Car Hire in Izmir

About Izmir

Izmir is a city in Anatolia, on the coast of the Aegean Sea in Turkey. It is also the capital of the province of Izmir. After Istanbul and Ankara, Izmir is the third most populous city in Turkey. The city was founded by Greeks around 3000 BC. This area has a long and rich past with many turbulent events. Due to the many different civilizations and cultures that ruled this area, the city really has many different cultural, historical and religious sites that are worth visiting.

"The city where the sun never sets", as many people call Izmir, is famous for its many sunny days, making this amazing city with its fantastic beaches one of the most popular destinations in Turkey. With a great range of beaches where you can enjoy numerous water sports and dine in great restaurants, Izmir is a popular holiday destination for many Turks and also for tourists from other parts of the world.

But Izmir is much more than just great beaches and sunny days. There are many other things to see and do in this amazing city. You can visit numerous fantastic cultural, historical and religious sites.

Izmir is also considered a very safe city with a very low crime rate. When you arrive here in Izmir, you will immediately be enchanted by the subtle combination of modernity and tradition against the magnificent backdrop of the Aegean Sea. Take your time and explore the city, at least the city centre. You can just stroll through the streets admiring the beautiful scenery and meet friendly locals who are very communicative and always ready to help you if you need any advice or directions.

But if you come to Izmir, you should also visit some fantastic towns around the city. There are a large number of resorts around Izmir, but you can also visit some small towns and learn more about Turkish culture. The best way is to rent a car and drive around according to your own plan and at your own pace. So, if you are taking a road trip around Turkey, make sure to put Izmir on the list of cities where you will spend a few days. It's also a perfect place for a summer holiday, so there are more than enough reasons to visit Izmir. Buckle up and drive safely.

Basic info and car hire in Izmir

• Location: Anatolia, Turkey
• Population: 4,367,251
• Official language: Turkish
• Currency: Turkish Lira
• Weather: İzmir has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Izmir are in good condition.
• Car hire in Izmir:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Izmir is at the Izmir 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 Izmir!

 Driving in Izmir

The best way to explore Izmir and its surroundings is to rent a car and drive at your own pace and preferences. It is good to know that traffic in the centre of Izmir can be quite dense and hectic, especially during rush hours and, of course, in the high season. As in any other major Turkish city, there are so many cars on the road in Izmir that you will have to concentrate all the time when driving through the city. The roads are in good condition, but the signage is not always easy to see. 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 congestion at 51%. Izmir is second with a congestion percentage of 30%, Ankara is third with 28% and Antalya is fourth with 26%.

So, for exploring the city centre, it is best to combine car and public transportation. You can park your car and explore Izmir on foot. When you are done exploring the city centre, you can get in your car and drive outside the city, where you can discover many more beauties of this area. Enjoy

• 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 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 Izmir

Ephesus Archaeological Site, Mother Mary’s house, & Şirince, Çeşme & Alaçatı, Urla...

What to see in Izmir

Izmir is one of the most popular destinations among Turks and also among people from all over the world. This amazing and unique city is a perfect combination of modernity and antiquity. You can learn and see so much about the past here, but also enjoy some of the most modern parts of Turkey. So, if you are taking a road trip through Turkey, you should definitely put Izmir on your list of cities to spend a few days in. Izmir is also an ideal starting point for your road trip. It is up to you how you plan your holiday, but one thing is for sure: you will definitely not get bored exploring Izmir.

In Izmir, you should definitely visit Konak Square and the Clock Tower. Konak Square is located in the city centre and there is a beautiful clock tower on this square. This is a popular place to rest and meet with the locals in Izmir.

Another popular place in the city is undoubtedly the Kemeraltı Bazaar and the surrounding markets. Markets are something like the souls of Turkish cities. And Izmir is no different. Kemeralti Bazaar is a place where you can find everything. From jewellery to spices, clothes, coffee, etc., you can just walk around and enjoy the view of the colourful offerings around you. You can also sit down and have tea, coffee or a snack. There are really many different things you can see, do and buy here.

The Agora of Smyrna archaeological site is a unique open-air museum in the world that is definitely worth a visit.

Another great place is the Culture Park where you can attend many cultural events such as concerts, plays, festivals, book fairs, etc.

Other places in Izmir that are worth visiting: Konak Pier, Kadifekale & the Ataturk Stone Sculpture, Alsancak Quarter, Historic Elevator / Asansoer, Balçova & its cable car, Izmir Museums (Ethnographic Museum, Archaeological Museum, Art and Sculpture Museum, History and Art Museum, Izmir Women's Museum, Ataturk Museum, State Opera and Ballet (Art and Cultural Centre), Steam Locomotive Museum, Agora Museum, Bostanlı Archaeological Museum, Pergamon Museum, Çeşme Museum, Universal Children's Museum).

Drive your rental car beyond Izmir

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 sights, 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 at 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, 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 simply cannot 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 the Acropolis of Bergama,. 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, Oelduedeniz, 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 unspoiled nature and eat delicious food, so as written, there is something for every type of traveller. Buckle up and drive safely!

Where to eat, drink, and party in Izmir

Every civilization and culture that came to Izmir and lived in this area has left its mark on the local cuisine, and in the past, the city became an important gastronomic centre of Turkey. The cuisine here is very rich and varied and many local ingredients are used. Thanks to the fertile soil and warm climate, Izmir and its surroundings offer perfect conditions for growing fruits and vegetables used in traditional cuisine. Of course, the sea also plays an important role, as there are many dishes prepared from fish and other seafood here. Of course, here in Izmir, there are not only fish restaurants but a variety of different menus that will satisfy every taste.

Best restaurant in Izmir

Gozlemecim

Donerci Vedat Usta

Pizza Locale

Vino Locale

Mengoli Burgers Steak Fries

Ustat Kebap