Istanbul Car Rental

Istanbul spreads across two continents, with the Bosphorus separating the European side (the Old City, Beyoglu, Besiktas and the business districts around Levent and Maslak) from the Asian side (Uskudar, Kadikoy and the long residential coast towards Pendik). The city has two international airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) in the north of the European side and Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) on the Asian side.

Do you need a car in Istanbul? For the historic centre, usually not: the Old City and Beyoglu are best explored on foot, by tram, metro and ferry. Istanbul car rental pays off when you are staying outside the centre, travelling with children or a lot of luggage, combining both sides of the city in one day, or heading out to the Black Sea coast, the forests north of the city, Bursa or Edirne. Many visitors pick up a car only for the days they leave the centre.

Otorento compares cars from independent rental suppliers across Istanbul, at both airports and in many districts. You can filter by car group, gearbox, fuel policy, mileage allowance, deposit and pick-up point; prices and availability depend on your dates and the supplier.

Location and getting around

Approximate road distances from Taksim Square in the centre. Drive times assume light traffic; at peak hours, especially near the bridges, they can double.

Crossing the Bosphorus by car: there are four road crossings. The 15 July Martyrs Bridge links Ortakoy with Beylerbeyi in the centre; the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge carries the TEM ring road between Hisarustu and Kavacik; the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge in the far north carries the Northern Marmara Motorway; and the Eurasia Tunnel runs under the water between Kazlicesme and Goztepe, for cars, minibuses, vans and motorcycles only. The Marmaray tunnel is rail only. There is also a car ferry between Harem and Sirkeci.

Main roads: two ring roads cross the city from west to east: the D-100 (E-5) through the inner districts and the TEM (O-2/O-4) further north. The Northern Marmara Motorway (O-7) bypasses the city entirely and connects both airports.

Tolls: the bridges, the Eurasia Tunnel and the motorways are paid electronically with HGS. Rental cars normally have an HGS tag fitted, and the supplier charges the tolls you used after the rental.

Picking up your car

Where you collect the car depends on the supplier: an airport desk, a meet-and-greet at arrivals, a district office or car park, or in some cases delivery to your hotel. The exact address and contact number are in your booking confirmation. If you are staying in a narrow street in Beyoglu or the Old City, ask whether delivery to the door is actually possible.

• Documents: driving licence, passport and a credit card in the main driver's name for the deposit. Deposit and age conditions vary by supplier and are shown before you book.

• Driving on a foreign licence: Turkish rules allow foreign visitors to drive on the licence from their home country for up to six months after entry. Whether an International Driving Permit is also needed is up to the supplier, so check the terms.

• Pick-up timing: if you are flying in, add your flight number; if you only need the car for excursions, consider starting the rental on the day you leave the centre.

Every Istanbul car rental booked through Otorento includes free cancellation and 24/7 support.

Places to visit by car

• Belgrad Forest: walking trails and picnic areas north of the city, approx. 23 km from Taksim.

• Polonezkoy: a forest village on the Asian side, approx. 30 km.

• Kilyos: sandy Black Sea beaches in Sariyer, approx. 34 km.

• Sile: beaches and a lighthouse on the Black Sea, approx. 78 km.

• Bursa: the early Ottoman capital, on the slopes of Mount Uludag, approx. 155 km.

• Edirne: the Selimiye Mosque near the Greek and Bulgarian borders, approx. 240 km.

Driving and parking tips

• Traffic drives on the right. Weekday rush hours are heaviest around the bridge approaches; plan cross-Bosphorus trips for mid-morning or late evening.

• In the Old City and around Taksim, use a paid car park and walk. Street parking is scarce and the side streets are narrow and steep.

• Istiklal Avenue is pedestrian, and roads up to Taksim can be closed during large events and public holidays.

• Fog can cancel ferries, including the Harem-Sirkeci car ferry, which pushes extra traffic onto the bridges.

• Choose a compact car for the centre and a larger car or SUV for long trips with luggage; automatic gearboxes are popular because of stop-and-go traffic.

Nearby locations

Start your Istanbul car hire where you land, at Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Airport, or in the city at Taksim on the European side and Kadikoy on the Asian side.