Asia > Türkiye > Artvin / Hopa (XHQ)

The Car or no Car advice for  Artvin / Hopa can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Artvin / Hopa ;  is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).

🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Artvin / Hopa ?

These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.

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💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Artvin / Hopa?

These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.

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Hopa and Artvin sit in Türkiye’s far northeast, right on the Black Sea and very close to the Georgian border. The region is mountainous, green, and incredibly beautiful, but it is also remote. The IATA code XHQ refers to the unusual “Batumi–Hopa Airport” arrangement, where certain Turkish domestic flights land at Batumi Airport in Georgia, then passengers are transferred by land across the border into Türkiye. Flights exist, but they are limited and not always frequent. So, should you rent a car in Artvin / Hopa? The answer depends on whether you want to explore the valleys and mountain roads beyond the coast, or whether you are simply transiting through the area. Because the region has steep terrain and few major highways, your decision is significant.

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✈️ How the XHQ Airport Actually Works

First of all, XHQ is not a standard airport.
Instead, here is the system:

• Turkish domestic flights operate to Batumi (BUS)

• Passengers booked to XHQ are transported by bus to Türkiye

• Immigration happens at the Sarp Border Gate

• You arrive in Hopa/Artvin by land, not by plane

This setup is unusual and can surprise travellers, but it functions reliably when flights operate.

➡ In short: XHQ uses Batumi Airport and a cross-border coach.

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🚶 Why You Don’t Always Need a Car in Hopa

Hopa is compact and sits along the coast. You can walk between hotels, restaurants, and the waterfront. Short taxis help when the hills get steep.

🌟 Go Car-Free If:

• You’re staying mainly in Hopa

• You only plan short local trips

• You want to travel onwards by bus to Rize or Trabzon

• You’re continuing into Georgia after crossing the border

Because intercity buses are excellent along the Black Sea coast, a car isn’t vital for simple point-to-point travel.

➡ For a city-style stay, no car is needed.

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🚌 Buses Are Very Strong Along the Black Sea Coast

The main coastal highway is well served. From Hopa you can easily reach:

• Artvin

• Rize

• Trabzon

• Ardeşen

• Fındıklı

Buses are frequent, cheap, and comfortable. They also run long-distance routes deeper into the mountains, though these can be slower.

➡ Public transport handles the basics extremely well.

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🚗 When Renting a Car Becomes Very Useful

However, Artvin Province is one of the most mountainous regions in Türkiye. Many of the best sights sit far inland, hidden in steep valleys.

A rental car becomes useful for:

• Visiting Borçka Karagöl (Black Lake)

• Exploring the Kaçkar Mountains National Park

• Driving up to Şavşat, one of Türkiye’s most picturesque towns

• Reaching remote highland plateaus (yaylas)

• Photographing waterfalls and forest roads at your own pace

Because inland routes are not always well served by buses, independent travel gives you far more freedom.

➡ For exploring deep into the mountains, a car is almost essential.

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🌉 Cross-Border Travel to Georgia

If you plan to continue to Batumi or Kutaisi, you can do this very easily by:

• Walking across the Sarp border (very common)

• Taking a taxi in either direction

• Using minibuses (marshrutkas)

You will not need a rental car to cross the border. In fact, most rental firms do not allow Turkish cars to enter Georgia.

➡ For cross-border travel, go car-free.

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🧭 Quick Decision Table

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🎯 Conclusion: Should You Rent a Car in Artvin / Hopa?

• ❌ Skip the car if you are focusing on Hopa, travelling the Black Sea coast by bus, or planning a cross-border trip into Georgia through Batumi.

• 🚗 Rent a car only if you want to explore the inland mountains, waterfalls, lakes, and highland plateaus of Artvin Province, because these areas are difficult to reach without one.

In the end…

This is a spectacular but remote corner of Türkiye, and although the coastal towns work well without a car, the true beauty of the region lies far inland — where having your own wheels opens up an entirely different world.

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🚗 ✅ ❌ Summary Table

This summary score brings how much you really need a car, whether it’s worth it, driver options, local driving rules, and an overall recommendation.  This site is planned for full launch on 1st March 2026. Full terms, advice, FAQs, disclaimer etc to follow.