Renting a car in Istanbul as a foreign visitor: documents, age, payment and pick-up

Short answer: Yes, foreign visitors can rent a car in Istanbul with a passport and an international driving licence. Your passport needs an entry stamp dated within the last six months, you must be at least 21 with a licence held for at least a year, and the age and licence rules rise with the car class. You can collect the car at Istanbul Airport, Sabiha Gökçen Airport or one of our other points in Istanbul.

What documents do I need?

• Passport with an entry stamp into Türkiye dated within the last six months.
• International driving licence, together with your national licence.
• A card in your own name for the deposit and any charges during the rental. Among cards issued abroad, Visa and Mastercard are accepted.

Foreign licences can be used in Türkiye for a limited time after your date of entry; the exact rule is in our rental conditions. If you are staying for a long period, check it before booking.

How old do I need to be?

Each car's page shows its own requirement next to the specifications; browse them on our rental cars page.

How does payment and the deposit work?

A deposit is taken on every rental and is returned to the same card at the end of the rental, after any charges not included in the booking. With a card issued abroad, the refund can take 10–15 working days to appear because of interbank processing. Payment options for bookings made from abroad are explained in our FAQ.

Can I pick the car up at the airport?

Yes. We have points at both Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport, for domestic and international arrivals, with a meet-and-greet handover. Share your flight details when booking and our team will confirm the meeting point by phone. If you are staying in the city for three days or more, we can also deliver the car to your hotel or address in Istanbul free of charge.

What should I know about driving in Istanbul?

• Bridges and motorways are tolled. Our cars carry an HGS toll tag, so you drive through without stopping; tolls are charged at the end of the rental.
• Traffic is heaviest on weekday mornings and evenings, especially on the bridges between the European and Asian sides. Plan airport runs with a margin.
• Parking in the historic centre is limited; many visitors keep the car for trips outside the city and use public transport in Sultanahmet and Beyoğlu.
• The car cannot be taken out of Türkiye. Driving anywhere within the country is fine.

How long is a rental day?

A rental day is 24 hours. If you return the car the same day you collected it, one full day is charged. You can extend a rental or return early; for early returns the price matching the days actually used applies. If a car needs servicing during your rental, we provide an equivalent car within 24 hours.

Frequently asked questions