Short answer: Three things decide safety on a long drive: a 10-minute car check before you leave, a break about every two hours, and choosing your return time around the traffic. In a rental there is one more: check fuel, belongings and damage before you hand the car back.
Rental cars are serviced and cleaned before handover; still, glance at the tyres and warning lights yourself at pick-up and say so straight away if something looks off.
Take a 10–15 minute break about every two hours; getting out and walking works best. The hours from midnight to early morning are when sleep pressure is highest, so avoid driving then if you can. Heavy meals bring drowsiness; eat light and drink water. If there is a second driver, share the wheel; in a rental the additional driver must be named in the contract.
Return traffic in Turkey usually builds from the afternoon of the last day of a public holiday and lasts until midnight. Leaving a day early, or early in the morning on the last day, cuts the journey noticeably. Approaching Istanbul, compare the Osmangazi Bridge and Northern Marmara Motorway options live in your maps app. Keep your distance: most accidents in heavy traffic are rear-end collisions.
Move the car somewhere safe, switch on the hazard lights and place the warning triangle. 24/7 roadside assistance is included in our rentals; call 0850 305 00 45. We explain the steps after an accident in our accident report article.
We have 18 points in Istanbul; on rentals of 3 days or more we also collect the car from your address.
About every two hours, for 10–15 minutes. If you feel tired, stop without waiting.
Only if they are named in the contract as an additional driver. You can add one when booking or at pick-up.
Call as soon as you know; return terms are on the rental conditions page and in your contract.
24/7 roadside assistance is included: 0850 305 00 45.
