Driving In Turkey – FAQ Guide On All You Need To Know

Co-authored by SJ, who has undertaken numerous road trips across Turkey, and Nicky, who brings a wealth of knowledge from 12 years of living and driving in the country.

This guide merges their invaluable experiences, offering you a comprehensive overview of everything you want to know about driving in Turkey. From navigating Turkish roads to essential car rental tips. 

We’ve addressed every frequently asked question you might have, ensuring a smooth and memorable driving experience in Turkey.

Despite the admittedly sheer size of Turkey, you should consider driving in Turkey as your driving in Türkiye is actually pretty easy. If you’re considering visiting Turkey and want to get around on your own steam, you’ll find excellent motorways and beautiful scenery on your road trip in Türkiye.

Turkey has land and sea borders, so it’s possible to travel into Türkiye from Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. In order to do so, you will need to have your passport and your car papers, including insurance and an international driving license.

Many companies will not allow you to cross land borders with a hire car in Turkey. Luckily, there are plenty of fantastic road trips in Türkiye to do, so you won’t have to leave the country in the first place! However, if you plan to rent a car in Turkey, you’ll need to pick up your vehicle in Türkiye and return it before leaving.

Let’s look closer at hiring a car in Turkey and a few driving tips you need to know before arriving.

Rental Car Companies In Türkiye

The following car rental companies are commonly found in Turkey:

• Enterprise Rent a Car
• Rent Cars Türkiye
• Europcar
• Hertz
• Avis
• Budget
• Green Motion Car Rental
• VIP Cars
• Wish Car Rental
• Sixt Rent a Car
• InterRent
• Thrifty Car Rental
• Circular Car Hire
• Goldcar
• Avento
• First, Rent a Car

You’ll also find countless car hire companies that are unique to a particular town. These usually offer lower prices than some of the bigger named companies at airports and in large cities.

Hire Car Tips For Turkey 

If you’re thinking about renting a car in Türkiye, which in our opinion, is the best way to get around Turkey, there are some things you’ll need to know first. Read the travel tips for Türkiye road trips below to be as prepared as possible.

Always Book Ahead Of Time In Large Cities/Airports

You can often visit a car hire office in smaller resorts and find reasonable prices. Still, large cities and airports won’t give you these benefits, and you’ll struggle to find a suitable car or pay a considerable amount for it. It’s better to book online ahead of your visit if possible, especially in large cities.

You May Need To Show A Return Flight Ticket

This isn’t a necessary rule for all car hire companies, but some airport car hire offices (Enterprise especially) may ask to see your return flight ticket before they will rent a vehicle to you. This may be problematic if you’re considering booking your return ticket at the last minute, so be aware.

Car Insurance

Car insurance for minor accidents is typically included in the cost of the car rental. Still, you may also opt to add comprehensive accident insurance as you will be driving in a foreign country which brings its own risks.

Beware Of One Way Rental Fees

If you want to pick up your car in Istanbul and return it to Izmir, you may find yourself falling foul of one-way rental fees. To avoid this, you must return your vehicle to where you picked it up. Not all companies enforce this rule, but again, it’s something to be careful of.

We hired a car at Denizli airport and dropped it off at Izmir airport two days later after an epic road trip. The rental charge was €85 – and the one-way fee was an added €45.

If you do not plan your itinerary well, these fees can be huge. 

Check For Any Prior Damage Before You Take To Rent A Car

Before you accept the car, look carefully to spot any visual damage, note it down, take a photograph, or better yet, record video of the vehicle and keep this close at hand if you’re somehow blamed for the damage when you return the car.

You’ll Need A Credit Card In Your Name

To hire a car in Turkey, you’ll need to show a credit card in your name, which will be pre-approved in case of any damage or non-return of the vehicle. You don’t have to pay for the car with this card, but you must have it pre-approved.

Minimum Age To Rent A Car In Turkey

You need to be 21 years of age to rent a car in Türkiye, but the driving age is 18.

Refill The Fuel & Clean The Car At The End Of Your Road Trip

When you return the car, ensure it has been refilled and cleaned. If it’s less than complete, you’ll be charged the extra to top it up and probably have a hefty fee, and if it’s filthy, you’ll also be charged. Consider getting a car wash or vacuum at the gas station before returning the vehicle.

Return Your Car On Time

If you rent your car at 11:00, make sure you return it at the same time (or earlier if possible) on the return date to avoid extra fees. If you think you will be late, call the rental company to let them know, as this may help you avoid any additional charges. 

Consider A Campervan

Renting a campervan is becoming more common, especially considering road trips through Turkey can be long. It’s an excellent way to see the country, so if you’re in the mood to drive something a little different, it’s a great option!

Brands We Use And Trust

  

Tips For Driving In Turkey

Driving Your Own Vehicle

If you are coming to Turkey from neighboring Europe or the UK and want to drive your own car instead of renting, keep these things in mind: 

1. You must be 18 years old
2. Bring your driving license (International Driving Permits are not required unless you plan to be in the country over 3 months)
3. Bring the original vehicle registration, which must have the same name on it as your passport and driving license
4. Third party insurance is required along with the green card that provides proof of it. If needed, you can obtain this insurance at the Turkish border

Basic Traffic Rules

An Electronic Supervision System monitors Turkey and cameras will immediately penalize cars found breaking traffic rules by tracing the license holder.

Important traffic rules to remember are:

1. Fasten your seatbelt
2. Do not cross a red light
3. Do not make a turn in areas marked explicitly with no-turn signs
4. Vehicles coming from the right, traveling on the main road or already in a roundabout all have priority
5. Do not drive while intoxicated
6. Do not use a mobile phone while driving
7. Do not drive over the speed limit by 10%
8. Do not recklessly overtake on Turkish roads
9. Do not park in spaces designated for disabled drivers

Fines

You can expect to receive a fine if you break common traffic rules. Fines can be issued by police officers or by cameras.

If you receive a fine directly from an officer, you can pay it via PTT (the national post office) or online. We highly recommend getting help from the rental agency before doing so.

If the camera captures your violation, the car plate will be fined, and you can talk with the rental agency about the best way to pay this (usually online).

Local Tip: If you pay fines within 15 days, you receive a discount on your ticket.

Below are some typical fines for violations in Turkish Lira.

• Not using a seat belt: 196 TL
• Crossing a red light: 427 TL
• Using a mobile phone while driving: 427 TL
• Going over the speed limit by 10% to 30%: 427 TL
• Driving over the speed limit by 30% to 50%: 888 TL
• Driving over the speed limit by more than 50%: 1,823 TL
• Parking in a place reserved for disabled drivers: 392 TL

Toll Roads

The HGS system is in place between large cities, especially if you’re driving to Istanbul. This electric toll system tracks a vehicle via a compulsory device that all cars must have. The toll cost is then collected electronically.

If you’re using a hire car in Türkiye, you’ll be informed of any toll costs you must pay when you return your vehicle.

Outside of big cities, you may come across tolls and these can be paid via cash or credit card.

Local Tip: Ask the car rental company if an HGS device is installed on your rental car and how you will be expected to pay for the tolls on your trip.

Istanbul Traffic

To say that Istanbul’s traffic is a problem does not do it justice. Driving in Istanbul can be a total nightmare; it can take hours to get to where you want to go at certain times of the day. Thanks to faster roads, the Asian side tends to move a little faster than the European side, but that doesn’t mean you’re not likely to get caught up in some traffic at some point.

Avoid between 5 to 7 pm any day of the week, and Saturdays, in particular, are a problem no matter what the time. Also, driving in Istanbul between 8 and 10 am can also be a problem in central areas.

One of the most important driving in Turkey advice we can give you is to avoid driving in Istanbul, especially with a rental car. There’s plenty of public transportation available to get around this huge city.

Lack Of Free Parking

There is very little free parking in Türkiye as a whole, but especially in Istanbul; instead, you’ll have to pay for street parking or a use a multi-story car park hourly. Look for the İSPARK signs or use Google Maps to find these locations along the road. Parking officers will give you a receipt after you park and you can make a cash or card payment with them.

Parking costs vary, but you can expect to pay around 15-20TL per hour, on average.

If you are in an area of Istanbul without İSPARK signs and there is someone trying to direct you to a parking space, they are likely part of a parking lot mafia known as “değnekçi” and you should look for a different place to park.

When parking in other cities, you will find it to be a much simpler process. Parking lot municipalities along with roadside parking are plentiful, so you will not run into the same congestion as Istanbul. 

Roundabouts

In most European countries, roundabout rules follow the same rules, with priority belonging to the vehicle already in the roundabout. Don’t be surprised, however, to find this rule violated a lot in Turkey.

Even if you are in a roundabout, other drivers (often taxis, buses and minibuses) will also enter the roundabout at any given moment, without waiting for anyone else. While this can feel intimidating, know that it is normal.

Be extra vigilant and careful when entering and driving in roundabouts. Drive at a comfortable speed to you, and, if needed, give way to any impatient vehicle nearby.

Speed Limits In Turkey

Driving limits are in place, and these are “officially” enforced. However, don’t be surprised to find drivers choosing their own speed from time to time. By no means does this mean you should join in on the act, as police can and do stop speeding drivers.

In towns and cities, the official speed is 50 km/h; on double lane roads, it is 90 km/h; on intercity dual roadways, it is 110 km/h; on motorways, it is 120 km/h, and on open roads, it is also 90 km/h.

Note: The 90 km/h refers to highways with oncoming traffic. If there is a central reservation or fence between the two directions of traffic, then the speed is 110 km/h, and on toll roads, the limit is 120 km/h.

Road Quality

Most roads are of good standard throughout the country. You will, however, notice that the more off the beaten path you venture, the rougher the roads become. 

In general, motorways and national roads are very smooth, offering the best driving experience.

Gas & Fuel Stations In Turkey

Gas stations in Turkey provide 24-hour service with attendants that will pump the gas for you. Just let them know how much you want them to fill.

You can pay the attendant with cash or you can use your card inside the station market. You will just need to let the cashier know the pump you are at. You can also fill up on groceries, beverages and other typical convenience store items while there. 

Turkey Car Rental FAQs

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Final Thoughts On Driving In Turkey

Turkish driving manners can be, shall we say… assertive. There are some crazy drivers in Türkiye, but the same can be said for any country. The roads are high quality and, for the most part, extremely safe. However, you will need to stick to speed limits and always wear a seatbelt, even if local drivers don’t occasionally do the same.

If you keep all these tips for driving in Turkey in mind, traveling by car is easily the best way of getting around Türkiye. After all, nothing offers you the sheer amount of freedom and flexibility that your own set of wheels can provide while sightseeing following your own itinerary.

Driving in Turkey shouldn’t be avoided as it’s a great way to get around and see more, but you must be cautious and stick to the rules.