HGS and Bridge Crossings — Car Rental in Istanbul

What is HGS and How Does It Work in a Rental Car?

HGS (Fast Pass System) is an electronic system that enables automatic toll collection via license plate recognition at bridges, tunnels, and highways in Turkey. The system reads the vehicle's plate and deducts the toll from the HGS account; the driver does not need to stop or wait at the booth. Therefore, when renting a car, knowing whether HGS is active is crucial for a seamless driving experience from start to finish.

How does the HGS system operate?

It is not mandatory to carry a physical tag or card for HGS: cameras at the crossing point read the license plate, and the system automatically deducts the fee from the account linked to the plate. Just as compulsory traffic insurance is valid for every vehicle registered in Turkey, HGS also works on a plate basis and collects at the moment of crossing regardless of the owner or renter. For example, at points such as the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge or the Eurasia Tunnel, which you will use when crossing from the European side to the Asian side in Istanbul, the crossing is completed smoothly if the HGS balance is sufficient. Current tolls are determined by the General Directorate of Highways (KGM); therefore, checking the crossing tolls on your route before a long trip is a practical way to plan your budget correctly.

HGS Usage in Rent-Trip Vehicles

In all cars rented at Rent-Trip, HGS is linked to the license plate, and your bridge, tunnel, and motorway crossings are paid automatically. You don't need to install an additional device, buy a tag, or load credit; the toll is collected as set out in the rental agreement. Knowing that HGS is active when you take delivery of the vehicle makes driving comfortable, especially on the connecting roads around Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) and on intercity routes. The tracking of all your crossings during the rental period is specified in the contract; thus, you won't encounter a surprise fine or extra charge later.

Istanbul's Bridge and Tunnel Tolls

If you'll be crossing between the European and Asian sides within the city, there are three toll crossings registered to HGS: two bridges and the Eurasia Tunnel. Tolls vary by vehicle class and are automatically deducted from your plate at each crossing. Below, we've compiled current fees and which route they shorten.

Current Tolls

Tariffs were verified on 05.09.2026; follow the announcements of the General Directorate of Highways (KGM) for official updates.

Which Bridge Takes You Where

The 15 July Martyrs Bridge and the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge are the two main lines connecting the continents. If you're going from the European side to Kadıköy or Üsküdar, the 15 July Bridge is shorter; if you're crossing from Sarıyer, Maslak, or near the airports in the north to Ataşehir or Ümraniye, the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge is advantageous. The Osmangazi Bridge, however, is not for city crossings: it starts in Gebze and shortens the road to Bursa and İzmir by about an hour, so it's a separate budget item for those planning long trips.

If you use the Eurasia Tunnel at night, the fee drops by half, but during the day it is the city's most expensive urban crossing at 280 TL. For short distances, choosing one of the Bosphorus bridges protects your budget.

Which Routes Can Be Taken with an HGS-Equipped Vehicle

Almost all routes departing from Istanbul pass through bridges, tunnels, or motorway crossings paid with HGS. In the car you rent from Rent-Trip, since HGS is defined to the license plate, you can use all these routes without stopping at toll booths or dealing with cash or cards. Below we have compiled the most practical routes for city and long-distance travel, along with their toll fees.

City Center and Surrounding Routes

For a weekend getaway, Şile and Ağva can be reached in about a 1.5-hour drive; if using the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge on this route, the toll is TRY 110. Going to Sapanca, however, takes about 2 hours and connects you to the Asian side via the TEM motorway. In the city, there are three main options for crossing between the European and Asian sides: the 15 July Bridge, the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, and the Eurasia Tunnel. The Eurasia Tunnel costs TRY 280 during the day and TRY 140 at night; if you plan a night trip, this difference stays in your pocket. Since Rent-Trip's delivery network covers the entire city and both airports, we can deliver your car to you in Kadıköy or Sarıyer alike. For short city routes, an Economy-class Fiat Egea or Renault Clio starting from TRY 1,600/day will suffice.

Long-Distance Routes

To get to Bursa and Uludağ, you need to use the Osmangazi Bridge; this crossing costs 1,170 TL, making it the city's most expensive bridge toll. After crossing the bridge, you reach Bursa city center in about 1 hour; for the ascent to Uludağ, be sure to check whether your car has winter tires. The journey to Cappadocia takes about 8 hours, and for this long distance, all motorway tolls are deducted via HGS. When heading toward Edirne, you can use the TEM motorway; tolls up to the border gate are paid with HGS. If you plan to go to Bursa on the weekend, note that the weekend definition in Turkey covers Saturday and Sunday—traffic on the Osmangazi Bridge typically increases on Saturday morning heading west. For a long trip, a Comfort class Toyota Corolla Hybrid (2,200 TL/day) or a diesel Renault Megane Sedan (2,100 TL/day) balances fuel consumption.

Unpaid Crossings and Penalties

Failure to pay on time at bridge and tunnel crossings returns to the driver as a penalty of up to four times. Since the system recognizes the plate and records the crossing, an unnoticed violation practically does not exist; the only issue is when the bill is issued. Below, we explain how a violation crossing occurs and how this risk is reduced to zero in a rental car.

What is Unauthorized Toll Passage?

A license plate with insufficient HGS balance or not registered in the system is recorded as a violation the moment it passes through the toll booth, and a penalty of four times the toll is applied. For example, an unpaid 110 TL crossing on the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge increases to 440 TL; on the Eurasia Tunnel, the daytime fee of 280 TL becomes 1,120 TL. The penalty is notified to the vehicle owner after a certain period has passed since the crossing, and if the debt is paid within this period, no penalty is applied. Therefore, renters knowing the vehicle's HGS status prevents surprise bills. Since tolls and penalty rates are updated from time to time, it is advisable to confirm current amounts from KGM's official channels.

Avoiding Penalty Risk at Rent-Trip

In all vehicles in the Rent-Trip fleet, HGS is defined and active on the license plate; bridge, tunnel, or highway tolls are automatically deducted. This way, no violation crossings occur, and you do not need to load balance or obtain a tag. When the vehicle is delivered, you can see in the contract that HGS is active; liability and penalty situations related to crossings are also set out in the rental agreement. Nevertheless, we recommend that you check the HGS registration of the plate when you receive the vehicle—so you can notice any possible system error before setting off. In the city, all plates starting with 34 are processed under HGS, but for rental cars, the vehicle's own registration is the main guarantee.

HGS and Rental for Foreign Drivers

For drivers coming to Turkey, understanding how HGS works and what documents are required when renting a car are the two most critical parts of the travel plan. The process is simpler than you think: HGS is assigned to the vehicle, and crossings are automatically paid regardless of the driver's nationality or license language.

Required Documents

• Passport and entry stamp: When receiving the car, your passport must include the entry stamp into Turkey; a contract cannot be arranged with an unstamped passport.
• Local license: Your valid driver's license from your own country is sufficient; if the license is not issued in the Latin alphabet, an International Driving Permit (IDP) must be added.
• Main driver's credit card: A credit card issued in the main driver's name is required for the security block; the block amount is set out in the contract.

Is HGS automatic?

Yes — since HGS is registered to the license plate, the system recognizes the vehicle, not the driver; a foreign driver does not need to register additionally or obtain an HGS tag. On Rent-Trip vehicles, the toll is automatically deducted at the moment of crossing a bridge or tunnel, and the driver continues without stopping at the booth or reloading the balance. This saves time, especially on intercontinental transfers from Istanbul Airport (IST, Arnavutköy) to Sabiha Gökçen (SAW, Pendik). When crossing the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge or the Eurasia Tunnel, you need to do nothing; the fee is charged according to the terms in the rental agreement. The most common mistake foreign drivers make is trying to purchase HGS in their own name or expecting to pay the toll in cash — whereas the system is entirely based on plate recognition.

Frequently Made Mistakes and Recommendations

Renting a car with HGS automatically pays for crossings, but drivers can still make mistakes at a few points. Below we have compiled the most common situations and how to avoid them.

• Deferring unauthorized toll passage: An unpaid bridge or tunnel crossing, if not paid on time, is penalized up to 4 times the tariff. Checking your HGS balance after the crossing eliminates this risk.
• Not planning the route in advance: The Eurasia Tunnel costs 280 TL during the day and 140 TL at night. Crossing at night completes travel between the two sides of the metropolis at half price.
• Not choosing the vehicle class based on the route: For city traffic, an economical hatchback is sufficient, while for long journeys a larger sedan provides comfort. Rent-Trip fleet offers daily options starting from 1,600 TL.
• Skipping the fuel type: When choosing between petrol, diesel, hybrid, and electric options, consider the length of the route. Hybrid models consume significantly less fuel in the city.
• Don't miscalculate the weekly rate: For a rental lasting longer than three days, a weekly package is more advantageous than a daily rate. Weekly rental starts from 9,600 TRY and reduces the daily cost.

At Rent-Trip, all vehicles are registered with HGS; tolls are charged to your license plate and collected automatically. Your only task is to check the toll records on the statement after delivery. This habit both protects your budget from surprises and prevents you from paying a fine of 4 times the amount in the event of a possible violation crossing. When you clarify your route before rental and choose the vehicle accordingly, city traffic and bridge crossings turn into a smooth experience.

How to Plan an Airport Transfer with an HGS-Equipped Vehicle

Since Istanbul's two airports are located on opposite sides of the city, your transfer route directly affects your HGS crossings. Istanbul Airport (IST) is in Arnavutköy on the European side, and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is in Pendik on the Asian side. Rent-Trip delivers cars to both airports, so you can set up the most convenient rental plan based on your destination.

Crossing from the European side to SAW

Traveling from a hotel on the European side or from Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Gökçen inevitably involves an intercontinental crossing. On this route, the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, at 110 TL, is the most economical option; the bridge provides a fast connection from Sarıyer and Maslak on the northern line to Ataşehir and Ümraniye. The Eurasia Tunnel, on the other hand, is more expensive at 280 TL during the day, but offers an underwater passage from Fatih to Kadıköy on the southern line. If your flight is between 00:00-05:00 at night, the tunnel fee drops to 140 TL, and this difference protects your budget. Traffic congestion noticeably increases on the bridges during morning 07:00-09:00 and evening 18:00-20:00 hours; leaving at least 3 hours before your flight ensures safe timing.

Which vehicle class is suitable for transfers

In airport transfers, luggage capacity is a more critical factor than driving time. For a trip with two people, an Economy class Renault Clio (TRY 1,650/day) or Hyundai i20 (TRY 1,750/day) offers sufficient luggage space. For a family of four or a business group, a Comfort class Toyota Corolla Hybrid (TRY 2,200/day) balances both luggage and passenger comfort. For longer stays, weekly rental starts from TRY 9,600; this package is more advantageous than the daily rate for those planning multiple round trips to the airport. Hybrid models consume significantly less fuel in stop-and-go city traffic than their petrol counterparts, which reduces transfer costs.

Where Are HGS and Toll Fees Listed in the Rental Agreement?

The contract clearly regulates how HGS tolls will be collected and who is responsible in case of a violation. In a vehicle rented from Rent-Trip, HGS is linked to the license plate; tolls are automatically deducted and these amounts are passed on to you according to the provisions set out in the rental agreement. Reading the relevant clauses before signing the contract prevents disputes that may arise later.

Clauses to check in the contract

• HGS collection method: Whether toll fees are collected daily, weekly, or in a lump sum at the end of the rental is set out in the agreement; this information makes it easier to plan your budget.
• Liability for unauthorized toll passage: If your HGS balance is insufficient or there is a system glitch, who bears the penalty is clearly stated; in most cases, responsibility lies with the driver during the rental period.
• Security block: The hold amount made from a credit card in the main driver's name and the release time are set out in the rental agreement; the hold remains valid throughout the rental period and is released according to the procedure specified upon return of the vehicle.
• Delivery and return conditions: The exact point and time of delivery in Istanbul, as well as the required fuel level upon return, are defined in the contract.
• Insurance coverage: Compulsory traffic insurance legally covers every vehicle; coverages and deductibles beyond that are set out in the contract.

If you encounter an unclear clause in the contract, it is best to clarify the issue before taking delivery of the vehicle. In particular, understanding when and how HGS tolls are charged prevents you from facing a surprise bill. In Turkey, all license plates starting with 34 are processed under HGS; for rental cars, the main guarantee is the vehicle's own registration.

Guide to Choosing a Car Class by Route

Route length, number of passengers, and fuel preference are the three main factors that determine which car class suits you. The Rent-Trip fleet includes 87 vehicles across four different classes, from Economy to Sedan; daily prices range from 1,600 TRY to 15,000 TRY. Choosing the right class is the key to keeping both comfort and budget intact.

Comparison of Classes

A Economy class Fiat Egea Sedan (1,700 TL/day, diesel) is fuel-efficient for city and short distances. A Comfort class Toyota Corolla Hybrid (2,200 TL/day) balances long-distance fuel consumption and offers 140 hp from its 1.8 L engine. In the SUV class, the Dacia Duster (2,200 TL/day, diesel, manual) provides ample luggage space for weekend getaways. In the Sedan class, the Volkswagen Passat (3,200 TL/day, diesel) or Toyota Camry (3,600 TL/day, hybrid) elevate driving comfort on business trips. For weekly rentals, the daily rate is calculated over 6 days; for monthly rentals, over 21 days — these packages significantly reduce the daily cost for long-term needs.