How car rental works at Sabiha Gökçen Airport: step by step

Short answer: you give us your flight number and landing time when you book; we meet you at the exit gate, you sign the contract there with your driving licence, ID or passport and a credit card in your own name, and you drive away. On the way back we take the car at the terminal exit or collect it from your address in Istanbul. For the address, the setup and booking see our Sabiha Gökçen pick-up point; this article walks through the process step by step.

What should you prepare before your flight?

Flight number and landing time: we plan the handover around them. If your flight is delayed the time does not shift by itself — you need to tell us.
Driving licence: it must match the car class. Economy needs a driver aged 21 with a licence held for 1 year, mid-size 23 and 2 years, upper class 25 and 3 years.
ID: an ID card if you are travelling domestically, a passport if you are arriving from abroad.
Credit card: it must be in the driver's own name.
Car class: luggage and party size decide it; you can see the classes on our rental cars page.

What happens at the exit gate?

We bring the car to the airport according to your landing time and meet you at the domestic or international exit gate. We also have an office at the airport; if you would rather collect there, just say so when you book. The contract is signed at handover, so the paperwork is done in the terminal and you do not need to go anywhere else.

What should you check at handover?

Take two minutes before you drive away. It is the simplest step that prevents a dispute later.

Existing damage: check scratches, dents and the glass together; whatever is found is written into the handover report.
Odometer: make sure the reading is written correctly into the contract.
Fuel level: the level at handover and at return are expected to match.
Photos: photograph the four corners of the car and the odometer with your phone. It is your strongest evidence in a dispute.
Your copy: take a copy of the signed contract with you.

What if my flight is delayed or I land at night?

If your landing time changes, all you need to do is call our 24/7 line: 0850 305 00 45. We re-plan the handover around the new landing time. We also hand over at the airport for night arrivals.

How do you return the car?

Before your return flight you can hand the car back at the terminal exit, or we can collect it from your address in Istanbul. There is a 60-minute grace period on return. The deposit is refunded to the same card within 3 to 5 business days after items not included in the booking are deducted. The details are on the rental conditions page.

What changes in this process on 1 January 2027?

Under the new regulation a copy of the contract must be given to the renter before the car is handed over (art. 10/1); no charge may be claimed for return delays of up to one hour (art. 12/8); and the toll transponder must be fitted free of charge on the renter's request (art. 13/6). We cover the whole regulation from the renter's side in our new regulation article.

Frequently asked questions

What details do I give when booking?

Dates, car class, flight number and landing time. We agree the handover time from those.

Can the credit card be in someone else's name?

No. The card must be in the driver's own name.

I am arriving from abroad — which documents do I need?

A passport and a driving licence appropriate to the class. Confirm that your documents are valid before booking.

Can I collect at the airport and drop off somewhere else in Istanbul?

We agree the handover and return arrangement when you book; we have 18 points across Istanbul. Call 0850 305 00 45 for a different arrangement.

Can the car come to my address instead of the terminal?

Yes. With delivery to your address we bring the car straight to you; delivery within Istanbul is free on rentals of 3 days or more.

For prices, availability and booking see our Sabiha Gökçen pick-up point.