Renting a car for a week from Taksim: when it pays off and how to plan it

The short answer

Renting a car for a week from Taksim is worth it when you need a car regularly: several day trips out of the city, meetings in different districts, family visits or travel to other cities around the Sea of Marmara. If you will spend most of the week walking around Beyoğlu and the Old City, renting just for the days you need may be more practical. General conditions are on our weekly car rental page; current prices are on betacarrental.com.

Who is a weekly rental for?

• Day-trippers: planning several trips to places like Şile, Ağva, Sapanca or Bursa.
• Business travellers: moving between Maslak, Levent, Ataşehir and industrial zones every day.
• Families: avoiding public transport with luggage and pushchairs.
• Visiting relatives: seeing family spread across different districts.

A week or day by day?

Answer three questions first:

1. How many days will you actually drive? If only two of seven, two separate day rentals may make more sense. Five days or more usually favours one continuous rental.
2. Where will the car stay on the days you don't use it? Parking in Taksim is a real cost. Without hotel parking you may pay for a car park even on days you don't drive.
3. What's the price difference? Compare a continuous rental with separate day rentals for the same dates on the booking site.

See renting a car in Taksim for a day for how a day rental works.

A sample week based in Taksim

This plan is an example for someone collecting a car in Taksim for a week. Times are approximate and depend on traffic.

Day 1: Pickup and settling in

Collect the car in Taksim and photograph it and the fuel gauge. A short drive is enough to get used to the traffic; in the evening, leave the car in a car park and explore Beyoğlu on foot.

Day 2: The Bosphorus

The shore road from Dolmabahçe through Bebek, Rumelihisarı and Emirgan to Sarıyer is Istanbul's best-known drive. See our Bosphorus drive for the full route.

Day 3: Northern forests and the Black Sea

The Belgrade Forest and Kilyos beach are around an hour from Taksim, depending on traffic.

Day 4: Şile and Ağva

These two Black Sea towns on the Asian side are classic day trips, about one and a half to two hours from Taksim. More ideas in day trips from Taksim by car.

Day 5: A day off the road

Mid-week, leave the car and explore the Old City by public transport. If you visit the Princes' Islands, go by ferry: private cars are not allowed on the islands.

Day 6: Sapanca or Bursa

For a longer trip, consider Lake Sapanca, or Bursa via the Osmangazi Bridge. Leave early and plan to get back before the evening rush. Bridges and motorways are tolled.

Day 7: Return

Return the car in Taksim or, if you are flying out, at the airport. Availability and any one-way fee are shown while booking. See Taksim to Istanbul Airport and Taksim to Sabiha Gökçen for the drive.

Choosing a car for a week

For a week of mixed city and motorway driving, comfort and boot space matter more. Two people are fine in an economy or mid-size car. A family of four with luggage will be more comfortable in an SUV, and larger groups in a minivan.

Before a long drive

• Check tyre pressure and fuel.
• Ask how the car's electronic toll (HGS) works at pickup.
• Make sure any additional driver is on the agreement.
• Save the number to call in case of a breakdown or accident. Our car rental insurance guide explains what to do after an accident.

Frequently asked questions

Is a weekly rental cheaper than renting day by day?

It depends on the dates and the car. Compare a continuous rental with separate day rentals for the same dates on betacarrental.com.

Can I drive a weekly rental out of Istanbul?

Conditions for driving to other cities in Turkey are set out in the rental agreement. Share your planned route with the team before pickup.

What about longer than a week?

For several weeks or more, see monthly car rental.