Car hire in Turkey - Where East Meets West

In order to be eligible to rent a car in Turkey, there are several car hire age requirements to consider. You must be at least 19 years old (age may vary by car category and supplier) and have held your licence for at least one year. However, some car rental companies might insist that you need to be at least 21 years old to hire a car in Turkey, although this varies from supplier to supplier. Please note that an extra charge often applies if you are under 25 years old, so it’s always best to check with your supplier. Drivers under the age of 26 may also incur a young driver surcharge, which is paid locally to the supplier.

To check whether or not this fee is payable and how much it will, please click on the Rate Details button during the booking process once you have chosen your destination, car category and supplier. The amount of the young driver surcharge is also clearly stated in the Terms & Conditions on the booking voucher once the reservation has been confirmed.

An important thing for young drivers to remember is that they always need to enter the correct age of the main driver when booking a cheap car hire in Turkey with Auto Europe. Having this accurate information enables us to inform them of any restrictions that might apply to their rental, hence avoiding any problems at the time of pick-up. Novice drivers are urged to read our First Car Hire blog post for tips and useful advice before embarking on your maiden journey.

Yes, domestic one-way car hire bookings are usually permitted. Please note that in many cases a minimum car rental duration might apply (usually one full day) and international one-way journeys are not permitted in Turkey.

You will find all the information you require regarding one-way fees (without VAT) and other related details in the Auto Europe booking engine results below the car rate. We also communicate the details of such fees to all our customers once their reservation has been confirmed.

Please be informed that a one-way rental fee might apply and will be collected by whichever one of Auto Europe’s trusted car rental companies you choose to book with. We do not collect or profit from any part of a one-way fee, but we do however feel that it’s very important to inform our clients of all the charges payable in order to help them make the best choice.

Each car hire company determines its own fees independently, which means that for the same given pick-up or drop-off location, one of our suppliers may charge far less than another. It also means that some rental providers may not allow permit the journey at all! Each supplier has its own office and/or rental locations, thus enabling each provider to offer different car hire options.

Generally speaking, travel outside of Turkey is not permitted but we explain all such restrictions clearly to our customers when they make a search in our booking engine. Just choose your car hire category/supplier and click on the Rate Details button, followed by Inclusive Package -> General Terms. You’ll find the same information on your booking voucher once your car hire reservation has been confirmed.

Yes, all travellers booking a low-cost car hire in Turkey are required to have a valid credit card. The reason for this is that vehicle suppliers generally place a hold on the value of the deductible for the vehicle they rent to customers planning to drive in Turkey. This amount is promptly refunded once the vehicle is returned, which must be in exactly the same condition as when it was picked up. Please consult our 6 Credit Card & Deposit FAQs blog post for more information.

It often comes as a surprise to people that a debit card cannot be accepted when renting a car in Turkey. For this reason, please make sure that the main driver has a credit card in their name with a large enough balance to cover the hold value prior to leaving the car rental station.

For clients looking to hire a premium or luxury category car in Turkey, please note that the supplier might request an additional credit card in the name of the main driver, such as Visa, Mastercard or American Express. It’s worth mentioning at this point that Auto Europe accepts credit cards as payment for all pre-paid car hire reservations when customers book their car hire online.

Please note that you all the information relating to which cards are accepted AND what types of card are required to pick up a car hire in Turkey when making a search in the Auto Europe booking engine. After selecting your preferred car hire category and supplier, please click on Rate Details button and then choose the Supplier Payment Policy Information option.

There are several key points to remember when driving a car rental in Turkey. First of all, it’s important to remember that the Turkish highway code is similar to that of other European countries and uses the same International Protocol on Road Signs, which means that although the language is difficult to understand you should be able to easily follow the signs. In Turkey, you should always drive on the right-hand side of the road and remember that the speed limit 50kph in towns and cities, 90kph on dual-carriageways and 120kph on motorways, unless otherwise indicated.

Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt as soon as the engine is started (failure to do so might incur a fine). In Turkey, no child under the age of twelve can travel in the front of a car - instead they must be secured using an age and size appropriate restraint in the rear of the car. Children under 1.35m or weighing less than 36kg must be seated in proper child seats. Please consult our Child Seat Guide for information on the most appropriate child seat to use during your trip.

The law on drink-driving is very tough in Turkey with 0.05% being the maximum alcohol limit permitted, which only applies if you are driving alone (ie if you have a passenger, your system must be completely free of any alcohol whatsoever). If you are caught exceeding this level, you will be fined depending on whether it is your first, second or third offence, starting at ₺480 (€141) plus the suspension of your driving licence.

Furthermore, you must never use your mobile phone whilst driving unless you are using a hands-free set. Pedestrians have an unconditional right of way on zebra crossings and as a driver, you are obliged to stop whenever you see someone about to step on one.

There’s an abundance of petrol stations in Turkey, even in the more remote areas (note that self-service isn’t possible because attendants are always on hand to fill up your tank and receive payment).

The emergency number in Turkey is 112 for ambulances and 155 for the police. Ambulance services work in collaboration with a dedicated International Patient Support Unit (which you can call directly on +90 850 288 38 38) that can provide a translation service in the six different languages of English, German, French, Russian, Farsi, and Arabic 24/7). Read our Accident and Breakdown blog post for more advice on what to do in an emergency abroad.

Our advice is to try and avoid driving at night, particular outside large towns and cities because many of Turkey’s roads are unlit and might have hidden dangers (note that mountain roads often do not have guard rails and can be very dangerous at night).

Finally, it’s worth knowing that on-the-spot fines are very common for speeding and minor traffic offences in Turkey, for which you can pay with a credit card or cash (25% discount before leaving the country. If you don’t pay, you won’t be able to get through passport control at the airport.

For more information about the many things you'll need to know when motoring in this magnificent country, please take a look at our Turkey driving guide for an overview of some of the ost important things to look out for on your travels.

Yes. Turkey is proud of its network of well-maintained motorways which link every major city in the country. Some sections are part of the efficient HGS toll system (which stands for Fast-Pass System or Hızlı Geçiş Sistemi in Turkish), including the motorways of Izmir-Aydın, Izmir-Çeşme, Niğde-Mersin-Şanlıurfa, the Bosphorus Bridges and the main European and Anatolian motorways.

Payment is very straightforward because the whole system is automated to offer a quick passage through the toll gates. Every car using HGS toll roads must be equipped with an HGS label or tag. This tag looks like a sticker with the HGS logo on it and is usually placed behind the rear-view mirror on the front windscreen. Upon arrival at the toll booths, follow the HGS-marked lane and slow down to 30kph. The system will show you the exact amount to be paid the transponder in the label will automatically register the toll as you drive through the gates.

If you are picking up a low-cost car hire a car in Turkey and plan to use one of the toll motorways, please check that your rental car has an HGS tag. Some rental car companies will charge you a flat fee for the use of the tag while others will bill you for the full amount when you return the car. The pre-paid card (KGS) is another option. More toll info and price details can be found at www.kgm.gov.tr.

Auto Europe’s car hire rates always include liability insurance (with the legally-required amount of minimum coverage) and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) with or without excess (depending on the car rental company you have booked with).

Please note that standard CDW never covers damage to the vehicle’s tyres, glass, outside mirrors, undercarriage, interior, roof, engine, locks and loss of keys. Theft Protection (TP) is with or without excess, depending on the car rental company.

We strongly recommend that drivers consider purchasing Auto Europe’s very popular Refundable Excess product for an additional fee which covers any damage to the glass, wheels, roof, undercarriage, towing costs, key loss, misfuelling (ie filling up the tank with diesel instead of unleaded), admin fees, etc. The cost of this additional coverage may vary depending on your booking’s location, rental duration, car category and supplier. Please visit our Complete Guide to Car Hire Coverage page for an overview of the kind of coverage drivers need to consider when renting a vehicle online.

Nevertheless, it’s very easy to check the price when making a search on the Auto Europe booking engine. Once you have selected your preferred car category and supplier, just click on the Rate Details button followed by Additional information where you will find full details of the CDW Deductible, Theft Insurance Deductible and Liability Insurance. The same information is clearly marked in the Terms and Conditions when making an enquiry or booking.

At time of picking up your vehicle, please be advised that the car rental company might offer you additional coverage including but not restricted to PAI (Personal Accident Insurance), PEC (Personal Effects Coverage), Super CDW, Seguro Relax Insurance, Road Assistance etc. We’d like to stress the fact that Auto Europe will not refund any locally-purchased insurance charges/fees, even if the coverage is deemed unnecessary once the rental car has been returned.

Please consult our Excess Guarantee page and Car Hire Coverage blog post for more information about the range of options you’ll have available when booking your vehicle.

Yes, you can use your driving licence to drive in Turkey if it shows your photo and it was issued in one of the countries included under the following reciprocal agreement at Turkey Tourist Visas.

If your licence was issued in a country that’s not included on that list, or if it’s written in a non-Roman alphabet, then you will need an international driving permit (please note that Turkey requires a ‘1949 Convention IDP’). Please note in Turkey you are not allowed to use your driving licence to drive for more than six months in the same year. This rule also applies to drivers who present their licence with an international driving permit of a longer period of validity. Anyone wishing to stay in Turkey longer than six consecutive months will need to obtain a Turkish driving licence.

Please visit our dedicated DVLA driving licence page for more information on the changes that came into effect on the 8th of June 2015.

Yes, you can. You may add as many additional drivers as you like when renting a car in Turkey. Some car rental companies include free additional driver fees in the price, while others charge a daily fee at the time of pick-up (the amount of which is established by the supplier and not by Auto Europe).

Whatever the situation, all additional drivers must be included in the rental agreement and will need to present exactly the same documents as the main driver at the time of picking up the vehicle (ie driving licence, International Driving Permit where required and passport/personal ID). Please note that it’s also possible to have an additional driver named on the reservation agreement at the time of booking a car with Auto Europe.

Full details of the additional driver fees are clearly stated on our website during the process of making a search in the Auto Europe booking engine. After selecting your preferred supplier, vehicle category and car, you can find this information by clicking the Rate Details button (below the car info) followed by Driver Information. These details will also be included in the car hire voucher once the reservation has been confirmed.

It’s very important to remember that if a travelling companion not included on the rental agreement decides to drive the rental car, they will be completely excluded from all the insurance coverage, thus making them liable for the total amount of any damages caused in the event of a collision or theft. Hence, all additional drivers will need to make sure they are properly authorised to drive the vehicle before departing from the pick-up point.

Yes. In Turkey it is compulsory to use winter tyres for the four-month period between the 1st of December and the 1st of April. The local authorities are at liberty to decide whether or not to enforce the winter tyres regulation and will make the necessary announcement based on the average local temperatures. In Turkey, it is obligatory to fit winter tyres on all axles of cars, light trucks and minibuses, plus the drive axles of trucks, tractors and buses. During this period, any tyre that needs to be replaced during a journey will need to be replaced with a winter tyre. Take a look at our Winter Tyres Regulations page for more advice on what to look out for when renting a car in wintry conditions.

Winter tyres should bear the M+S (Mud and Snow) or snowflake symbol, or both. The tread depth and pattern of re-treaded tyres must comply with winter tyre regulations (min. 1.6 mm for cars, light trucks and minibuses and 4 mm for trucks, tractors and buses), even if they bear the M+S symbol. Please consult our Car Hire Equipment and Accessories section for more information on winter tyres, etc.

The use or storage of a tyre chain inside the vehicle does not absolve drivers from their obligation to use winter tyres. It is strongly recommended that snow chains are always carried in the vehicle and used on roads covered with snow and ice. Many car hire suppliers in Turkey include the winter roads fee in their rates for rentals between the 1st of November and the end of April, although the dates vary from supplier to supplier. This means that the vehicle is equipped with winter tyres and sometimes an ice-scraper. The exact dates can be found simply by clicking the Rate Details button followed the Winter Fees option in the search results. Please check our Free Winter Tyres page for the chance to save even more cash on your next car hire. Although snow chains are available free of charge at most of the key locations, they must be noted on the voucher and requested at the time of making the booking.

Not normally, no. Generally speaking, any travel by ferry needs to be authorised by both Auto Europe and the local car rental supplier in advance and may incur extra fees. As travel outside of Turkey is not permitted, it is therefore very unlikely that a ferry trip to the Greek Islands for example is going to be authorised.