#1. Review of a Rental Car at Taksim Square, Istanbul
Welcome to my Türkiye road trip! This guide will cover everything you need to know about Istanbul Rent a Car.
After a long journey starting all the way from Mongolia Airport, we finally set foot in Istanbul, Türkiye. We saved an incredible number of photos covering every moment from our departure in Mongolia to our arrival in Istanbul and the very end of our trip. Based on these vivid records, we are excited to open the first chapter of our 1-month driving tour around Türkiye.
1. Arrival at Istanbul Airport & Why We Headed to Taksim Square First
Our flight landed at Istanbul Airport (IST) instead of Sabiha Gökçen Airport. By the time we cleared the aircraft, it was already late afternoon with the sun beginning to set.
Traveling abroad for an entire month can be quite budget-consuming, with airfare usually taking up the biggest chunk of the expenses.
To cut down on costs, we spent days scouting for flights on Trip.com. In the end, we managed to find an incredibly budget-friendly layover ticket! It did involve a 7-hour layover at Ulaanbaatar Airport in Mongolia arriving in the middle of the night, but it was absolutely worth the savings.
If you are planning a trip to Türkiye, we recommend that you compare the cheapest flight combinations in real-time directly at the link below.
Driving in a completely unfamiliar country and navigating unknown roads in pitch-black darkness is a massive burden, even for experienced drivers. Therefore, prioritizing safety above all else, we decided not to pick up a rental car immediately. Instead, we took public transport to Taksim Square, the heart of the city, to spend our first night and catch our breath.
Ulaanbaatar International Airport, my transit point. 4 AM. The outside temperature is minus 36 degrees… Brrr.
Flight distance information to Istanbul Airport, Türkiye, just before takeoff after boarding Mongolian Airlines
Finally arrived at Istanbul Airport in Türkiye
Istanbul Airport Exit… The beginning of a one-month journey in earnest
2. Safe City Transfer via Havaist Airport Bus
We quickly completed the immigration process and headed straight to the ticket booth right outside the terminal exit. There, we applied for and purchased the Istanbulkart, an absolute necessity for traveling around Istanbul.
We experienced an incredibly reassuring luggage handling system when loading our bags onto the Havaist Airport Bus bound for Taksim Square. The staff attached a unique numbered tag to each piece of luggage and handed us matching counter-tickets.
When we arrived at Taksim Square, they meticulously cross-checked these tags before releasing our bags. It was a wonderful system that let us travel with peace of mind without worrying about theft from our very first stop.
‘Havaist’ Airport Bus Baggage Ticket
3. First Night at Taksim Square: The Nest Hotel & Winter Night Scenery
For our first night, we chose ‘The Nest Hotel’, located just a few minutes’ walk from Taksim Square. Since we arrived close to sunset and planned to leave for Bursa the next day, minimizing our travel distance was crucial. We quickly booked it via Booking.com, and it turned out to be the perfect choice.
The next morning, we picked up our rental car from the office and drove it back to the hotel. Note for drivers: to enter the hotel’s alley, you must verify your reservation at the street entrance checkpoint.
Fortunately, there was a parking space right in front of the hotel, allowing us to load our heavy suitcases straight into the car upon checkout without dragging them through the streets. We highly recommend this spot for a seamless, well-coordinated start to your journey.
Staying overnight at Taksim Square before picked up our Istanbul Rent a Car was the perfect choice for our route to Bursa.
The alleyway leading down from Taksim Square to the Kabataş pier
After dropping off our luggage at the hotel, our stomachs started rumbling, so we headed out to try one of Istanbul’s most iconic local street foods: Balık Ekmek (Mackerel Kebab).
We walked down the steep, narrow, and winding alleys stretching below Taksim Square. As we approached the harbor waterfront, we found the famous kebab joint tucked away among a dense cluster of local eateries.
The restaurant was a tiny, authentic local spot with only a few seats inside. True to its reputation as a must-visit culinary hotspot, a long queue of eager customers was waiting outside despite the freezing weather. When we finally got our hands on the mackerel kebabs, the taste was absolutely phenomenal!
It was perfectly savory, smoky, and free of any fishy odor—a truly unique flavor that instantly made us realize, “Wow, we are finally in Türkiye!”
Inside a restaurant specializing in Mackerel Kebabs (Balık Ekmek)
It is made by placing grilled mackerel and vegetables between crispy bread.
The surrounding alleys were packed with local bars, cafes, and restaurants. Even though it was quite late and a bitterly cold February night, the entire area was brimming with energy, filled with locals and tourists alike. After fully immersing ourselves in this vibrant nighttime atmosphere of Istanbul, it was time to head back to our hotel.
However, the thought of hiking back up those dark, steep, and freezing alleys was daunting. That’s when we remembered one of Istanbul’s most famous historic transits: the underground cable car known as the Funicular! We hopped on at the station near the harbor, and it effortlessly swept us up the steep hill, dropping us right back off at Taksim Square in comfort.
Inside the funicular platform, F1 Taksim – Kabataş line
After getting off at Taksim Square, we went out to the square to see the night view on our first night in Istanbul.
Since it was February, the winter wind was exceptionally biting and cold. The freezing weather cut our walk short, preventing us from exploring for long. However, we weren’t disappointed at all—we knew we would have plenty of time to explore Istanbul to our heart’s content during the final week of our trip!
Taksim Mosque (Taksim Camii), which reportedly opened in late May 2021.
Taksim Mosque (Taksim Camii). It is said to have a maximum capacity of 3,000 people.
The fork in the road at the entrance to the hotel. The Havabus airport bus stop is on the right.
A mobile street food stool selling Turkey’s national snack, “Simit,” and roasted chestnuts. Simit is a bread made by shaping dough into a circle, sprinkling it with sesame seeds, and baking it; it can be commonly seen on any street.
The next morning, we headed to the hotel restaurant to enjoy the complimentary Buffet breakfast. The spread was delicious with a great variety of options. Combined with the genuinely warm and friendly front desk staff, The Nest Hotel left us with a beautiful and welcoming first impression of Istanbul.
Inside the hotel restaurant where breakfast is provided free of charge..
The entrance is located opposite the hotel front desk
You can enjoy a buffet-style meal at your leisure
4. Honest Review of 3 Car Rental Agencies Near Taksim Square
With our stomachs full, we opened Google Maps the next morning to secure a rental car for our month-long trip. However, we quickly realized that the city center branches around Taksim Square had a severely limited selection of vehicles and agencies compared to the airport hubs.
Since we didn’t want to walk too far, we identified three agencies within walking distance from our hotel and visited them in person for consultations. Because this was a month-long long-term rental, we meticulously compared Full-Coverage options, rental prices, and service inclusions on the spot.
Notably, none of the three places had particularly high online customer reviews, so we approached the negotiations with a healthy dose of caution.
Before heading out blindly, we had actually used Rentalcars.com, the most widely trusted global platform, to thoroughly screen the vehicle conditions and rates in downtown Istanbul beforehand to establish a baseline. For a month-long road trip, online real-time comparison is an absolute must to prevent any unexpected on-site hidden fees or rip-offs.
Based on our experience, in addition to Rentalcars, Discover Cars is another fantastic budget-friendly alternative that has recently gained high popularity among travelers in Europe for its comprehensive full-coverage insurance. If you are planning a rental near Taksim Square, I highly recommend checking out both platforms to compare live availability and the lowest rates before visiting any office in person!
Pros/Cons: Being a major global brand, their operations were highly structured and large-scale. However, reflecting their big-brand reputation, their rental rates were the most expensive among the three.
2) Macca / Massa Car Rent
Pros/Cons: Their pricing was more affordable than Enterprise, making the quote look decent. However, the agent’s communication lacked professionalism and clarity, which lowered our trust for a long-term contract.
3) Auto Union / Comet Rent a Car
Pros/Cons: Although it was located the farthest from our hotel, the agent gave us a highly professional and solid impression. They explained the full-coverage scope clearly, and the long-term price was very competitive.
Result: Given our tight schedule, we signed the contract with this agency as they offered the highest reliability and the best terms.
When planning your trip, finding a reliable Istanbul Rent a Car service is highly recommended.
5. Turkey Car Rental: Crucial Mistakes to Avoid Before You Book!
While choosing the right rental company is important, navigating the local rules and hidden traps in Turkey can be tricky if you aren’t prepared.
Based on my first-hand experience driving across Turkey, I have created a comprehensive video guide detailing “Must-Know Safety Tips & Warnings for Renting a Car in Turkey.” It includes real road conditions and insider tips that will save you time and money. Check out the video below before you make your reservation! 👇
Please turn on YouTube CC (Subtitles) and select your language in settings!
6. Essential Checklists When Picking Up & Dropping Off Your Car
After watching the video, make sure to save these three critical points on your phone and verify them on-site with the rental agent:
Document the Car’s Condition (Photos & Videos): Before driving away, take a detailed video and high-quality photos of the entire vehicle, including the wheels, tires, and minor scratches. This is your best defense against unfair damage charges during return.
Verify the HGS (Toll Pass System): Turkey uses an automatic toll system called HGS for highways and major bridges. Ensure the HGS sticker or device is properly attached to the windshield and clarify with the agent how you will be billed for toll fees upon return.
Double-Check the Fuel Policy: Most rentals follow a “Full to Full” policy. Snap a quick photo of the fuel gauge before leaving the lot, and always keep your final gas station receipt when returning the car to avoid penalty fees.
7. The Long Journey to Bursa Begins
The next morning, I went to the rental car office, finalized the contract, and drove back to my accommodation.
The rental car contracted with Auto Union to be with us for a month!!
We nicknamed the car “Suleiman” to suit our trip to Türkiye.
Thanks to this, we didn’t have to drag our heavy suitcases through the streets. As soon as we checked out of the hotel, we loaded our bags straight into the car and turned the ignition to begin our long journey toward Bursa.
Our unique itinerary allowed us to start our Istanbul Rent a Car journey smoothly the next morning.
Stay tuned for our next episode as our month-long driving adventure across Turkey officially kicks off!
**As an affiliate, I may earn a commission from qualifying bookings made through links in this post.
