Izmir Car Rental

Izmir is Turkey's third-largest city, wrapped around the Gulf of Izmir on the Aegean coast. On the southern shore, Konak, the Kemeralti bazaar and Alsancak form the historic and commercial centre; on the northern shore lie Karsiyaka and Bostanli, and to the east Bornova with its universities and hospitals. The centre is well served by metro, tram, suburban rail and ferries, so a car earns its keep mainly when you head out of town.

For a short city break you may not need one at all: the Kordon seafront, Kemeralti and Alsancak are best on foot, and the ferry to Karsiyaka is often quicker than driving round the bay. Izmir car rental makes more sense if you travel with luggage or children, move between meetings in Bornova and Bayrakli, or want weekend trips to Urla, Cesme, Foca or Ephesus.

Otorento brings together offers from independent rental suppliers working in Izmir and lets you book in one place. Each offer shows the transmission, fuel policy, mileage and deposit conditions; prices vary with your dates, the car group and the supplier, and demand rises noticeably in summer and on public holidays. All suppliers offer free cancellation and 24/7 support. A small car is far easier in the narrow streets around Alsancak and Kemeralti; for Cesme or Bergama with the family, a saloon or SUV gives more room.

Location and getting around

Distances are rounded road distances from Konak Square; drive times are traffic permitting and can easily double at evening rush hour or on summer Fridays.

Rail and ferries: metro line M1 crosses the centre from Narlidere in the west to Evka 3 in Bornova, stopping at Konak, Cankaya, Basmane and Halkapinar. The IZBAN suburban line runs from Aliaga in the north to Selcuk in the south, with most trains terminating at Tepekoy (change there for Selcuk); Halkapinar is the main interchange between metro and IZBAN. IZDENIZ passenger ferries cross the bay between Konak, Pasaport, Alsancak, Karsiyaka, Bostanli and Uckuyular, but take no cars. A separate car ferry links Bostanli and Uckuyular in about 30 minutes, handy if you are heading from the northern shore towards Cesme.

Roads and tolls: the Izmir-Cesme motorway (O-32) serves Urla, Alacati and Cesme, and the Izmir-Aydin motorway (O-31) serves Selcuk and Kusadasi. Both are tolled and paid electronically through HGS; rental cars normally carry an HGS tag and the supplier charges your tolls afterwards, so check how this is billed in your rental terms. The Izmir ring road (O-30) loops round the bay from Balcova through Gaziemir, Buca, Bornova, Bayrakli and Karsiyaka to Cigli and Menemen, letting you cross the city without going through the centre. Foca and Bergama are reached via Menemen.

Picking up your car

With Izmir car rental, your supplier decides where you collect the car: a city office, a partner car park or delivery to your address. The exact location is in your booking confirmation. Izmir is large, so choose a pick-up point on the side of the bay where you are staying. If you are flying in, the Izmir Airport page covers terminal pick-up in detail.

Bring your driving licence, passport and the card used for the booking. A foreign licence is valid for up to six months after you enter Turkey; check your supplier's licence requirements, as some ask for an International Driving Permit. The deposit is usually held on a credit card in the main driver's name, and the conditions are shown with each offer. If you arrive by train at Basmane or by intercity bus, add your arrival time to the booking. Planning to end your trip in Cesme or Kusadasi? Change the return location in the search to see one-way offers and any extra fee.

Places to visit by car

• Urla and Sigacik: Urla's vineyard roads and harbour (approx. 39 km), and the walled old quarter of Sigacik in Seferihisar (approx. 50 km).

• Cesme and Alacati: beaches, windsurfing bays and stone houses, the busiest summer route; Alacati approx. 78 km, Cesme approx. 87 km.

• Foca: a North Aegean town with old streets and small bays; approx. 74 km.

• Bergama: the acropolis and Asklepion of ancient Pergamon; approx. 110 km.

• Ephesus and Sirince: the ancient city and the House of the Virgin Mary near Selcuk, with the hill village of Sirince close by; Selcuk approx. 78 km, Sirince approx. 85 km.

Driving and parking tips

• Side streets in Kemeralti and Alsancak are narrow and kerbside parking is scarce; leave the car in a paid car park and walk the Kordon and the bazaar.

• Traffic between the two shores of the bay is heavy in the morning and evening; for Karsiyaka-Konak trips the ferry is often more predictable than the car.

• In summer, expect motorway traffic towards Cesme on Friday evenings and back into the city on Sunday evenings, and ask your Cesme or Alacati hotel about parking in advance.

• The Izmir International Fair is held in Kulturpark every year in late summer; during the fair, traffic and parking around Alsancak, Basmane and Kulturpark get much harder.

• Returning at the airport? Allow for the roughly 20 km drive plus the handover before your flight.

Nearby locations

Compare Izmir car hire with offers at Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, or pick up in a resort at Cesme or Kusadasi.