Istanbul Car Rental

Istanbul is a metropolis spread across two continents, where every district is as lively as a city of its own: Kadıköy's market streets and Ataşehir's office towers on the Asian side, the Historic Peninsula, Beşiktaş and Levent on the European side. With SAW Rent A Car, Istanbul car rental starts with collecting your car at Sabiha Gökçen or Istanbul Airport in an online booking; after that you plan your own route, from the Bosphorus shore to Şile and from the Belgrade Forest to Edirne.

Online pick-up pointsSAW and IST airportsMeet-and-greet at the terminal exit at both

Asian / European sideSabiha Gökçen / Istanbul AirportChoose by the side you stay on

Listed online19 cars · 6 car groupsSAW and IST searches dated 11 October 2026

Driver requirementLowest: age 21, 2-year licenceYoung driver fee for ages 21–25

Pick-up timeBetween 00:00 – 23:30No extra charge for night flights

Included in the priceVAT and roadside assistanceIn the "Included" list of the car card

PaymentOptions on the car cardPaying without a card: WhatsApp or phone

Customer service0850 304 94 30WhatsApp and phone line

Metro, Marmaray, metrobus and ferries reach many parts of Istanbul; still, if on the same day you are moving on from a meeting in Ataşehir to a visit in Maslak, taking your family to breakfast in Polonezköy or keeping the weekend for Sapanca, a rental car frees you from changing lines and from timetables. Our booking system has welcomed more than 50,000 guests so far; we hand over cars at 16 points in Turkey, namely 15 airports and Bursa city centre.

Istanbul Car Rental: Where Do You Collect the Car?

In the online booking form there are two points for Istanbul: Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) on the Asian side and Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side. At both you are met at the terminal exit according to your landing time and collect the car there. The meet-and-greet steps and terminal details are described on our Sabiha Gökçen Airport car rental and Istanbul Airport car rental pages.

SAW Rent A Car, with terminal pickup at Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) and a Pendik city centre branch, is the closest car rental operator to you on Istanbul's Asian side.

Pick-up from the city centre is not listed in the online form; if you would like to collect the car in the city or have it brought to your address or hotel, send your request to our customer service by WhatsApp or phone before booking and settle the conditions together. With online bookings the car is handed over at the airport you choose in the form.

Asian and European Side: Istanbul District by District

The Bosphorus divides Istanbul in two: the Asian side to the east and the European side to the west. Collecting the car at the airport on the same side as the district you are staying in takes the Bosphorus crossing out of your first day. The districts below are only a sightseeing and business guide; driving time varies greatly with the hour and the traffic, so check your route in your map app.

1. Kadıköy and Moda (Asian side): The Asian side's market district; streets full of fishmongers, second-hand booksellers and cafés, and the Moda seafront is ideal for an evening walk. Rather than driving through the market, leave the car in a car park and walk.
2. Üsküdar and Çengelköy (Asian side): The coastal road along the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, the view of the Maiden's Tower and the tea gardens under Çengelköy's plane trees offer scenery even on a short drive.
3. Ataşehir and Kozyatağı (Asian side): The Asian side's business district with office towers, financial institutions and large shopping centres; on meeting days your car saves you time.
4. Kartal and Tuzla (Asian side): Seaside districts close to Sabiha Gökçen in the south-east, with coastal parks, a marina and fish restaurants; a frequent choice for a last dinner before the flight.
5. Sultanahmet and the Historic Peninsula (European side): Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, the Sultanahmet Mosque and the Grand Bazaar are at the heart of the Historic Areas of Istanbul on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In the narrow, steep streets it is easier to leave the car in a car park and explore by tram or on foot.
6. Beyoğlu, Taksim and Galata (European side): İstiklal Avenue, the Galata Tower and Karaköy's art galleries; a large part of the streets is reserved for pedestrians, so leave your car in one of the car parks nearby.
7. Beşiktaş, Ortaköy and Bebek (European side): The Bosphorus shore stretching from Dolmabahçe Palace to Bebek Bay; the coastal road gets busy at weekends, and the early morning hours are calmer for driving.
8. Şişli, Levent and Maslak (European side): The European side's business axis with skyscrapers, office towers and large shopping centres; it is on the same side as Istanbul Airport.

If you are continuing to other cities after Istanbul, take a look at our Turkey car rental guide.

Driving in Istanbul: Bridges, Traffic and Parking

Practical information that will help you when crossing between the two sides of the Bosphorus and looking for parking in busy districts:

1. Crossing the Bosphorus: Cars cross between the two sides via the 15 July Martyrs, Fatih Sultan Mehmet and Yavuz Sultan Selim bridges and the Eurasia Tunnel; the bridges are tolled according to the tariff of the General Directorate of Highways. Get an HGS briefing for motorway use; HGS is active in all SAW Rent A Car vehicles.
2. Rush hours: On weekday mornings bridge and D-100 traffic builds up from the Asian side towards the European side, and in the evenings in the opposite direction; allow extra time before your meeting or flight and plan your route with a map app that shows live traffic.
3. Parking: Kerbside spaces are hard to find in Kadıköy, Beşiktaş, Beyoğlu and the Historic Peninsula; the municipality's İSPARK car parks and the paid car parks of shopping centres save time.
4. The Princes' Islands: There is no private car traffic on Büyükada, Heybeliada and the other islands; you cross to the islands by ferry. You can leave your car in a car park near the Bostancı or Kartal pier.
5. Km and fuel: The car card shows the total kilometre allowance for your rental period and a "Fair Fuel Policy" note; check these two lines before long routes such as Şile, Sapanca or Edirne.
6. Return to the airport: If you are returning the car at Sabiha Gökçen or Istanbul Airport, set off early, allowing for bridge traffic and the security check at the terminal entrance; if the return airport is on the side where you are staying, you do not need to cross the Bosphorus.

Day Trips and Weekend Routes from Istanbul

For a short escape from the bustle of the city, the Black Sea coast, forests and the historic cities around the Sea of Marmara are places you can reach by car. Some are best as a day trip, others are more enjoyable with an overnight stay; check the current distance and driving time in your map app.

• Şile and Ağva: In the north of the Asian side, these two towns on the Black Sea coast are known for the Şile Lighthouse, their beaches and the two streams that flow into the sea at Ağva; they get crowded at summer weekends.
• Polonezköy and Riva: Polonezköy, inside the Beykoz forests, with its village breakfast and Riva with its beach at the river mouth make a short nature escape from the Asian side.
• Belgrade Forest and Kilyos: In the north of the European side, the Belgrade Forest with its historic dams and walking trails and the beaches of Kilyos on the Black Sea coast fit into the same day.
• Sapanca and Maşukiye: Lakeside walking paths to the east and Maşukiye's restaurants by the stream; at summer weekends setting off early keeps you out of the crowds.
• Edirne: The capital of Thrace; staying one night makes visiting Mimar Sinan's Selimiye Mosque, on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the historic bridges more relaxed.
• Bursa and Cumalıkızık: The first capital of the Ottomans; the Grand Mosque, the historic inns and the village of Cumalıkızık are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Osmangazi Bridge across the gulf is also tolled (tariff of the General Directorate of Highways).
• İznik: A calm day for history lovers, with Roman and Byzantine walls, tile workshops and the lakeshore.

The longer the route, the more the kilometre allowance and the driver requirement on the card matter; if you are thinking of leaving the car outside Istanbul, read the return section below.

Cars Available Online at Sabiha Gökçen and Istanbul Airport

The table is the result of the 20–27 October 2026 searches we made in our booking system on 11 October 2026: the Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) and Istanbul Airport (IST) searches showed the same 19 cars, and the search repeated at both points for 3–10 November 2026 gave the same list. The cars are grouped by class.

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.

Models are listed on the cards with the note "or similar"; the model you collect depends on availability on your dates. Enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the current list, prices and requirements.

Options that stand out in the search, depending on your Istanbul plans:

• Narrow streets and easy parking, automatic: Opel Corsa, Renault Clio, Citroen C3 and Renault Taliant (Economy); lowest driver requirement: age 21 and a licence held for 3 years
• Office meetings and business days: Renault Megane, Toyota Corolla and Peugeot 2008 (Intermediate); lowest driver requirement: age 25 and a licence held for 5 years
• Şile, Sapanca or Edirne route: Hyundai Bayon, Dacia Duster, Peugeot 3008, Hyundai Tucson and Peugeot 5008 (SUV); lowest driver requirement: age 21 and a licence held for 3 years
• Large family or team, 9 seats: Peugeot Expert Traveller (Minivan); lowest driver requirement: age 27 and a licence held for 7 years

Business Trips, Weekly and Monthly Rental

For business travellers, the day in Istanbul often spreads over both sides: financial institutions and office towers are concentrated in Ataşehir and Kozyatağı on the Asian side and in Levent and Maslak on the European side, and the fair and congress centres are in different districts too. Collecting the car at the airport on the side where most of your meetings are saves the first hours of the day.

The tariff changes as the rental gets longer: rentals of 8–29 days are charged at the weekly tariff, and 30 days or more at the monthly tariff. We provide fleet support to our corporate customers and supply a replacement car within 4 hours in the event of a breakdown; we can issue your invoice in EUR or USD, with VAT. For details see our corporate and long-term car rental and monthly car rental pages.

Premium models that are not on the online list and a chauffeur service are arranged on request through our customer service; the price is given according to your request. Details of this service are on our car rental with driver page.

Payment, Renting Without a Credit Card and Deposit

In an online booking the payment options are shown on the car card; you choose which one to proceed with before completing the booking.

If you do not have a credit card or would like to pay when you collect the car, make the booking with our customer service via WhatsApp or phone; payment can be arranged by bank transfer, EFT, cash, Wise or Revolut. For all the terms of renting without a card, read our car rental without a credit card page.

Deposit amount: Economy ₺8.000, compact ₺12.000, SUV ₺15.000, premium ₺25.000, VIP ₺40.000 — ₺60.000. The deposit is returned immediately upon damage-free return of the vehicle.

Returning at a Different Point: Between the Two Airports or in Another City

Collecting the car at Sabiha Gökçen and returning it at Istanbul Airport, or collecting it at Istanbul Airport and returning it at Sabiha Gökçen, can be selected in the form; this way you plan your return day around the side you are staying on.

If you will end your journey in another city such as Antalya, Izmir or Ankara, you can choose one of the other airports in the form as the return point. Settle the fee for returning at a different point with our customer service by WhatsApp or phone before completing the booking.

All pick-up and return points are on our pick-up points list.

Rental Requirements and What You Need at Handover

Documents: A valid driving licence and an identity card or passport.

Foreign licence: Licences written in the Latin alphabet are valid directly; for licences written in another script an international driving permit or a notarised translation is required.

Age and years of licence: Vary from car to car; shown in the table above and on the booking card.

Included in the price: The "Included Services" section of the search cards lists free delivery, a clean car, a fair fuel policy, VAT and free roadside assistance.

Insurance: Insurance cover and the excess amount depend on the car; ask our customer service for details before booking.

Abroad: The rented vehicle may only be used within Turkey's borders.

Changes and extension: To change the date, time or return point or to extend the rental, write to our customer service by WhatsApp or phone; availability and price for the new date are checked together.

Istanbul Car Rental — Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by Emrecan Albayrak, SAW Rent A Car · Last updated: 9 October 2026

Related Pages

• Sabiha Gökçen Airport Car Rental
• Istanbul Airport Car Rental
• Corporate and Long-Term Rental
• Monthly Car Rental
• Car Rental with Driver
• Turkey Car Rental
• Car Rental Without a Credit Card
• Frequently Asked Questions