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Road trip to Turkey: Every NRW traveler should know these 5 tips!
ADAC gives essential tips for drivers from NRW on routes, tolls and documents for trips to Turkey in summer 2025.
Road trip to Turkey: Every NRW traveler should know these 5 tips!
The summer holidays are just around the corner and with it the question of a holiday in Turkey for many from North Rhine-Westphalia. Ülkü Narman, a Turkey expert from the ADAC Center in Cologne, has some useful tips to make the car journey to the wonderful destination as pleasant as possible. From route planning to important documents, there is a lot to consider. A good hand in preparation always pays off because it saves time, money and nerves.
Many travelers from North Rhine-Westphalia in particular decide to drive to the Turkish Riviera. The routes lead to the Bosphorus and include several variants, including one through Romania. All main routes have a distance of at least 2,500 kilometers. Narman recommends finding out about the toll systems in transit countries in advance, as additional fees may apply.
Tips for choosing a route
The ADAC North Rhine has identified some main routes that should be considered when traveling to Turkey:
- Österreich – Ungarn – Serbien – Bulgarien (kürzeste Route, ohne mautpflichtigen Tunnel)
- Österreich – Slowenien – Kroatien – Serbien – Bulgarien (oft kürzere Wartezeiten)
- Österreich – Slowenien – Kroatien – Serbien – Nordmazedonien – Griechenland (längere, touristisch nutzbare Route)
You should also pay attention to the traffic conditions at the border crossings, which are often heavily trafficked. Leaving early helps avoid waiting times and ensures a relaxed arrival.
Tolls in Turkey
An important point when driving in Turkey are the toll fees, which apply in almost all cases. Fees must be paid on highways, in tunnels and even on certain bridges. Payment is made via the electronic HGS system. This is a sticker that you attach to the windshield. Alternatively, there is also the OGS system, which uses a transponder. Since 2023, the toll on the Bosphorus bridges has applied in both directions, as bussgeldkataloge.de informs.
The toll prices depend on the vehicle category and are based on the distance traveled. For cars the fees are, for example:
| route | Category 1 (passenger cars) | Category 2 (trucks) | Category 3 (buses) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge | 15 TRY | 19 TRY | 26 TRY |
| Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge | 35 TRY | 45 TRY | 85 TRY |
| Osmangazi Bridge | 290 TRY | 465 TRY | 550 TRY |
| Canakkale 1915 Bridge | 295 TRY | 370 TRY | 665 TRY |
Using a rental car is usually problem-free because many vehicles are already equipped with a billing system, as bussgeldkataloge.de explains.
Important information for travelers
A Green Insurance Card is required to enter Turkey. In addition, minors traveling without both parents must bring travel authorization with them. So if you plan to drive your own car to Turkey, you should take care of these documents in good time. The ADAC North Rhine offers individual advice in its 19 service centers, which can be reached in various cities.
It is also advisable to take a first-aid kit with important medications and have change and a credit card ready. In Turkey, not all providers accept card payments, so having some cash on hand doesn't hurt. If you need more tips and current information, you can use the free “ADAC Drive” app, which conveniently displays the traffic situation and toll costs. If you have any questions about arrival and regulations, the ADAC North Rhine is available at any time.