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Rent a Car in Ankara, Turkey: Competitive Prices and Straightforward Pick-Up

Compare options at Esenboğa Airport and across the city, with a practical UK-focused guide to insurance, fuel rules, deposits and common fees—so you can drive Ankara and beyond with confidence.

UK Traveller Essentials
Ankara Car Rental Guide for Travellers from the United Kingdom
Hiring a car in Ankara is a convenient way to reach business districts, museums and day trips such as Cappadocia or Salt Lake (Tuz Gölü) on your own schedule, especially where public transport involves changes or limited late-night services. Most visitors collect at Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB) for immediate access to the ring roads and intercity routes, while city-centre locations can suit those staying centrally and wanting to avoid airport surcharges. Expect right-hand driving, variable traffic in peak hours, and frequent speed cameras on major roads. For UK travellers, bring your photocard driving licence (and consider an IDP if your licence is older or if requested by the supplier), a credit card in the main driver’s name for the security deposit, and check insurance terms carefully (excess, glass/tyres, and roadside assistance). Fuel policies are commonly full-to-full; keep receipts, photograph the fuel gauge at pick-up/return, and allow extra time for returns due to traffic and car-park access at busy times.
Alamo
Avis
National
Dollar
Thrifty
Budget
+ more
Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB) Car Rental Area
Best for immediate onward travel. Follow arrivals signage for 'Car Rental / Rent A Car' to the rental desks, then proceed to the assigned car park area for vehicle collection. Returns typically require following 'Car Rental Return' signs and allowing time to find the correct bay. Pros: widest choice of suppliers, longer opening hours, easy access to highways. Cons: airport fees can increase prices, queues at peak arrival times.
Kızılay (City Centre)
Central pickup near shops, offices and metro links. Pros: convenient if you’re staying centrally; often easier to inspect the car in daylight and avoid airport surcharges. Cons: heavier traffic, limited parking, and some branches have shorter hours.
Çankaya (Embassies & Business District)
Popular for business stays and quieter streets compared with the very centre. Pros: calmer pickup/return and good access towards southern/western routes. Cons: fewer branches than the airport; may require a taxi from some hotels.
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Best Car Rental Choices for Your Ankara Adventure

Discover the most suitable vehicles for every kind of trip around Ankara, and explore the makes other travellers are choosing right now

By Trip Type
Popular Makes

City

Small

Nimble & Easy to Park
5
2
Auto

Ankara's old districts such as Ulus and Hamamönü are threaded with narrow, winding streets that demand a compact car. A small hatchback slips into tight bays around Kızılay and Çankaya, sips fuel in stop-start traffic, and feels at home on the city's wide modern boulevards. Perfect for short museum-hopping days and quick errands.

Mountain

SUV

Tackle Snow & Mountain Passes
5
3
Auto

Ankara sits on the edge of the Anatolian plateau, and routes into Kızılcahamam, Ilgaz, and Bolu climb above 1,500 metres where winter brings deep snow and icy patches. A modern SUV with auto transmission handles these mountain passes comfortably, offers higher ground clearance on frost-heaved roads, and keeps the cabin warm on frosty mornings.

Long-Distance

Medium

Comfortable Cruiser for Long Days
5
2
Auto

The drive from Ankara to Cappadocia via the O-21 motorway is smooth but long. A medium saloon or estate swallows luggage, supports hours of steady cruising, and gives stable high-speed handling on Turkish motorways. Auto transmission reduces fatigue on multi-hour journeys and saves the clutch in heavy Ankara traffic at either end of the route.

Choose Your Ride

Find the perfect vehicle for your trip. Compare options below.

Airport Pickup
City Centre Pickup

Fast Start from Esenboğa Airport (ESB)

Ideal for late arrivals, early departures and immediate road trips. Airport locations usually offer the largest fleet, longer opening hours and straightforward access to ring roads and intercity routes. Prices can include airport surcharges, so compare total cost with the same insurance and fuel policy.

ESB Ankara Car Hire Ratings Backed by Real Customer Reviews

Browse verified feedback on car rental suppliers at Ankara Esenboğa Airport and pick a trustworthy company before you set off across Turkey.

Rental companyRatingAvg. Daily RatePickup Method/DistanceSecurity depositAccepts Debit CardsKey Advantages
CircularBudget Friendly
4.6
965+ reviews
$57Call for pick-up-
  • WhatsApp Pre-Arrival Communication
  • No Hidden Fees
  • Professional English-Speaking Staff
SixtBest Overall
4.3
10,200+ reviews
$881.7 mi from Ankara DowntownLow deposit
  • Friendly professional staff
  • Wide range of clean vehicles
  • Easy pickup and return
MatcarBest Overall
3.4
294+ reviews
$7214.9 mi from Ankara Downtown-
  • Helpful Staff at Airport
  • Clean and Modern Cars
  • Smooth Pick-up Process
Essence
3.2
1 review
$5114.9 mi from Ankara Downtown
$585
  • Smooth pickup and drop-off
  • Competitive pricing
  • Standard service quality
Nissa
3.2
1 review
$5311.5 mi from Ankara Downtown
$589
  • Standard pick-up and drop-off process
  • Transparent pricing structure
Green motion
2.9
31000+ reviews
$7514.9 mi from Ankara DowntownLow deposit
  • Professional and efficient service
  • Clean and well-maintained vehicles
  • Friendly and helpful staff
Keddy by europcar
2.8
3 reviews
$73In terminal-
  • Price competitiveness
  • Vehicle condition satisfactory
  • Simple pick-up process
National
2.7
25 reviews
$88In terminal, Walk to counter
$351 - $908
  • Friendly and helpful staff
  • Easy pick-up and drop-off
  • Clean and well-maintained vehicles
Avec car rentalsBest Overall
2.0
73 reviews
$5714.4 mi from Ankara DowntownLow deposit
  • Free car upgrades to newer models
  • Complimentary water bottles and sweets
  • Full insurance coverage available
Alamo
1.8
3000+ reviews
$730.9 mi from Ankara Downtown
$589 - $1,305
  • Professional and efficient service
  • Clean and well-maintained vehicles
  • Smooth and hassle-free experience

*Rating and review data are sourced from Trustpilot. Policy details may vary by location and vehicle type. Please confirm at the time of booking.

Data source: QEEQ Car Rental
Last updated: Jun. 12 2026
Essential Rental Hub
Everything you need to know before you drive off. Select a topic to get the full brakdown.
Refuelling a Hire Car in Turkey: A Complete Guide
This guide provides essential tips for refuelling a hire car in Turkey, including fuel types, the refuelling process, and important phrases to communicate with attendants.
View details
Ankara Car Hire Insurance: British Guide to Avoid Scratches, Scams and Surprise Bills
A practical British guide to car hire insurance in Ankara: explains CDW/LDW/TP/SCDW, local driving risks and road conditions, and compares rental-company zero-excess cover with cost-effective third-party excess policies. Includes real case studies and a clear checklist (video walk‑around, credit‑card deposit, police report, paperwork) so you can avoid unexpected bills and enjoy a stress‑free Turkish road trip.
View details

Platform Insights

Car Rental Expert Advice

By QEEQ Platform Expert Team

Expertise Metrics

Platform Recognition

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023&2024

Booking Volume

Review Quality

10,000+ verified 5-star reviews

Market Experience

Data Authority

Expertise Verification

QEEQ data verified against local official data sources

Key Expert Insights

Platform Analysis

"Airport rentals dominate with 74.5% online bookings; economy cars hold 42% share, leisure tourists comprise 65% of renters in Turkey's USD1.14bn market."

Booking Patterns

"Short-term rentals dominate at 73.9% with avg 8.3-day duration; fleet grew to 165,300 vehicles in 2025, SUV demand rising 18% YoY."

Customer Pain Points

"38% of Turkish car rental customers report confusion over insurance coverage terms; hidden fees remain top complaint at 29%."

Data Sources

  • QEEQ internal booking databse
  • 6Wresearch - Turkey Car Rental Market Report 2025-2031
  • IMARC Group - Turkey Car Rental Market Report 2024
  • MarkNtel Advisors - Turkey Car Rental Market Report 2026-2032
  • MarkNtel Advisors - Turkey Car Rental Market Report 2026-2032
  • 6Wresearch - Turkey Car Rental Market Report 2025-2031
  • IMARC Group - Turkey Car Rental Market Report 2024
  • Turkey Car Rental Market Customer Insights Analysis
  • 6Wresearch - Turkey Car Rental Industry Challenges Section

Road Trips

One-way rental routes starting from Ankara

Plan your ultimate road trip with these popular one-way routes departing from Ankara

Drive Through Turkey: Essential Road Trip Guide for Ankara

From ancient highlands to vibrant streets, navigate Turkey's capital like a local with speeds, fuel costs, and driving rules all explained.

LANGUAGES

Turkish

CURRENCY

TRY

DRIVE ON

Right-hand side

COUNTRY CODE

+90

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL PRICE

£45 per day

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL LENGTH

5 days

SPEED LIMIT WITHIN TOWN

50 km/h

SPEED LIMIT OUT OF TOWN

110-120 km/h

ACCEPTABLE LIMIT OF BAC

0.05% (Strictly Enforced)

AVERAGE GAS PRICE

$1.40/L

LOWEST / HIGHEST GAS PRICE

$0.10/L - $1.40/L

Ankara Car Hire & Driving FAQs

Practical Answers for UK Travellers Hiring a Car in Turkey's Capital

Can I drive in Ankara with a UK photocard licence, or do I need an International Driving Permit?
Yes, your full UK photocard licence is valid in Turkey for up to 90 days, but you must also carry a 1968-format International Driving Permit (IDP), which is legally required alongside the original licence. Many rental desks in Ankara will refuse to hand over the keys without the IDP, so apply for one at a Post Office before flying. A standard AA or RAC translation is not a substitute.
What's the minimum age and young-driver surcharge for renting a car in Ankara?
Most major firms (Avis, Budget, Europcar, Sixt) set the minimum age at 21 with at least one year of licence held, although some premium categories require 25. Drivers under 25 typically pay a young-driver fee of roughly 350-500 TRY per day, charged locally on top of the pre-paid rate. Drivers over 70 may face an additional senior surcharge or extra insurance scrutiny.
How do I pay motorway tolls around Ankara, and is the HGS tag worth buying?
Ankara sits on the O-4 and O-21 motorways, both of which are cashless and operated by HGS (electronic tag) or OGS (on-board unit) systems only. There are no toll booths, so rental cars arrive pre-fitted with an HGS transponder and tolls are charged automatically to your invoice at the end, usually with a small admin fee. Buying a separate tag yourself is pointless for a short trip; just check the HGS charges carefully on return.
Is winter driving in Ankara dangerous, and are winter tyres or snow chains compulsory?
Ankara sits at 938m elevation and regularly sees snow and ice from December to February, with temperatures dropping to -10C. Turkish law does not legally mandate winter tyres, but most rental firms fit them automatically between November and April, and many include them in the base price. Carry snow chains if you're heading to Bolu, Ilgaz or the Black Sea coast, as the O-4 over Bolu Pass is frequently closed in heavy snow.
What fuel policy should I choose in Ankara, and are there 24-hour petrol stations near the airport?
Choose the 'full-to-full' policy; the alternative 'prepaid full tank' option almost always leaves you out of pocket by 15-20% on a Turkish petrol price of roughly 45 TRY per litre. ESENBOGA AIRPORT (ESB) has 24-hour Opet and Petrol Ofisi stations on the airport road, and Ankara city has plenty of 24-hour pumps on the Konya Yolu and Ataturk Bulvari. Keep the last fuel receipt as proof for the inspection.
What's the actual speed limit and fine risk on Turkish motorways, and how are speeding tickets handled?
The standard limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h on rural roads, 120 km/h on motorways and 130 km/h on some auto-yol sections, with frequent average-speed cameras on the O-4. Fixed-point cameras and police patrols are common, especially around the O-21 Ankara-Nigde corridor. Fines are charged to the rental company's credit card and passed to you with a 15-25% admin fee; pay promptly as unpaid tickets can block future entry to Turkey.

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Business Excellence Awards 2024

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