How to Rent a Car in Turkey
Renting a car in Turkey is a good idea depending on how much driving experience you have and the destinations you would like to visit. It is usually easier to drive between coastal towns than driving in big cities, as big cities tend to have impatient drivers and driving according to the rules is not common amongst Turkish drivers.
So if you are planning a road trip in Antalya, you can rent a car for a few days to do a drive along the turquoise coast. However, the highways in between towns tend to be just next to a cliff so you should be careful with other cars and speeding. If you are travelling in high season (May to September), it is better to book your accommodation before your trip to avoid paying more once you are there.
If you are planning to drive to the Anatolian region: Adana, Van, Bitlis, Diyarbakır etc, the roads are usually safe except for the unexpected animal herds crossing the road, but this just adds onto your adventure. You should definitely learn to speak a few words in Turkish, especially when you are going to the eastern part of the country.
15 Essential Turkish Phrases for Travellers
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Tips on travelling to Turkey by Car
1. You need a valid Passport and Visa
Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months before you travel. You can apply for a visa for Turkey online on the official Republic of Turkey e-Visa website. You should apply at least 48 hours before you travel. An e-Visa costs $35 (plus $1.05 service fee) and you can pay by credit or debit card. Turkish visit visas are valid for a maximum of 90 days in a 180 day period and can be used for multiple entries.
2. A valid driver’s license
We recommend driving in Turkey only if you’ve had at least 2 years of experience driving, and most rental car agencies in Turkey will require this as well. You can either rent a car at the airport when you land or in advance. Rental cars are priced daily (an automatic rental car is around £15-21 a day), and we recommend that you choose an automatic, diesel-powered car for better value. In most cases, if your driver’s license is printed in the Latin alphabet, you don’t need to have an International Driving Permit. If you have a UK driver’s license (issued anywhere other than Northern Ireland), you should also get a DVLA endorsement to rent a car in Turkey. Anyone who is planning to drive longer than 6 months would need a Turkish driving license.
3. You need a rental car
Renting a car in Turkey is easier if your departure point is from a big city such as Istanbul, but you might need to speak to a local agency if you are thinking about renting a car when you are at your resort.
4. You need insurance
You absolutely need to buy insurance with the rental car. Depending on how long your trip is, the price varies but you could choose a rental car that comes with insurance with no excess. Don’t forget to add any additional drivers to the insurance.
5. You need to be above 21
You must be at least 21 years old to drive in Turkey. Although the driving age is 18, only those above 21 can rent a car. Some agencies require drivers to be at least 25, and sometimes the age requirement depends on the car’s model.
6. You need GPS or Yandex Maps
In Turkey, we recommend using Yandex’s map application on your phone to make sure you don’t get lost.
What are the driving rules in Turkey?
- You will be driving on the right side of the road.
- Beware of the speed cameras, and make sure not to go above the speed limit.
- Some motorways have tolls. You can usually easily find a petrol station on the motorways.
- The speed limit is 50kph in urban areas, 90kph on open roads and 120kph on motorways.
- If you commit a driving offence, you would be given a fine on the spot by the traffic police.
- You can’t drink and drive as the alcohol limit is zero.
- You must use dipped headlights during the day when driving through Turkey.
- Children must be above age 12 to sit in the front.
- In case of an accident, you must call the police and register the accident with them.
- Call 112 for an ambulance, and 155 for police.
As Right Holidays, we are ready to help with any questions you may have regarding your trip to Turkey. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!