Compare cheap 7 seater car hire at airports across Turkey. Why you need a 1968 IDP, how HGS tolls work, child seat rules, speed limits and carrying ID.
Check your paperwork first. GOV.UK says you need a 1968 International Driving Permit, or a UK licence notarised in Turkish, to drive in Turkey. Read the licences section below.
About 4.24 million UK visitors went to Turkey in 2025 (Travel Weekly). In Antalya alone, 1.557 million UK tourists arrived by air, the third-largest market there (DHA).
A 7 seater suits Turkish villa holidays well. The rules differ from Europe in two ways that matter most: the licence paperwork, and a toll system you pay electronically.
Where to hire a 7 Seater in Turkey
Most UK families fly into the resort airports on the south and west coasts. Passenger numbers are for 2025, from DHMİ, the Turkish state airports authority. Where we have a full airport guide, the name links to it, and we add new guides regularly.
- Antalya. 39.0 million passengers. The biggest resort airport in the country, for Belek and Lara.
- İzmir. 12.7 million. For Çeşme and Ephesus.
- Dalaman. 5.6 million. For Fethiye and Göcek.
- Milas-Bodrum. 4.4 million. The Bodrum peninsula is about 40 minutes away.
- Gazipaşa-Alanya. 992,383. Much closer to Alanya than Antalya is.
- Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen. 48.4 million. On the Asian side of the city.
- Istanbul Airport. The main international airport, on the European side.
Licences and ID
GOV.UK says that to drive in Turkey you need a 1968 International Driving Permit, or a UK driving licence notarised in Turkish. The older 1949 IDP is no longer accepted, and you cannot buy an IDP outside the UK (GOV.UK).
GOV.UK also says it is illegal not to carry photographic ID in Turkey. Keep your passport with you whenever you drive.
Getting in
British visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Your passport must be valid for at least 150 days from the date you arrive and have at least one blank page (GOV.UK).
Turkey is not in the Schengen area, so the EU Entry/Exit System does not apply on arrival. It does apply if you take a day trip to a Greek island.
Turkish airport 7 Seaters in one search
Compare the 7 seaters and minivans at your Turkish airport side by side, with the total price for each.
Tolls: the HGS system
Turkish motorways and bridges use the HGS electronic toll system, which has been the only system since OGS ended on 31 March 2022 (Haber7).
Turkey’s highways authority says a missed toll must be paid within 15 days of passing, and unpaid tolls and fines must be settled before a foreign vehicle can leave the country (KGM). Pay late and a fine is added on top.
Ask at the hire desk whether the car has an HGS tag and how tolls are charged to you. It is the easiest way to avoid a fine arriving after you get home.
Some tolls are paid at a booth instead. The Göcek Tunnel on the road from Dalaman to Fethiye is one, and our Dalaman Airport guide covers the fee and the free road over the hill.
Child seats
Turkey requires a child seat for children under 150 cm and under 36 kg, which is roughly age 12, and children should travel in the back (CNN Türk).
That is stricter than the UK rule of 12 years or 135 cm (GOV.UK), so a tall 10 or 11 year old may still need a booster. Our Antalya Airport guide also covers the 2026 traffic fines.
Speed, drink driving and road safety
Cars are limited to 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on two-way intercity roads and 110 km/h on divided roads (Eleman.net). Motorways allow 130 or 140 km/h depending on the route, after limits rose from 120 km/h in July 2022 (Capital).
The drink-drive limit for private cars is 0.5 promil, or 0.5 g/l (Sigortam.net). GOV.UK says drunk drivers are fined and can lose their licence for six months.
GOV.UK warns that accidents are common, mainly because of poor or reckless driving. It advises extra care at night and on remote roads, and approaching police checkpoints slowly.
Seven people, seven cases
A large suitcase holds 80 to 110 litres. With all seven seats in use, the roomiest common 7 seaters manage about 340 to 350 litres of boot.
For a full family with a big case each, look for the ACRISS FV class, meaning seven or more seats plus more space, or book an 8 or 9 seater.
Keeping a Turkish 7 Seater hire affordable
- Compare the total, not the daily rate. Fuel policy, deposit, insurance excess and extra driver charges all sit outside the headline price.
- Sort the IDP before you fly. Without the right paperwork, the desk can refuse to hand over the car.
- Ask how HGS tolls are billed. A toll paid late brings a fine on top.
- Book early with free cancellation. School holidays bring the highest demand. Lock in a cancellable rate, then search again nearer the date and rebook if prices fall.
Price a 7 Seater in Turkey for your trip
Put in your airport and dates to see low-cost rates and the HGS toll terms.
Questions people ask
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Turkey?
GOV.UK says yes: a 1968 IDP, or a UK licence notarised in Turkish. The 1949 IDP is no longer accepted.
Can I pay Turkish motorway tolls in cash?
Not usually. Turkey’s motorways and bridges use the electronic HGS system, so ask the hire desk how tolls are charged.
Do I need a visa for Turkey?
Not for tourist stays of up to 90 days in any 180 days, according to GOV.UK.
Does my child need a car seat in Turkey?
Yes, if they are under 150 cm and 36 kg. That is stricter than the UK’s 135 cm rule.
How do I compare cheap 7 Seater car hire in Turkey?
Compare several hire firms at once. Our search shows 7 seaters from the firms at your Turkish airport in one list, with the total price for each. Prices move with demand, so the earlier you search, the more choice you get.
