Esenboğa Airport Car Rental 2026: Delivery, Luggage, Transportation

The most practical way to rent a car at Esenboğa Airport is to reserve the vehicle in advance with your flight details and pick it up at the airport. Fores Car Rental delivers its vehicles to Esenboğa; when you collect your luggage and exit the terminal, your car, contract, and delivery inspection are ready. This way, you set off directly to your destination without the hassle of taxi queues, transfers, or carrying suitcases.

In this guide, you will find step-by-step information on how pickup and drop-off work at Esenboğa, what happens if your flight is delayed, which car to choose based on your luggage, the airport parking lot, and a comparison of rental cars with buses or taxis. The information has been compiled from official sources as of 2026; we have also indicated how to check the current source for fees and hours that may change.

What you need to know about Esenboğa Airport

Ankara Esenboğa Airport (IATA: ESB, ICAO: LTAC) entered service with its current terminal on October 13, 2006, according to data from the State Airports Authority (DHMİ). Domestic and international flights are located in the same terminal building; this is a significant convenience for vehicle delivery, as you do not need to plan around two separate buildings.

According to DHMİ's terminal page, the building has 9 baggage carousels: 5 for domestic flights and 4 for international flights. Since passport and customs procedures are also added for international arrivals, retrieving your baggage may take longer than for domestic arrivals. Taking this difference into account when planning the delivery time ensures that the vehicle does not wait for you unnecessarily or that you do not wait for the vehicle.

The airport is located in the north of Ankara, within the boundaries of the Çubuk district. Access to the city center is provided entirely by road; there is no metro line to the airport. The EGO General Directorate also states that access to the airport is provided by EGO bus number 442 and taxis. Therefore, for many passengers arriving at Esenboğa, a rental car stands out as the most flexible option compared to buses and taxis.

Step-by-step car pickup at Esenboğa

Fores Car Rental's office is located in Çankaya, on Ahmet Haşim Caddesi, and operates 7 days a week from 07:00 to 23:00. Esenboğa delivery is planned according to the flight information you share at the time of reservation. The process typically proceeds in the following order:

1. Make the reservation with your flight information. Enter your flight number, scheduled landing time, number of passengers, and number of suitcases in the reservation form. The flight number makes it easier to update the delivery time in case of a delay.
2. Prepare your documents. ID (passport for foreign nationals), a valid driver's license, and a credit card are the basic documents required at pickup; confirm the current conditions at the time of reservation. If there will be an additional driver, bring their documents as well.
3. Collect your luggage and proceed to the exit. Domestic and international arrivals are in the same building; clarify the pickup point and how to reach the person meeting you during the reservation process.
4. Inspect the vehicle together. Examine the bodywork, windows, rims, and interior upholstery together with the delivery agent; record any existing damage in the report and take photos. Note the fuel level and mileage.
5. Read and sign the contract. Pay particular attention to the rental period, return location and time, mileage rule, fuel policy, and damage coverage clauses.
6. Set the navigation and hit the road. Enter your first destination address before the vehicle moves; you won't have to make last-minute maneuvers at the lane divisions on the airport exit.

For a detailed list of what to check at the time of pickup, you can take a look at our pickup checklist. There, tire, mandatory equipment, and document checks are explained item by item.

Dropping off the car at Esenboğa: planning for your return flight

Returning the car at the airport on your way back is the most relaxed way to leave the city. To do this, set the return time not according to your flight time, but according to the time you need to enter the terminal. Take into account your airline's check-in closing time and the security queue; also allow a few minutes for the return inspection.

Briefly, here is what you should check before returning the car:

• Is the fuel level in line with the policy in the contract? If you received the car full at pickup, refuel before heading to the airport; searching for a station in the last few kilometers wastes time.
• Are there any personal belongings left in the car? Check the door pockets, glove compartment, under the seats, and the luggage area.
• If there is a new scratch or damage that was not recorded in the report at pickup, mention it to the attendant yourself during return; this way you won't face surprises later.
• Confirm from the contract whether bridge and highway tolls will be billed through the vehicle's HGS (Automatic Toll Collection System).

If the pickup and return times fall outside office working hours (07:00-23:00), such as midnight landings or early morning departures, state this at the reservation stage. Pickups and returns outside these hours are planned with prior communication; since availability varies by date and time, sending your request early makes things easier for you. You can also read our vehicle return guide for the entire return process.

What happens if your flight is delayed?

Delays are the most common situation in airport car rental. If you provided your flight number at the time of booking, the delivery plan can be rearranged based on the actual landing time of the flight. However, if your reservation only includes a time without a flight number, it is your responsibility to notify us of the delay.

What you need to do in case of a delay:

1. As soon as the delay is confirmed, if possible while still at the departure airport, notify us of the new estimated landing time.
2. If your flight is canceled and you are transferred to another flight, provide the new flight number.
3. If the new landing time shifts to after 11:00 PM, clarify in advance how the delivery will be handled; trying to decide after landing prolongs the process late at night.
4. Ask whether the rental start time has changed and whether this affects the return time.

During winter months in Ankara, fog and snow can occasionally affect flight times. If you are landing at Esenboğa between November and February, checking your flight status frequently and keeping the delivery time flexible will make things easier for you. Our guide to renting a car in winter months provides detailed information on winter tires and driving in cold weather.

Esenboğa delivery on night flights

For flights landing close to midnight or in the early hours of the morning, the most important point is that the delivery has been confirmed in advance. Deliveries outside office hours are not a guaranteed standard but a service planned through prior communication; therefore, clearly state your night arrival in the reservation form and obtain confirmation.

We have covered preparation for night driving, getting behind the wheel after a sleepless journey, and points to consider during night delivery in a separate article. For details, see the guide to Ankara airport car rental for night flights. In short: if you are tired after a long journey, choosing a chauffeured transfer on the first night and a rental car for the following days is also a sensible combination.

Choosing a car based on your luggage

When renting at the airport, it's more important to choose the car based on luggage than on the number of passengers. Four large suitcases don't always fit in a car that seats four people comfortably. In the table below, you can see the luggage capacities of the vehicles in our fleet and their 2026 daily prices (VAT included) together.

A few practical rules will help you when reading the table:

• Single traveler, cabin-size suitcase: The Clio or Sandero Stepway (391 liters) is sufficient; they're also easy to park in the city.
• Two to three people, large suitcases: The Taliant and Egea Automatic, with 628 liters of luggage space, are the most spacious options in the economy and comfort classes. If budget is a priority, these two are the most advantageous vehicles per bag.
• Business travel, garment bag and presentation materials: The Passat (586 liters) and Superb (625 liters) offer both luggage space and rear-seat comfort.
• Family, baby stroller and long trips: The Austral stands out with its 575-liter trunk and high seating position. The 3008 is a more compact SUV; since its trunk is 434 liters, the Austral is more comfortable for families with lots of luggage.

The liter figure alone doesn't tell the whole story; the width of the trunk opening, whether the body is a sedan or hatchback, and whether the rear seat can be folded down are also important. For detailed matching of suitcase dimensions, skis, baby strollers and other bulky items, see our airport luggage and car selection guide. Equipment and technical details of all vehicles are available on the fleet page.

Driving from Esenboğa to the city center

The road from Esenboğa connects to the city from the north, via Pursaklar and Keçiören. Considering that EGO (Ankara’s public bus operator) route 442 also runs along this route to AŞTİ (Ankara Intercity Bus Terminal) and Kızılay, we can say that the main axis from the airport to the city center is this northern corridor. Depending on the neighborhood you’re heading to, you branch off from this corridor to the Ankara Ring Road or to inner-city boulevards.

Giving a single figure for distance and duration would be misleading. Kızılay, Çankaya, Söğütözü, the business centers along Eskişehir Road, or the Ümitköy-Çayyolu area in the west are at different distances from the airport, and morning and evening traffic significantly changes the duration. You’ll get the most accurate estimate by entering your actual destination address into a navigation app before setting off.

A few notes that will be useful on the airport road:

• At the airport exit, multiple turn-offs come one after another; set up navigation while the vehicle is parked and turn on voice guidance.
• Especially on weekday mornings and evenings, there may be congestion entering the city. If you need to make a meeting, choose your route based on live traffic data.
• Ask in advance about parking availability at your hotel or workplace; finding on-street parking in Kızılay and Çankaya can take time. For inner-city parking, our parking and traffic guide offers practical solutions.

Esenboğa Airport parking

If you are taking your rental car to the airport to pick up or drop off a loved one, you will need parking information. According to DHMİ (State Airports Authority) data, Esenboğa has a covered (multi-storey) parking garage with a capacity of 4,069 vehicles and an open-air parking lot covering 12,200 square meters. According to the airport's official website, the multi-storey parking garage is located parallel to the terminal building and is connected to the terminal by two enclosed walkways; meaning you can reach the terminal without stepping outside with your luggage in rain or snow.

Parking fees are determined according to the Esenboğa fee schedule published by DHMİ and are tiered based on duration. Since the tariff may be updated during the year, we are not providing amounts in this article; you can check the current fee on the DHMİ fee schedules page or the airport's official parking page. The airport's official website also states that passengers with disabilities and veterans can park free of charge up to a certain duration by showing their cards.

If you are heading to your own flight with a rental car, it is usually more sensible to return the vehicle at the airport rather than paying for parking. This way, you avoid paying for both the rental and parking for the vehicle during your trip.

Rental car, bus, or taxi?

There are three main ways to get from Esenboğa to the city. According to the EGO General Directorate, EGO buses on route 442 AŞTİ - 15 Temmuz Kızılay Milli İrade Meydanı - Airport serve the airport; current routes and departure times are published on EGO's website and in the EGO CEP'TE app. Havaş also operates bus services from Esenboğa; according to the company, no reservation is required for these services and departure times are kept up to date on its website. Taxis, according to EGO, operate 24/7 in designated areas on the domestic and international arrivals and departures levels.

Since bus and taxi fares are updated during the year and different sources publish different amounts, we do not provide figures here; we recommend checking the current amount from EGO's and Havaş's own channels. The general comparison can be summarized as follows: if you are a single person, staying one day and in the center, the bus is economical. If you will stay in Ankara for a few days, attend meetings in different neighborhoods, or go out of town, a rental car saves you from paying separately for each trip. The expanded version of this comparison for city use is available in our article car rental, taxi, or public transportation?.

For those who do not want to get behind the wheel, there is another option: chauffeur-driven meet and greet. Especially for official visits, tiring long flights, and hosting guests, our transfer services provide direct transportation from the airport to your address.

Price and duration planning for Esenboğa rentals

The daily prices in the table above are tiered according to the rental duration: the highest daily rate applies for 3-6 day rentals, and the lowest for 15-21 day rentals. For example, the Renault Taliant is 1.750 TL per day for 3-6 days, dropping to 1.500 TL per day for 15-21 days. Therefore, if your stay is close to a tier boundary, for example renting for 7 days instead of 6, it is useful to calculate the total cost.

For rentals longer than one month and for companies with frequent visits to Ankara, a customized quote is prepared based on demand instead of the standard list price. You can see all current prices on the price list page.

When planning your budget, in addition to the rental fee, also take into account fuel, highway and bridge tolls, and parking lots you will use in the city. Reading the fuel policy and mileage rule in the contract in advance will prevent unexpected charges at the time of return.

Renting with Fores Car Rental at Esenboğa

Fores Car Rental is a local company providing car rental services in Ankara since 2006. Since our office is in Çankaya, guests staying close to the city center can also pick up the car from the office; for those arriving from the airport, the car is brought to Esenboğa. In addition to daily, weekly, and long-term rentals, we also offer corporate rentals and chauffeur-driven car options.

What makes Esenboğa delivery smooth are the details: having the flight number in the reservation, selecting a car suitable for the luggage, discussing night arrivals in advance, and setting the return time according to the check-in time. When you clarify these four points from the start, you can begin your journey as soon as you land in Ankara. If you are curious about rental options throughout Ankara, you can access all our services from the Fores Car Rental homepage.

If your flight details are known, you can submit your request for Esenboğa delivery from the reservation page; if you have a special need such as a night arrival, an additional driver, or a long-term rental, just write it in the notes field of the form.

References

1. DHMİ - Ankara Esenboğa Airport, Domestic and International Terminal (terminal structure, baggage carousels, parking capacity)
2. DHMİ - Ankara Esenboğa Airport, General Information (opening date, IATA/ICAO codes)
3. DHMİ - Airport Fee Tariffs
4. Ankara Esenboğa Airport (TAV) - Multi-Storey Car Park (multi-storey car park location, free parking conditions)
5. EGO General Directorate - Transportation to Esenboğa Airport (route 442 and taxi areas)
6. Havaş - Bus Services Frequently Asked Questions