(For example UK permits can be obtained simply and cheaply in many Post offices), An international Driving permit simply acts as a translation of your licence, so is used in conjunction with, rather than in place of your national driving license. For exceeding the speed limit by more than 30%, the speeding fine incurred is 488TL ($36USD). Fuel is cheap compared to Europe and its easy to find a mechanic to fix your car even if you break down. What about the fuel prices in Turkey? 11.5. In this case, youll need either to take a bus, cab or walk on your own. Registration is going on now. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Expect the customs officers to be quite thorough, so be patient keep smiling and do what they ask. In addition, Driver's license, Vehicle license and Traffic Insurance Policy must be carried in the vehicle on . Or you have been in a country for too long (in their opinion, although you are staying legally). The average cost of a Class B driver's license is 495.70 liras. LocalRent has one of the best customer services out there. In addition to your valid national driving license in Turkey, you must obtain an international driving license. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. With the need for food so high, we want to provide as many as we can with a . Tourist places are empty and you can enjoy them on your own. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'wanderingwelshgirl_com-sky-1','ezslot_31',607,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-wanderingwelshgirl_com-sky-1-0'); Having a little mechanical knowledge and a few tools might be useful here, but Turkey is full of highly skilled mechanics (and some not so highly skilled too!). So I needed to find my old license (thank God I didnt shred it) to prove that my driving experience was longer. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. If you decide to go with this option, keep in mind there is an extra expense for an additional driver. and tried to hire a car, they wouldnt accept an Indian driving licence (mine) while of course accepted my brothers UK driving licence and lent us a car. In this post, I would love to answer all the important questions about car hire in Turkey. If you look at the map and see that the streets look more like shattered glass patterns, it means that those are tiny streets. She is working online and thats why has an opportunity to travel a lot and live in different countries. I am glad you guys loved it, the coast area is particularly scenic, so going by car is the best choice! If youll be traveling there, take a look.). There's clearly a huge campaign in Turkey right now to bring down the road accident statistics - and I believe it's working very well. While I have been living abroad for over 30 years, I visit my home country Turkiye at least once a year, and my experiences with renting a car and driving in Turkiye are exactly as you describe. We are now in Cappadocia, there are only a few tourists (balloons fly), accommodation prices are low as well and prices for tours dropped too. You must be 18 years old to drive a car in Turkey, and 16 to ride a motorbike or scooter. FIND YOUR CHEAP CAR RENTALS IN TURKEY WITH LOCALRENT. Huge Tip for Anyone on Vodafone Travelling To Istanbul, Best Place To Exchange GBP Into Lira In/Around Sultanahmet. You can also find car rentals in Ankara, in Dalaman (airport and city), in Kusadasi, Alanya, Mardin, or Cappadocia. If police stop you, answer any questions they have, and be on your way. Driving License valid for use in Turkey (see above), Documents for vehicle (eg. I definitely recommend driving in Turkey as it is an amazing experience but I cant say anything about the company you mention. For example, if a credit card is not valid for more than 3 months from the date you rent. Driving in Turkey: Tips to Navigate by Car - Travel Store Turkey (In the UK its permit 1968). You can drive to some out of the way places, along unpaved roads - but, even then, the roads are generally in good repair and relatively easy to drive. Its best not to join in on this as the police wont be quite so friendly if you are caught! 11 Things You Need to Know Before Renting a Car & Driving in Turkey Driving in Turkey | Useful tips | EnjoyTravel.com Yes, it is possible through Myrentacar company (they changed their name to Localrent), although there will be a charge for a drop-off in a different location. They said they dont have any available. All other roads are toll free. (Thats why Windscreen and headlight insurance might be a good choice when hiring a car!). Roads are in excellent condition. Benzin is Petrol and Motorin is Diesel. To drive the car in Turkey, you must be over 18 years old. I have a valid UAE driving licensecan I (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? On the subject of indicators, even if they work, they may not always be used. The event is for every age, every activity level. Car washes are present on many gas stations and you can clean the vehicle when getting gas before the drop-off. We complained to Avis International and they claim to refund us a days worth of rent. Your valid photo ID Australian drivers licence is sufficient. Hi Ellen, It required 2 hours, with 2 mechanics and several young helpers. Expect to be flying high above Cappadocia in a hot air balloon, explore archeological ruins in Ephesus, and sunbathe on the pristine beaches of Fethiye. She lives in her converted campervan & is currently based in the UK. Think "legal" - what will a Turkish court of law accept? If manned there may be a quick check of paperwork and you may be issued a border card, which you will need to show at every stage of the crossing. But not the date when I received my first DL. They just ignored us for a long time. This company is very picky about a cars condition when dropping it off. 2. The driver's license you receive from your home country is sufficient to drive the car for a trip in Turkey. Great Turkey Itineraries: How Many Days to Spend? | Bookmundi Kayseri is the worst airport for car returns. If you dont speak Turkish this airport is horrible for a tourist to return the car. Some of those companies that offer a pick-up service usually do not go inside the terminal. If you are renting from a small company, clarify if you need to return the car clean. Also, keep in mind that a driver is required to hold the license for at least one year. I know it is not very convenient but it will definitely help you save money since Mardin is a more expensive city where to rent a car. Strictly speaking, Australia does not have a reciprocal agreement with (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41017396', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Turkey. Dont let this stress you out its pretty normal and its because drivers in Turkey often stop beyond the view of the light. (High-Speed Toll System or Hzl Gei Sistem). There is a very effective and well developed public transport system, with long distance buses operating in conjunction with a network of local dolmus services. Thanks in Advance IMPORTANT IMFORMATION FOR Driving license in Turkey for foreigners Urban areas, particularly on rural roads, begin where you observe the sign showing the town or village name and continue until you see the same sign with a diagonal line through it, indicating the end of the village. Sabiha Gokcen works better if you plan to live on the Asian side and drive around or to other cities and towns. It can happen on a highway or a small road even if you did everything right. Most of the big multinational hire car companies are represented at the main international airports, as well as some very good local operators. A valid credit card to pay for the estimated rental fees, plus a security deposit "hold" of perhaps US$1000/900. Dont panic though because people in Turkey are always willing to help, especially if you are in a bit of bother. This is quite useful but be aware that the car behind you might see this as a reason to speed up before the light changes. Tourist attractions are empty without crowds of people and you can enjoy them to the fullest! AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE, WE EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES. The roads are generally good and even when they are not they are still acceptable. The roads in Turkey and the quality of the driving are good, however there are some points of difference and local habits which you will soon become accustomed to. For more information see Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers.. Interested to learn more? Overall, the procedure of Turkey car hire is absolutely the same as anywhere else in the world. Yes, pretty much always unless it is included in the package. In general 50cl beer or 1 glass of wine is within the limits (It depends on the medical condition of the person). They are cheap for a reason. Usually, car rental companies dont pride themselves on good customer service. Breaking down in Turkey might sound like your worst nightmare but it could also be the beginning of a different kind of adventure. Turkey is one of the most exciting places to undertake a good old fashion road trip. A Few More Tips Before You Sign the Contract & Rent a Car, LocalRent (Former MyRentaCar) Best Car Rental in Turkey Among Local Companies, Discover Cars Best Car Hire in Turkey Among International Companies. Once you hit the road, you quickly understand that driving is really easy and enjoyable. 3. If you are driving your own vehicle, use your emergency assistance company's partner in Turkey. Using a phone is not allowed. Legal speed limits in Turkey varies according to the type of road. White is the cheapest color when buying/renting a car, this is why it is the most popular. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'wanderingwelshgirl_com-sky-3','ezslot_34',606,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-wanderingwelshgirl_com-sky-3-0');We drove our campervan from the UK to Turkey and enjoyed Winter van life. Traffic police and military are often patrolling Turkish roads. But if you book a rental with full coverage, then youll surely receive a very old car that will be falling apart. Turkey thus boasts of a diverse array of culture, art, architecture, and so on. Some people know it for its numerous bays, surrounded by gardens and pine groves, fancy high-end hotels, or an abundance of historic sights. Hi, we are planning a family holiday in Dec (17-29). As a matter of fact, its even easier than driving in Los Angeles. Travel to Turkey There are no COVID-19 restrictions in place for travel to Turkey from Ireland. Usually, an agent should mention all of this at the time of a pick-up but if he/she doesnt, its better to clarify not to overpay in the end. Ive rented too many cars in Turkey to know how disappointing it can be to rent a vehicle through a wrong supplier, so I prefer to stick to those companies I refer to and sometimes pay a bit more not to have any problems later. Would you recommend driving? Foreign citizens can drive their vehicles with their valid driver licenses in Turkey. There are direct flights from Madrid to Istanbul, taking 4 hours 15 minutes. Driving Licence in Turkey Ikamet Care is needed at all times in harsh weather. Mostly theyre not! Driving Tips for Turkey: Driving Tips & Road Regulations with SIXT If youre used to driving a Touareg on regular basis already, I wouldnt stress much about the size. Great addition to the post, thank you for stopping by to share. You must meet the minimum age to drive in your city, have an eligible mode of transportation, and submit required documents, including a valid driver's license. Thanks for providing accurate information. Yes, you can drive your rented car during the lockdown anywhere you want! Read more about taking a road trip from Istanbul to Cappadocia in this guide. . If you stay for more than six months, you'll need to convert to a Turkish driving license. There are two kinds of express buses that go from Taxim and Kadikoy. This is also a budget car hire in Turkey. Turkey can offer so many of them! The only thing you want to pay attention to is the limit of mileage, if you plan to travel to Cappadocia via coast within a short period of time, then rent a car with unlimited mileage. Usually, the company requires to provide a credit card of a driver. Cars tend to be of a good standard but its advisable to check them over on collection, especially tyres and lights. Aegean or Mediterranean coasts alone deserve a ride. If you plan to stay in Turkey longer than 90 days, you must apply for a residence permit before the 90 days ends or apply for a longer stay visa before you travel. When a light changes from green to red it may flash for a short time first, to warn you of its imminent change. It will most likely be two of us, but there is a possibility of two others joining for part of the trip. If you stay in Europe longer than that, you may need a local licence. . Safety and security - Turkey travel advice - GOV.UK Travelers' checks are no longer common. Because we rented from many different companies, I would like to provide the information based on personal experience and give recommendations on what worked best for us. These are either collected at toll booths or by using an automated system. After 12 months you'll need to apply for a provisional licence and . Before leaving the rental office with the car, I recommend you take photos of the vehicle even if the agent is telling you everything is ok!. Even if an agent marks everything on a contract in front of you, I still advise making your own photos (optional videos) as a precaution. Much of Turkey gets over 300 days of sunshine per year but when it rains, it pours and big storms can rage on for days. As a driver, you should also be careful when you stop on the pedestrian crossing, as many drivers are unaware of the need to stop at the pedestrian crossing, even if you stop, the car behind you may hit you, such accidents are frequently experienced. In small towns, like Bergama or Kusadasi for example, driving can get a little more chaotic. At that point we would fly back to Istanbul. Donations will continue to be accepted after November 24th and will be distributed in December. Now, as an example, my California license has the issue date but that is the date when the particular card was issued. Bodrum or Marmaris Which One is Best For You? If the alcohol level is found higher than 0.5 promille when measured, driver will be fined over 1000TL and driver's license will be suspended. So it was actually nice to get an experience of normal life in Turkey and meet some friendly local people! Thank You for your article! We booked with Avis, despite booking with them theres something most Westerners dont know neither did we. Because before you get your license, there are a few things you need to know. Dial 112 for all Emergency services in Turkey. I am not sure if thats a new norm for some companies that try to survive in the world of the pandemic. On entry to Turkey you will be asked to show a Green Card as proof of this cover. Sometimes this will be open and unmanned, in which case drive slowly through. Some nationals are able to enter visa free but others will require a visa which is normally an e-visa. But guys, can you tell me why? Spring and Autumn are a pleasant temperature but can be wet at times. Even in smaller cities in Eastern Turkey such as Van or Kas. Its only word of mouth. Hi Mehmet, thank you for finding time to drop a comment and share your thoughts! more. Turkey accepts driving licenses from most countries for a period of up to 6 months, after which you are required to obtain a Turkish license. Wales is a small country in the UK packed with a range of beautiful landscapes. If you are not planning to visit Istanbul and are heading for the Mediterranean coast, I suggest heading to Eceabat and taking the ferry to Cannakale. Although the roads are often adequate, some drivers can be insane! This type of roundabout prioritises the highway traffic, rather than the traffic on the roundabout. Anya is originally from Ukraine but in heart she is a citizen of the world. We had absolutely horrible experiences with this company not only in Turkey but in Montenegro and Spain. 1. Driving on serpentines requires accuracy and attention. The terminal is huge, parking is expensive and they are not allowed to stop near the exit. The amount depends on the distance between the cities where you pick it up and drop it off and all prices are available online when you check on their website. Is Cizgi a reliable car rental company. However, we noticed that a lot of times cars on the roundabout will stop to let you go first, against the traffic rules. They don't demand Turkish on the licence papers, but any inspecting policeman has to be able to know if it's valid. These guys always reply quickly, provide thorough explanations, and always assist with any problem that may come up. Although some writers here warn against maniacal drivers, we found that you can drive safely in Turkey if you drive defensively, always exercising care. Customer service is nonexistent and if any problem occurs, theyll take your money and disappear. In total, after waiting for 30 minutes, the guy showed up. It is better to concentrate on the city and spend more quality time there. Tom's Turkey Drive | Inflation | krem.com It is quite common to find check points in Turkey. As for SUVs, you will see plenty of those on the road. After reading this guide, youll be super prepared and know what to expect. Rental-Car Requirements in Europe by Rick Steves Driving in Turkey - Turkey Forum - Tripadvisor People get on an Interstate, get in the passing lane and stay there the entire drive until they need to exit. Rules of the Road. You will often find a speed limit sign where pedestrians might cross and specific warnings as you would expect close to schools. The paperwork is normally very straight forward and you will have to provide credit card details for a deposit of some sort and to cover tolls and fines. Notarized translation, notarization and certification . Turkey is a one-of-a-kind country, with a foot in both Europe . ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-49322832', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rent a car in Istanbul and drive with the same license. I would like to tell you briefly about the traffic rules since there are not many differences between the rules in Turkey and anywhere else in Europe. There is a zero blood alcohol limit in Turkey. The road signs are, in the main, the conventional European road signs. Thats why when we learned that these guys entered the market in Turkey, we decided to give them a try. They may check your DL and car documentation, maybe do an alcohol test and ask you to open the trunk. With three national parks, Wales is home to some of the prettiest scenery in the UK. This a quick overview of driving in Turkey so other travelers can get a feel. And every time while renting a cheap vehicle we paid much more in the end out of the deposit for something they made up. COVID-19 travel restrictions in Turkey. Thank you for such a thourough article, I got all the info I was looking for and then some. A guide to Prices in Istanbul. This company rents cars not only in Turkey but in many places around Europe. Hi Tania, 11.1. Great article, having just returned from Turkey and explored both the Bozburn & Datca peninsulas we collected & returned our car to Dalaman airport driving in Turkey is pure joy, the roads and views are awsome. I have never rented a car in Turkey, and I have been living here for 7 1/2 years. Public transportation is well-developed and you can get to almost any city and village by bus, train, plane, and dolmus taxi.