While most people will not want to rent a car in Turkey to drive in huge cities like Istanbul, it can be a fantastic way to access other areas of the country that are usually only visited on guided tours or by slow and expensive public transport. Popular routes include the Aegean Coast (including Butterfly Valley), Cappadocia, and the one-day drive from Istanbul to the ancient city of Ephesus.
Many of the highways in Turkey operate on a modern toll collection system, for which it is possible to get an electronic HGS or OGS card. These automatically charge the toll fee when the car passes through the sensor—the driver just needs to make sure they’re in the correctly marked lane. Many rental cars already come equipped with these, but check with your agency before setting off. Highway tolls are typically around 2-3 TRY (0.35-0.50 USD) each.
Children under 10 years old may not travel in the front seat of a car in Turkey, while those shorter than 150 cm (59 in) and weighing less than 35 kg (77 lbs.) must be seated in an appropriate restraint. Rental agencies can provide baby and child seats for daily fees of around 2 TRY (5.50 USD) at an agency like Hertz.
When parking in Turkey, it is not uncommon to find a parking lot attendant who will look after your car for a small fee. Tourist attractions typically cost around 5-10 TRY (0.85-1.71 USD) for parking or might even be free, and the majority of hotels also have a dedicated parking lot. When in large cities like Istanbul, it is always best to opt for a secure lot, such as an OtoPark, which will cost around 5-10 TRY (0.85-1.71 USD) for two hours. Do not be surprised if uniformed attendants ask to keep the keys, in case the car needs to be moved to let another driver in or out.
25% of our users found a car hire in Turkey for R902 or less
Book your car hire in Turkey at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Off-airport car hire locations in Turkey are around 14% cheaper than airport locations on average
Economy car hire in Turkey are around 34% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in Turkey
On average a car hire in Turkey costs R1 072 per day.
Economy (Renault Clio or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Turkey.
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest car hires were found at Enterprise Rent-A-Car (R580/day), Hit (R608/day) and keddy by Europcar (R620/day).
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in Turkey are Sixt (7,3, 85 reviews), and Budget (6,2, 51 reviews).
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in Turkey are Istanbul (38% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in Turkey), Antalya (34%) and Izmir (7%).
On average a car hire in Turkey costs R7 889 per week (R1 127 per day).
On average a car hire in Turkey costs R33 809 per month (R1 127 per day).
Renting a car in Turkey is usually considered straightforward and driving conditions familiar and safe. Roads are usually in very good condition, and a network of highways connects the country. Be cautious of winding coastal roads and occasional winter closures in mountainous areas due to wet or snowy conditions. It is also important to always check the mirrors on both sides when pulling out, as undertaking is common. Driving in Turkey is on the right-hand side.
To rent a car in Turkey, drivers usually need to be at least 21 years old and hold a valid driver’s license issued in the Roman alphabet (otherwise, an International Driver’s Permit [IDP] is required). Some agencies, e.g., Hertz, impose a minimum age limit of 23 to rent a car, while others, like Budget, charge a daily fee of approx. 99 TRY (17 USD) for drivers age 19 to 21.
Petrol stations are less common alongside Turkish highways than they are in the rest of Europe or North America, but the number is steadily increasing, and standards are generally high. Most have bathrooms and sell snacks, drinks, and hot food. An attendant will fill the car for you, and you can usually pay with cash or credit card. Expect to pay around 7 TRY (1.20 USD) for a liter of petrol and 6,50 TRY (1.10 USD) for a liter of diesel. By the gallon, that is 4.53 USD for petrol and 4.15 USD for diesel.
There are three main speed limits in Turkey, although it is always advised to observe roadside signs, because sometimes they vary. Standard limits are 50 km/h (31 mph) in urban areas, 90 km/h (55 mph) on rural roads, and 120 km/h (74 mph) on highways.
The rates displayed include all taxes and fees for hire cars for the class listed and were found by KAYAK users in the last 48 hours. Offers are subject to change and may not be available on all car hires listed or dates of travel. Some hire car providers charge additional fees for other services (GPS, infant car seats, etc.). Please check the website of the respective hire car provider.