Best Scooter Rentals in Istanbul from €5/day

Picture crossing two continents before lunch. In Istanbul, that's not a boast — it's a normal afternoon once you're on two wheels. Weave past the ferries at Karaköy, cruise the Bosphorus shoreline to the Ortaköy Mosque for a quick simit or roasted chestnuts by the water, then keep going toward Bebek, where the promenade opens up and the traffic noise finally drops away. A scooter turns this sprawling, hilly city into something you can actually cover in a day, on your own schedule, well past the point where a tour bus would turn back.

Istanbul wasn't built for easy driving. The old peninsula's streets are narrow and cobbled, the Bosphorus splits the city into two halves connected by a handful of bridges, and traffic backs up for hours at rush time. A scooter slips through all of that — parking is trivial, lane-splitting saves you from gridlock, and you're free to detour down a waterfront lane a taxi driver would never bother with. It's also the only realistic way to string together a full day of sightseeing along the strait without burning it all on buses and transfers.

Top 10 things to see in Istanbul by scooter

1. Maiden's Tower (Kız Kulesi) — an islet tower off Üsküdar, an easy ride with a waterfront café stop.
2. Ortaköy Mosque & waterfront — a photogenic mosque right beneath the Bosphorus Bridge, with the city's best street food nearby.
3. Bebek waterfront (Bebek Park) — a flat, upscale promenade along the strait, perfect for an easy scenic cruise.
4. Rumelihisarı (Rumeli Fortress) — a 15th-century Ottoman fortress with some of the best river views in the city.
5. Emirgan Park — a hillside park above the Bosphorus, unmissable during the spring tulip festival.
6. Çamlıca Hill (Büyük Çamlıca Tepesi) — the highest point on the Asian side, with a panoramic sunset view over the strait.
7. Moda coastline, Kadıköy — a relaxed Asian-side seafront lined with cafés, a favorite evening ride among locals.
8. Yıldız Park — wooded former palace grounds on a hill above Beşiktaş.
9. Galata Tower / Karaköy waterfront — a medieval tower over a lively harbor district linking old and new Istanbul.
10. Belgrad Forest (Belgrad Ormanı) — a large forest reserve north of the city, worth the longer ride for its greenery and old Ottoman reservoirs.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Istanbul?

For scooters above light-moped class you'll generally need at least an M-category licence, and an International Driving Permit is required alongside your home licence. You must be 18 or older. Expect to leave a deposit, either a card hold or cash — amounts vary by operator and vehicle, so check the terms before you book. Some shops may ask to hold your passport; a photocopy plus deposit is the safer arrangement, and you're free to ask for that instead.

How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Istanbul?

Prices on scooter rental in Istanbul run from about 200-300 TRY per day in low season up to 450-700 TRY per day in high season for a standard scooter, with larger or premium models running 700-1200 TRY per day.

• Prices climb from June through September, when tourist numbers and riding weather both peak.
• They drop from November through March, when demand falls off along with the temperature.

When to book a rental scooter in Istanbul?

High season runs June to September, and it's worth booking your scooter hire in Istanbul a little ahead during those months since good bikes get snapped up early. Low season, November through March, is quieter and cheaper, though cold, wet weather makes it a less appealing time to ride. May and October sit nicely in between — mild weather, lighter crowds, and prices closer to the low-season end.

Local traffic rules in Istanbul

Turkey drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for both rider and passenger on any motorised two-wheeler, including 50cc scooters, and police do check. Speed limits top out at 50 km/h in built-up areas and 90 km/h on rural roads, with lower limits applying to two-wheelers than to cars. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.05%, enforced with routine roadside breath tests, so it's simplest to just leave the drinking for when you're back on foot. Traffic can be dense and lane discipline loose, so ride defensively and keep an eye out for vehicles pulling out without warning.

Types of scooters available

On our website you can rent the following types of scooters: classic scooter, Vespa, moped, motoroller, motoscooter, with a sidecar, with automatic or manual gears, three-wheeled scooters, large, maxi-scooter, touring, scooters with a windscreen and a roof, underbones, electric scooters.

Models of scooters available

On our website you can hire scooters from the following manufacturers: Adly, Aeon, Aprilia, Piaggio, Bajaj, Benelli, Beta, BMW, Derbi, Gilera, Honda, Kawasaki, Kymco, LML, Malaguti, Peugeot, PGO, Suzuki, SYM, TVS, Vespa, Yamaha.

Which insurance is provided with my rental scooter?

Usually basic third-party insurance is included in the rental price. If you wish to have more protection you can purchase additional CDW insurance, which limits your risk to the amount of your deposit. If you wish to rent a scooter without a deposit and with zero risk, you will need to add full insurance to your reservation.

Extra services available

When you make an online scooter reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, delivery to your hotel, delivery to your address, delivery to the arrival point of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for scooter hire;
• Compare prices of scooter rental companies;
• Read reviews of previous customers;
• Reserve a scooter online with the Best Price Guarantee!

Most of our local moped rental companies have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept scooter, helmet, lock, top case, GPS, insurance and friendly service. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a scooter, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!