Car Hire at Istanbul Ataturk Airport
This information is correct as of August 2015
You can discover one of the world's most iconic cities on your own schedule when you hire a car at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Not only can you cover more ground with a hire car, you can also get out of the city and get more out of your city break.
Where to hire a car at Istanbul Ataturk Airport
There are 17 car hire companies at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. This includes large global brands like Avis, Budget and Europcar as well as smaller Turkish organisations. They're open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so whatever time you land in Istanbul you can jump in your car and go exploring.
Petrol stations near Istanbul Ataturk Airport
Depending on your car rental agreement, you may need to hand your car back with a full tank.
There is a Shell petrol station just outside the entrance to the airport.
Driving around Istanbul Ataturk Airport
Two major roads pass outside the airport: the E5 which takes you in the direction of the city and Ataturk Blv which leads to the E80 motorway, which runs east to west across Turkey (and beyond: the motorway actually starts in Lisbon, Portugal). We recommend choosing a car hire package which includes a sat nav system. You can select this in the filters when you search for car hire at Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
Getting to your destination
Istanbul
Istanbul absolutely drips with culture, history, and lust for life. From impressive mosques to trendy nightclubs, crowded street food stalls to acclaimed restaurants, this sprawling city has something to offer every visitor.
It takes about 35 minutes to drive to Sultanahmet in the centre of Istanbul. This is where you'll find major attractions like Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace. It might take you longer to reach your destination depending on where your hotel is. In Istanbul you'll find plenty of places to park, from on-street spaces with parking meters to secure underground car parks in the heart of the city's most popular districts. Some hotels in Istanbul have car parking, and we recommend choosing one of these.
Edirne
The old capital of the Ottoman Empire, Edirne can almost give Istanbul a run for its money in terms of Imperial grandeur. Almost.
It takes about two hours and twenty minutes to drive to Edirne from Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Parking is widely available, but again we recommend choosing a hotel with its own car park. This will give you peace of mind overnight, and save you from having to move your car constantly due to parking restrictions.
Tekirdağ
Interesting museums, a lovely waterfront area overlooking the Sea of Marmara, and some great hiking opportunities make Tekirdağ a great choice for a city break.
It takes about an hour and forty five minutes to drive to Tekirdağ from Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Car parking is ample in the city, and most hotels have their own car parks.
Prices subject to change
