Fatih Car Rental

Fatih covers Istanbul's historic peninsula, the site of old Constantinople, bounded by the Golden Horn to the north, the Sea of Marmara to the south and the Theodosian land walls to the west. Its 57 neighbourhoods include Sultanahmet, Eminonu, Aksaray, Laleli, Kumkapi, Balat, Fener and Edirnekapi, and four parts of it (the Sultanahmet area, the Suleymaniye Mosque area, Zeyrek and the land walls) were listed together by UNESCO in 1985 as the Historic Areas of Istanbul.

Away from the busiest sights, the district has its own landmarks: the Fatih Mosque, built by Mehmed II on the site of the Byzantine Church of the Holy Apostles, the Valens Aqueduct whose arches span Ataturk Boulevard, and the former Chora church near Edirnekapi. Fatih car rental is most useful when you are staying here and want to reach both airports, the Bosphorus villages or a day out beyond the city; for the monuments themselves, the tram and your feet are faster than a car.

For Fatih car rental, Otorento compares cars offered by independent rental suppliers in the district and nearby. You can line up small city cars, automatics, SUVs and estates by mileage allowance, fuel policy, deposit and pick-up method. Prices and availability change with the dates, the car group and the supplier, so compare a few options before you book.

Location and getting around

Approximate road distances from the Fatih Mosque. Drive times are for light traffic; expect more on weekdays around the old city.

Rail: the T1 tram runs from Eminonu and Sirkeci through Sultanahmet, Beyazit and Aksaray to Topkapi and Zeytinburnu. The M2 metro stops at Vezneciler, crosses the Golden Horn Metro Bridge and ends at Yenikapi, where it meets the M1 and Marmaray. The M1 also serves Aksaray, Emniyet-Fatih and Topkapi-Ulubatli, and Marmaray stops at Sirkeci before passing under the Bosphorus to the Asian side.

By road: Ataturk Boulevard runs north under the Valens Aqueduct to the Unkapani (Ataturk) Bridge across the Golden Horn towards Beyoglu and Taksim. Along the Sea of Marmara, the shore road between Sarayburnu and Kazlicesme is the approach to the Eurasia Tunnel, the quickest road to Kadikoy and the Asian side (cars, minibuses, vans and motorcycles only).

Car ferry: from Sirkeci, a car ferry crosses to Harem on the Asian shore, an alternative to the bridge and tunnel queues. It can be cancelled in heavy fog, so check the timetable before you rely on it.

Tolls: the Eurasia Tunnel, Bosphorus bridges and motorways are tolled through HGS, an electronic system. Rental cars usually come with an HGS tag and the supplier passes on the tolls after you return the car.

Picking up your car

Where you collect the car depends on the supplier: an office, an agreed car park or delivery to your hotel. Otorento has no office of its own; the address and phone number are in your booking confirmation. Many hotels in Fatih stand on narrow or restricted streets, so agree a meeting point on a main road if the car cannot reach the door.

• Documents: bring your licence, passport and a credit card in the main driver's name; it is normally used for the deposit, and the conditions are shown before booking.

• Driving on a foreign licence: you may drive in Turkey on a licence from abroad for up to six months after entry. Check whether your supplier also wants an International Driving Permit.

• Flying out: ask whether the car can be returned at Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen instead of in Fatih.

Free cancellation and 24/7 support are included with every Fatih car rental on Otorento.

Places to visit by car

• Eyupsultan and Pierre Loti Hill: the Eyup Sultan Mosque and a view down the Golden Horn, approx. 6 km.

• Rumeli Hisari: the Ottoman fortress on the Bosphorus shore, approx. 17 km.

• Belgrad Forest: shaded trails and picnic spots north of the city, approx. 30 km.

• Kilyos: Black Sea beaches popular on summer weekends, approx. 40 km.

• Edirne: the former Ottoman capital near the Greek and Bulgarian borders, home of the Selimiye Mosque, approx. 235 km.

Driving and parking tips

• Traffic drives on the right. The lanes of Carsamba, Balat and Fener are narrow and often crowded; park on the edge and walk in rather than driving through.

• Ataturk Boulevard, Aksaray and the Unkapani Bridge are busy for much of the day, so leave extra time for an airport run.

• The T1 tram runs through Sultanahmet, Beyazit and Aksaray; keep its tracks clear and expect slow traffic beside it.

• Use paid car parks around the old city; kerbside spaces near the main sights are rare.

Nearby locations

Compare car hire in Sultanahmet, across the Golden Horn in Beyoglu, at the main bus station Istanbul Otogar, or at Istanbul Airport.