Car Rentals

40-minute ESB–Ankara drive makes rental cars king for side trips

Driving from Esenboğa Airport (ESB) to central Ankara takes about 30–40 minutes in normal traffic on a mostly dual carriageway, which lines up well if you’re planning to hit government buildings in Kızılay and then head out to towns like Beypazarı or all the way to Cappadocia. One Yelp reviewer mentions picking up a car in-terminal at ESB and heading straight to Cappadocia without touching Ankara bus stations.

All the big international rental brands sit inside the ESB terminal, open roughly with flight banks from early morning until late evening, so you can walk from baggage claim to a desk in under 5 minutes. A Turkish forum poster calls the airport road “straightforward, dual carriageway almost all the way,” so the exit from the airport itself is the easy part of the drive.

Journey time into Ankara is usually around 35 minutes, but locals say the problem starts when you reach central districts like Ulus and Kızılay, where parking is “annoying and often paid,” with tight streets and plenty of one‑way roads. Regulars recommend keeping the car if you’re heading on to places like Beypazarı (about 100 km away) or using it for day trips rather than just airport–hotel hops.

Forum users warn that some small local agencies at ESB lure people with very low daily rates, then add mandatory insurance fees at pickup that bump the final total by 30–50%. There are also reports of higher deposits or credit card holds for foreign renters at those outfits, while the big global brands typically lock a more predictable amount.

Speed cameras around Ankara are a real thing: locals say enforcement tightens near the city, especially on the last 10–15 km, so trying to “make up time” from ESB can backfire with fines. Regulars stick to the posted limits and keep an eye out for camera signs once the dual carriageway starts to feel more urban.

Frequent renters on Turkish forums recommend choosing the major brands at ESB, even if the quote is €5–10 more per day, because insurance terms are clearer and deposits lower, which speeds up both pickup and drop‑off. One more hack from locals: if you only need the car for side trips, arrange pickup/return at a district like Çukurambar or Söğütözü instead of right in Kızılay to dodge the worst central parking.

Step-by-step: Renting a car at ESB

• 1. Book online: Reserve with a major brand, check that CDW and theft coverage are included, and screenshot the quote with the exact daily price.
• 2. Land and follow signs: After arrivals, follow the “Car Rental / Araç Kiralama” signs; desks are just beyond baggage claim inside the terminal.
• 3. Handle paperwork: Present passport, license (plus IDP if required for your country), and credit card; ask the agent to state the deposit amount and total price in TRY before signing.
• 4. Inspect the car: At the parking area, walk around the vehicle, film a 60–90 second video of all sides, and get every scratch marked on the form.
• 5. Drive to Ankara: Exit following “Ankara” signs, stay on the main dual carriageway, keep to the speed limit, and expect about 35 minutes into central districts if traffic is light.
• 6. Plan parking: In central Ankara, favor paid lots over street spaces to avoid fines and towing, especially near ministries and offices.
• 7. Return the car: Allow an extra 20–30 minutes at ESB for refueling, inspection, and paperwork before check-in cut-off.

One tip: Print or download your rental contract and insurance details in Turkish and English; it speeds up any discussion at the counter if there’s a disagreement about extras.