Car Hire in Ankara

About Ankara

Ankara is a city and the capital of Turkey. It is located in Anatolia, more precisely in the province of Ankara, and is the second-largest Turkish city. The city has a long and rich past with many different civilizations and cultures that ruled the area. Ankara has also changed several names in the past. Today, it is the centre of the Turkish government and an important commercial and industrial centre. Thanks to its strategic location, Ankara has always been an important commercial city where all highways and railroads cross, making it a very active and lively city.

Around Ankara, there is a large agricultural area that supplies the city with food. The city is also known for several authentic animal species: Angora goat, Angora cat, Angora white rabbit.

Ankara has always been in the shadow of the larger Istanbul. Istanbul is also more popular among tourists. This is also due to the airport, which is a major transportation hub from where you can take a plane to almost any part of the world. However, this does not mean that Ankara is less interesting or less beautiful than Istanbul. Ankara is full of fantastic attractions and the cultural spirit of the city is truly amazing. You should check it out for yourself. If you are taking a road trip through Turkey, you should put Ankara on the list of cities where you will stop over and spend a few days. You can come here all year round. It is good to know that there is a ski resort near Ankara. So, if you come to Turkey in winter, you will have a good opportunity to try Turkish snow.

The city is located on a hill and is surrounded by several archaeological sites, which are worth a visit. Otherwise, there are many fantastic museums in the city where you can learn more about the history of the city and the whole country. In addition, there are also many archaeological sites in the city itself. But of course, many modern monuments are worth visiting in Ankara. The city is known for some great architectural sights, beautiful streets and great shopping. If we then add the delicious Turkish gastronomy, you have a perfect destination for your holiday. You will enjoy Ankara because there are so many different things to see and do here. We should not forget to mention that there is also very lively nightlife here, so those who want to hit up some clubs and bars in the evening will not be disappointed.

Basic info and car hire in Ankara

• Location: Anatolia region, Turkey
• Population: 5,747,325
• Official language: Turkish
• Currency: Turkish Lira
• Weather: Ankara has a cold semi-arid climate
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Ankara are in good condition.
• Car hire in Ankara:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Ankara is at the Ankara Esenboga Airport. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Ankara!

 Driving in Ankara

Driving can be quite a challenge in large Turkish cities. It is no different here in Ankara. There are so many cars on the streets of Ankara that you will have to constantly concentrate as you drive around the city. The roads are in good condition, but the signalling is not always clearly visible. It is also good to know that local drivers often run red lights. So do not be surprised if this happens while you are waiting in your car for a green light.

There are interesting facts about traffic in major Turkish cities. The largest city Istanbul has the highest percentage of traffic jams with 51% congestion. In second place is Izmir with a congestion percentage of 30% and in third place in Ankara with 28% and in fourth place in Antalya with 26%.

In the city centre, there are many one-way streets with a lot of congestion throughout the day, so it is best to use public transportation in this part of the city. You can either take the bus or a cab. The buses here in Ankara are quite affordable and the connections are frequent and good, so you will not have much trouble getting around by bus.

In recent years, cycling has also become very popular in Turkey, so you can also rent a bike and explore the city by bike.

• Age limits: The minimum age to rent a car is 21 years old and with some suppliers for people over 75 years of age. There is no young drivers fee for any car groups. This information is visible in the search engine with Orbit Car Hire.
• International Driving Permit:  In case your driver’s license is printed in the Latin alphabet, you do not normally need to have an International Driving Permit for Renting a car in Turkey. An International Driving Permit is required in addition to a National Driving License if the National Driving License you or any of the Additional Drivers hold is not identifiable as a Driving License, eg, it is in a non-Latin alphabet (eg Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, Japanese). It can also depend on the country or car rental company you are renting with. If you have found a car on our website, you can press the rental terms link from the supplier for more information about driving license requirements.
• Additional papers:  Identification(passport or ID), a valid driving license, and valid proof of insurance. When you pick up your rental car you need to have your voucher with you.  
• Additional requirements:  Glasses (in case you need glasses, you must always have a spare pair in the car), light bulbs (are usually already in the car and are provided by the car rental company), 2 warning triangles, First aid kit, fire extinguisher.
• Children in the car:  If you have a child as a passenger, there are stricter rules that you should follow in Turkey as a driver. An appropriate child restraint is used for children between 3 and 11 years old and less than 1.35 meters tall. As per the country’s laws, a 12-month-old child weighing up to 9 kg should be positioned in the safety seat at the back of the car with the baby’s head facing the rear windows.
• Driving side of the road: Right hand
• Lights:  If you are from the UK you need Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights when you're driving on the right, so your lights don't dazzle motorists coming the other way)
• General speed limits: Urban areas: 50 km/h, Double lane roads: 90 km/h, Motorways: 120 km/h

Popular day trips from Ankara

Hattuşa - A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kartalkaya, Konya, Bursa, Beypazarı, Eskişehir, Kızılcahamam.

What to see in Ankara

Ankara is an amazing city with a very long list of places to visit and things to do here. There is something for everyone here. Every tourist and traveller will find something interesting for them here in Ankara. You should do your research well before coming here because there are so many things to do and places to visit that you need to be well organised to see as much as possible. Here are some of the main attractions in the city of Ankara:

Ankara Castle - Kalesi is one of them. This majestic fortress was built during Ottoman rule and was primarily used to defend the city. Today you can visit this fortress where you can learn more about the history of this place and also enjoy a breathtaking view of Ankara and its surroundings from Kalesi.

Anitkabir is another attraction that you should visit. It is a museum divided into four parts and each of them is unique and represents an aspect of the history of this city. It is the mausoleum of the first and second presidents of the Turkish Republic.

Another popular museum is the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, where you can learn more about the ancient history of Ankara and all of Anatolia. Since this place is known for its fantastic museums, we should add another one, the Çengelhan Rahmi M. Koç Museum.

There is an observation and communication tower called Atakule, which was built in 1989. It is 125 metres high and offers not only excellent views but also a restaurant at the top of the tower where you can enjoy a fabulous lunch.

Gençlik Park is one of the most popular places among locals and tourists. It is a special kind of public area. There are so many great things to do in this park. You can go to the swimming pool, visit an open-air stage, ride a small train, walk in nature, observe beautiful flowers, play with your children, go to an amusement park, eat and drink, have a snack and many more. So, if you are in Ankara, Gençlik Park is a must-visit place for you.

Ankara also has many festivals that celebrate Turkish culture and history. If you are lucky enough to arrive here during one of these festivals, you can be sure that you will have a great time.

Other places you should visit in Ankara: Kuyumcular Çarşısı in Beypazarı, Haci Bayram Mosque, Roman Bath, CerModern, Wonderland Eurasia, Citadel Quarter, Erimtan Archaeology & Art Museum, Ankara State Opera, Hamamoenue Quarter, Lake Eymir...

Drive your rental car beyond Ankara

Turkey is one of the most popular destinations for tourists and travellers from all over the world. This colourful country has so many different things to offer. You can either explore the Mediterranean coast, visit impressive mosques, explore amazing cities and breathtaking natural landscapes, enjoy delicious cuisine, have an unforgettable shopping experience and much more.

Turkey is divided into 7 main regions and each of them is unique and different from the other six. In each region, you can find something for yourself. In every single region of Turkey, there are both big cities and beautiful untouched nature. The regions are the Eastern Anatolia region, Central Anatolia, the Black Sea region, the Mediterranean region, the Aegean region, the Marmara region and the Southeastern Anatolia region. It is good to know that Turkey has something to offer no matter when you come here. Many people know Turkey only for its cuisine, cities and monuments, but many other things in Turkey will surprise you. For example, you can go skiing, because there are some excellent ski resorts. One of the most popular mountain destinations in Turkey is Palandoken, which is located in the eastern region of Erzurum and is also the highest mountain in the country with 3125 metres. But there are also some other popular ski resorts that you can visit, for example, Saklikent Ski Resort - Antalya, Uludag Ski Resort - Bursa, Ilgaz Mountain Resort - Kastamonu, Davraz Ski Centre - Isparta, Erciyes Ski Resort - Kayseri...

The largest city in the country is Istanbul, while the capital is Ankara. One of the most interesting facts about Istanbul is certainly the fact that this city is located on two continents, in Europe and Asia, the two sides being connected by the Galata Bridge. Istanbul is divided by the Bosphorus: the west bank is in Europe and the east bank is again in Asia.

But of course, there are countless sights worth visiting in this country. If you are taking a road trip through Turkey, you really should have a good plan because there are so many destinations to visit and so many different things to see and do in each of these places that you just can not go everywhere. It's good to get well informed and then visit the places according to your preferences and at your own pace. Here are some suggestions: Goebekli Tepe (Potbelly Hill), the ancient Greek city of Ephesus, the Greek temple of Artemis, the archaeological site of Bergama Acropolis. The ancient city of Aphrodisias, Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, Edirne, Bursa, Cesme, Bodrum, Konya, Urfa, Cappadocia, the Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) Mosque, the Topkapı Palace, Pamukkale, Mount Nemrut, Oeluedeniz, Aspendos, Patara, Ani, Safranbolu, the Sumela Monastery...

If you are planning a visit to Turkey, you can be sure that you will have a great time. This country has so many different things to offer that every tourist and traveller will find something for them here. You can either explore history by visiting museums, historical sites, monuments, etc. Or you can come here to spend an active holiday with numerous sports activities that you can do here. You can also just come here and relax on the beaches, in spas or wellness facilities... then you can explore the untouched nature and eat delicious food, so as written, there is something for every type of traveller. Fasten your seatbelts and drive safely!

Where to eat, drink, and party in Ankara

Ankara is a fantastic place for all foodies. It is common knowledge that Turkish cuisine is delicious and special. There are so many dishes that have their origin in Turkey and that we order in some western countries slightly modified. When you are in Ankara, you have the perfect opportunity to try some truly authentic Turkish cuisine. Of course, here in Ankara, you have a choice of many restaurants where you can order dishes from other parts of the world, but the best thing is to take this opportunity to discover the local cuisine.

Here are some dishes that you should definitely try when you are in Ankara: Grilled fish at Yelken Balık, İskender at Uludağ Kebabçısı, milk desserts at Zeynel, kebab at Sueha'nın Yeri, baklava at Baklavacı Hacıbaba, kebab kebab at Bursa Hacı Bey Kebabçısı, sweets and lokum at Ali Uzun Şekercilik, meze at Kalbur...

Best restaurant in Ankara

L'avare

Trilye Restaurant

Tavolo Mio Brasserie

Meyhane Asina

Pizza Il Forno

Louise Brasserie & Lounge