Car Hire in Erzurum

About Erzurum

Erzurum is a city in Turkey, more precisely in the region of Eastern Anatolia. It is also the largest city and the capital of Erzurum province. This city has a long and turbulent past with many ups and downs. It changed several names and was dominated by different cultures and civilizations. Today it is a multinational city with many interesting things to see and do. In the past, the city was often attacked by various invaders who wanted to occupy this area. Erzurum has always managed to fight back and remain independent, so today it still belongs to Turkey and is an important hub for all kinds of tourists and travellers coming to Eastern Turkey. From here there are very good connections to other parts of the country.

Today Erzurum is a modern city with beautiful architecture and various historical, cultural and religious sites. It is located at an altitude of 1900 metres, which makes this charming place even more unique. It is really fun to explore the city and its surroundings. There are so many interesting things to see and do here that every traveller or tourist will find something for themselves. There are many great museums where you can learn more about the history of this city, this region and even this country. There are also some great galleries as the art scene here in Erzurum has always been well developed and plays an important role in daily life. There are also many great opportunities for various sports activities, especially around the city. There are many natural sites that are worth visiting and when you visit these natural sites, you will have a great opportunity to try some sports activities here. This is especially suitable for people who prefer an active holiday.

Renting a car is a perfect solution if you want to take a road trip around Eastern Turkey. There are so many wonderful places in this part of the country and the most important thing is that these places are very well connected to Erzurum, so you will have no problems navigating from here. All you need to do is to get well informed. Based on this information, you can create your own itinerary according to your own preferences and at your own pace. One thing is for sure: you will not be disappointed. If we then add the great gastronomy that is a hallmark of Turkey, you have a perfect destination for your holiday. Buckle up and drive safely!

Basic info and car hire in Erzurum

• Location: Eastern Anatolia, Turkey
• Population: 367,250
• Official language: Turkish
• Currency: Turkish Lira
• Weather: Erzurum has a humid continental climate
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Erzurum are in good condition.
• Car hire in Erzurum:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Erzurum is at the Erzurum 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 Erzurum!

 Driving in Erzurum

Renting a car here in Erzurum is the best option if you want to explore this region properly. When you enter Erzurum city, you can park your car and explore the city centre on foot. After exploring this part of Erzurum, it is best to sit in your car and continue driving according to your plan. The roads here are in a good condition, so all you have to do is follow the rules and obey all the traffic signs. If you do all that, you will have no problems driving here. You should be extra careful because the locals sometimes drive quite fast and like to overtake other vehicles on the curves, so it is good to keep your focus on the road at all times.

There are so many wonderful places outside the city that you can not reach by public transportation, so a rental car is by far the best option. Especially if you are planning a major road trip through this part of the country, Erzurum is a perfect starting point for your trip. But if you are already on the road, you should definitely put this charming city on your list of places to stop and spend a few days.

It is also good to know that Erzurum is located at an altitude of 1900 metres, which means that there are some mountain roads around the city. These roads offer breathtaking views of the landscape of this area, but it is also important to be extra careful and reduce your speed according to your capabilities, especially if you are not used to driving on mountain roads.

• 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 Erzurum

Ani, Kars, Kaçkar Mountains, Mt Ararat, Doğubayazıt...

What to see in Erzurum

There is a wide range of sights and activities in Erzurum. It is a very lively city with a large university where students from all over the country study. This adds a youthful spirit to this already modern city, where modernity and history blend perfectly.

Erzurum Castle is one of the main attractions of the city. This majestic fortress was built in the 5th century by the Romans. Inside the castle, there is a small mosque and a clock tower. These are two of the first examples of Turkish architecture and therefore this building is of great importance not only for Erzurum but for the whole of Turkey. Near the castle, there are two other architectural sights that are of great importance: the Çobandede Bridge built in 1297 and Ruestempaşa Bedesteni.

Another important building for the city and its surroundings is undoubtedly the Twin Minaret Madrasa. This is a really important place for Turks, both historically and religiously. It is one of the most visited buildings in the city and undoubtedly the holiest.

Other places you should visit here: Twin Minaret Madrasa, Palandoken Mountain, Tortum Waterfall, Yakutiye Medresesi, Erzurum Kongre ve Milli Mucadele Muzesi, Ataturk House Museum, Tortum Lake, Ulu Cami, Ataturk House Museum, Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Aziziye Tabyalari, Abdurrahman Gazi Tomb...

Drive your rental car beyond Erzurum

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 there are many other things in Turkey that 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 in 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 really 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 own 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 really 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 Erzurum

Turkey is one of the capitals of gastronomy. The cuisine here is a mixture of different styles and different nations and that is what makes Turkish cuisine so special. Erzurum is a famous Turkish destination for gastronomy. There are so many different restaurants here with wonderful Turkish cuisine. But of course, there are also many restaurants where you can order menus from other parts of the world.

When you are here in Erzurum make sure to try out Cag Kebabi – Koc Cag Kebap, Et Doner – Dönerci Hacı Baba, Sis Kofte – Emir Seyh Nedim Koftecisi, Kadayif Dolmasi – Muammer Usta, Soup – Corbacilar Sokagi.

Best restaurant in Erzurum

Donerci Hacl Baba

Erzurum Evleri

Kadayifci Muammer Usta

Guzelyurt Restaurant

Gel-Gor Cag Kebabi

Emirseyh Koftecisi