Cheap Car Rentals in Istanbul from $22

Driving in Istanbul can be an easy and challenging experience. The city has well-maintained roads, and the entire road network is generally good. Istanbul is a relatively large city with heavy traffic, so some drivers can find it challenging to navigate. Some streets have narrow roads, and you may encounter high human and motorized traffic. The city has pedestrian-only zones, such as the Sultanahmet area, where cars are prohibited. Traffic rules in Istanbul are similar to those in most countries, with clear signage, defined speed limits, and traffic lights in major centers. Observe caution when driving in the city center and slow down as you approach intersections and highly-populated zones.

Istanbul is a highly-populated city, so rush hour is common, especially during morning and evening commutes. Morning rush hour in Istanbul usually starts as early as 7 am until 9:30 am, while evening rush hour starts to peak from 4 pm to 9 pm. The busiest roads in Istanbul during rush hour include Trans-European Motorway (TEM), especially in the regions around the Atatürk Airport and the Sabiha Gökçen International Airport; Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, a bridge that connects Istanbul's European and Asian sides; and the E5 Highway, mainly in the areas around the Taksim Square and the Sultanahmet Square. Leave early or plan your trip in advance to avoid getting caught up in traffic.

Istanbul has several toll roads, including bridges, motorways, and tunnels. Tolls are paid through electronic systems with sensors. Vehicles must have an HGS (Fast Passing System) tag or the OGS (Automatic Passing System) onboard unit for payment. Toll roads in Istanbul include the Otoyol 4 (O-4), a toll road connecting the European and Asian sides of Istanbul; the Otoyol 7 (O-7), which connects Istanbul Grand Airport and the Sabiha Gökçen International Airport; and the Otoyol 1 (O-1), which connects Istanbul city center to the Black Sea coast. Cash payments are not accepted on Istanbul toll roads, so confirm if your rental car is equipped with an HGS or OGS electronic sensor. Check your car rental agency’s policies on the use of toll roads.

In the past two weeks, Cheapflights users have found many deals under $40/day when booking a rental car in Istanbul. The best deal a user found was for $23/day from Hit, booked on Jun. 8.

Payless is one of the most popular car rental companies in Istanbul, offering car rentals for around $159 per week on average.

Yes, cars are available to be rented out for an entire month in Istanbul.

You can potentially save up to 35% on a month-long rental by booking with Hit. Hit is the cheapest rental company available within the next few months. Renting a car in Istanbul can cost you on average $680 a month or $23 a day. For extended stays in a location, this option will usually save you the most.

$56 is typically the average cost for a rental car for the weekend in Istanbul, though this could vary depending on the time of year. If you’re on a budget when traveling to Istanbul, then opt for a Compact rental vehicle - these tend to be the most affordable on weekends. In the month of July, you can expect to find car rental prices on Cheapflights for as low as $63/day.