Introduction
Turkey, a transcontinental gem bridging Europe and Asia, is a captivating tourism destination known for its rich history, diverse landscapes, and vibrant culture. From the bustling bazaars and historic sites of Istanbul to the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia and the pristine beaches of the Turquoise Coast, Turkey offers a wealth of experiences for travelers. Its well-maintained roads and diverse regions make it ideal for a road trip, allowing visitors to explore ancient ruins, such as Ephesus and Troy, and natural wonders like Pamukkale’s travertine terraces. The country’s unique blend of Eastern and Western influences, coupled with its warm hospitality and delicious cuisine, makes Turkey a perfect destination for those seeking both adventure and cultural immersion on the open road.
Car Rental Tips
Book in Advance
Generally, we recommend that you make your reservation one month in advance so that you could choose the desired vehicle and date.
If you proceed directly to the car rental store without booking, it is likely that the car you need might be unavailable.
*If you are already a QEEQ diamond member, you only need 1$ to freeze your booking and make the rest of the payment before pick-up, which does not affect your credit card limit.
Required Documents
Passport, Driver’s License, IDP(Optimal), Credit Card
International Driving Permit (IDP) is highly recommended, which allows you to drive legally in countries that need one. But sometimes if the country you are traveling to does not require one, you can leave this part.
If it is inconvenient for you to apply an IDP, generate a free driver’s license translation on QEEQ.com (Japanese site only).
Car Choices
The choice of your car depend largely on the duration of your trip, passenger number, luggage amount and road conditions.
- City Driving for small groups (1-3 passengers)
If you are a couple, or travel with a friend or two, or if you travel alone, a reasonably priced small car would be a good choice.
Compact size cars have 4 to 5 seats. We recommend sparing one passenger capacity so you could relax and have more space.
- 4 to 5 passengers including children and elderly
Medium and large size cars are recommended. These models could still possess a fair mount of space with 2 to 3 suitcases. SUVs are suitable for hybrid road conditions. Eco-friendly cars such as the Prius could save your spend on gasoline. Choose what you need giving you peace of mind on long trips.
- Traveling in a group of 6 or more
It would be a wonderful experience to choose a van for everyone to have his or her own seat. These models accommodate a passenger capacity from 7 to 12 people. While it is noticeable that large cars cannot make quick and sharp turns. So we recommend renting two small or medium-sized cars if you spend a lot of time driving through towns.
Online Booking Process
We are endeavoring to make your booking as convenient as possible. Enter our website QEEQ.com, log in, enter the required information, and follow the instructions, you are free to rent your desired car.
Insurance
What Insurances Are Available?
*For Autopilot Cars:
- Insured: Protection for the person renting the car, including passenger accident insurance and personal accident insurance (PAI). This includes the personal safety of the driver, passengers, and their personal belongings.
- Automobile Insurance: protection for the vehicle of the renter. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is one example.
- Third-party Insurance: insurance that protects third parties other than the renter and the car rental company. Basic Third Party Liability (BTL) insurance, etc.
International car rental booking will include the basic insurance required for car rentals: Vehicle Damage Coverage, Theft Protection, and Third Party Liability Insurance.
The deductible is the maximum amount of money you’re liable for in the event your rental car is damaged or stolen as long as you follow the conditions of your rental agreement. For example, the deductible is 1000 dollars, if the damage to the rented car is less than 1000 dollars, the customer pays; if the damage is more than 1000 dollars, the customer pays up to 1000 dollars; and the store’s insurance company pays for the part exceeding 1000 dollars.
Many travelers want more comprehensive coverage and purchase additional insurance. Personnel, vehicle and third-party coverage varies by insurance type. Here are some examples of common types of insurance (note: more checks means more coverage):
When and How to Purchase Insurance
There are two ways to obtain insurance: one is to purchase insurance when booking the car online; the other is to purchase insurance at the local store where the car is rented when picking up the car.
Generally, insurances provided by rental car companies usually has narrower coverage, higher premiums, so purchasing insurance online when booking the car is highly recommended.
How to Choose Insurance
If you are traveling with limited budget, it is better to choose the kind of insurance policy with the most comprehensive coverage. The main reasons are:
- Firstly, repairing fee for the car would probably be higher abroad.
- Secondly, in case of an accident, the medical cost and compensation are very high.
- Thirdly, the wider the coverage, the less the troubles you would deal with, which saves tons of time and energy.
Taking automobile insurance as an instance, comparing to common insurance policies, the most comprehensive insurance coverage, including glasses, tires, chassis protection, and considerations for special road conditions such as sand and rocks, is very necessary, but basic insurance of car rental companies usually does not include full coverage as such.
Picking Up the Car
Check Before Departure
Before proceeding to the car rental shop, make sure you have brought with you all necessary documents for picking up the vehicle, and two international credit cards is recommended to ensure that there is enough credit limit for pre-authorization.
Proceed to the Car Rentals
If there is a pickup store nearby, you could just walk there, following signs for airport rental cars.
If the rental car center is far away, there is usually a free shuttle bus bound for the rental car center. Shuttle buses run every 10 minutes approximately, so take the bus when you see the logo of your car rental company.
If the shuttle is not available, you can contact the car rental company and wait for staff member to pick you up at designated location. In case you have difficulty communicating with the store staff, please call QEEQ and we will assist you in English or other languages.
Inspect the Car
When you receive your reserved vehicle, inspect the bodywork for damage. At that time, it’s a good idea to document the entire process with your smartphone camera or take a picture of the dashboard. Because if you forgot to check the condition of your vehicle before departure, you may be charged for wronged damage repairs when you return it.
Payment
Payment is due on the day of the rental unless you are paying online or purchasing a tour package.
Insurance is usually included in the rental price, but some car rental companies offer paid options for more comprehensive coverage.
Last but not least, keep all contracts and documents safe for possible further usage. Once you have received your keys, check the seat heights, mirror positions, secure child seats, and then you are ready to go!
Traffic Rules and Signs
Drive on the Right
In Turkey, vehicles drive on the right side of the road. And overtakes are made on the left. Pay special attention if your country differs from that and spend some time to adjust to it.
Car Rental Age
The legal car rental age is 21 years old. And the legal driving age is 18.
Speed Limit
In urban areas: 50 km/h
On two-lane roads outside build-up areas: 90 km/h
Highway/Motorways (otoyol): 120km/h
Using a Phone
It is allowed to use your phone with a hands-free device while driving. But holding it with your hands is not allowed.
Drinking While Driving
While in some other European countries the blood alcohol content is 0.05 mg, in Turkey the tolerance is zero if you are a driver, absolutely not allowed.
Safety Belts and Child Seat
Safety belts are required both for drivers and passengers from the front to rear. Child restraints are required for children under 150 cm up to 36kg, by exception, children of height 135-150 cm can be restrained with a seat belt only if they sit in the back.
Common Road Signs
Source and other road signs:
https://www.rhinocarhire.com/Drive-Smart-Blog/Drive-Smart-Turkey/Turkey-Road-Signs.aspx
Highways and Tolls
Road Conditions
Turkey toll highways and bridges are HGS (Hızlı Geçiş Sistemi or High-Speed Toll System). This “Fast Transit System” increases the speed of traffic flow. Seven Turkish motorways have tolls but they’re not very expensive. You cannot pay tolls on highways and bridges with cash or credit card in Turkey anymore. KGM (Karayolları Genel Müdürlüğü) in Turkey is the state agency in charge of the construction and maintenance of all public highways (toll roads and bridges) outside cities and towns in Turkey.
Toll Payment
To pay your car and truck toll in Turkey, you must have either an HGS tag or OGS On-board unit (OBU). Tolls are automatically deducted and paid online when you pass through a toll plaza in Turkey. Here’s the relating website:
https://hgsmusteri.ptt.gov.tr/hgs.jsf
https://tollguru.com/toll-wiki/what-is-distance-based-tolling
Toll Calculator:
https://tollguru.com/toll-calculator-turkey
Refueling and Parking
Gas Service
In Turkey, unleaded gasoline (benzin) is available at all fuel stations, typically with two octane grades.
Diesel fuel (dizel, mazot), including ultra-low sulfur euro-diesel, is also widely sold. Euro-diesel cars, which are more fuel-efficient, have special inlets for euro-diesel nozzles only. Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) is used by Istanbul taxis and some cars, though not all stations sell it. Fuel stations, known as “benzinci,” provide full-service refueling, where attendants fill your tank and you pay either them or a cashier. Many stations also offer additional services like windshield cleaning and car washes, with tips being optional.
For Fuel Prices:
https://www.rhinocarhire.com/World-Fuel-Prices.aspx
Parking
- Parking is generally only allowed in designated parking lots in residential areas.
- In commercial districts, on-street parking with meters is more common.
- Do not park where it is likely to cause an obstruction.
- Avoid parking on pedestrian crossings, in front of entrances, on the left-hand side of the road, near intersections, and in places with limited visibility.
- Do not park on bridges, underpasses, tunnels, or within 25 meters of danger signs.
Accident Handling
If you are involved in a traffic accident, do not panic. Check whether the passengers are injured, help yourself and seek help from passersby. Emergency contacts are available at any time.
- Police: 112
- Fire: 112
- Ambulance: 112
Scratch
Ensure the safety of personnel→ Move the vehicle to the side of the road without obstructing the traffic→ Call 112→Take photos or videos of the condition of the vehicle →Register the accident by police and keep a proper record of the accident→ Contact the rental car company and insurance company.
Theft
Call 112 → Police take notes → Insurance report → Verify information → Payment
Malfunction
Call the rental car company → They will send someone nearby to tow your car or change a tire.
If the rental car company is unable to help you, contact a towing service with the help of the police. Car repairs are very expensive sometimes, so it is important to have insurance.
Returning the Rental Car
To return the car, just drive back to the rental car company, but pay attention to the following things:
Refuel Before Returning
Usually, the basic rule for returning a car is to refuel the gas before returning it to the rental car company.
Even if the time is up, and there may not be a convenient gas station, it’s okay to drive for a while (about 5 kilometers or so) after refueling.
If you tried to return the car after the due time without refueling, or if you drove an excessive long distance after refueling, we will calculate the remaining time and charge you an additional fee.
Inspect the Car
When you arrive, we will have a representative inspect your vehicle for damage. If it had any damage, additional payment would be made.
Reconcile the Fee
When you return the car, the staff will check and record the vehicle and print the settlement list on site. Please check the list carefully, and if you have any unknown charges, you can raise them in person or call customer service to solve the problem.
Keep the Contract and Document
After returning the car, it is recommended to keep the contract and receipts in a safe place in case of needs.
Help after Trip
Traffic Citation
How to Pay Fine Ticket:
There are two main methods to pay a fine: ATM transfer or manual payment.
We recommend you to pay the fine as soon as possible, otherwise you may have to pay a late fee. If you can’t deal with it right away, tell the car rental company when you return the car, and you can let the company charge your credit card directly, but it usually requires a service fee.
Insurance Claim
If you bought a full coverage insurance, you would receive a fast claim settlement. The following documents should be prepared:
- Passport
- Driver’s License
- Credit Card Checkback History
- The Car Rental Contract
- Car Damage Deduction Bill
For more detailed information, check the terms and conditions of insurance company:
https://www.qeeq.com/term?info=axa_policy&browser_open=1
Unknown Charges after Trip
If you received an unexpected deduction when you return to your home country, it might be that your violation fee is paid by the car rental company, but usually the deduction amount will be more expensive than the violation fee because that includes the management fee charged by the car rental company. If you don’t know what the violation was, you can contact our customer service for help.
Here are some general fines for traffic violations in Turkey:
For more you can visit:
Traffic Laws: https://move2turkey.com/traffic-law-and-the-cost-of-traffic-violations-in-turkey-all-you-need-to-know/#google_vignette
Classic Routes
Ankara
- Historic Anatolia
The Historic Anatolia road trip from Ankara to Konya spans 692km (430 miles) and is perfect for history enthusiasts. Begin in Ankara with a visit to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, the old citadel, and Atatürk’s mausoleum. Head to Hattuşa, the ancient Hittite capital, before exploring Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys, cave churches, and underground cities. Towns like Göreme and Ürgüp offer excellent bases with ample accommodations. Before reaching Konya, renowned for its Seljuk relics and Sufi heritage, visit the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük for insights into Turkey’s earliest civilizations.
Peninsulas
- Thrace and the North Aegean
The Thrace and North Aegean road trip from Istanbul to İzmir spans 880km (547 miles) and is perfect for those who enjoy wining and dining. While you could rush through the historic sites like Gallipoli, Troy, Bergama, and Ephesus in a few days, it’s best to take your time. Enjoy the relaxed seaside towns, savor Aegean cuisine, and visit local wineries. Start with an overnight stay at Barbare winery near Tekirdağ, then explore the Gallipoli Peninsula’s national park. Visit Çanakkale, the gateway to Troy, and take a ferry to Bozcaada for its Greek houses and gourmet restaurants. Continue to Bergama, stopping in Foça or Ayvalık, before reaching İzmir, a city rich in Greek-influenced culture and cuisine.
- Three Peninsulas
The Three Peninsulas road trip from Bodrum to Dalaman covers 655km (407 miles) and offers a leisurely exploration of Turkey’s stunning Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines. The journey begins on the bustling Bodrum peninsula, known for its mix of glamorous and bohemian resort towns. Continue to the quieter peninsulas of Datça and Bozburun, popular with those seeking a peaceful retreat from city life. Each peninsula offers charming coves and villages, perfect for relaxed exploration. Conclude your trip with a stop in riverfront Dalyan, home to one of Turkey’s best beaches, before reaching Dalaman airport.
Mediterranean Sea
- The Lycian Coast
The Lycian Coast road trip from Dalaman to Antalya covers 337km (209 miles) and is renowned for its stunning sea views. This Mediterranean journey encourages a leisurely pace, with winding coastal roads and numerous attractions. Start with a harbor lunch in Göcek, then explore Fethiye’s bay cruises, ancient rock tombs, and the abandoned village of Kayaköy. As you head southeast, visit Patara’s sandy beach and nearby archaeological sites like Tlos, Xanthos, Letoon, and Pinara. Continue east to Kaş, a charming town with sea views and vibrant cafes. Discover the rock tombs of Myra, Olympos’ ruins and beach, and Phaselis before reaching Antalya.
Black Sea
- Western Black Sea
The Western Black Sea road trip from Istanbul to Samsun covers 1516km (942 miles), offering a journey through quaint Ottoman villages and rugged coastlines. Begin with a walk around Lake Sapanca, then explore the charming villages of Taraklı, Göynük, and Mudurnu, known for their historic Ottoman homes. Visit natural spots like Lake Abant and Yenice Forest before reaching the coastal resort of Amasra. Discover the restored Ottoman mansions in Safranbolu and the rock fortress of Kastamonu. Continue to the port town of Sinop, then head inland to the mosque-studded cities of Amasya and Tokat, concluding your trip in Samsun.
Southeast
- Southeastern Anatolia
The Southeastern Anatolia road trip, a circular journey of 832km (517 miles) starting and ending in Gaziantep, offers a rich tapestry of bazaars and museums. Begin in Gaziantep, renowned for its kebabs, baklava, and the impressive Zeugma Mosaic Museum. Head east to Şanlıurfa, home to an archaeology museum, vibrant bazaars, and the significant Neolithic site of Göbeklitepe. Further east, explore Mardin’s museum-like old town, atmospheric bazaar, and ancient ruins. Turning north, visit Diyarbakır, the heart of Kurdish culture in Turkey. Conclude your trip with an overnight stay near Nemrut Dağı, where colossal statues of ancient gods and heroes await.
East
- The Eastern Mountains
The Eastern Mountains road trip from Trabzon to Kars spans 640km (398 miles) and is ideal for those seeking wild nature and unique cultural sites. This challenging route, best avoided in winter, offers dramatic landscapes and isolated villages. Begin in Trabzon, visiting the 4th-century Sumela Monastery, a testament to the region’s Greek Orthodox heritage. Discover old Armenian churches near Gümüşhane and the unique Baksi Museum in Bayburt. Continue to Erzurum and then to Kars, known for its Russian-influenced architecture. Nearby, explore the ancient ruins of Ani, the former Armenian capital, set in one of Turkey’s most picturesque locations.
- The Phrygia and Lake District
The Phrygia and Lake District road trip from Eskişehir to Antalya spans 556km (345 miles) and offers a journey through off-the-beaten-path sights. Begin in Eskişehir, a green riverfront city with a notable modern art museum. Explore the ancient Phrygian civilization’s rock-carved valleys via the Phrygian Way trekking route. Continue to Kütahya, famous for Ottoman ceramics, and visit the hilltop castle in Afyonkarahisar. Discover Turkey’s forested Lake District, dining by the water in Eğirdir or hiking in Lake Kovada National Park. Visit the ancient ruins of Sagalassos and see artifacts in Burdur’s museum, before ending your trip with beach time in Antalya.
Useful Information
Emergency Contact:
- Police: 112
- Fire: 112
- Ambulance: 112
Car Rental Companies:
- AVIS: 1-800-352-7900
- SIXT: 1 (888) 749 8227
- Budget: 800-218-7992
- Thrifty: 1-800-283-0898
- Hertz: 1-800-654-5060
- ACE: (877) 822-3872
- Dollar: 800-235-9393
- Yesaway: 1 424-800-4990
Websites:
- Official Tourism: https://goturkiye.com/
- Embassies: https://www.embassypages.com/turkey
- Traffic Laws: https://move2turkey.com/traffic-law-and-the-cost-of-traffic-violations-in-turkey-all-you-need-to-know/#google_vignette
Thank you for reading through to the end, enjoy your Turkey road trip!
