.

Speed Limits

• In cities and towns: 50 km/h
• On rural two-lane highways: 90 km/h
• On motorways: 120 km/h
• Speed is regulated by frequent police speed traps, so be sure to stick to the limit. You may also be stopped randomly, so have all your required documents on hand on a regular basis.

Other Regulations

1. Parking is regulated primarily by attendants on the street and in parking lots and garages. Ask your hotel for tips on the safest and most inexpensive places to park your rental car.
2. While some European driver’s licenses are sufficient to drive and rent in Turkey, an international driver’s permit is often required and therefore is prudent to have in addition to your valid domestic driver’s license.
3. Motorways, marked with green signs, are tolled throughout Turkey and are typically better maintained and provide much faster travel between, around, and through cities. Most motorways are now regulated electronically, though you should have some cash on hand for the occasional tollbooth. Ask your rental company if your car has been outfitted with a sticker or a tag to enable motorway travel.
4. The minimum driving and rental age in Turkey is 18, though you are required to have held your license for a full year in order to rent, and some agencies may require you to be at least 21 years old. Drivers under the age of 25 are likely to face young-driver surcharges.

Cheap Car Rental in Turkey

Automobile hire in Turkey typically starts at around $16 a day. Here are some of the best deals:

• Hyundai I10 or similar (mini class) – $16/day
• Citroen C3 or similar (economy class) – $17/day
• Renault Symbol or similar (compact class) – $18/day
• Honda Civic or similar (compact class) – $24/day
• Seat Toledo or similar (intermediate class) – $31/day

Note that prices vary depending on the availability of each specific car and the season in which you rent. For the most accurate offers, use the search bar above.

Tips for Renting a Car Inexpensively in Turkey

Windy Car and Essence Car Rental are routinely the cheapest rental car brands throughout Turkey, offering low prices at any of their locations, whether airports or elsewhere. Rentals in Antalya and Kayseri are typically a couple of euros cheaper than rentals in more populated areas, such as Istanbul.

There is very little seasonal variation in price throughout Turkey, though local inexpensive rental agencies are unlikely to have cars available to book more than nine months in advance of your arrival, in which case, you’ll spend $5 to $10 more per day to book a car from international brands such as Alamo.

You can also save upwards of $2 per day in rental fees if you extend your rental agreement to over a week.