The Istanbul Car Rental Guide

Istanbuli is a big city across the Bosphorus Strait in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia. The Old City is the result of cultural influences from the many empires that once ruled here. The open-air, Roman-era Hippodrome was the site of chariot races in the Sultanahmet district for decades, and Egyptian obelisks remain. The famed Byzantine Hagia Sophia has a towering dome from the 6th century

Straddling Asia and Europe through the vast Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul is a major city in Turkey that is world-renowned for its rich history and culture, spectacular scenery, majestic structures and multitude of aspects.

Ancient occupying forces preferred to ransack the city rather than endow it with artistic treasures, but all this changed with the Byzantines, who decorated mosaics and frescoes in their churches and palaces. Miraculously, there are a number of those. Their heirs, the Ottomans, were swift to begin an ambitious building program and the resulting magnificently decorated imperial mosques

The cuisine of the city is as diverse as its history, and delectable to boot. Locals take their food and drink seriously-the best in the country are the restaurants here. If you want to eat aromatic Asian dishes or Italian classics, but most visitors tend to try the succulent kebabs, taste some mezzanines and freshly caught fish, which are the signature dishes of the region, to wash them down.

Night life is massive in Istanbul. There are plenty of famous establishments - some over the age of thirty and some very down to date. Being such a major city with several city centers Istanbul has more than one destination for entertainment. The thrill of Istanbul nightlife is the best experience you will ever have.

During the Istanbul Summer, there is less pollution as a lot of Istanbulans are taking shelter on the south shore. Besides the historic parts of the area, you may be tempted to enjoy a day out on the beach for a day trip. In Istanbul summer is dry. Bordered by the Black Sea, the peninsula provides extensive sandy beaches. Although these beaches are not familiar to travelers, very few are listed.

It is possible to take a rental car off office hours for certain places. You will choose the pickup time when making a booking. If the delivery time is after opening hours, please check if there is an applicable out - of-hours charge. This fee must be paid directly to the car hire company upon arrival. The details can be found in the specific terms and conditions.

Driving around with a rental car in the city of Istanbul can be a trouble but not impossible. It's a good way to get around but we advise to look at the laws of local traffic because they can differ from what you're used to doing. Bear in mind that traffic can be thick in rush hour, so it can take longer to reach your destination.