Car Hire Adana — Gateway to Turkey’s Mediterranean East
Adana, Turkey’s fifth-largest city, sits at the heart of the fertile Çukurova plain where the Seyhan River meets the Mediterranean. While the city itself offers excellent cuisine—Adana kebab originated here—the real value of hiring a car lies in exploring the surrounding region. Ancient Cilicia’s ruins, the birthplace of St. Paul at Tarsus, the mosaics of Antakya (Antioch), and the beaches of the Mediterranean coast all fall within comfortable driving distance.
The region’s strategic position on ancient trade routes has left a remarkable concentration of historical sites. From Hittite ruins to Roman roads, from Crusader castles to early Christian sites, the countryside around Adana tells the story of millennia of civilisation. A rental car lets you explore at your own pace, discovering sites that few foreign visitors reach.
Picking Up Your Rental Car in Adana
Adana Şakirpaşa Airport (ADA) sits just 3km from the city centre, one of Turkey’s most conveniently located airports. Turkish companies and some international brands operate here. The airport serves domestic flights and some international routes.
City locations include offices in the centre and near major hotels. Given the airport’s proximity, most visitors collect directly from the terminal.
Required documents: Valid driving licence, passport, and credit card. An International Driving Permit is required for non-Turkish licence holders.
Climate note: Adana is one of Turkey’s hottest cities in summer (regularly exceeding 40°C). Ensure your car has working air conditioning.
Where to Go with Your Rental Car from Adana
Tarsus (40km, 45min)
The birthplace of St. Paul and meeting place of Cleopatra and Mark Antony. Key sites include St. Paul’s Well, the ancient Roman road, and the Cleopatra Gate. The Archaeological Museum houses important finds from the region.
Antakya (190km, 2.5hr)
Ancient Antioch, one of the great cities of the classical world. The Archaeological Museum houses one of the world’s finest collections of Roman mosaics. St. Peter’s Church, carved into a cave, is among Christianity’s oldest places of worship.
Anavarza (100km, 1.5hr)
An impressive ancient city with a massive fortified acropolis, Roman road, and extensive ruins. The nearby Anavarza Castle offers panoramic views. Rarely visited by tourists, you may have the site to yourself.
Mersin and the Coast (70km, 1hr)
Turkey’s largest port city offers a seafront promenade, beaches, and access to the coastal road toward Alanya. Kizkalesi (Maiden’s Castle), a fortress on an island offshore, is 80km west of Mersin.
Karatepe-Aslantas (100km, 1.5hr)
A Hittite fortress and open-air museum with carved reliefs and inscriptions. The site sits in a national park with a reservoir and forests.
Tips for Driving in the Adana Region
Roads: Main roads are excellent. The coastal highway and routes to major sites are well-maintained. Rural roads can be narrow.
Speed limits: 50km/h in built-up areas, 90km/h on open roads. Police monitor speeds on intercity routes.
Driving style: Turkish drivers can be assertive. The Çukurova plain has long, straight roads—watch for speed cameras.
Parking: Adana has paid parking in the centre. Archaeological sites have dedicated car parks with small fees.
Fuel: Stations are plentiful on main routes. Fill up before heading to rural archaeological sites.
Summer heat: Temperatures regularly exceed 40°C in July-August. Ensure your car has functioning air conditioning. Carry water at all times.
Book your Adana car hire through the search above for competitive rates with airport and city pickup options.