How to get to Turkey by car in 2021 from different cities of Russia? The nuances of crossing the border, Turkish roads and traffic rules, routes around the country and places to stay. Advice from experienced tourists.
Attention... The information in this article may be out of date due to restrictions during a pandemic. Check with official sources for the possibility of crossing borders in 2021.
Traveling to Turkey by car is becoming more and more popular among Russians. The reasons are obvious: the road does not take much time, and during an independent autotrip you can sunbathe on Turkish beaches, swim in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, travel to historical sights and natural parks, see the ruins of ancient cities and ancient fortresses.
How long to go to Turkey
Traveling to Turkey by car is especially convenient for residents of the Central, Southern, North Caucasian and Volga Federal Districts. People go on vacation in different ways: most often - through Georgia, less often - through Bulgaria, and some move to Turkey by ferry from Sochi. The journey takes from one day to several days. Below we will detail these routes.
To Turkey by car via Georgia
The most popular way to travel by car to Turkey is via Georgia. Check out our tips on how to get to Georgia from Russia.
How long to go to the Turkish border through Georgia (excluding the time to pass the Russian-Georgian border):
| Point of departure | Distance in km to the checkpoint "Sarpi" | Travel time |
| Moscow | 2020 | 1.5-2 days |
| Krasnodar | 690 | 13 hours |
| Stavropol | 790 | 12.5 hours |
| St. Petersburg | 2750 | 1.5-2 days |
| Rostov-on-Don | 950 | 15.5 hours |
| Voronezh | 1510 | 1 day |
| Samara | 2040 | 29-30 hours |
| Kazan | 2030 | 1.5-2 days |
| Yekaterinburg | 2950 | 2-3 days |
| Nizhny Novgorod | 2170 | 1.5 days |
To Turkey by car via Bulgaria
Some tourists travel around the Black Sea from the west. Compared to the road through Georgia, the way to Turkey through Bulgaria by car is longer and more expensive. In addition, to enter the territory of countries that are part of the EU, you need to apply for a visa. However, if you already have a multiple-entry Schengen visa, the borders are open for you.
The shortest road to Turkey by car runs through the territory of Ukraine, Moldova and Bulgaria. Do you want to go around the territory of Ukraine? Transit via Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania (or Serbia) and Bulgaria. Find out more about traveling by car to Bulgaria.
Ferry crossing Sochi-Trabzon
Until recently, there was a ferry from Sochi to Trabzon. In 2018-2019, the ferry service was suspended. However, it can be opened at any time. Therefore, we give full information about this way to get to Turkey by car.
Ferry crossing removes many of the problems that arise when traveling through transit countries, but it also has its drawbacks. A ferry ticket costs 4,000-5,000 rubles per person, transportation of a passenger car - from 13,500 rubles, an SUV - from 16,500 rubles, a minibus - from 20,000 rubles. You can buy ferry tickets the day before departure from 10:00 to 18:00 and from 9:00 on the day of departure. Experienced tourists are advised to arrive at the port 7 hours before the departure of the ferry.
The journey by sea takes 12 to 18 hours. The big disadvantage is that passengers are not in separate cabins all the time, but on a common deck. Food is included in the ticket price, but it is clearly not enough. For the dishes that are sold on the ferry, they ask for exorbitant prices, so most vacationers take their own food and drink on the road.
See how to get to Sochi by car.
How to get to Turkey by car - route on the map
Border crossing and required documents
Russia - Georgia. The only possible border crossing point between Russia and Georgia is the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint. At the border, you need passports for the driver and passengers, a driver's license and a registration certificate. An international insurance policy Green Card is not needed to enter the territory of Georgia, but it will be required when crossing the Turkish border. The policy can be bought at the border checkpoint, it costs from $ 80.
There are queues at the Russian-Georgian border during the season - it is better to stock up on food, water and patience. Out of season, the passage takes 1-2 hours, and delays are only on the Russian side. According to tourists, the car is inspected quickly and without any cavils.
Georgia - Turkey. To get to Turkey by car from Georgia in 2021, you need to go through the Sarpi checkpoint (by the sea) or the Vale checkpoint, which is located in the Adigeni region of Georgia. The road through the Sarpi checkpoint is more popular, and there are often many hours of queues. The passage through the Valais checkpoint is free.
Both border posts work around the clock. Everywhere border guards check documents and inspect the car. According to customs rules, tourists are allowed to import duty-free into Turkey up to 600 cigarettes, 1 liter of alcohol stronger than 22% or 2 liters of less strong alcoholic beverages, as well as chocolate, coffee and tea weighing up to 1 kg.
Advice:
- The border checkpoints are less busy at night. If you want to cross the border during the day, prepare to queue.
- On the border between Russia and Georgia, they understand Russian, but when crossing the border with Turkey, they will have to communicate in English.
Peculiarities of passing the border between Turkey and Georgia
Prices for hotels in Turkey - 2021
When traveling to Turkey by car, it is not necessary to book accommodation in advance. However, it is useful to know how much hotels cost in different cities. Check out the prices for hotels in Turkey in the summer of 2021:
| City | Price per day | Example |
| Trabzon | from 19 $ | See hotels >> |
| Goreme | from 23 $ | See hotels >> |
| Mersin | from 19 $ | See hotels >> |
| Antalya | from 13 $ | See hotels >> |
| Alanya | from 23 $ | See hotels >> |
| Istanbul | from 19 $ | See hotels >> |
Roads in Turkey, rules and gasoline prices
Road condition... According to the reviews of tourists, an independent trip by car in Turkey brings a lot of pleasure. Turks place great emphasis on roads and tunnel construction, and the quality of the road network is commendable. This is especially noticeable after the Georgian highways. It is pleasant to drive on Turkish roads - desert foothills alternate with well-groomed gardens and melons. You should not be intimidated by long distances: Ankara and Antalya are separated by 500 km, but thanks to the excellent D695 highway, they can be overcome in just a few hours. There are many mountain roads in Turkey, there are sharp ascents and rather sharp turns on them. However, these roads are wide almost everywhere. The main thing is to observe the speed limit.
Rules. According to the rules adopted in Turkey, in cities and other settlements it is allowed to drive at a speed of up to 50 km / h, outside settlements - up to 90 km / h, on a motorway - up to 120 km / h. Radar detectors are prohibited, and you need to talk on the phone through a headset. Permitted parking spaces are marked with the Park Yeri sign.
Gasoline prices... Plan your gas costs before traveling to Turkey by car. In 2021, diesel fuel in Georgia costs 2.33 lari, and gasoline 95 - 2.47 lari. In Turkey, 1 liter of diesel costs 5.8 lire, and gasoline 95 - 6.25 lira. If you want to save a little on fuel, fill up a full tank before crossing the Turkish border. At gas stations along Turkish highways, gas prices are 15 euro cents higher. It is cheaper to refuel in cities and at gas stations near shopping centers.
Where to go and what to see
What to see while traveling in Turkey by car? Our compatriots are very popular with autotrip in Cappadocia... The relatively small region is famous for its picturesque volcanic landscapes, deep canyons and ancient cave monasteries. Here it is Goreme National Park, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Most of the sights of Cappadocia are located near the city of Goreme. Of Trabzon - about 700 km, this distance can be covered in 9 hours. Mountain trails account for about 150 km. The mountains are easy to drive through Kelkit on the roads E97 - D883 - D885. After the mountains, a section of the federal highway E88 begins, leading to Ankara. From Sivas take a detour Kayseri to Goreme.
From Cappadocia, many travel to the Mediterranean to spend a few days on the coast, swim and sunbathe. Goreme and Mersin separates 260 km. The shortest road is O21, but it has a toll. If you don't want to waste money, create a bypass.
According to tourists, if the trip to Turkey by car is long, it should be included in the route Anatolian coast... Antalya, Alanya, Side and Kemer are tourist centers with a well-developed infrastructure, and there are enough interesting places and entertainment in them. If your vacation is short, you can also relax on the Black Sea.
To avoid traffic jams in the capital, tourists from Cappadocia make a detour route Ankara... From Goreme to Ankara is 290 km, and they are easy to drive in half a day. From the capital of Turkey to the southern coast of the Black Sea another 300 km, that is, about 4 hours of travel. For relaxation, you can stay at any of the resorts that stretch along the coast from Of Istanbul to the border with Turkey, for example, in Sinope.
The further path depends on which route you take to return home. If through Georgia, then you need to go east towards Trabzon... Those planning their way back through Bulgaria turn west to Istanbul.
Travel map of Turkey by car
Reviews and tips for traveling by car in Turkey
Relaxation. There are special recreation areas for motorists near the Turkish autobahns. These are marked with Dinlenme Alani signs and include a gas station, cafes and small shops.
Housing. It is easy to book comfortable accommodation in any Turkish city or resort village. A double room in a hotel or guesthouse with a park can be rented for $ 20-30, and if you're lucky, even cheaper. However, we advise you to plan in advance the places of accommodation and book rooms in hotels - this will save you unnecessary hassle. Find accommodation in Turkey →
Camping sites. A tent is a good way to save money on housing. Many tourists during a trip to Turkey by car stop at the campgrounds. They are found in Cirali, Trabzon, Gorem, Fatih, Ayvalik, Mesudiye and many other places. At the campsite you can put up your own tent and use the public kitchen, toilets and showers. There are campgrounds that offer lodging equipment for rent or accommodate tourists in small wooden houses.
High season. When planning your trip to Turkey by car in 2021, keep in mind that the largest selection of accommodations happens during the summer tourist season. The academic year begins in mid-September in Turkish schools, and many hotels are shutting down. On the other hand, it is more pleasant to relax in Turkey during the velvet season - there is no intense heat.
Unexpected situations. Think before the trip which car services you can contact in case of a breakdown. The service addresses depend on the car brand and are easy to find on the Internet in advance.
A long journey on roads of different quality requires good driving skills and great strength. Traveling to Turkey will be easier if the car is driven alternately by two experienced drivers.
Find out how to have a cheap holiday in Turkey.
Pros and cons of traveling to Turkey by car
Positive moments of travel by car to Turkey:
- Autotrip turns out to be more intense and interesting than traveling by plane or by rail. Thanks to the car, you can see many sights and beautiful places in one trip.
- The car allows you to get to places where public transport does not go.
- In the country, you can drive at a decent speed and not be afraid that you will be stopped and fined for it.
Inconveniences:
- Large spending on fuel - about 50% of the total budget. It is possible to save on accommodation and food, but the cost of gasoline when traveling to Turkey by car cannot be avoided.
- On the spot, it is not always possible to quickly find cheap housing options - it is better to book in advance.
- There are queues at the border, especially the Russian-Georgian one.
When traveling by car across several borders, you always need to be prepared for unexpected negative moments and unforeseen expenses. However, a trip by car in Turkey more than pays for all possible disadvantages - an independent autotrip allows you to see many new places and get a lot of vivid impressions.
