Monthly or Daily Car Rental? We Measured the Prices
Monthly car rental is a practical option if you need a car for 30 days or longer. But it is not always cheaper than renting by the day. On 13 October 2026 we measured 30-day rentals at five major airports: in the economy class, the cheapest offer was 43.200 TL a month and the median price was around 67.000 TL. When we compared it with renting the same car for 3 days, the daily rate of the 30-day rental came out slightly lower in Antalya, almost the same in Ankara and Izmir, and 24–29% higher in Istanbul. The km allowance also drops to 4,000 km a month. In short, you still need to compare offers when renting monthly.
Measured: 13 October 2026 · pickup 20 October, return 19 November (30 days) · Source: RentaCarSAW search results · prices rounded to the nearest 50 TL and vary by date
30-day rental prices: 5 airports
| Airport | Economy, cheapest (30 days) | Economy, median (30 days) | Cheapest per-day equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sabiha Gökçen | 43.200 TL | 67.450 TL | 1.450 TL |
| Ankara Esenboğa | 46.700 TL | 68.400 TL | 1.550 TL |
| Izmir Adnan Menderes | 49.700 TL | 66.300 TL | 1.650 TL |
| Antalya Airport | 50.400 TL | 71.650 TL | 1.700 TL |
| Istanbul Airport | 50.950 TL | 66.200 TL | 1.700 TL |
13 October 2026 · 30-day search (20 October–19 November) · economy class · 5 airports · 678 offers in total. "Median" = the middle value of the offers in that class.
Is monthly rental cheaper than daily?
The common belief is that the longer you rent, the lower the daily rate. We tested this: we matched the same car from the same company in a 3-day search (20–23 October) and a 30-day search (20 October–19 November) and compared the daily rates.
| Airport | Matched cars | 30-day daily rate compared with 3-day |
|---|---|---|
| Antalya Airport | 125 | 3% lower |
| Ankara Esenboğa | 60 | the same |
| Izmir Adnan Menderes | 80 | 4% higher |
| Istanbul Airport | 113 | 24% higher |
| Sabiha Gökçen | 184 | 29% higher |
Median ratio; matched on the same company, model, transmission and fuel type. Both measurements were taken on 13 October 2026, about 10 hours apart. The 30-day window also covers November; seasonal differences may affect the result.
The km allowance is lower on monthly rentals
The most common km allowance in 30-day offers is 4,000 km a month, or about 133 km a day. Some offers give 3,000 or 3,500 km. For a 3-day rental, the most common allowance is 400 km a day. For driving around the city, 4,000 km a month is usually enough. But if you plan several long trips during the month, work out your total km and, if needed, choose an offer with a higher km allowance. More detail: mileage limit guide.
Who is monthly rental right for?
- People relocating or working on a project: if you are staying in another city for a few months, renting instead of buying a car gives you flexibility.
- People whose own car is in the garage: during a long repair, you can arrange a single monthly plan instead of extending a daily rental every week.
- Long-stay visitors: if you are coming from abroad and staying for weeks, a single rental is more practical than changing cars again and again.
- Seasonal use: people spending a month at a summer house or a country home.
What to check on a monthly rental
- Compare the total price, not the daily rate. The same car can differ by tens of thousands of lira a month between companies.
- Work out the km allowance. 4,000 km a month is common; if you plan long trips, choose an offer with a higher allowance.
- Check the security deposit. In the 30-day offers we measured, the median deposit was 7.000 TL; it varies by company.
- Read the maintenance and damage rules. On long rentals, who is responsible for things like routine servicing and tyres is set out in the rental conditions.
- Ask about the early return terms. If you return the car before the month is up, how the price is calculated depends on the company.
How to search for a monthly rental on RentaCarSAW
In the search form, select the Monthly Rental tab, then enter the pickup location, the date and the number of months. In the results you will see the companies' monthly offers together with the price, km allowance and security deposit. No prepayment is taken at booking; you pay when you pick up the car, and you can cancel free of charge up to 48 hours before your pickup time.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a monthly car rental cost?
In our 13 October 2026 measurement at five major airports, a 30-day economy car rental started from 43.200 TL at the cheapest; the median price was between 66.000 and 72.000 TL. Prices vary by date, car and company.
Is monthly rental cheaper than daily rental?
Not always. When we compared the daily rate of the same car, the 30-day rental came out 3% cheaper in Antalya, the same in Ankara, and 4% more expensive in Izmir and 24–29% more expensive in Istanbul. Because the differences between companies are large, it pays to compare.
Is there a mileage limit on monthly rentals?
Yes. In the offers we measured, the most common allowance was 4,000 km a month; some offers gave 3,000 or 3,500 km. If you go over, the company charges an extra fee per km.
How much is the security deposit on a monthly rental?
In the 30-day offers we measured, the median security deposit was 7.000 TL. The amount varies by company and car and is listed in the car details.
How do I search for a monthly rental?
In the search form, select the Monthly Rental tab and enter the pickup location, the date and the number of months. You can then compare the price, km allowance and security deposit of each offer.
When do I pay for a monthly rental?
For bookings made through RentaCarSAW, no prepayment is taken at booking; you pay when you pick up the car.