Istanbul Airport Car Rental

Are you looking to rent a car at Istanbul Airport? Pick up your car from our fleet of 87 vehicles with prices starting from 1,650 TL per day (VAT included), and we will deliver it free of charge to all of Istanbul and both airports.

Car rental prices and rates at IST

Car rental at Istanbul Airport (IST) from Rent-Trip starts from 1,600 TL per day, VAT included; the final price depends on the car class, transmission type, and rental duration. All rates on this page include 20% VAT, so the price does not increase at payment - you pay exactly the same price you see during reservation.

Daily rental prices

Daily rentals at Istanbul Airport (IST) start from 1,600 TL for economy-class compact models: Fiat Egea Hatchback, Dacia Sandero, and Hyundai i10 at 1,600 TL per day, Renault Clio at 1,650 TL, and Toyota Yaris Hybrid at 1,900 TL due to its hybrid powertrain. The upper limit of the daily rate on this page is 15,000 TL, which applies to large SUVs and minivans rented for big groups or family travel. In the mid-range are comfort-class sedans: Toyota Corolla Hybrid at 2,200 TL per day, Volkswagen Passat Diesel at 3,200 TL, and flagship Toyota Camry Hybrid at 3,600 TL per day. For comparison: renting an electric car in Istanbul is on average 15-25% more expensive than its petrol counterpart, but charging in the city, especially at night rates, is cheaper than a liter of fuel.

Weekly and monthly rental: discount formula

Weekly rentals are calculated as six-day rentals, and monthly rentals are calculated as twenty-one days, which immediately lowers the effective daily rate. The minimum weekly price is 9,600 TL (Fiat Egea Hatchback), and monthly starts at 33,600 TL; for long-term rentals, the daily rate is 15-30% lower than normal. This approach is advantageous for those coming to Istanbul for a few weeks on business or planning to tour the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts from Çeşme to Antalya within a month. If you rent for a month or longer, in our practice the difference between two short rentals and one long contract saves 40-50%. The exact calculation formula is set out in the agreement, and if the car is returned early, the recalculation is made based on actual days - as set out in the agreement.

Factors Affecting Prices

• Class: Economy - from 1,600 TL, Comfort - from 1,950 TL, Sedan - from 2,900 TL, SUV - from 2,100 TL.
• Transmission: Vehicles with automatic transmission cost TRY 100–400 more per day than manual ones in the same class.
• Fuel: Diesel and hybrid cars are initially more expensive than petrol ones, but they are more economical over long distances.
• 1. Duration: The longer the rental period, the lower the daily rate: week = 6 days, month = 21 days.
• 2. Number of seats: Vehicles for 7-9 people (SUVs and minivans) are always more expensive than 4-5 seat models.

Automatic and hybrid are indeed more expensive than manual and petrol, but on rentals longer than two weeks the price difference is almost entirely offset by fuel savings — especially if the route goes through the center of Istanbul with its heavy traffic. Only take manual for 2–3 day city trips: it is cheaper and the comfort difference in the traffic congestion of the European side is minimal. On long distances — for example to Cappadocia — an automatic or hybrid pays for itself in both fuel and driver fatigue.

Vehicle Delivery at the Airport

Meeting at the airport after a long flight is not the right time to look for a rental office. Rent-Trip brings your car to the terminal at Istanbul Airport (IST) at your arrival time: you go through passport control, collect your luggage, and the car is waiting for you in the car park at the exit. We have no physical office, so the entire meeting consists of a key handover and signing the contract; this takes 10–15 minutes.

Delivery process: your car ready as soon as you land

The meeting organization starts before landing: you provide your flight number during the booking and we track its status. If the flight is delayed or arrives early, we automatically adjust the delivery time. The car arrives with a full tank, washed, and with documents ready. All you have to do is check the condition of the vehicle, sign the rental agreement (contract), and take the keys. Return is organized with the same flexibility: you can leave the car at the airport before your flight or, by agreement, at any point in the city - this is agreed in advance.

Delivery to hotel and city center

Delivery is not limited to the airport - we bring the car to your hotel, office, or residential areas on the European and Asian sides. If you're staying in Şişli, Beşiktaş, or Kadıköy, specify the address when booking: the greeter will arrive at the arranged time with the contract and keys. This format saves the hour and a half you'd spend going to a rental office in the city center. It's especially convenient for metropolis guests: you don't have to navigate local traffic right after your flight.

Night delivery and early booking

Night flights are common practice for an international hub, and we adapt to the schedule.

• Night delivery: ... we always welcome passengers of night flights from midnight to the early morning hours, operating according to the actual landing time.
• Early booking: the earlier you reserve the vehicle, the better we can plan delivery and choose one of the 87 available models.
• Flight tracking: 1. The flight number in the application allows us to track schedule changes and ensures we don't have to keep you waiting if the plane arrives early.

2. If the flight is canceled or postponed to another day, notify us by message and we will reschedule the meeting at no extra charge. The conditions for changing a reservation are specified in the contract, so clarify the procedure to follow in such cases when signing.

IST or SAW — which airport to choose

Two major international airports serve Istanbul, located on different sides of the Bosphorus. Which one you choose directly affects your transfer time to the hotel. We deliver our cars to both—IST and SAW—so we have only one criterion: which point is first on your route?

IST (Arnavutköy) — European side

Istanbul Airport (IST), located in the Arnavutköy district on the European side, is the main international hub and is about 40 km from the historic center. From here, you can reach Levent and Maslak business districts, as well as hotels in Şişli, Beşiktaş, and Beyoğlu fastest — the drive to Taksim takes about 40 minutes in normal traffic. If your hotel is in Sultanahmet or Laleli, the journey is a bit longer: 50–60 minutes depending on the time of day. Morning and evening rush hours on the Bosphorus bridges add 15–20 minutes; therefore, we take these delays into account when planning airport meetings.

SAW (Pendik) — Asian Side

Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is in Pendik on the Asian side and is ideal if your route starts in Kadıköy, Üsküdar, Ataşehir, or Maltepe. The journey from SAW to Kadıköy takes about 30 minutes, and to Üsküdar 35–40 minutes. Many flights of budget airlines land here; therefore, SAW is often preferred by those traveling economically. The distance between the two airports is about 90 km via the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge or the Eurasia Tunnel; both crossings are tolled and paid with HGS. If you land at one and depart from the other, allow at least 1.5–2 hours for the transfer.

Which Airport to Choose

Term: HGS is the electronic payment system used for bridge and highway crossings; without this system, it is impossible to cross the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge or the Eurasia Tunnel. When renting a car, it is set out in the rental agreement how the device will be delivered or how the toll will be collected. If you are heading towards Şile or Ağva for the weekend, exiting from SAW is closer; for a trip to Edirne or Bursa, starting from IST makes more sense.

Documents and Requirements for Rental

For a foreign driver to rent a car, a passport with an entry stamp, a national driving licence and a credit card in the main driver's name are sufficient. Rent-Trip checks the documents when meeting at the airport or in the city; there is no need for a separate office, and the whole process takes 10–15 minutes. Age and experience requirements vary by car class: they are lower in the Economy class and stricter for Sedans and SUVs; the exact conditions are set out in the contract.

Passport, visa, and entry stamp

• Passport: The passport must be valid for the entire rental period and have a Turkish entry stamp.
• Driver's license: The national license of the country of residence is suitable if issued in Latin letters.
• International Driving Permit: If your license is issued in a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Cyrillic, or another script, an International Driving Permit is required.
• Compulsory traffic insurance: Compulsory insurance, by law, covers every vehicle registered in Turkey; you do not need to take it out separately.
• Visa: For most countries, the e-Visa electronic visa is obtained online before arrival.

Credit card and security block

A credit card issued in the main driver's name is mandatory for the insurance deposit; debit cards and cards belonging to third parties are not accepted. The card must have sufficient balance for a block that varies depending on the vehicle class and is set out in the rental agreement. The block is frozen on the account and is usually released within a few business days after the vehicle is returned. Some banks may temporarily hold the currency conversion, so we recommend keeping some amount above the block amount.

Age and driving experience requirements

The minimum age for renting an Economy class car at Rent-Trip is 21, for Comfort and Sedan it is 23, and for SUV and business class it is 25; driving experience must be at least one year for Economy and two years for higher classes. Age and experience requirements increase with the car class; this is a standard practice in the Turkish market related to policy costs and risks. Some models may not be available for drivers under 25; detailed conditions for each car are set out in the contract. Specify the age and experience of all drivers during reservation; if a person not added to the contract gets behind the wheel, the insurance coverage will not apply.

Car Classes and Models

The Rent-Trip park has 87 cars for rent in Istanbul, divided into four classes: Economy, Comfort, Sedan, and SUV. Prices start at 1,600 TL per day for a compact hatchback and go up to 15,000 TL per day for premium-class models, including VAT. Each class serves its purpose: from maneuverability in the narrow streets of Fatih to prestigious comfort on a long trip to Cappadocia.

Economy class: 16 models starting from 1,600 TRY

The budget segment is the widest: 16 models including the Fiat Egea Hatchback (1,600 TL per day, Petrol, Manual), Renault Clio (1,650 TL per day, Petrol, Automatic) and Hyundai i20 (1,750 TL per day, Petrol, Automatic). The fuel variety is broad: Diesel (Fiat Egea Sedan, 1,700 TL per day) and Hybrid (Toyota Yaris, 1,900 TL per day, Automatic) options are also available. For economical city driving, petrol engines with a displacement of 1.0-1.4 liters and 67-100 horsepower are sufficient. Compact dimensions make parking easier in areas where finding a parking spot is difficult, such as in the streets of Beşiktaş or Kadıköy.

Comfort class: spaciousness and hybrids

The middle class adds power and equipment: Toyota Corolla Hybrid (TRY 2,200 per day, 140 hp), Volkswagen Golf (TRY 2,500 per day, petrol, automatic), Honda Civic Hybrid (TRY 2,600 per day, 184 hp). Diesel versions — Renault Megane Sedan (TRY 2,100 per day) and Škoda Octavia (TRY 2,500 per day). Hybrids here are a smart choice for traffic jams: the electric motor part reduces fuel consumption at junctions in Maslak and Levent. If trips outside the city such as Sapanca (~2 hours) are planned, the Comfort class's 130–150 hp ensures safe overtaking on the highway.

Sedan and SUV: for long routes

Business sedans—Volkswagen Passat Diesel (3,200 TRY/day), Toyota Camry Hybrid (3,600 TRY/day), Škoda Superb (3,300 TRY/day)—are preferred for comfortable long journeys. The SUV segment is more modest: Dacia Duster Diesel Manual (2,200 TRY/day) and Opel Mokka Petrol Automatic (2,100 TRY/day). Reminder: off-road driving is prohibited by the rental agreement—these vehicles are designed for asphalt, not sand dunes. For a route to Cappadocia (~8 hours), a diesel sedan is more fuel-efficient than an SUV but lags in visibility.

Comparison table: popular models

When choosing a class, consider not only the price but also the number of passengers: the fleet has cars for 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9 people. If you're heading to Bursa or Uludağ for a week with kids and luggage, opt for an SUV or minivan - all your gear won't fit in a cramped Economy hatchback. For a couple with one suitcase, the cheapest option is sufficient. Before booking, check the specifications of the specific model on the page - the engine, transmission, and the full daily price are listed there.

Fuel, Transmission and Costs

The choice of fuel and transmission determines not only the rental price but also the costs of city and intercity travel. In the Rent-Trip fleet, this page lists 87 vehicles with petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric engines, and manual and automatic transmissions.

Petrol or diesel? Does hybrid really save money?

Petrol engines are cheaper to rent — the Fiat Egea Hatchback with a 1.4 L and 95 hp engine starts at 1,600 TL per day. Diesel is less common: Fiat Egea Sedan 1.6 L (130 hp) — 1,700 TL/day, Peugeot 301 1.5 L (102 hp) — 1,650 TL/day, and in the Sedan class, Volkswagen Passat 2.0 L (150 hp) — 3,200 TL/day. Diesel is advantageous on long routes — for example, on a trip to Cappadocia (~8 hours), the fuel consumption difference is noticeable. Hybrids — Toyota Yaris 1.5 L (116 hp) 1,900 TL/day, Toyota Corolla 1.8 L (140 hp) 2,200 TL/day, Honda Civic 2.0 L (184 hp) 2,600 TL/day — consume less in city traffic where the motor runs on electricity. Electric models are also available in the list, but for out-of-town trips, consider the availability of charging stations.

Manual or automatic?

Automatic costs TRY 50–200 more per day than manual, depending on the class. For example, Renault Clio Automatic — TRY 1,650/day, while Dacia Sandero Manual — TRY 1,600/day. Almost all models in the fleet are automatic: out of 87 cars, only a few are manual; these are the Fiat Egea Hatchback, Fiat Egea Sedan, Dacia Sandero, Peugeot 301, and Dacia Duster. In traffic with constant inclines and stops, automatic is noticeably more comfortable, especially during rush hour on bridges and in the Eurasia Tunnel.

Fuel policy and fullness at delivery

• Deposit and fuel: ... the rules are conveyed at the meeting and set out in the contract.
• HGS: Toll bridges - Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge 110 TL, Osmangazi Bridge 1,170 TL - are deducted from the HGS; you can arrange it from our HGS page.
• VAT included: ... all prices on the site include 20% VAT — the final amount does not increase at checkout.

For weekly or monthly rentals, the daily effective rate is lower: week = 6 days (from 9,600 TL), month = 21 days (from 33,600 TL). On long routes to Bursa or Edirne, a diesel sedan amortizes the difference in rental price thanks to fuel consumption — consider not just the daily rate, but also the fuel over the entire route.