Short answer: Sixt is an international car rental brand that lists a branch at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, while SAW Rent A Car is a Turkish operator that serves 16 pickup points in Turkey (15 airports plus Bursa city centre) with terminal meet & greet at every one of them. Which one suits you depends less on the logo and more on four things: the driver's age and licence, how you want to pay, which car you need and where you land. This guide walks through each point honestly. We do not publish Sixt's prices or rules here, because they change — check Sixt's current terms on its own website before you book.
Comparison prepared by SAW Rent A Car. Information about other companies is limited to publicly available general facts; their prices, deposits and age rules can change at any time.
For those looking to rent a car in Istanbul, global brands like Sixt can seem appealing. A recognised name, a wide vehicle portfolio and international standards are genuine advantages. Sixt lists an Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport branch on its own website, which is why many travellers search for “Sixt SAW airport” before they land.
A global company works with global policies. Those policies are designed to be the same in many countries, so they do not always fit every customer profile in Turkey — especially young drivers and people who do not use a credit card.
SAW Rent A Car serves customers at 16 pickup points across Turkey, including Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen and Istanbul Airport. Instead of the standard policies of a global chain, it offers conditions shaped around the needs of customers renting in Turkey, with support in Turkish over WhatsApp and phone.
The table does not rank companies. It lists the questions that change the real cost and comfort of a rental, what you should check with any company, and what applies at SAW Rent A Car.
| Criterion | What to check with any company | SAW Rent A Car |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age & licence | The rule for the exact car model, not the brand | From 21 with 2 years' licence on some cars; higher in the upper segment |
| Payment method | Whether a credit card in the driver's name is required | Options without a credit card are arranged through customer service |
| Deposit | Amount, method and when it is released | Varies by car; the amount is on the car card |
| Premium models | Whether a specific model is guaranteed or only a class | Selected premium cars; specific models on request |
| Support | Who answers when something goes wrong, and in which language | Local team, Turkish-language support |
| Sabiha Gökçen pickup | Desk, shuttle or meet & greet | Terminal meet & greet |
| Commission / intermediary | Whether you book with the company itself | None — direct booking |
| Longer rentals | Weekly and monthly tariffs | 8–29 days weekly tariff, 30+ days monthly tariff |
Age rules are where the difference is most visible. International brands usually set minimum ages per vehicle category and may add a young driver surcharge; check the exact rule for the car you want on Sixt's website.
The minimum age and years of licence depend on the car: some cars can be rented at 21 with a licence held for 2 years; in the upper segment the requirement rises to 25–27 years of age and 5–7 years of licence. The requirement for the car you choose is shown on its car card on the booking screen.
For university students or young professionals between 21 and 24 who travel for work inside Turkey, choosing the right car class can decide whether a rental is possible at all.
International rental companies commonly ask for a credit card in the main driver's name for the booking and the deposit, and debit cards may be accepted only with restrictions or not at all. Sixt publishes its own payment rules — read them before you travel if you do not carry a credit card.
SAW Rent A Car allows reservations to be made without a credit card. Payment and deposit options are clarified directly: online, the available payment options are shown on the booking screen; for renting without a credit card, contact our customer service on WhatsApp or by phone.
Deposit amounts matter in premium car rental, because a hold on your card reduces your travel budget for the length of the rental. With any company, ask three questions: how much, by which method, and when it is released.
At SAW, deposit conditions are clarified directly with the customer. Transparent communication means no surprise holds. The deposit varies by car, and the amount is shown on the car card.
We should be honest in this comparison: if you insist on one specific brand or model, a large international fleet may offer more options. Check whether the model is guaranteed or whether you are booking a class “or similar”.
SAW Rent A Car carries a selection of premium vehicles; its brand variety is not on the same scale as a global chain. Specific premium models can be arranged on request through customer service, and the price is given on request.
When something comes up during a rental — a breakdown in Istanbul traffic, a flight change at Sabiha Gökçen or a reservation adjustment — the speed of the answer matters more than the size of the company.
SAW Rent A Car offers full local support in Turkish. These requests are handled with the local team, which is a practical advantage that reduces travel stress. Our customers rate us 4.4 out of 5 on Google (127 reviews).
Premium does not have to mean expensive, but the daily rate alone says little. Build the total for both offers on the same dates and the same car class:
At SAW, a weekly tariff applies to rentals of 8–29 days and a monthly tariff from 30 days. No-credit-card payment through customer service, acceptance from 21 on suitable cars and conditions oriented towards customers in Turkey keep the total cost more predictable.
If your company already has a corporate agreement or a loyalty membership with an international brand, staying with that brand can make sense: the account, the invoice flow and the benefits are already set up.
For companies renting in Turkey, SAW offers corporate fleet support, a replacement car within 4 hours, and invoices in EUR or USD with VAT shown.
If you are considering SAW in the premium segment, we recommend getting in touch directly to clarify fleet availability and conditions.
After you land, our team meets you at the terminal. You show your driving licence and ID, check the car together with our staff and sign the vehicle handover form, which becomes part of the rental agreement. The full step-by-step process is in our guide to vehicle pickup and return at the airport; airport details are on the Sabiha Gökçen Airport car rental page.
Sixt lists an Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport branch on its own website. Check the desk location, opening hours and current conditions there, because they can change.
It depends on the car, not only on the company. At SAW some cars can be rented at 21 with a licence held for 2 years; in the upper segment the requirement rises to 25–27 years of age and 5–7 years of licence. The rule for each car is on its car card.
With SAW Rent A Car, renting without a credit card is arranged through customer service on WhatsApp or by phone. International brands publish their own payment rules, so check them before you book.
At SAW the deposit varies by car and the amount is shown on the car card. Ask any company for the amount, the method and the release time before you travel.
Yes. SAW Rent A Car serves 16 pickup points — 15 airports and Bursa city centre — and offers terminal meet & greet at all of them.
There is no fixed answer: prices change by date, car class and season. Compare the total for the same dates and class, including insurance, extra fees, fuel and the deposit.
