[One R] How to Plan the Perfect Self-Driving Route?
In a nutshell, if you’re simply looking to savor the breathtaking D400 coastal road, driving from Fethiye to Antalya (counterclockwise) is all you need. The route hugs the shoreline, making it effortless to enjoy stunning sea views along the way. For my own adventure, I opted for a clockwise journey for practicality: heading north first for New Year’s festivities before descending south toward the seaside.
📍From Istanbul 🚗 to Cappadocia, passing through Ankara, Turkey’s capital—a city that feels more like a sleepy castle than a bustling metropolis and, frankly, a bit dull.
📍Cappadocia—staying in Göreme for three nights, though I personally found two would have been sufficient. The first two days were unforgettable, but by the third, it started feeling repetitive.
📍Antalya—spending one night here, though our visit coincided with poor weather. If skies had been clear, extending the stay by a day would have been ideal. It’s a charming seaside town steeped in ancient history.
📍Driving along the D400 highway to Fethiye, where we stayed one night (⚠️be sure to navigate via Kaş to stay on the D400; if paragliding isn’t your thing, Kaş might actually offer a more relaxing experience).
✈️ Returning to Istanbul, we spent another night there (something I regretted later—I fell in love with the city and wish we’d extended our stay by an extra day or two) before heading home.
[Two R] What Documents Are Needed for Renting a Car in Turkey, and How Do You Choose the Right Rental Company and Insurance?
Similar to many European countries, a domestic driver’s license paired with a translated document (the small white booklet provided by Zuzuche) will suffice.
When choosing a rental company, stick with reputable giants like Hertz or Europcar and opt for their insurance packages. As long as you’ve purchased adequate coverage, the process of picking up and returning the vehicle is straightforward and professional.
We opted for basic insurance, which led to a rather amusing moment when the rental staff stressed that if someone shattered our car window, the policy only covered one window—not multiple. We half-joked about placing a “BREAK ONLY ONE WINDOW” sign on the car, but in reality, as long as you steer clear of remote areas, the roads are quite secure.
[Three R] Is Parking Convenient? Are Speed Limits Strictly Enforced?
Outside of Istanbul, parking is remarkably convenient. Simply follow the signs, and you’ll avoid most issues without hassle.
Unlike other European nations, Turkish cars lack built-in speed limit reminders, so keeping a sharp eye on roadside signs is crucial to avoid hefty fines. While many drivers around us zipped past at speeds exceeding 150 km/h, we encountered two overturned vehicles within just a kilometer on mountainous roads—a sobering reminder to prioritize caution over haste.
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