Car Rental at Samsun-Çarşamba Airport (SZF)

You'll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your US license. Turkish law requires an IDP for foreign drivers, which must be obtained before arrival in Turkey (AAA and AATA issue them in the US for around $20). Without an IDP, rental companies will refuse to hand over the vehicle, and local police can fine you on the spot. The IDP is valid for one year. Get one before you go.

Turkey uses an electronic toll system called OGS (Otomatik Geçiş Sistemi). Most rental cars come with an OGS device pre-installed — rental companies charge a daily fee (roughly 5–10 TRY/day or include it in the rental rate). You can also pay cash at toll booths, but coin-only lanes can be tricky. If your rental has OGS, charges are automatically deducted when you return the car. Make sure to ask your rental company whether OGS fees are included or billed separately.

Yes — from November through March, winter tires (M+S rated) are legally required on many Black Sea region roads, and snow chains are mandatory on mountain passes. Samsun itself rarely gets heavy snow, but the mountainous terrain inland (toward places like Amasra or the highlands) can have icy conditions rapidly. Rental companies in Samsun typically offer winter-equipped vehicles in season, but always confirm in advance. Budget an extra $10–20/day for winter tires. Carry chains even if not strictly required — mountain fog can appear suddenly.

Most Turkish rental companies charge a young driver surcharge for drivers under 25, typically $15–25/day. Somelocal agencies in Samsun may waive it for 23+ with a clean driving record. There's no reliable way to avoid it legally — if you're under 25, budget for it. Drivers under 21 generally cannot rent cars at all in Turkey. If you're a group, the youngest driver often determines the rate, so compare quotes carefully.

The vast majority of rental cars in Turkey run on diesel or unleaded gasoline (benzin). Confirm your vehicle's fuel type before leaving the lot — fuel mismatch damages are not covered by insurance. Most rentals operate on a full-to-full policy: you receive the car with a full tank and must return it full to avoid steep refueling charges (often 30–50% more than pump prices). Gas stations are plentiful along major highways but can be sparse in rural areas, so refuel whenever you drop below half a tank when driving the coastal roads.

Samsun to Amasra is about 190 km (roughly 2.5–3 hours) via the D010 coastal highway — scenic but winding in sections. The road is generally well-maintained but narrow in places with limited shoulders. Samsun to Sumela Monastery (near Trabzon) is roughly 240 km (4–5 hours) via the O-70 and D010 — a modern highway most of the way. Watch for minibuses and trucks passing aggressively. Night driving on the coastal road is discouraged due to limited lighting and occasional pedestrian and animal traffic. In summer, heavy fog on mountain curves is common. Download offline maps as cell coverage is spotty on rural stretches.