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Good to know
- Nearest airport
- Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)
- To city centre
- 30 km
- Centre access
- No restrictions
- Parking in the centre
- Paid zones
- Main roads
- O-1, O-2, O-7, D100
- Region
- Istanbul
- Population
- 15,655,924
- City IATA code
- IST
- Time zone
- Europe/Istanbul
- Currency
- TRY
- Driving side
- Right-hand traffic
- Rental offices
- 34
- Rental companies
- 6
Compare car rental in Istanbul
500+ rental companies. Free cancellation on most bookings.
Where to pick up a car in Istanbul
Rental desks by area, with the distance from the city centre.
Train stations
Offices 7Kazlıçeşme
Zeytinburnu-Fişekhane
City centre
Offices 1Further from the centre
Offices 26Zeyrek
Haseki Sultan
Gümüşsuyu
Molla Gürani
Taşkışla
Talimhane
Akaretler
Ergenekon
Bağlarbaşı
Nişantaşı
İcadiye
Ambarlar
Kalamış
Gökalp
Altıntepsi
Sümer
Karadolap
Emniyet Evleri
Bahçelievler
Çalışlar
Istanbul by car
Two continents meet at Istanbul, split by the Bosporus and stitched back together by bridges and ferries that shift an enormous population across the water daily. Driving the historic peninsula means steep gradients and tight one-way lanes.
Driving in Istanbul
Istanbul is reached by O-1, O-2, O-7 and D100. There is no access restriction in Istanbul. Parking in the centre is paid and marked by zone. Streets in the old centre are narrow, a smaller car is easier.
Arriving by road
The O-1 is the inner ring road across the Bosphorus Bridge, and the O-2 outer ring road crosses the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge. The O-7 bypasses the city to the north over the Third Bosphorus Bridge (Yavuz Sultan Selim), and the Eurasia Tunnel under the Bosphorus carries road traffic between the Asian and European sides.
From the airport without a car
At Istanbul Airport the M11 metro station is outside exit 11, in front of the car park, with Havaist and İETT buses as alternatives. At Sabiha Gökçen Airport, metro line M4 goes to Kadıköy, where passengers can continue by ferry or change to the Marmaray train at Ayrılık Çeşmesi.
Popular searches in Istanbul
One click to the results with the filter already set.
Day trips from Istanbul
- Gebze44 km
- Yalova47 km
- İznik90 km
- Bursa91 km
Rules of the road in Turkey
- Speed limits
- 50 / 90 / 130 km/h
- Alcohol limit
- 0.5 ‰
What kind of car do you need?
Typical capacity for the category — the exact model is confirmed by the rental company at booking.
Frequently asked questions
Turkey: which side of the road do they drive on?
On the right. Speed limits are posted at the roadside and differ between towns, open roads and motorways.
Which currency will I be charged in?
Prices are usually set in TRY. The rental company sets both the price and the deposit, and shows them before you book.
Can I drive the car into another country?
Sometimes, but only if the rental company allows it, and it often costs extra. Check the terms before you book.
Is there a low-emission zone in Istanbul?
No. There is no low-emission zone in Istanbul.
Where do I park in the centre of Istanbul?
Parking in the centre is paid and marked by zone.
What are the speed limits in Turkey?
50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on open roads, 130 km/h on motorways.
Where can I pick up a rental car in Istanbul?
At Sirkeci: an independent office. At Kazlıçeşme: an independent office. At Zeytinburnu-Fişekhane: 2 independent offices. At Feneryolu: Avis and 2 independent offices. In the city centre: an independent office. In Zeyrek: an independent office. In Haseki Sultan: ADA. In Gümüşsuyu: Avis and Hertz. Elsewhere in the city: ADA, Avis, Enterprise, Europcar, Garenta, 1 other company and 16 independent offices. More rental desks are at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport and Istanbul Airport.