My experience is a bit outdated, but I did a self-drive trip in 1998 with another female friend and it was a terrific experience. As other posters have meantioned I found the people to be warm and friendly. We got perhaps the occassional odd look but never one that I found in any way threatening. As for the roads they were as expected, generally small with little traffic but what traffic there was could be aggressive (you know passing on blind hairpin turns).

My input as a male, travelling i 2 cars with another family.

I was there last August with a rental car. I had a standard, so bear in mind that is the most common. Rented via Economy Car rentals, who used Decar as their supplier. Very good service.


We drove into Istanbul every day (staying in suburb). Yes, if you are not comfortable with city driving, it will be stressful. There is a lot of traffic and people do not follow the lines in the road. So you could get 4 lanes of traffic in 3 marked lanes. But...once you find the rhythm and rules of traffic it was quite fun. No accidents, no bumping, people very much followed the "rules" of the road.


Other issues were street signeage (not always easy to see) and finding parking was a bit challenging (until we found our secret spots).

Since were mostly headed to major sites, not an issue learinng the route. We also went to Asian side. Bit more hectic, bit narrower roads.

In essence, it helps to be a confident driver.

We then drove to Capadoccia and then westward along Med. The roads to Ankara were superb, as good or better than back home. High speed but no aggresive drivers. In Capadoccia also fine, did do a couple of gravel roads. Lot less traffic.

Along Med roads can get windy and scenic (not always guard rails), but you will be going at a slower rate anyways.

I can't speak about safety. I was travelling with one woman and three girls, no issues I can think of apart from realizing to dress appropriately in certain locales. even then, when we visited Blue Mosque (women in shorts)they supplied wraps.

A car gives you freedom.

Hope this helps,
Mike

The USA averages about 1.1 vehicular deaths per 100 million kms driven. Turkey about 22.0.

There's a wonderful book called "The Towers of Trebizond" by Rose Macaulay, which describes the female narrators travels around Turkey sometimes with her aunt,on a camel. Its not the same as in a car, but I think it will be a a good way to get ready for your trip.

"However, women need to be especially respectful of cultural differences, and in some cases,we probably were not."

I think this quote is inappropriate. It should read that women need to be wary in countries with backwards attitudes towards women. This describes most muslim countries. Sorry, if the is not politically correct and no, sorry not all cultures are equal.

thank you ronnie, I too was bothered by that comment.

I also think for this poster it would be nicest if women who travelled alone in Turkey without men would be best suited to answer, I see alot of posters here who either are men, or travelled with men, and I think their experiences may be different then women on their own.

Frankly I also hope OP'S are older mature women instead of two young attractive college coeds,, ( not that we older women are not attractive, I just think in certain countries young ladies get hasseled,or should I say hustled a bit more.

I personally would not be happy with the accident statistics some posters are quoting..

Search Pippa Bacca, recently raped and killed in Turkey, as she was hitchhiking her way across Turkey dressed in a wedding gown as part of an appeal for peace. And yes, this should not stop anyone from visiting a beautiful country, but it does raise concern about being a woman alone on the road.

Milena , I searched and read about Pippa.
Very sad but not even a bit surprising.
Sorry , a woman alone has to be CAREFUL no matter what country she is in.. and hitchhiking is dummber then dumb.

Human nature will never change, people are good and people are evil. A woman alone at a gas station hitchhiking is certainly putting herself in a stupid position ,, and a person with evil intentions is thrilled that someone is so foolish.

I don't think one should compare the two situations to closely. Being alone is never as safe as being with another woman, and as I said that goes for any country.

Hi - original poster here again. Well I wish we were college students but I am 59 and my friend is 64 (but young at heart) We just went zip lining in Puerto Vallarta mountains.

I can drive a manual, but hope I can find an automatic despite the higher cost and I will leave my wedding dress at home (like it would really fit after 40 years)

I will take my St. Christopher's medal with me and hope for the best. It's the hot air ballon ride in Cappadocia that gives me the shivers. Thanks for all of the input.

Driving as two ladies should not be a problem; avoiding night drive is my main suggestion male or female.

Common rules & common sense is always helpful for safe driving.

There was a comment about gasoline stations not accepting credit card sounds like an urban legend to me I havent pay cash at gasoline station at least since 5 years. Credit card at gasoline stations are commonly used....

It is true that Turkish drivers are not always the best drivers but should not hold you out of your plans.

I would not suggest anyone to drive in ýstanbul. If you need to drive in a city and need to find a location and you feel uncomfortable, my suggestion is to ask a taxi to drive you while you follow him and pay his fare on arrival to location.

Happy Travelling,
Murat

Hi Murat
I just wanted to tell you that we are back from Istanbul and the 'testi kabob' you recommended for dinner was the best meal we had while on vacation! Delicious! I also found out that the 'Raki' in Turkey has anise and is very much like Ouzo, while the 'Raki' in Greece does not have anise added. Liked both!

Hi CD,
I am glad you did enjoy the testi kebab.
Just a correction Ouzo is very much like Raki......
I like them both too. Raki in Crete is more closer to our version and relaxes all body and sould if drunk with right people and right food....

Glad to hear you had a nice time in Turkey,
Cheers,
Murat