Rent a car in Turkey

Yes, between major cities and airports — Istanbul ↔ Antalya, Antalya ↔ Izmir, Antalya ↔ Dalaman and similar pairings. The drop-off fee starts at $200–300 depending on distance and supplier. In high season these cars run out fast, so book early. Returning the car outside Turkey is not permitted.

Not by law, but strongly recommended in eastern Turkey, the Taurus mountains, Cappadocia and the Black Sea coast from November to April. Snow chains are useful as a back-up on steep mountain roads. Studded tyres are forbidden anywhere in Turkey. For Antalya, Bodrum and Izmir, winter tyres are usually unnecessary.

Istanbul IST suits the city and the north-west. Sabiha Gökçen SAW is closer to the Asian side and a useful base for Cappadocia. Antalya AYT is the main hub for the Turkish Riviera. Dalaman DLM serves Marmaris, Fethiye and Ölüdeniz; Bodrum BJV the Aegean coast; Izmir ADB Ephesus and Çeşme.

It happens more often in Turkey than in Western Europe. Some suppliers hand the car over with a minimal amount of fuel and ask for it back the same way — the full-to-full convention isn't universal here. Photograph the dashboard at collection and make sure the fuel level is recorded on the inspection sheet by the supplier.

Not with our local suppliers. A debit card, Maestro or contactless is enough for the online deposit, and the balance plus refundable security deposit can be paid in cash on collection (EUR, USD or Turkish lira). A credit card in the main driver's name is required only by the international chains that work in Turkey to their own standards.

Yes. EU and EEA licences are accepted directly. UK licences are accepted for tourists for up to six months from your date of entry. Older paper UK licences and stays longer than a few weeks are easier with an International Driving Permit alongside. Foreign licences in non-Latin alphabets typically require an IDP.

For EU drivers, no. For UK drivers, an IDP is officially recommended by gov.uk and easy to get from the Post Office for £5.50, valid one year. It's not a strict requirement at most rental desks, but it removes the small risk of a misunderstanding at a Turkish police checkpoint and is standard for any longer trip.

21 with at least two years of driving experience. Premium cars, 4×4s and minivans usually require 25. Drivers aged 21–24 pay a young driver surcharge of around $10 per day. There is rarely an upper age limit, though some suppliers ask for a medical note above 70.

It depends on the car class: roughly $100 for economy, $200–300 for mid-range and up to $500 for a minivan. With local suppliers the deposit is usually paid in cash and returned on the spot when the car is handed back undamaged. Zero-deposit tariffs exist if you pay for Full Coverage upfront.

HGS is the only electronic toll system on Turkish motorways since 2022. Every hire car has an active sticker and the charge is deducted as you pass under the gantry. Rough figures: Istanbul to Ankara around ₺150, Istanbul to Izmir around ₺500. The supplier bills HGS after the car is returned, with a small admin fee fixed in the contract.

Only when crossing Europe to Asia. The three suspension bridges (15 Temmuz, Fatih, Yavuz) are free in the opposite direction. The Osmangazi Bridge on the Izmir motorway and the Eurasia Tunnel under the Bosphorus charge both ways. Payment is HGS only — neither cash nor cards are accepted at the toll point.

0.5‰ for a driver alone in the car, and 0.0‰ as soon as any passenger — adult or child — is on board. This rule catches a lot of visitors out. Motorbikes, vans and any vehicle with a trailer have a 0.2‰ limit. The fine for a first offence is roughly ₺6,400 and any insurance becomes void above 0.5‰.

Yes. Turkish law requires a police report (call 154, the traffic police) for any damage, including a scratch. Without it the insurance does not pay out and the repair is taken from your deposit. Don't move the car until the police arrive. Let your supplier know in parallel — they'll guide you on the spot.

Crossing into Greece, Bulgaria, Armenia, Iran, Syria or Iraq is not allowed — insurance is void at the border. Georgia is sometimes possible with individual permission and a surcharge of $100–200. Northern Cyprus is occasionally allowed by ferry from Taşucu or Mersin with written approval. The Republic of Cyprus is closed to Turkish hire cars.

Often yes — 150–250 km per day with some Turkish suppliers, which is a step away from the unlimited mileage that's standard in much of Europe. Going over costs $0.20–1 per km. For long routes such as Istanbul to Cappadocia (730 km) or Antalya to Pamukkale (240 km), choose an unlimited-mileage tariff at booking.