Road toll systems in Turkey. Toll roads in Turkey
Road tolls in Turkey are charged depending on the distance traveled. In Turkey, there are two options for paying for roads: by the classic transponder (OGS) and by the sticker (sticker) – the HGS system. At the same time, both of these methods work using a radio frequency (remote) identification system, i.e. sticker of the HGS system, this is essentially the same transponder, only it does not require power (it acts as your identifier in the system). In essence, the HGS sticker is the same RFID tag (similar to those that are stuck in stores to goods so that they are not taken away). And organizationally, every HGS sticker has an account attached to it, from which funds are debited when the car crosses a toll booth on the road.
In general, the same transponder, only simplified. Moreover, the latest technology (HGS) is slowly replacing the first (as more advanced). You will no longer find the payment system that is described in the note on road tolls in Europe (“took a ticket – handed in a ticket”) in Turkey. Since the author of the note is not a fan of transponders (if only because you have to get them, then hand them in or lose the deposit), this note will describe the principle of registering a foreign driver in the HGS system in Turkey. In principle, (surprisingly), Turkey is somewhat ahead of the rest of Europe in terms of road tolls. As far as I can see, the Turks have a more correct and progressive way of paying, if only because there is no need to stop. At the same time, there is no need to rent (or buy) a transponder, the RFID tag (HGS sticker) perfectly copes with the task of vehicle identification, passing through the payment point. True, in order to “fit” into their system, you need to make some additional efforts, but then the process goes easily and smoothly. If you are going to visit Turkey with your own car (or if you are interested), then read the information in this note.
WARNING! IMPORTANTLY! Most of the sites (links) mentioned in the text of the note and in the comments to it are opened only from the territory of Turkey *. Use a VPN or Turkish proxy to access them.
Map of toll roads in Turkey
The original versions of the maps can be viewed on the website of the Toll Road Authority of Turkey (the link will take you to the right place). Tariffs for paying for roads , as well as bridges and the tunnel under the Bosphorus, can be seen in the same place (the link is the right place).
WARNING! IMPORTANTLY! Most of the sites (links) mentioned in the text of the note and in the comments to it are opened only from the territory of Turkey *. Use a VPN or Turkish proxy to access them.
General description of toll roads in Turkey
In Turkey, all highways are tolled, all other roads are free. Do not confuse a highway with a motorway, although the latter are similar to a highway (four lanes, two lanes in each direction), but the speed limits on them are lower and they are free. On the map above, roads for cars are marked with a double dark blue line. In fact, currently there are not many toll roads (highways) in Turkey (out of dozens), but they are being built, and new toll roads will be introduced in the future.
Highways in Turkey are marked on maps with the letter “O” (from “otoyollar” – highway, but I think so, I don’t really know why). Tolls for roads are very low (general tariffs are given below). Roads for cars (also with lane separation, but free and of slightly lower quality) are usually marked with the letter “D” (however, all other roads are also marked like that), the speed of movement on them is lower, usually 110 km/h (on highways – 120 km/h), but you always have to look on signs There may be other restrictions on certain sections of both highways and ordinary roads. Roads marked with the letter “D” can also be two-lane (one lane in each direction), i.e. Ordinary country people. On such sections and other country roads, the same speed as ours is allowed – 90 km/h. But always watch the signs. All 3 bridges over the Bosphorus in Istanbul are also tolled, and two of them (Bosphorus and Sultan Fatih) are tolled only when traveling from Europe to Asia (the return journey is free), and when traveling over the Sultan Selim Bridge, a toll is collected when traveling in any direction. which direction The “Eurasia” tunnel under the Bosphorus (also in Istanbul) is also paid. In addition to these bridges, Osmangazi across the Sea of Marmara (on the O-5 route) is also tolled – the link will open a Google map in a new window, you can see where it is located. It was the most expensive toll facility in Turkey before the opening of the Canakkale Bridge, which confidently took the top prize (see map in a new window).
Istanbul Bridges and Tunnel Tolls (for cars without trailer, for 2022)
Sultan Selim Bridge* 1.1 euro (19 lira)
Sultan Fatih Bridge** 0.5 EUR (8.25 lira) *
Bosphorus Bridge** 0.5 Euro (8.25 Lira) *
Tunnel “Eurasia”*** During the day: 3.1 euros (53 liras)** (from 05:00 to 23:59) At night: 1.5 euros (26.5 liras)** (from 24:00 to 04 :59)
Osmangazi Bridge (on the O-5 route)**** 10.7 euros (184.5 liras)
Çanakkale Bridge (on the O-6 route) 11.6 euros (200 liras) Official rates for passing through bridges for the year 2022 (from the website of the Turkish Road Administration).
NOTES: * Tolls are charged in both directions. ** Tolls are charged only when traveling from Europe to Asia (return travel is free), cash is not accepted (only by card or must be registered in the OGS/HGS system). *** Driving cars with trailers and motorcycles is prohibited. ****When driving from Istanbul (Gebze) to Bursa/İzmir, when passing through the Osmangazi toll booth (it is located after the bridge), a toll is charged only for crossing the bridge, and the further you go to the intersection you need, the rest of the toll will be removed there. When driving in the reverse direction (from Izmir to Istanbul), the system will record your entry point to the route and at the Osmangazi bridge toll booth, you will be charged both for the distance traveled and for crossing the bridge.
Tolls on Turkish highways
Below are the prices for travel on the main highways for the “entire length”, that is, from the starting point to the final point. Prices are very low (by European standards), and the highways there are good.
Istanbul – Ankara (route O-4 “Anadolu”) 410 km 2.7 euros (47 liras)
Istanbul – Edirne (route O-3 “Europe”) 240 km 1.4 euros (24 liras)
Istanbul (Kurnakei – Akyazi) (route O-7) 120 km 5.2 euros (89.5 liras)
Istanbul (Kinali – Odayeri) (route O-7) 60 km 2.3 euros (39 liras)
Istanbul (Fenertepe – Kurnakei) (including Sultan Selim Bridge), (Route O-7 northern part of Istanbul bypass) 90 km 5.5 euros (95.5 lira)
Izmir – Cesme (O-32 route) 80 km 0.4 EUR (7.5 LYR)
Izmir – Aydin (route O-31) 110 km EUR 0.6 (9.5 LYR)
Izmir (Menemen) – Shandarli (route O-33) 60 km 3.2 euros (55.5 liras)
Gebze – Bursa (including Osmangazi bridge) (route O-5) 80 km 13 euros (224 liras)
Bursa – Izmir (route O-5) 330 km 12.5 euros (214.5 liras)
Ankara – Nowhere (route O-21) 300 km 8 euros (138.5 lira)
Nowhere – Mersin (route O-21/O-51) 180 km 1.5 euros (25.5 liras)
Nowhere – Adana (route O-21/O-50) 180 km 1.5 euros (25.5 liras)
Adana – Şanlıurfa (route O-52) 380 km 1.7 euros (29 lira)
Adana – Iskenderun (route O-53) 130 km 0.5 euro (8.75 lira)
Malkara – Çanakkale Bridge (inclusive) (route O-6) 80 km 15.8 euros (272.5 lira)
As you can see, the fares of the Turks are “penny”, except for a few bridges. From Edirne (the border with Bulgaria) to Iskenderun (the southernmost part of Turkey), you can drive for 14 euros, that’s for a second, for 1300 km of good highways. For roughly the same distance between Paris and Madrid, you’ll pay just over €100 for comparison. If you calculate the average cost of paying for traveling one kilometer of a toll road, the average fee in Turkey is 0.013 euros per kilometer (in France, for comparison, it is about 0.17 euros per kilometer, i.e. 13 times more expensive).
The operation of the road toll system in Turkey
Road tolling in Turkey is carried out by a non-stop and contactless method, only you have to reduce your speed when passing a toll booth. However, the Turks are already installing modern toll booths on the new routes, which allow not to reduce the speed of their passage. But for now, the old checkpoints are still enough. After registering in the system (see below), when approaching the payment point, the speed is reduced to 30 km/h (there are speed limit signs, you will see them, don’t miss them), and drive through the gate on the highway. There are usually no barriers at the gates (except for certain points on the O-5 Istanbul – Izmir route), as well as special queues, but at the exit from the payment point there is a red/green traffic light with a loud buzzer (or bell).
IMPORTANTLY! OGS and HGS payment systems are slightly different systems. Pay attention to the inscriptions above the control gates on the track, sometimes the gates for these systems can be different (but they can also match). But if the gate is different, then you must enter the gate that is designated for the payment system you are using.
If the payment system has identified the car, and the owner has money in the account, then a certain amount for the trip (according to the distance traveled) is debited from his account, while the green traffic light signal flashes. If the car is not in the system (the system could not recognize it), or there are not enough funds in the account, then when passing through the checkpoint (toll), the red traffic light will flash and a loud and audible signal will sound (you will hear it even with the windows closed). At the same time, you still pass through the gate and calmly drive on. From this moment, you have 15 days to top up your account in the system (the debt that has accrued at that time will be immediately automatically debited from it). Failure to do so will result in a fine. On the O-5 highway (Istanbul (Gebze) — Izmir) and on Osmangazi (on the same highway) there are barriers at the toll booths and there you can pay for the toll on the spot, but this method of payment has no special features (pulled up, paid , went further). However, on new highways (for example, O-21 from Ankara to Nida and in the area of Istanbul), there are already high-speed control and payment points. Now there is no need to reduce the speed at all. You just go and go. It’s like in Portugal, for example.
For drivers of vehicles registered abroad
Here is an information brochure for foreign drivers from the official website of the Turkish Toll Road Authority. Regarding the payment of road fees (and fines, by the way) for drivers of cars registered abroad, it says the following:
Vehicles with foreign license plates, vehicles with foreign license plates that drive on toll roads and bridges in our country must be registered in the OGS or HGS system and have sufficient funds in the account to cover the toll to avoid a fine. In order for the owners of motor vehicles traveling on toll bridges and roads without an OGS or HGS account or without sufficient balance in this account not to pay a toll fine, they must open an OGS or HGS account at an authorized bank branch (or post office) within 15 days after the violation (passage without payment — author’s note) and place on it an amount sufficient for payment. You can also make a payment through the “Payments for foreign cars” menu in the “Quick payment” section on the main page of the Interactive Tax Inspectorate: ivd.gib.gov. trOtherwise, customs will not allow these vehicles to leave the country without paying customs duties and fines. Toll fines and administrative fines that have not been paid within 15 days must also be paid through the “Payments for foreign cars” menu in the “Quick payment” section on the main page of the Interactive Tax Inspectorate: ivd.gib.gov.tr otherwise, customs will not allow these vehicles to leave the country without paying duties and fines. Passenger vehicles with foreign license plates that have committed violations of the toll collection rules are required to pay tolls and fines before arriving at customs, as described above, in order to avoid queuing up and creating a queue. See next, it’s so important that I’m repeating it specifically and in all caps: Toll fines and administrative fines that have not been paid within 15 days must also be paid through the “Payments for foreign cars” menu in the “Quick payment” section on the main page of the Interactive Tax Inspectorate: ivd.gib.gov.tr otherwise, customs will not allow these vehicles to leave the country without paying duties and fines. Passenger vehicles with foreign license plates that have committed violations of the toll collection rules are required to pay tolls and fines before arriving at customs, as described above, in order to avoid queuing up and creating a queue. See next, it’s so important that I’m repeating it specifically and in all caps: Toll fines and administrative fines that have not been paid within 15 days must also be paid through the “Payments for foreign cars” menu in the “Quick payment” section on the main page of the Interactive Tax Inspectorate: ivd.gib.gov.tr otherwise, customs will not allow these vehicles to leave the country without paying duties and fines. Passenger vehicles with foreign license plates that have committed violations of the toll collection rules are required to pay tolls and fines before arriving at customs, as described above, in order to avoid queuing up and creating a queue. See next, it’s so important that I’m repeating it specifically and in all caps: Otherwise, customs will not allow these vehicles to leave the country without paying duties and fines. Passenger vehicles with foreign license plates that have committed violations of the toll collection rules are required to pay tolls and fines before arriving at customs, as described above, in order to avoid queuing up and creating a queue. See next, it’s so important that I’m repeating it specifically and in all caps: Otherwise, customs will not allow these vehicles to leave the country without paying duties and fines. Passenger vehicles with foreign license plates that have committed violations of the toll collection rules are required to pay tolls and fines before arriving at customs, as described above, in order to avoid queuing up and creating a queue. See next, it’s so important that I’m repeating it specifically and in all caps:
The official site that is accessible to foreigners (without VPN, proxy servers, etc.) is the site of the Turkish Interactive Tax Inspectorate (available from the link or from the above addresses). And so through it you can (and should) check and pay the roads (and fines, if necessary) to foreigners. The Main Directorate of Roads of Turkey directly informs us about this. That is, this is an official site for settlements with foreigners .
Pay (and check) everything through it. The site, of course, is only in Turkish ( What? What English? We are in Turkey! Only Turkish, only hardcore! ), but nevertheless, by running it through Google translator, you can understand it (and you will).
The other sites mentioned here also allow you to solve the problem, but you can only access them through a Turkish proxy or VPN, and why do you need intermediaries? By the way, in addition to the site mentioned above, the website of the official customer support service of HGS Post of Turkey is also available without VPN and proxy . There you can also check the debt (GEÇİŞ İHLALİ SORGULA – ask about the debt) and you can top up the HGS account balance (HGS BAKİYE YÜKLE – top up the HGS balance).
Unfortunately, it is also only in Turkish, but the translators in the browsers are quite capable. It can also be used to check arrears and top up the account balance. In general, the rules require a foreign driver to register in the payment system and pay for the toll roads used (within 15 days of driving) and fines, otherwise leaving the country (until the debts are paid) will be restricted. And it is better to pay debts in advance, it will be checked at the border. I did my trip to Turkey in 2015, and it was a little easier then. Now I see the situation like this: they went to Turkey and asked the border guards: “where to buy an HGS sticker?”. Maybe somewhere after the border (or maybe right after the border post) there will be a point of their sale (branch of some bank or post office), and they will tell you about it. There is no dot? I should be in front of the entrance to the toll road (but in 2015, I could not find these points, although I was looking for them purposefully). But usually sometimes, I will write like this, they are. Especially at the entry and exit (start/end) points of toll highways. Here, for example, there is such a point at the Kinali point (Ptt is “post office”, HGS is sold there, even this arrow pointer is visible), here is the same point in Edirne, (here is a yellow sign – this is exactly Ptt), but it is located for some reason it is on the exit direction (that is, on the side of traffic from Istanbul), and you will not get to it when entering Turkey from Bulgaria (you will not cross the road there), I do not know why they did that, it would be more logical to place it at the entrance (turks, pancake). Here, for example, is such a point in Gebza. And so on. But in Edirne, right after the border, there are a couple of sticker sales points: the first, the second (according to the links – place on the map). They are open 24 hours a day, the staff there are trained, they understand what you need, and the sticker is issued without any problems. So, buy a sticker there right away, and don’t even think about it. As for the balance (how much money to deposit), you should estimate the route in advance (before the trip) and how much money you need for it, and immediately top up the account with the required amount so that you don’t have to worry about it later. Well, if not, then just look more carefully on the route, look for the yellow sign and the blue letters on it: “Ptt” at the payment points. Regarding the work schedule, I will not say such points, but they must work during the day. According to Turkish Post, there are currently 33 payment points on the routes (they are marked on the interactive map) where you can buy an HGS sticker or top up your balance. If there is no registration point in the system before entering the highway, then we calmly drive on (not paying attention to the traffic lights and buzzers at the checkpoints), and already after arriving at the destination we go to the post office there and register in the system, immediately paying those debts that managed to “roll up” before registration (you should be prompted about debt incurred during registration). On some highways (in the Izmir area, for example) there are still barriers and payment points (the classic payment option). In this case, there are no questions, the sticker is not needed, you pay the fare “according to the fact” then. But if there is a sticker, you will not have to pay anything additionally, it will be automatically deducted from the account. Therefore, buy a sticker clearly, and do not even think about the topic: “Need or not?”. Necessary. It will come in handy. How to register in the system and get an HGS sticker is written below. and already after arriving at the destination, we go to the post office there and register in the system, immediately paying those debts that had time to “run up” before registration (you should be told about the debt incurred during registration). On some highways (in the Izmir area, for example) there are still barriers and payment points (the classic payment option). In this case, there are no questions, the sticker is not needed, you pay the fare “according to the fact” then. But if there is a sticker, you will not have to pay anything additionally, it will be automatically deducted from the account. Therefore, buy a sticker clearly, and do not even think about the topic: “Need or not?”. Necessary. It will come in handy. How to register in the system and get an HGS sticker is written below. and already after arriving at the destination, we go to the post office there and register in the system, immediately paying those debts that had time to “run up” before registration (you should be told about the debt incurred during registration). On some highways (in the Izmir area, for example) there are still barriers and payment points (the classic payment option). In this case, there are no questions, the sticker is not needed, you pay the fare “according to the fact” then. But if there is a sticker, you will not have to pay anything additionally, it will be automatically deducted from the account. Therefore, buy a sticker clearly, and do not even think about the topic: “Need or not?”. Necessary. It will come in handy. How to register in the system and get an HGS sticker is written below. that arose during registration). On some highways (in the Izmir area, for example) there are still barriers and payment points (the classic payment option). In this case, there are no questions, the sticker is not needed, you pay the fare “according to the fact” then. But if there is a sticker, you will not have to pay anything additionally, it will be automatically deducted from the account. Therefore, buy a sticker clearly, and do not even think about the topic: “Need or not?”. Necessary. It will come in handy. How to register in the system and get an HGS sticker is written below. that arose during registration). On some highways (in the Izmir area, for example) there are still barriers and payment points (the classic payment option). In this case, there are no questions, the sticker is not needed, you pay the fare “according to the fact” then. But if there is a sticker, you will not have to pay anything additionally, it will be automatically deducted from the account. Therefore, buy a sticker clearly, and do not even think about the topic: “Need or not?”. Necessary. It will come in handy. How to register in the system and get an HGS sticker is written below. and don’t even think about the topic: “Should it or not?”. Necessary. It will come in handy. How to register in the system and get an HGS sticker is written below. and don’t even think about the topic: “Should it or not?”. Necessary. It will come in handy. How to register in the system and get an HGS sticker is written below.
How to properly stick HGS in Turkey
Only the upper half of the sticker is glued to the glass, the second (lower) should be kept according to the instructions, throw it in the glove box. You will need it if you need to top up your account. For motorcyclists (6 sinif is the 6th class of vehicles, i.e. motorcycles) instead of a sticker (sticker), a bank-type card is provided, this is what it looks like
Why for motorcyclists? Because the sticker on the motorcycle/moped is not protected from anything. Not from the rain, not from the spray on the sink, not from the mischievous hands of the neighborhood boys. Therefore, motorcyclists are provided with a card for payment, like a bank card, which must be somewhere in an outer pocket at the time of travel. After registering in the system, grace came, and the traffic lights at the payment points flashed exclusively green light and remained respectfully silent during the drive.
The website of the post office (available without VPN and other problems) only states that: “Sticker type product is 5 TL and card type product is 15 TL in PTT Offices”. That is, a sticker (empty) by itself costs 5 liras, and a card (also without a balance) costs 15 liras. The rest should be paid to the account by the buyer, based on what he needs. There is also a postscript: “Customers must buy credits with products on the device cost”, which means that an empty (without balance) card/sticker will not be sold to you. It is necessary to immediately throw some minimum amount on it. I don’t know which one, but the post office does not specify. Well, I think 100 lira will be enough to start with. But I would recommend all travelers to immediately calculate the trip route (and the amount of expenses for it), and to replenish the account immediately with the necessary amount, so as not to get up twice, as they say. But this is, of course, a matter of taste.
Registration in the HGS system
The HGS system itself is good, but in order to register in it (buy a sticker), you will have to make a certain amount of effort. To register in the system, you need to fill out a special registration form (you can take it at any post office, there are stands with them), but the problem is that these forms are written exclusively in Turkish (not a word in English). If you cannot find the form in the post office, you should contact the post office employee and try to explain to him that you need the HGS form (you can just write “HGS ???” on a piece of paper, they should understand you). In this case, the form will be printed for you on the computer (the part that needs to be filled out). Next, you need to return to the hotel with this form (a sample form is provided below) and ask an English-speaking staff member to help you figure it out (fill it out). Or use the recommendations for filling it out below. After filling out the form, you need to return to the post office, stand in line, give the application form, passport and car documents to the post office employee, and wait until he registers you in the system. It is not a fact that he will not have questions, so it is better to take someone from the hotel staff with you (for an additional fee, of course, 5 euros will solve the problem) as an interpreter. In general, the process is not fast. It took me (I had business in Istanbul) from start to finish – almost four hours (and the post office was still a five-minute walk from the hotel). Most of the time was spent waiting in line. Employees of the Turkish post office are very leisurely and full of silent dignity. Employees of the Russian Post are champion sprinters compared to the Turks. Although if you’re lucky, everything can be arranged in 10 minutes. But now I can help you a little with this matter (filling out the form) so that you can handle it yourself (if you decide that you need it, but I’ll say it again: you need to). The Turkish HGS system form looks like the photo below, and you must fill in the left field before giving it to the post office employee:
Note that these forms are folded in half on the stands in the post office, that is, only the right side of the form is visible. Look for it with your eyes on racks and stands (it may be a little different in each post office). In fact, the form is quite large when unfolded, all the rules for using the system are written inside (in Turkish).
Filling out the form for registration in the HGS system
The form is filled in capital letters, Latin alphabet.
First field: name and surname – write as in the foreign passport, of course, in Latin.
The second field: identification number (or passport number) – write the series and number of your foreign passport.
Third field: car number registered in the system – write your license plate. Surveillance cameras will see your number, and it must match what is entered into the system.
Fourth: license number – write the serial number of your VP (rights).
Fifth field: vehicle class:
“1” — if you have an ordinary car (two axles, the distance between the axles (base) is no more than 3.20 m);
“2” – a large jeep, minibus, bus, truck, etc. (Two axles, base over 3.20 m);
“3” – three axles (including if you have a vehicle of category “1” or “2”, but you drive with a trailer);
“4” – a truck with four or five axles (the trailer axles, if any, are also considered);
“5” – a truck with six or more axles (trailer axles, if any, are also considered);
“6” – motorcycles. Sixth field: account holder’s mobile phone. If you bought a “sim card” in Turkey, write your Turkish number, if not – any, so that it looks like a valid Turkish number.
You can rewrite the number from my sample, which is in the example above – it doesn’t matter to you, but someone (the owner of the number) will receive information in the form of SMS about the movement of funds in your account, about debts, fines, etc. You can try to write a Russian phone number, but I really don’t know if it will work or not. If anyone has tried it, let me know in the comments how it is with this option. When filling out the form, I wrote the number “from Balda” (I saw an advertisement on the bus, which stood opposite the post office window at the time of filling out the form, and wrote this number in the form).
Seventh field: address of residence – do not hesitate to write the address of your hotel there (without the name of the hotel, of course). Penalty receipts will be sent to this address (if any). You can enter any, so that such an address generally exists somewhere in Turkey. Although, below in the comments, one of the readers (thanks to him!) noted that the address is not mandatory for tourists. Try not to fill in this field, and if the post office employee insists, try to explain to him that you are a tourist and do not have a permanent address. If it doesn’t work, then enter the hotel address there (as an option).
Field for date and your signature – put the current date and your signature. Arriving at the post office and waiting in line (there was an electronic queue for the ticket, at least in Istanbul), you give it to the employee, together with your passport, rights, and the certificate of registration of the МС. He will check your full name and document number from the passport, the driver’s license number from the VU (rights), and the registration number of your car from the registration certificate. The same data will (must be) on the receipt (check), and you will also check it when you receive the check, and if anything, immediately correct the inaccuracies. You give him money, and he gives you a receipt, a sticker and, in fact, registers you in the system. All. The sticker on the windshield in the upper middle, behind the rear-view mirror, (if your upper sun protection strip is metalized, then a little below it), the receipt and the root of the sticker – in the glove box, and drive calmly. If you will be visiting for a long time and the money in the account runs out, (traffic lights will start ringing again when passing by), come to the post office (any nearest one) with the root of the sticker and explain with signs that you want to top up this account in the HGS system. Also, now the account can be replenished via the Internet, on the website of the Post of Turkey (the link and explanation was given above).