Key points
- IST usually suits the European side, SAW the Asian side
- Sharing your flight number helps if your flight is delayed
- Photograph the car, fuel level and mileage at pickup
- Tolls are electronic: ask how HGS charges are billed
The short answer
Istanbul has two international airports on opposite sides of the city, so the airport you fly into shapes your first day. If you are staying on the European side – Beşiktaş, Şişli, Taksim or the Old City – Istanbul Airport (IST) is usually the better choice. If you are staying on the Asian side – Kadıköy, Üsküdar or Ataşehir – or driving east out of Istanbul, Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) tends to be more convenient. Inspect and photograph the car at pickup, note the fuel level and ask how motorway tolls are charged, and the return will be straightforward.
IST or SAW?
The two airports are far apart, and crossing the city between them can take a long time in heavy traffic.
Istanbul Airport (IST)
IST lies north of the European side, near the Black Sea coast, with motorway links to the central European-side districts and towards Thrace. It is the natural choice if you are staying in the Old City, Beyoğlu or Beşiktaş. See Istanbul Airport car rental.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)
SAW is on the Asian side, in the Pendik area. It is closer to Kadıköy, Üsküdar and Ataşehir and lets you head towards Kocaeli, Bursa or Ankara without crossing a Bosphorus bridge. See Sabiha Gökçen Airport car rental.
If your flights are flexible, matching the airport to the side of the city you are staying on is one of the easiest ways to save time.
Before you land
- Booking details: your betacarrental.com booking reference and access to "My Reservations".
- Documents: a valid driving licence, passport or ID card and whatever card the vehicle's deposit requires. Our guide to documents needed to rent a car in Turkey has the full list.
- Flight number: share it when you book or soon after. If your flight is delayed, it makes rescheduling the handover much easier.
- A working phone: make sure you can call or WhatsApp our team when you land.
The exact pickup point and meeting arrangements are confirmed by our team after you book. For an overview of how airport handovers work, read airport car rental.
Inspecting the car at pickup
A few minutes spent on checks now can save a disagreement later.
- Walk around the car and look for scratches, dents, chipped glass and kerbed wheels. Make sure any existing damage is recorded on the handover form.
- Take photos and a short video of every side, the roof, wheels and windscreen in good light.
- Photograph the dashboard to record fuel level and mileage, and ask what fuel level the car should be returned with.
- Test the basics: air conditioning, lights, wipers and phone connectivity. Find the spare wheel or repair kit.
- Read the agreement: check the return date, time and location, deposit and any additional drivers.
Driving out of the airport
Both airports connect directly to Istanbul's motorway network. From IST, the Northern Marmara Motorway and links to the TEM motorway are the main routes; from SAW, the TEM motorway and the D-100 highway are the most common. Set your route in a navigation app before you leave and keep live traffic on – rush hours in Istanbul are busy.
Tolls and the HGS system
Motorways, bridges and some tunnels in Turkey use electronic tolling, and there are no cash booths. Rental cars usually carry an HGS toll tag, with tolls passed on after the rental as set out in your agreement. At pickup, confirm that the car has a tag and ask how toll charges will be billed to you.
Tips for driving in Istanbul
- Parking in the centre is limited, so check whether your hotel has parking.
- Narrow streets in the Old City favour a small car – an economy car is often enough.
- In stop-start traffic an automatic car makes life much easier.
Returning the car
Refuel to the level stated in your agreement and check for personal belongings. If you are flying out, allow generous time for traffic and airport formalities. Photograph the car and fuel gauge again on return.
Want to drop off somewhere else? You can choose a different return point in the booking form, with availability and any fee shown at booking. Collecting at IST and returning at SAW, for example, can save you a cross-city drive at the end of your trip.
Quick checklist
- Choose IST or SAW based on where you are staying.
- Have documents, booking reference and flight number ready.
- Photograph the car, damage, fuel and mileage at pickup.
- Ask about the HGS tag and how tolls are billed.
- Leave plenty of time for the return.
Questions? Contact our team.