Hiring a car can give families much more freedom to explore Turkey beyond their hotel or resort. From beaches and ancient ruins to waterparks, mountain villages and family attractions, having your own transport can make day trips considerably easier.
If you’re still planning your trip, our Turkey family holidays guide covers the best resorts, hotels and family-friendly areas to help you decide where to stay.
If you’re comparing car hire Turkey options for your next family holiday, there are a few important things to understand before booking. Rental prices can look very different once insurance, deposits, fuel policies, child seats and additional drivers are taken into account.
Turkey car hire is available from major holiday airports including Antalya, Dalaman and Bodrum, as well as from rental locations in the main resorts. Booking at the airport can be particularly convenient if you want your car for the entire holiday.
In this guide, we explain how car rental in Turkey works for UK travellers, what documents you’ll need, what to check before booking and the common extra costs to watch for. We’ll also look at whether hiring a car is actually worthwhile for your family.
💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Don’t choose a hire car based on the headline daily price alone. Compare the total cost for your entire trip, including insurance, fuel policy, child seats and any additional-driver fees.
Is Car Hire in Turkey Worth It for Families?
For many families, car hire in Turkey can be worthwhile, but it depends heavily on the type of holiday you’re planning.
If you’re staying at a large all-inclusive resort and expect to spend most of your holiday around the hotel, pool and beach, you may not need a car at all. Airport transfers and organised excursions can often cover the few journeys you need.
Car hire becomes much more useful if you want to explore independently. Having your own vehicle makes it easier to visit beaches, historical sites, waterparks, towns and attractions without relying on excursion timetables or arranging taxis for every journey. If you’re looking for ideas for those days out, our Turkey with kids guide covers some of the best family attractions, waterparks, beaches and excursions to add to your holiday.
It can also make sense for families planning several days out. Once you start adding up the cost of multiple taxi journeys or organised tours, having a hire car may offer better value as well as considerably more flexibility.
When We’d Consider Hiring a Car
We’d seriously consider Turkey car hire if you:
- Plan several independent day trips.
- Want to explore beaches and towns away from your resort.
- Are staying in a villa or self-catering accommodation.
- Want the flexibility to come and go without relying on transfers or taxis.
- Are comfortable driving abroad.
If your holiday is mainly about relaxing at an all-inclusive hotel with one or two organised excursions, we’d probably save the money and skip the hire car.
💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Work out roughly how many days you’ll genuinely use the car. Sometimes hiring one for part of your holiday makes more sense than paying for a vehicle that sits in the hotel car park for a week.
How to Book Car Hire in Turkey
You can book car hire in Turkey directly with individual rental companies or use a comparison website to compare vehicles and rental conditions from several suppliers.
For UK families, we prefer comparing options before travelling rather than waiting until you arrive. This gives you time to check the total rental price, insurance arrangements, deposit requirements, fuel policy and any charges for extras such as child seats or additional drivers.
When comparing car rental Turkey deals, don’t automatically choose the cheapest option. Check the supplier rating and rental conditions carefully, particularly the security deposit, mileage allowance and what insurance is included.
Booking in advance can also give you a wider choice of vehicles, which is useful for families who need enough boot space for several suitcases or want an automatic car.
💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Before booking, check how much luggage the vehicle is designed to carry. A small car may technically have enough seats for your family but very little room left for suitcases.
🚗 Compare Car Hire in Turkey
Compare Turkey car hire from multiple rental companies in one place with Discover Cars. You can compare vehicles, prices, supplier ratings and rental conditions before deciding which option works best for your family.
Affiliate link: We may earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
Where to Hire a Car in Turkey
Most UK families flying to Turkey will find the widest choice of hire cars at the main holiday airports. Collecting your vehicle when you land also means you can drive directly to your accommodation without arranging a separate airport transfer.
Antalya Airport Car Hire
Antalya Airport is the main gateway for resorts including Lara Beach, Belek, Side, Kemer and Alanya. There are car rental companies operating at and around the airport, making it a convenient place to collect your vehicle if you plan to explore the Antalya region.
If you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort, think about how often you’ll actually use the car before booking it for your entire holiday.
Dalaman Airport Car Hire
Dalaman Airport is a popular arrival point for family resorts including Fethiye, Ölüdeniz, Marmaris and Dalyan.
Hiring a car can be particularly useful in this part of Turkey if you want to explore different beaches, towns and attractions independently rather than relying on organised excursions.
Bodrum Airport Car Hire
Bodrum Airport serves Bodrum and several surrounding resorts on Turkey’s Aegean coast.
A hire car can give families much more freedom to explore the peninsula, particularly if you’re staying outside the centre of Bodrum or want to visit several beaches and towns during your holiday.
💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Check whether your rental is genuinely on-airport or requires a shuttle to an off-airport depot. An off-airport deal can still be excellent value, but it’s useful to know exactly how collection works before you land.
What Do You Need to Hire a Car in Turkey?
UK travellers will normally need a valid driving licence, identification and a payment card when collecting a hire car in Turkey. However, the exact requirements can vary between rental companies, so always check the rental conditions for your specific booking.
UK Driving Licence & International Driving Permit
Take your physical UK driving licence with you when hiring a car in Turkey and make sure it will remain valid for your entire trip.
Current UK government travel advice states that to drive in Turkey you need either a 1968 International Driving Permit (IDP) or a UK driving licence that has been notarised in Turkish.
For most UK holidaymakers, getting a 1968 IDP before travelling is likely to be the simpler option. You can obtain an IDP in person from participating PayPoint stores in the UK.
Always check the latest requirements before travelling, as driving rules can change.
Check the latest GOV.UK driving advice for Turkey →
Passport
The main driver will normally need to show their passport when collecting the vehicle, so keep it easily accessible rather than packing it away in your luggage.
Credit Card and Security Deposit
One of the most important things to check when booking car hire in Turkey is the security deposit.
Many rental companies require a credit card in the main driver’s name and may temporarily block a deposit on the card when you collect the vehicle. The amount and accepted payment methods vary between suppliers.
Check this before booking — particularly if you normally travel using a debit card.
Minimum Age
Minimum driver ages and young-driver charges vary between rental companies and vehicle categories. Some suppliers may also require you to have held your driving licence for a minimum period.
Always check the age requirements shown in the rental conditions before paying.
💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: The name on your booking, driving licence and payment card should match the rental company’s requirements. Checking this before you travel can prevent an unpleasant surprise at the collection desk.
Car Hire Insurance & Excess in Turkey
Insurance is one of the most important things to understand when comparing car hire Turkey deals. Two cars with similar headline prices can have very different insurance cover, excess amounts and deposit requirements.
Before booking, check exactly what insurance is included rather than assuming everything is covered.
What Is a Car Hire Excess?
The excess is the amount you could be responsible for paying if the hire car is damaged or stolen, subject to the terms of your rental agreement.
The amount varies between rental companies and vehicles, so check the rental conditions before booking.
Pay particular attention to whether certain parts of the vehicle — such as tyres, wheels, windows or the underside — have different exclusions or conditions.
Additional Car Hire Cover
Depending on the rental company and booking platform, you may be offered additional protection that reduces your financial exposure if something goes wrong.
Before paying for extra cover, check:
- What insurance is already included with the rental.
- The amount of the excess.
- Whether a security deposit is still required.
- Which types of damage are covered or excluded.
- Whether you pay the rental company first and claim the money back afterwards.
Don’t assume that buying additional protection automatically means there will be no deposit or nothing to pay if the vehicle is damaged.
Check the Car Before Driving Away
Before leaving the collection point, inspect the car carefully and make sure any existing damage is recorded on the rental agreement.
Take clear photos or a short video showing the vehicle from every side, including the wheels, windscreen and any existing scratches or dents.
Do the same when returning the vehicle if possible.
💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Keep your collection and return photos until your security deposit has been released and you’re satisfied that the rental is completely closed.
Fuel Policies, Mileage & Deposits
The cheapest-looking Turkey car hire deal isn’t always the cheapest once you look at the rental conditions. Fuel policies, mileage limits and security deposits are three things we’d always check before booking.
Fuel Policy
A full-to-full fuel policy is usually the simplest option. You collect the car with a full tank and return it full, meaning you only pay for the fuel you actually use.
Other fuel arrangements may be available, so check exactly what your booking requires and whether any refuelling or service charges apply.
Keep your final fuel receipt when returning the car in case there is any question about whether the tank was refilled.
Mileage Limits
If you’re planning to explore Turkey extensively, check whether your rental includes unlimited mileage.
Some deals may have a daily or total mileage allowance, with an additional charge if you exceed it. This matters much more if you’re planning several long-distance day trips than if you’ll mainly be driving locally around your resort.
Security Deposit
Check the security deposit before booking rather than discovering it at the rental desk.
Depending on the supplier and vehicle, a deposit may be temporarily blocked on the main driver’s payment card. Make sure your card has sufficient available credit and that the card type meets the supplier’s requirements.
A very cheap rental can become much less attractive if the deposit or rental conditions don’t work for you.
💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: When comparing two similar cars, open the rental conditions for both. We’d happily pay slightly more for a deal with a better fuel policy, suitable deposit and clearer rental conditions.
Driving in Turkey as a UK Tourist
Driving in Turkey gives families plenty of freedom to explore, but there are some differences UK drivers should be prepared for.
The most obvious is that traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road, so take extra care when leaving junctions, entering roundabouts and pulling away after stopping.
Speed Limits & Driving Rules
Speed limits vary depending on the road and vehicle, so always follow the local road signs rather than relying on a general speed limit you’ve read online.
Seat belts should be worn and there are rules covering child restraints, mobile-phone use and drink-driving. Check the latest official guidance before travelling, particularly if this will be your first time driving in Turkey.
Check the latest GOV.UK driving and safety advice for Turkey →
Toll Roads
Turkey has toll motorways, bridges and tunnels. The country uses an electronic toll system known as HGS, rather than relying solely on traditional cash toll booths.
If you’re hiring a car, ask the rental company how toll charges are handled. The vehicle may already be registered for the system, with tolls charged to you afterwards, but the exact process depends on the rental company.
Driving Around Turkish Resorts
Roads around the main tourist areas are generally straightforward to navigate, but traffic can become much busier around larger towns and resorts.
A navigation app can make exploring considerably easier, but don’t rely entirely on your phone — pay attention to local signs and road conditions too.
💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Before leaving the rental desk, ask how tolls, parking fines and traffic charges are handled. Knowing whether they’re billed automatically or require action from you can prevent confusion later.
Child Seats & Family Extras
If you’re hiring a car in Turkey with children, check the child-seat options when you make your booking rather than waiting until you arrive.
Rental companies may offer baby seats, child seats and booster seats as optional extras, but availability, type and price can vary between suppliers.
When comparing car rental Turkey deals, include the cost of any child seats in the total price. A cheaper car can end up costing more once several extras are added.
Should You Take Your Own Child Seat?
Some families prefer to travel with their own child seat because they already know it fits their child correctly and are familiar with how to install it.
If you’re considering this, check your airline’s rules and charges for carrying child seats before travelling.
If you hire one with the car instead, check what type of seat is being supplied and make sure it’s suitable for your child.
Other Useful Extras
Depending on your family and holiday plans, you may also want to check the cost of:
- Additional drivers
- GPS or navigation
- Extra child or booster seats
- One-way rental fees
- Out-of-hours collection or return
Again, compare the total rental price rather than just the initial car-hire rate.
💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Download offline maps of the area you’re visiting before leaving the UK. Your phone can then provide navigation even if you temporarily lose mobile data while exploring.
Additional Drivers & One-Way Car Hire
If more than one adult plans to drive during your holiday, make sure every driver is properly added to the rental agreement.
Rental companies in Turkey may charge an additional-driver fee, and the second driver will normally need to meet the supplier’s age and driving-licence requirements too. Never assume your partner can simply drive the hire car because you’re travelling together.
This is particularly worth considering if you’re planning longer journeys, as sharing the driving can make exploring Turkey much more comfortable.
One-Way Car Hire in Turkey
Some rental companies allow you to collect a car in one location and return it somewhere else. This can be useful if you’re planning a multi-centre holiday — for example, flying into one Turkish airport and home from another.
One-way rentals may carry an additional fee, and not every combination of collection and return locations will be available.
Check the one-way charge before booking and compare it with the cost and convenience of returning the vehicle to the original location.
💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: If two adults might drive — even if the second person will only drive occasionally — add them to the rental agreement. An unauthorised driver could cause serious problems with the rental company’s cover if there’s an accident.
Car Hire Turkey: Mistakes to Avoid
Hiring a car in Turkey can be straightforward, but a little preparation can prevent problems at the rental desk or when returning the vehicle.
Choosing the Cheapest Deal Without Checking the Conditions
A very low headline price doesn’t necessarily mean the best-value rental. Check the insurance, excess, deposit, fuel policy, mileage and supplier rating before booking.
Not Checking the Security Deposit
Make sure you know the deposit amount and which payment cards the rental company accepts. The main driver may need sufficient available credit on an accepted card when collecting the vehicle.
Forgetting to Record Existing Damage
Inspect the car before leaving and take your own photos or video. Make sure any existing scratches, dents or wheel damage are recorded.
Not Checking the Fuel Policy
Know whether you need to return the vehicle with a full tank and keep your final fuel receipt.
Leaving Child Seats Until Arrival
If you need a child or booster seat, request it when booking and check that it appears on your reservation.
Ignoring the Rental Company’s Opening Hours
Check your collection and return times carefully, particularly if you have a late flight. Some suppliers may charge for out-of-hours collection or have different procedures when the desk is closed.
Returning the Car Too Close to Your Flight
Allow plenty of time to refuel the car, find the return location, complete the vehicle inspection and get to the terminal.
💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Screenshot or download your booking confirmation and rental conditions before leaving the UK. You’ll then have the important details available even if you don’t have an internet connection when you arrive.
🚗 Compare Turkey Car Hire Before You Book
Compare cars from multiple rental suppliers and check prices, supplier ratings and rental conditions before choosing your vehicle.
Affiliate link: We may earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
Turkey Car Hire Checklist
Before booking your hire car, use this quick checklist to compare your options:
| What to Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Total rental price | Compare the full cost rather than just the advertised daily rate |
| Insurance & excess | Check what’s included and how much you could be liable for |
| Security deposit | Make sure the amount and accepted payment card work for you |
| Fuel policy | Full-to-full is often the simplest option |
| Mileage allowance | Important if you’re planning lots of exploring |
| Supplier rating | Reviews can help you compare rental companies |
| Child seats | Check availability and the additional cost before booking |
| Additional drivers | There may be an extra daily charge |
| Airport location | Check whether collection is on-airport or requires a shuttle |
| Opening hours | Particularly important for late arrivals or early departures |
Our Approach
For our own family holiday, we wouldn’t automatically choose the cheapest car hire Turkey deal.
We’d shortlist a few suitable vehicles and then compare the total price, supplier rating, insurance, excess, deposit and fuel policy before deciding.
Paying slightly more for clearer rental conditions or a better-rated supplier can be worthwhile when you’re collecting a car in another country.
💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Before pressing the final booking button, open the rental conditions one last time. Five minutes checking the details can save a lot of hassle at the airport.
Car Hire Turkey FAQs
Do I need an International Driving Permit to hire a car in Turkey?
Current UK government advice states that to drive in Turkey you need either a 1968 International Driving Permit (IDP) or a UK driving licence notarised in Turkish.
For most UK holidaymakers, arranging a 1968 IDP before travelling is likely to be the simpler option. Always check the latest GOV.UK advice before your trip.
Is it worth hiring a car in Turkey?
It can be, particularly if you want to explore independently, visit several attractions or beaches, or are staying in a villa or self-catering accommodation.
If you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort and expect to spend most of the holiday there, airport transfers and occasional excursions may work out better.
Is it easy to drive in Turkey?
Many UK holidaymakers hire cars in Turkey, but remember that traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road.
Give yourself time to become familiar with the vehicle and local roads, follow road signs and check the latest driving rules before travelling.
Can I hire a car at Antalya Airport?
Yes. Car hire is available at and around Antalya Airport, making it a convenient collection point for families visiting resorts across the Antalya region.
We’re also creating a dedicated Antalya Airport car hire guide covering collection, suppliers and what families should check before booking.
Can I hire a car at Dalaman Airport?
Yes. Dalaman Airport is a major car-hire location for visitors travelling to resorts including Fethiye, Ölüdeniz, Dalyan and Marmaris.
Can I hire a car at Bodrum Airport?
Yes. Car hire is available around Bodrum Airport and can be particularly useful if you plan to explore the Bodrum Peninsula rather than remain in one resort.
Do I need a credit card for car hire in Turkey?
This depends on the rental supplier and the deal you choose. Many companies require an accepted payment card in the main driver’s name for the security deposit.
Check the payment-card and deposit requirements in the rental conditions before booking.
What should I check when booking car hire in Turkey?
Check the total price, insurance, excess, security deposit, fuel policy, mileage allowance, supplier rating, child-seat costs and additional-driver fees.
You should also check whether airport collection is on-site or requires a shuttle to the rental location.
Is it cheaper to book Turkey car hire in advance?
Prices vary depending on dates, location, vehicle availability and demand, so there’s no guarantee that booking at a particular time will always be cheapest.
Booking before travelling does, however, give you time to compare vehicles, suppliers and rental conditions rather than choosing from whatever is available after you arrive.
Our Verdict: Is Car Hire in Turkey Worth It?
For families who want to explore beyond their hotel, car hire in Turkey can be a great addition to the holiday. Having your own vehicle gives you the freedom to discover beaches, towns, historical sites and family attractions at your own pace.
We’d be particularly likely to hire a car if we were staying in a villa or self-catering accommodation, planning several independent day trips or wanted to explore different parts of the coast.
For an all-inclusive holiday where most days will be spent around the resort, we’d think twice before hiring a car for the entire trip. An airport transfer combined with a few organised excursions may be simpler and better value.
If you do decide to hire, compare more than just the headline price. Look carefully at the supplier rating, insurance, excess, deposit, fuel policy and rental conditions before booking.
💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: The best Turkey car hire deal isn’t necessarily the cheapest one. We’d rather pay a little more for a well-rated supplier and rental conditions we’re comfortable with than simply choose the lowest price.
🚗 Compare Car Hire in Turkey
Ready to compare your options? Discover Cars lets you compare Turkey car hire from multiple rental suppliers, including prices, vehicles, supplier ratings and rental conditions.
Affiliate link: We may earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
