Car and Van Rental at Istanbul Grand Airport - Best Deals, Easy Pickup, and Wide Vehicle Options
Quick answer: Yes, you can rent a car at Istanbul Airport (IST). More than 20 rental companies have desks landside on the domestic-arrivals floor, open 24/7, including international brands (Sixt, Green Motion, Payless) alongside local Turkish firms. You collect the car from the designated rental-car parking area. To rent you need a valid licence held for at least a year, a passport and a credit card; bring an International Driving Permit (mandatory if your licence is not in the Latin alphabet). Turkey drives on the right and uses cashless HGS tolls, so confirm the car has a toll tag.
Hiring a car suits trips beyond the metro and bus network, or onward travel along the coast. This guide covers where the desks are, which companies are there, what you need to rent in Turkey, and the toll and driving rules that catch visitors out. We do not quote daily rates, because they swing with company, season and booking site.
| At a glance | Car rental at IST |
|---|---|
| Where | Rental desks landside, on the domestic-arrivals floor |
| Companies | 20+, incl. Sixt, Green Motion, Payless and local firms |
| Hours | 24/7 (per the airport) |
| Pick-up | Paperwork at the desk, then collect from the rental-car parking area |
| You need | Valid licence (held ≥ 1 year), passport, credit card |
| Driving permit | IDP required/advised; mandatory if licence is not Latin alphabet |
| Tolls | Cashless HGS only; car should carry a toll tag |
Where do you rent a car at Istanbul Airport?
All the rental firms are grouped together landside on the domestic-arrivals floor. After baggage reclaim, follow the Car Rental (Araç Kiralama) signs to the rental area where the desks sit side by side, which makes it easy to compare on the spot. You sign the paperwork at the desk and are then directed to your vehicle in the airport's rental-car parking area; the exact level depends on the company, so check your collection slip. To picture the wider building, see our terminal guide.
Which car rental companies are at IST?
The airport lists more than 20 rental companies, a mix of well-known international brands and Turkish operators, so you have plenty of choice. Officially confirmed names include Sixt, Green Motion, Payless, Avec and Elitcar, and most major global brands maintain an IST branch too. Because the desks are clustered, you can walk the row to compare, but booking online in advance is usually cheaper and guarantees the car class you want. All companies are listed as operating around the clock.
What do you need to rent a car in Turkey?
There are two layers: the legal rules for driving in Turkey, and the rental companies' own policies, which are stricter. Bring all of the following:
| Requirement | Detail | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Driving licence | Full, valid; legal driving age in Turkey is 18 | Law |
| International Driving Permit | 1968-type IDP advised; mandatory if your licence is not in the Latin alphabet (otherwise a notarised Turkish translation) | Law / strongly advised |
| Minimum rental age | Usually 21, often 25 for larger/premium cars; under-25s may pay a young-driver fee | Company policy |
| Licence held for | At least 1 year (some firms want 2 for premium cars) | Company policy |
| Passport | Required at pick-up | Company policy |
| Credit card | In the main driver's name, for the security deposit hold | Company policy |
A foreign licence lets a visitor drive in Turkey for up to six months, which covers any normal holiday. The security deposit is a pre-authorisation hold released when you return the car undamaged and fine-free; the amount depends on the car class and company, so ask before you sign.
How do tolls work with a rental car (HGS)?
This is the rule visitors most often miss. Istanbul's motorways and Bosphorus bridges are 100% cashless: you cannot pay at a booth with cash or card. They use the HGS electronic system, read from a tag on the windscreen. Rental cars should already be fitted with an active HGS device, so confirm it is working when you collect the car. The company then bills the tolls back to you afterwards, usually against your card or deposit, and may add a service or handling fee. Treat tolls as a charge that arrives after the trip, not something you settle on the road.
What is driving in and around Istanbul like?
Turkey drives on the right. Istanbul traffic is heavy and congested, especially at peak times, so allow extra time and consider whether you actually need the car inside the city, where the metro is faster. Drink-driving is heavily penalised, with fines and possible licence confiscation. For getting into the centre without a car, our Istanbul Airport guide covers the metro, buses and taxis.
Can you take the car abroad, and how does fuel work?
Most Turkish rentals cannot be taken across the border; standard insurance excludes it, and any exception needs written permission and extra cover, so plan a Turkey-only itinerary. Fuel is usually full-to-full: you collect a full tank and return it full, or pay for the missing fuel plus a refuelling charge. One-way rentals (drop in another city) are offered by some firms for an extra fee. As at most airports, picking up at IST tends to carry an airport surcharge versus a city-centre branch, traded off against the 24/7 desks and wider choice.
Frequently asked questions
Where is car rental at Istanbul Airport?
All rental desks are grouped landside on the domestic-arrivals floor. Follow the Car Rental (Araç Kiralama) signs after baggage reclaim, sign at the desk, then collect the car from the rental-car parking area.
Which companies rent cars at IST?
More than 20 companies, a mix of international brands and Turkish firms. Officially confirmed names include Sixt, Green Motion, Payless, Avec and Elitcar, and they operate 24/7.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Turkey?
An IDP (1968 type) is strongly advised and is mandatory if your licence is not in the Latin alphabet; otherwise you need a notarised Turkish translation. Always carry your home licence too.
How old do you have to be to rent a car at Istanbul Airport?
The legal driving age is 18, but rental companies usually set a minimum of 21, often 25 for larger or premium cars, with a young-driver surcharge for under-25s.
How do I pay road tolls in a rental car?
Istanbul tolls are cashless (HGS) and cannot be paid in cash. Rental cars should have an HGS tag fitted; the company bills the tolls to you afterwards, sometimes with a service fee. Confirm the tag works at pick-up.
Can I take a rental car from Istanbul out of Turkey?
Usually no. Most companies prohibit cross-border travel and their insurance excludes it. If you need it, you must arrange written permission and extra cover in advance.
Sources: Istanbul Airport (istairport.com) car-rental directory for desk location, 24/7 hours and listed companies; UK government travel and driving-abroad advice for licence, IDP and road rules; Turkey's HGS toll system for cashless tolls. Rental prices, deposits, surcharges and fees vary by company and season and are not stated here; confirm them at the time of booking.
