Car Rental in Turkey: Airports, Tolls (HGS) & Road Trip Tips (2026)
Turkey is one of those destinations where a rental car can completely change your trip: coastal roads, ancient sites, and small towns become easy day trips instead of long transfers. But first-time drivers often hit the same problems—confusing airport pick-up rules, toll roads that don’t accept cash, and uncertainty about deposits and insurance.
This guide is designed for real travelers. You’ll learn (1) which airports make the most sense for your route, (2) how HGS tolls work (and how to avoid fines), (3) what to check at pick-up to prevent disputes, and (4) simple road trip ideas for the coast and inland.
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What you need to rent a car in Turkey (documents + age)
Most car rentals in Turkey follow a standard checklist:
- Passport / ID (needed at the desk)
- Valid driving licence (your home licence)
- International Driving Permit (IDP) or notarized translation (some nationalities)
If you’re from the UK, the UK government travel advice for Turkey states you need a 1968 IDP or a UK licence notarised in Turkish to drive.
For many other travelers, requirements vary by nationality and rental supplier—so treat this as “check before you fly,” not “guess at the counter.” - Payment card requirements can vary by supplier and insurance choice (especially if there’s a deposit).
If you’ll be in Turkey longer-term, multiple sources note foreign licences are typically accepted for a limited period (commonly referenced as up to 6 months), sometimes requiring a Turkish translation/notarization.
Practical tip: If your licence is not in Latin alphabet, bringing an IDP is the simplest way to avoid desk issues.
The 5-minute pick-up checklist (avoid hidden surprises)
Do these 7 things at the desk and car park:
- Confirm the exact pick-up location (desk inside terminal vs. shuttle to an off-airport lot).
- Ask how tolls are handled (HGS tag included? billed later? top-up required?).
- Clarify what “insurance” actually includes (CDW, theft, glass/tyres, roadside).
- Confirm deposit + excess (how much, how it’s blocked, when it’s released).
- Film a 30-second walkaround video (wheels, bumpers, windshield).
- Photograph fuel level + mileage before leaving.
- Ask where returns happen (and whether you need to refuel nearby).
This takes minutes and prevents most disputes later.
HGS tolls in Turkey (what it is + how to avoid fines)
Turkey’s main toll system is HGS. On toll roads/bridges, you don’t stop to pay—your plate/tag is scanned as you pass.
Two important, “must-know” points:
- The General Directorate of Highways (KGM) states that foreign-plate vehicles must register to HGS before using tollways and must have sufficient credit; unpaid toll fines can block exit procedures at the border.
- Turkey’s national postal service PTT provides HGS services (accounts, device info, checking passages/violations), which is useful context if you need to understand how the system works.
What this means for rental cars:
Most rental vehicles already have an HGS device/tag installed, but billing rules differ by supplier. Some charge you later (plus an admin fee), others ask you to top-up, and some include it in a “toll package.” Always ask at pick-up.
Easy rule: If a supplier says “you can pay tolls in cash,” treat that as a red flag—HGS is electronic by design.
Speed limits and driving style (simple and realistic)
Speed limits can vary by road type and signage, but a commonly referenced baseline for cars is:
- Urban: 50 km/h
- Intercity roads: 90 km/h
- Divided roads: 110 km/h
- Motorways: often 120–130 km/h (sometimes higher on specific operator roads, always follow posted signs)
One recent reference table lists 50/90/110/130 for cars (2025).
Driving culture reality check: In big cities, expect aggressive lane changes and heavy traffic. On open roads, driving is generally straightforward—just stay defensive, keep distance, and don’t feel pressured by faster drivers.
Which Turkey airport should you choose for your trip?
If your plan is “land + drive,” picking the right airport saves hours.
GooRentalCars highlights key Turkey entry points for comparing rentals: **Istanbul, Antalya, İzmir, Dalaman, and Bodrum.
Here’s the traveler logic:
- Istanbul: best if you’ll explore the city briefly and then head out (but don’t plan to drive inside the city for fun).
- Antalya / Dalaman / Bodrum / Izmir: best for coastal routes (Turkish Riviera / Aegean). You get out of the airport and onto road-trip territory faster.
Turkey road trip ideas (simple routes that work)
Route A: Turkish Riviera (5 days, easy coastal driving)
Türkiye’s official tourism site even has a ready-made 5-day Turkish Riviera road trip concept along the Mediterranean coast (great inspiration for stops).
Good for: beaches, ancient cities, relaxed driving days
Best airports: Antalya or Dalaman
Route B: Coast + inland mix (7–10 days)
A practical “triangle” trip looks like: coast → inland highlights → back to a main airport. The key is not cramming too much distance into one day.
Good for: variety and landscapes
Best airports: Antalya / Izmir / Istanbul (depending on your loop)
Route C: Cappadocia base + day trips (3–5 days)
If your goal is iconic landscapes, you can base yourself inland and do day drives without changing hotels every night.
Good for: slower pace, sunrise plans, short daily drives
What car should you choose in Turkey?
For most travelers:
- Economy/compact is easiest for parking and city edges.
- Automatic if you want stress-free driving in traffic.
- SUV/4x4 only if you’re doing remote areas, winter conditions, or rougher routes—otherwise it’s not necessary for typical coast + major sites.
Pro tip: In peak summer, book earlier for better automatics and family-size cars (availability gets tighter).
Common mistakes to avoid (these save money and stress)
- Not asking about tolls (HGS) at pick-up → leads to “surprise admin fees” later.
- Skipping the inspection video → small scratches can become big arguments.
- Assuming “full insurance” means zero responsibility → always read what’s excluded (glass/tyres/undercarriage often varies).
- Driving into dense city centers when you don’t need to (Istanbul traffic can ruin a day).
- One-way plans without confirmation (fees and allowed routes vary by supplier
Find the best deal (with clear insurance & deposit options)
Compare offers across Turkey airports and choose what matters to you: smaller deposits, better coverage, or the lowest total price—shown upfront.
See Turkey deals here
FAQ (quick, real answers)
1) Do I need an International Driving Permit (IDP) for Turkey?
It depends on your nationality and the supplier. For UK travellers, official UK travel advice states you need a 1968 IDP or a UK licence notarised in Turkish. Always confirm requirements for your own licence before travel to avoid desk refusal.
2) How do toll roads work in Turkey (HGS)?
Tolls are electronic via HGS—you pass through and the system charges the tag/plate. KGM states vehicles (including foreign plates) must register and have sufficient balance, and unpaid toll fines can create problems at exit procedures. In rental cars, ask the supplier how billing is handled.
3) What are the speed limits in Turkey?
They vary by road type and signage, but a commonly referenced baseline for cars is 50 km/h urban, 90 intercity, 110 divided roads, and around 120–130 on motorways. Always follow posted signs.
4) Do I need a 4x4 for a Turkey road trip?
Usually no. A normal small/medium car is fine for most popular routes (coast, major cities, classic itineraries). A 4x4 helps mainly for remote regions or winter/snow conditions.
5) Is it better to rent at the airport or in the city?
Airport pick-up is typically simpler (clearer logistics, longer opening hours, easy start for road trips). City pick-up can be okay, but in major metros traffic and parking add stress.
6) What’s the #1 thing to do before driving away?
Record a short walkaround video + photos (wheels, bumpers, windshield) and confirm how tolls (HGS) and fuel rules work—those are the most common sources of disputes.
Ready for your Turkey road trip?
Lock in the right car now—then focus on the fun part: coastlines, ancient sites, and sunrise drives. Compare suppliers and book in minutes.
Compare & book in Turkey Link: https://goorentalcars.com/locations/turquia
