Short answer: Kartepe is about 115 km from Istanbul and the drive takes roughly 2 hours depending on traffic. Take the TEM motorway towards Izmit, then climb the mountain road via Maşukiye. In winter the last stretch can be snowy or icy, so check road conditions before you set off; you can add winter tyres to your rental as an extra.
Kartepe is about 115 km from Istanbul. The time depends on where you start and on traffic; outside busy hours you can get there in about 2 hours. At weekend departure and return times the motorway can be slower, so an early start makes the trip easier.
From Istanbul, follow the TEM (O-4) motorway towards Izmit. After Izmit, take the Sapanca junction to Maşukiye and then the mountain road up to Kartepe. The route runs close to Lake Sapanca, so you can fit both stops into one weekend; we cover that route in our Sapanca article. Open your navigation before you leave for closures and roadworks.
There is no nationwide winter-tyre requirement for private passenger cars in Turkey; the mandatory rule applies to commercial vehicles carrying passengers or goods between cities. Governorships and provincial traffic commissions can, however, take additional measures within their province depending on the weather. On a snowy mountain road, winter tyres noticeably improve grip even where they are not required.
At Otofilorent you can add winter tyres to your rental as an extra; the price is listed on the extras page.
A higher driving position and more ground clearance help on a mountain road, which makes SUVs and crossovers a comfortable choice for this kind of route. Our fleet includes models in this class such as the Dacia Sandero Stepway; you can see every option on the cars page.
One note: an SUV look does not mean four-wheel drive. On snow, tyres and careful driving make the real difference.
Kartepe draws visitors in winter for snow and skiing, and in summer for its cool air and forest roads as a weekend escape. The ski season depends on snowfall, so check the ski resort's announcements for the opening date before you go.
In winter the heart of the trip is Kartepe Ski Resort; being a ski and snowboard resort close to Istanbul, it can get busy at weekends. If you do not ski, the snow-covered forest roads and the lake surroundings offer a quieter option for walks and photography.
The advantage of going by rental car is flexibility: you can head up to the ski resort in the morning, come down to Maşukiye in the afternoon and stop by Lake Sapanca on the way back. Using one car between several stops is far easier than planning the same day around public transport.
You can collect the car from one of our 18 pick-up points in Istanbul. For rentals of 3 days or more we deliver free to your address within Istanbul; stretch your Kartepe plan from Friday morning to Monday morning and it qualifies. If anything happens on the road, our 24/7 line is open: 0850 305 00 45.
Kartepe is about 115 km from Istanbul; depending on traffic and where you start, the drive takes roughly 2 hours. It can take longer at weekend departure and return times.
In heavy snow, chains may be needed on the mountain road after Maşukiye. Check road conditions before you leave, and call us before you rent to ask about using chains on a rental car.
Yes. At Otofilorent you can add winter tyres to your rental as an extra; the price is listed on the extras page.
Not nationwide; the requirement applies to commercial vehicles. Governorships can take additional decisions in their province depending on the weather.
SUVs and crossovers, with their higher driving position, are a comfortable choice on the mountain road. On snow, what counts is not a four-wheel-drive look but the tyres and how you drive.
