Car Rental in Turkey: Rules, Insurance, Prices

If you’re dreaming of an independent trip around Turkey, you can’t do without a rental car. Having your own transportation lets you plan your route freely, visit remote attractions, and enjoy comfort on the road. It’s the only way to be completely free to move around and avoid the hassle of searching for and waiting for the right buses. We’ll cover everything you need to know about renting a car in Turkey, and if you don’t want to deal with it, just book an airport transfer.

Rental requirements

• Age: the minimum age is 21, but premium vehicles are often available only to drivers 25 and older.
• Driving experience: most companies require one year of driving experience.
• Documents: answering the most common question: do you need an International Driving Permit in Turkey? No, your national driver’s license is enough. You’ll also need a passport to complete the rental.

Choosing a car and a rental company

Turkey has many well-known international companies with strong reputations: Hertz, Europcar, Sixt. Their main advantage is that they have branches in different cities across the country. That way, you can pick up a car in one place and drop it off in another. There are also plenty of small local companies—you can learn about them at your hotel or from locals. The widest selection of car rentals in Istanbul, Antalya, and Izmir.

Car insurance in Turkey

There are different types of insurance:

• CDW: collision damage waiver covering damage to the vehicle in all types of accidents.
• TP: theft protection.
• Super CDW: extended coverage that covers all risks and stands out for having no deductible.

Car rental with no deposit is a rare exception: the amount will be held on your card or accepted in cash. The hold is removed after the vehicle is inspected once it’s returned to the company. Hidden fees and add-ons are also possible (a fee for a GPS unit, adding a second driver to the agreement, exceeding the daily mileage limit)—read the documents carefully and clarify all terms in advance. 

Car rental prices depend on the season, the company you choose, the make, and the trim level. Even the location matters: car rental in Antalya costs less than in the capital. The simplest options start at at least 35€ per day, and with long-term rentals the daily rate may be lower. And to save money during a business trip, use corporate hotel booking.

Traffic rules in Turkey

A driver’s license in Turkey confirms that you’re able to drive a car, but before your trip it’s worth learning the local traffic rules. The maximum speed in cities is usually 50 km/h, outside cities 90 km/h, and on highways 120 km/h. Speed is monitored by cameras, so avoiding a fine is nearly impossible. Turkey also has toll roads, and some tunnels require payment as well—find out how to pay before you start your trip when planning your route.

Practical tips

To avoid scams, choose reputable companies and discuss all terms thoroughly. If the price seems too good to be true, beware of fraud. Often, in these cases, when you return the car the staff will accuse you of damaging it and demand an additional payment. That’s why, after picking up the car, inspect it with the company representative and document all chips and other issues in their presence.