Turkish road tolls, referred to as Otoyols, are becoming more common. Especially if you are travelling from Istanbul to Ankara or Izmir to Çesme. These roads tend to be well maintained and easy to drive, but how do you actually pay the tolls in order to use them?
In some instances cash is acceptable. These lanes will be marked as NAKIT or PARALI. Increasingly, you must pay using a prepaid KGS toll card. Lanes allowing these are usually marked KART or KGS.
When picking up your hire car in Turkey, KGS cards are available upon request, credited with 20 TL, for which you will be charged locally. These cards can be credited with more money if required at many banks across Turkey.
Remember, when approaching toll payment booths, you may also see lanes marked OGS, which refers to those who own cars in Turkey and have a toll transponder or %20 UCUZ, which relates to vehicles that are entitled to a 20% discount. Following these easy steps, should allow you to use these alternatives to the normal highways, allowing for a stress-free journey.
Thank you for the information. How will i know if the 20 lira on the card is enough to get me from Izmir airport to Didum on the toll roads. What about returning. Are the prices displayed anyway. Some one told me if you hire a car they either have a an electronic chip sticker or a toll transporter on them! How does this work and where it is charged to?
Dear Janice,
Thank you for your comment. The information written in this article was correct at the time of writing, which was back in 2011.
The card is no longer supplied with the vehicle and tolls must be paid at the booth on the toll road. You can find out more information from the General Directorate of Highways in Turkey here http://www.kgm.gov.tr/Sayfalar/KGM/SiteEng/Root/Tolls.aspx
Kind regards,
Jessica
Zest Car Rental