Key points
- Bring your passport, licence and a card for the deposit
- An IDP is recommended for non-Latin licences
- Tolls are electronic, with no cash payment
- Emergency number: 112
The short answer
To rent a car in Taksim as a visitor, you will normally need your passport, a valid driving licence and a card suitable for the deposit. Foreign licences are generally valid for tourists for a limited period from the date of entry into Turkey (commonly six months). If your licence is not in the Latin alphabet, carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a certified translation. Rules can change, so check official sources before you travel.
Booking
Bookings are made on betacarrental.com. The booking site is available in many languages, including English, and can show prices in euros, US dollars or Turkish lira. When you choose Taksim as the pickup point, each car shows its minimum age, licence and deposit requirements.
Enter your name exactly as it appears in your passport to avoid problems at pickup.
Documents
Passport
Foreign nationals show their passport as ID.
Driving licence
Your licence must be valid and legible. Digital copies are usually not accepted, so bring the physical card.
International Driving Permit
If your licence uses a non-Latin script (for example Arabic, Cyrillic or Chinese), carry an IDP or a certified translation alongside it. IDPs are normally issued in the country that issued your licence, so get one before you travel.
A card for the deposit
The deposit is held on your card during the rental. Processing times vary with foreign banks; see car rental deposits in Turkey explained. For the full list, read documents needed to rent a car in Turkey.
Driving in Turkey: the essentials
- Drive on the right and overtake on the left.
- Speed limits: the general urban limit is 50 km/h. On intercity roads and motorways, follow the posted limits; speed cameras are common.
- Seat belts are compulsory in all seats. Use a suitable child seat for children and request one when booking or afterwards.
- Phones: holding a phone while driving is prohibited.
- Alcohol: drink-driving is heavily penalised; the safest choice is not to drink at all.
- Emergencies: the emergency number in Turkey is 112.
Tolls
Motorways, the Bosphorus bridges and the Eurasia Tunnel are tolled electronically, with no cash payment at toll points. Ask at pickup how tolls are charged on your rental. See tolls, bridges and traffic fines in a rental car.
Your first day in Taksim
Driving in Istanbul traffic straight after a long flight is tiring. Many visitors spend their first days on foot and public transport and rent a car for days out of the city. Our comparison of car rental vs taxi in Taksim helps you decide.
For Beyoğlu's narrow one-way streets, pedestrian zones and limited parking, read driving in Beyoğlu and Taksim. If you are arriving by air, see Taksim to Istanbul Airport by car for the airport connection.
Contact
The head office address and contact details are on our Taksim car rental page. Opening hours are not published, so call or send a WhatsApp message before visiting. Calling from abroad, use the country code +90.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent a car in Turkey with a foreign licence?
Generally yes. Visitors can drive with their home licence for a limited period after entry. An IDP is recommended for non-Latin licences, and each car's age and licence requirements also apply.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
It is recommended if your licence is not in the Latin alphabet. Even with a Latin-script licence, an IDP can make checks easier.
Can I book in English?
Yes. The booking site is available in many languages, including English.