Istanbul to Antalya by Car: Is the Drive Worth It?

How long does it take to drive from Istanbul to Antalya?

Roughly 700 km, and about 9 to 10 hours of driving with stops. Most people split it over two days. The exact route and time depend on which way you go and on traffic, so check live conditions and plan an overnight stop rather than pushing through in one day.

It is a long drive, and the honest answer to "is it worth it?" depends on why you want to make it.

When does driving make sense?

Drive if you want a road trip with stops on the way, you are travelling with a family or a group, or you want the car for the whole holiday including Antalya's day trips. Fly if Antalya is the destination and you only want a car for a few days there. A flight is about an hour and a half, far shorter than 700 km of driving.

For a full comparison, see rent a car or take a bus, train or flight.

What does the mileage allowance mean here?

Auris publishes a limit of 150 km per day and 3,500 km per month, with extra kilometres charged at $0.10 or $0.20. Confirm the rate for your car and whether the allowance is counted per day or pooled over the rental.

Example, if counted per day: driving 700 km in one day uses 150 km of allowance and leaves 550 extra kilometres. That is $55 at $0.10 or $110 at $0.20 for that day alone.

Example, if pooled over a 14-day rental: the allowance is 2,100 km. A round trip of roughly 1,400 km plus 300 km of local driving is 1,700 km, which fits. Ask which rule applies before you book.

How should you split the drive?

• Day one: leave early, drive roughly halfway and stop in a city with hotel parking.
• Day two: finish the drive in the morning, so you arrive with time to spare.

Fill up in advance and keep the fuel level above a quarter. Avoid driving on unfamiliar roads at night.

What should you check before booking?

• Return: Auris online booking lists Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), with pickup and return in the same country. Ask before assuming an Antalya drop-off.
• Tolls: how HGS is recorded and billed.
• Air conditioning, essential in summer.
• Automatic transmission, for traffic and hills.
• Insurance excess and deposit method.
• Second driver, for a long day.

Online bookings need at least 3 rental days. The rental conditions list current terms.

What should you carry for a long summer drive?

Bring water, snacks, sun shades, sunglasses, a phone mount, a charger and a folder with your documents. Check tyre condition and air conditioning at pickup, and avoid the midday heat where you can by driving early and late.

Stop every two hours and never push on when tired. If you feel drowsy, the next rest area is the right answer, not another coffee.

What do you do once you arrive?

Enjoy Antalya without needing to hire another car. The Antalya car rental guide covers day trips such as Aspendos, Side and Termessos, and our Turkish Riviera drive covers the coast to Fethiye. Use the road trip cost guide to budget the whole trip, and the Turkey car rental page for current service details.