Pick up your rental car at Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) with Yolzz. 24/7 desk in arrivals, wide fleet, competitive rates. Perfect for Istanbul's Asian side, Bursa and the Bosphorus.
Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (IATA: SAW) is Istanbul's Asian-side airport, set in the Pendik district roughly 40–50 km east of the city centre. With over 30 million passengers handled annually, SAW is the preferred hub for low-cost carriers — Pegasus Airlines, easyJet and Ryanair among them — offering direct connections to hundreds of European, Middle Eastern and domestic Turkish destinations. For travellers landing on the Asian side of Istanbul, renting a car with Yolzz is the single most flexible and time-efficient way to experience one of the world's greatest cities and the stunning landscapes surrounding it.
Istanbul is a city of extraordinary scale and variety. From the Byzantine mosaics of Hagia Sophia to the Black Sea beaches of Şile, from the Ottoman mosques of Sultanahmet to the pine forests north of the Bosphorus, the distances involved mean that without a car, you will inevitably miss the best the region has to offer. Yolzz gives you 24/7 access to a modern, well-maintained fleet right at the arrivals hall, with transparent pricing, flexible insurance and one-way options to other Turkish cities.
This guide covers everything a first-time or returning visitor needs to know: 2026 rental prices, required documents, Yolzz office location, the essential routes from SAW, driving and traffic tips, a detailed Istanbul city guide, food recommendations, seasonal travel advice and answers to the most common questions from our international customers. Read it before you land — it will save you hours of searching once you arrive.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport was inaugurated in 2001 and has since grown into one of Europe's busiest secondary airports. The terminal sits on a plateau in Kurtköy, within the Pendik municipality on the far eastern edge of Istanbul's Asian side. Despite its distance from the historic city centre (40–50 km), the airport is very well connected: the TEM Motorway (Turkey's Trans-European road) and E-5 arterial highway provide fast dual-carriageway access in all directions, and from the terminal forecourt you can be on a motorway heading towards the Bosphorus bridges within five minutes.
SAW operates a single integrated terminal building handling both domestic and international flights under one roof. Unlike some large airports, this makes connections and orientation straightforward. Ground-floor departures and arrivals share logical signage, and car rental desks — including Yolzz — are clustered in the arrivals area for convenience.
Airlines serving SAW include Pegasus Airlines (Turkey's largest low-cost carrier), SunExpress, easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air and several charter operators. Domestic routes link Istanbul to Ankara, İzmir, Antalya, Trabzon, Diyarbakır, Erzurum, Van and more than a dozen other Turkish cities. International destinations span much of continental Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
Yolzz has been helping international and domestic travellers explore Turkey since the company was founded. Here is what sets us apart at Sabiha Gökçen:
Rental rates vary by vehicle class, season and how far in advance you book. The figures below are indicative 2026 daily rates under normal conditions. Early-bird bookings made 7 or more days ahead typically reduce the price by 10–15%.
Peak-season note: July and August are the busiest months; rates climb and availability drops quickly. If you are visiting in summer, booking at least 3–4 weeks ahead is strongly advised. Call +90 850 500 0 777 for current availability.
The Yolzz counter is located in the arrivals hall, close to the baggage-reclaim exits. Once you have collected your luggage and cleared passport control or customs, follow the car rental signs — they are clearly displayed throughout the arrivals area, and Yolzz is prominently marked. Our team will prepare your contract and keys before you arrive; collection typically takes under 10 minutes for customers who have completed their online booking.
Before you arrive at the desk, make sure you have the following:
SAW's Asian-side location is a major advantage. You are already on the quieter, more residential half of Istanbul, within reach of some remarkable destinations:
Istanbul is a large, complex city. These tips will save you time and frustration:
To understand Istanbul is to understand why every great civilisation that reached the crossroads of Europe and Asia wanted to control it. The city stands at one of the world's most strategic points: the Bosphorus (İstanbul Boğazı), a narrow strait only 700 metres wide at its narrowest point, separates the European and Asian landmasses and connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and, beyond, the Mediterranean. Whoever controlled the Bosphorus controlled the trade routes that connected the ancient world.
Founded as Byzantium by Greek colonists around 657 BC, the city was refounded as Constantinople by the Roman Emperor Constantine I in AD 330, making it the capital of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire for over a thousand years. It fell to the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II in 1453 and served as the Ottoman capital until the empire's dissolution after the First World War. In 1923, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk — Turkey's founding president and its most transformative historical figure — moved the capital of the newly established Turkish Republic to Ankara, but Istanbul remained the cultural, economic and intellectual heart of the nation.
Today Istanbul is home to more than 16 million people across 39 districts and 900+ neighbourhoods, making it the fifth-largest metropolitan area in the world. It generates roughly 30% of Turkey's entire GDP and hosts the Istanbul Stock Exchange (Borsa Istanbul), the regional headquarters of hundreds of multinationals, and one of the world's busiest convention and exhibition sectors. At the same time, it receives more than 16 million international tourists annually, drawn by a cultural heritage that ranges from 6th-century Byzantine mosaics to 21st-century contemporary art galleries — often within walking distance of each other.
For the visitor arriving at Sabiha Gökçen, the Asian side offers an immediate introduction to a quieter, more residential Istanbul. Kadıköy (pronounced kah-duh-koy) is the Asian side's cultural hub: a vibrant covered market (çarşı — pronounced char-shuh) selling everything from fresh fish to boutique vinyl records, a thriving café scene along the Moda seafront, and a nightlife strip that rivals Beyoğlu. Üsküdar (ewsk-yoo-dar), a short drive north, is older and more conservative in character, dominated by the silhouettes of imperial mosques commissioned by Ottoman sultans and their mothers. The Maiden's Tower (Kız Kulesi), sitting on a tiny island just offshore, is one of Istanbul's most photographed landmarks and visible from the SAW approach road on clear days.
Bağdat Avenue (Bağdat Caddesi — bah-dat jad-deh-see) stretches from Kadıköy southward through the wealthy suburbs of Moda, Caddebostan and Suadiye. It is lined with international fashion brands, independent boutiques, wine bars and pavement cafés where Istanbul's affluent Asian-side residents spend their evenings. A drive along Bağdat Avenue at night, with its well-lit shop fronts and café terraces, gives a very different impression of Istanbul than the tourism-focused European side.
A rental car opens the entire city — and much of north-western Turkey — to exploration. The Osmangazi Bridge (opened 2016), just 40 km south of the airport, gives SAW drivers direct access to Bursa in under an hour without entering Istanbul's urban traffic at all.
If you have only one day, head for the European side's historic core. Drive from SAW towards the city centre, cross via the 15 Temmuz Şehitler Bridge (Bosphorus Bridge — toll approximately 60 TL) and follow signs for Sultanahmet. Allow 50–65 minutes from the airport in normal traffic.
In Sultanahmet, park at an İSPARK car park near Sirkeci or Eminönü (15–20 TL/hour) and spend the morning on foot. Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya — pronounced ah-yah-soh-fyah) was built by Emperor Justinian in AD 537 and served as the world's largest cathedral for nearly a thousand years before becoming a mosque and then a museum; it is now a functioning mosque but open to visitors outside prayer times. The admission fee is 750 TL as of 2026. Directly opposite is the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii — the six minarets are its signature feature), free to enter between prayers. A 5-minute walk leads to the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı — yeh-reh-bah-tan sar-nuh-juh), a vast 6th-century underground reservoir with 336 marble columns, now beautifully illuminated. Topkapı Palace (Topkapı Sarayı — top-kah-puh sah-rah-yuh), a 15-minute walk east, was the administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 400 years; the Harem section and treasury (with the Topkapı Dagger and Spoonmaker's Diamond) require separate tickets.
For lunch, Hamdi Restaurant's terrace overlooking the Golden Horn (Haliç — the natural harbour inlet dividing the European side's northern and southern districts) is a classic choice. After lunch, explore the Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı — kah-pah-luh char-shuh), one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets with over 4,000 shops selling carpets, jewellery, leather and textiles. A 15-minute walk downhill leads to the Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı — muh-sur char-shuh-suh), a smaller but more atmospheric market scented with dried herbs, lokum (Turkish delight) and roasted coffee. In the evening, drive to Ortaköy (15 minutes) to watch the illuminated Bosphorus Bridge at dusk.
Day 1 — Asian Istanbul: Begin with an unhurried morning in Kadıköy. The covered market area (Çarşı) is best explored on foot; try a fresh börek (beu-reck — layered filo pastry with white cheese or spinach) from a bakery and pick up a glass of çay (chai — Turkish black tea served in small tulip-shaped glasses, always offered with two cubes of sugar). Walk south along the Moda seafront promenade for breakfast at one of the cafés overlooking the Bosphorus. Afternoon: drive to Üsküdar to visit the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque (commissioned by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent for his daughter) and the small but beautifully curated Sakıp Sabancı Museum in nearby Emirgan on the European side — accessible by crossing the bridge (30 min). Evening: dinner in Çengelköy (chen-gel-koy), a village of wooden Ottoman houses and waterside restaurants where the Asian shore is just wide enough for a leisurely dinner with a view of the illuminated Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge.
Day 2 — European Istanbul: Cross the Bosphorus to Beşiktaş (beh-shik-tash). Visit Dolmabahçe Palace (dol-mah-bah-cheh), the Ottoman sultans' 19th-century waterside residence — a remarkable fusion of Baroque, Neoclassical and Ottoman architecture, with 285 rooms, 46 reception halls and the world's largest Bohemian crystal chandelier. Book timed tickets in advance online. Lunch at Ortaköy (or-tah-koy): the little meydanı (town square) beside the neo-Baroque mosque is surrounded by stalls selling kumpir (a baked potato stuffed with toppings), waffles and fresh-squeezed juice. Drive north along the Bosphorus through Bebek, Arnavutköy and Emirgân — three villages of wooden yalıs (waterfront mansions) with Bosphorus-view café terraces. Stop at Rumeli Hisarı (roo-meh-lee hee-sah-ruh), the fortress built by Mehmed II in 1452 on the eve of the siege of Constantinople; entry is free and the views from the towers are exceptional. Evening: park in Karaköy and walk up to Galata Tower for 360° panoramic views at dusk.
Days 1–2: Follow the two-day itinerary above.
Day 3 — Day Trip Options:
Istanbul's food scene is one of the richest in the world, combining the legacy of Ottoman palace cuisine, centuries of Silk Road trade ingredients and an extraordinarily vibrant street-food tradition. For a visitor arriving without prior knowledge of Turkish food, here is a practical introduction to what you will find — and what you should not miss.
HGS stands for Hızlı Geçiş Sistemi — Fast Passage System. It is Turkey's nationwide electronic toll collection system, similar to E-ZPass in the USA or the Dart Tag in Ireland. Every Yolzz vehicle carries an HGS transponder fixed to the windscreen. When you drive through a toll plaza or bridge, the transponder is read automatically and the toll is deducted from a pre-loaded balance. Tolls charged during your rental period are invoiced to you at return. You can check and top up the HGS balance via any PTT (postal service) branch, major bank branch, ATM with HGS service, or online at the official HGS portal. If the balance falls to zero, the system records a missed payment, which results in a fine — so check the balance at collection and top it up if it is low.
Weekday morning rush: 07:30–09:30. Weekday evening rush: 17:30–19:30. Friday midday prayer time (approximately 12:30–13:30) causes brief local congestion near mosques. During Ramadan (Ramazan — Turkey's month of fasting, dates shift yearly with the Islamic calendar), the hour before iftar (the evening meal that breaks the fast) sees particularly heavy traffic across the city as people rush home. Download the İSPARK app (iOS/Android, free) before you arrive — it shows every available paid car park in Istanbul in real time, including price and distance. Shopping-centre car parks are the best value: park free for 2–3 hours with any purchase receipt from the mall.
April is arguably Istanbul's most beautiful month. The city is awash with tulips — millions of them planted in Emirgân Grove (Emirgân Korusu), Gülhane Park and squares across the European side. Istanbul's Tulip Festival (Lale Festivali) runs in early April and is free to attend. Temperatures settle between 15 and 22°C — warm enough for outdoor exploration but not hot enough to be tiring. Occasional rain showers (spring is a moderate-rainfall season) keep the city lush and green. Crowds are lighter than summer, hotel prices are lower, and popular sites can be visited without long queues. Pack a waterproof layer and comfortable walking shoes.
Summer brings Istanbul's peak tourist season and peak temperatures. July and August regularly reach 28–35°C, with moderate humidity. The city is crowded — Sultanahmet, the Grand Bazaar and the ferry terminals are exceptionally busy — but the energy is infectious. The Bosphorus fills with leisure boats, the waterfront restaurants are buzzing every evening, and the city's outdoor bars and clubs operate until dawn. Beaches at Kilyos (north-west, 40 km) and Şile (north-east, 75 km) are popular Black Sea escapes. The Princes' Islands (İstanbul Adaları) are car-free — leave your Yolzz car at the Pendik or Kartal ferry terminal and take a 30–45 minute ferry crossing to Büyükada (Prinkipo), the largest island, where horse-drawn carriages and bicycles are the only transport. Book rental cars at least 3–4 weeks ahead for July and August; availability disappears quickly.
September and October are the months that Istanbul residents themselves tend to favour: the summer crowds have thinned, the sea is still warm (24–26°C in September), temperatures range between 15 and 24°C and the city looks magnificent. Morning mist sits over the Bosphorus in October, burning off to reveal brilliant blue skies. Belgrad Forest (north of the city, 20 km from IST) turns vivid red, orange and gold in October — a remarkable sight accessible entirely by car. November brings cooler, wetter weather and a quieter, more contemplative city atmosphere; the perfect time for museums, covered bazaars and long dinners.
Istanbul in winter is underrated. Temperatures average 3–10°C; snow falls perhaps two or three times a year and rarely lies for more than a day in the city (though it can persist for weeks on the surrounding hills). The tourist crowds virtually disappear — Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia and Dolmabahçe can be visited almost alone. Hotel prices drop significantly. The covered bazaars, meyhanes (traditional taverns) and the hammams (Turkish baths) are at their most atmospheric on cold, rainy evenings. The key caveat for drivers: if you plan to travel the Bolu mountain pass (on the TEM east of Istanbul) or head to Bursa's Uludağ ski resort between December and March, winter tyres (kış lastiği) are legally required and snow chains may be needed after heavy snowfall. Specify this at booking — Yolzz can equip your vehicle appropriately.
The two fastest options are the Eurasia Tunnel and the 15 Temmuz Şehitler Bridge (First Bridge). During weekday morning rush hour (07:00–09:00), the tunnel occasionally backs up from the Asian approach — in that case, the bridge is usually faster. Expect 40–55 minutes from SAW to the Bosphorus waterfront villages of Arnavutköy or Beşiktaş under normal conditions. On weekends and outside rush hours, the drive can take as little as 30 minutes.
The Osmangazi Bridge route (SAW → Gebze → Bridge → Bursa) covers approximately 75 km and takes around 1 hour. It is significantly faster than the ferry alternative, which involves driving to a ferry terminal (Topçular or Pendik), waiting for departure, crossing to Yalova and then driving to Bursa — a total of 2–2.5 hours including waiting time. The ferry is pleasant but the car is far more practical. The toll on the Osmangazi Bridge is approximately 110 TL one way.
Yes. Yolzz offers one-way rentals between multiple Istanbul locations, including Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side. A one-way surcharge may apply depending on the vehicles and dates involved. Call +90 850 500 0 777 before completing your booking to confirm the exact fee and availability.
Sapanca Lake (Sapanca Gölü) is approximately 110 km from SAW via TEM east, with a journey time of 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes under normal traffic conditions. Weekend mornings can add 15–20 minutes on the TEM exit road; departing before 09:00 is recommended for the most pleasant experience. From Sapanca, Maşukiye village (trout restaurants and picnic areas) is a further 15 km, and you can loop back via Adapazarı for variety.
Yes. Yolzz offers baby seats (for children 0–13 kg, approximately birth to 12 months), toddler seats (9–18 kg, approximately 9 months to 4 years) and forward-facing booster seats (9–36 kg, approximately 4–12 years). These must be requested at the time of booking — not as a walk-in addition — as stock is limited. Under Turkish and EU road safety law, children must use an appropriate restraint system; failure to do so may result in a fine and, more importantly, serious injury in the event of an accident.
Yes. Several well-stocked petrol stations are located within 5 minutes of the terminal along the Kurtköy–Pendik connector roads. All major Turkish fuel brands (Shell, Opet, BP, Total) are represented. Note that Turkish petrol stations are all full-service (an attendant pumps the fuel for you) — tipping the attendant a few lira is customary but not mandatory.
Yolzz has partner and owned return points at selected holiday destinations and airports across Turkey. Popular one-way options from SAW include Istanbul Airport (IST), Bursa Yenişehir Airport and Antalya Airport. For less common destinations, availability varies — call +90 850 500 0 777 to check. A one-way drop-off fee will apply for most inter-city rentals.
Call Yolzz roadside assistance at +90 850 500 0 777 immediately. Describe your location as accurately as possible — your GPS coordinates from a maps app are the most helpful. If the car breaks down on a motorway, switch on your hazard lights, move to the hard shoulder, and do not attempt to change a tyre in live traffic. Roadside assistance is available 24/7.
21 years for standard economy, mid-size and saloon vehicles. 25 years for executive, premium and large SUV classes. Your licence must have been held continuously for at least 1 year.
Yes, without exception. A credit card in the primary driver's name is required both as the payment method and to place the security deposit block. Debit cards, prepaid cards and cash are not accepted for the deposit. Visa, Mastercard and American Express are accepted.
Standard Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is included, which limits your liability for vehicle damage to the excess amount (typically 2,000–5,000 TL). It does not cover glass, tyres, the undercarriage or loss of personal belongings. Super Cover (Full Cover) — an optional extra purchased at booking stage — reduces the excess to zero and provides the most comprehensive protection. Personal accident insurance is also available as a separate add-on.
Most countries' nationals can rent a car in Turkey using their national driving licence. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is strongly recommended for licences in non-Latin scripts (Arabic, Cyrillic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, etc.). EU and UK licence holders generally do not require an IDP. If your licence has expired or is from an unusual issuing territory, contact us at +90 850 500 0 777 before booking to confirm eligibility.
Whether you are landing at SAW for a long weekend city break, a fortnight's exploration of western Turkey, or simply passing through Istanbul on your way to Bursa or the Black Sea coast, Yolzz provides the flexibility, reliability and local knowledge to make your journey exceptional. Our 24/7 desk, transparent pricing, well-maintained fleet and experienced team put you on the road faster and with more confidence than any alternative.
Use the booking form at the top of this page to check real-time availability and lock in the best rate. Safe travels — wherever the road takes you, Yolzz is with you every kilometre.
