Rent a car in Turkey

Yes. One-way rentals are available between major cities and airports, including Istanbul–Antalya, Antalya–Izmir and Antalya–Dalaman. The fee starts at around $200–300, depending on the distance and supplier. Availability can be limited in the high season, 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.

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 most of our local suppliers. You can use a debit card or Maestro for the online prepayment, then pay the remaining balance and refundable deposit in cash when you collect the car, in euros, US dollars or Turkish lira. International chains usually require a credit card in the main driver's name.

Yes. Licences issued in the EU and EEA are accepted directly, and UK licences are accepted for tourist visits of up to six months from the date of entry. If you have an older paper UK licence or are staying for an extended period, carry an International Driving Permit as well. Licences written in a non-Latin script generally require an IDP.

EU drivers do not normally need an International Driving Permit. UK guidance recommends carrying one, and it can be obtained before travel. Although most rental desks accept a UK licence without an IDP, the permit can help avoid misunderstandings during a police check, particularly on a longer trip.

The minimum age is usually 21, with at least two years of driving experience. Premium cars, 4×4s and minivans generally require a minimum age of 25. Drivers aged 21–24 may pay a young-driver fee of around $10 per day. There is rarely a fixed upper age limit, although some suppliers request a medical certificate from drivers over 70.

The deposit depends on the car category: around $100 for an economy car, $200–300 for a mid-size car and up to $500 for a minivan. Local suppliers usually accept the deposit in cash and return it when you hand back the car undamaged. Some cars are available without a deposit if you purchase Full Coverage in advance.

Istanbul Airport (IST) is convenient for the city and north-western Turkey, while Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) is closer to Istanbul's Asian side. Antalya Airport (AYT) is the main hub for the Turkish Riviera. Dalaman (DLM) serves Marmaris, Fethiye and Ölüdeniz; Bodrum (BJV) is convenient for the Aegean coast; and İzmir (ADB) is best for Ephesus and Çeşme.

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.

The blood-alcohol limit is 0.5‰ for drivers of private cars. Stricter limits apply to professional drivers, commercial vehicles and some other vehicle categories. The fine for a first offence is around ₺6,400, and rental insurance becomes invalid if the driver is over the applicable legal limit.

Yes. A police report is normally required for any damage, including a small scratch. Without one, the insurer may reject the claim and the repair cost may be deducted from your deposit. Call the traffic police, do not move the car until instructed, and notify the supplier at the same time so they can guide you through the process.

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.

Some Turkish suppliers limit mileage to 150–250 km per day, rather than offering the unlimited mileage common elsewhere in Europe. Additional kilometres cost around $0.20–1 each. For long routes such as Istanbul to Cappadocia, about 730 km, or Antalya to Pamukkale, about 240 km, choose a rate with unlimited mileage when booking.