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Home » Turkey » I Don’t Understand How Taxis Work In Istanbul…
Turkey

I Don’t Understand How Taxis Work In Istanbul…

Matthew Klint Posted onFebruary 5, 2024February 5, 2024 30 Comments

two yellow cars parked on a street

Maybe someone can explain to me how taxis work in Istanbul, because I am sure confused.

Taxis In Istanbul: Uber Scam Or Just A Complex Fare System?

During my recent trip to Istanbul, I used taxis to get around via the Uber app. While Uber does not operate in Istanbul in the traditional sense, it does connect you with taxi drivers and you can pay with credit card via the app, which theoretically makes things easy.

Let’s go over my rides so that you can understand the source of my confusion.

After arriving at Istanbul Airport, I ordered a taxi to take me into Istanbul (I spent the first night at the Grand Hyatt, outside Taksim Square). When he picked me up, the meter already had a display of 243TYL (currently, 1 USD buys about 30 Turkish Lira). I furred that might be the “minimum” fare and so we’d drive a bit before it began rising, but it never stopped running.

When we reached the hotel, the fare displayed as 977TYL on the meter, but my Uber app showed a charge of 1177TYL.

Next day, I moved to the Park Hyatt. The two hotels are close to each other and the meter began at 29TYL and ticked up to 64TYL during the seven-minute journey, but when we arrived the driver pressed a button on the meter and it went up to 90TYL.

Later on, I was returning from dinner and the meter already had 78TYL on it (the guy also had his girlfriend in the front seat with him). When we arrived the meter read 121TYL, but I was charged 199TYL.

Finally, my taxi to the airport registered a fare of 829TYL, but I got a charge for 1099TYL (essentially 9USD more, so not exactly nothing).

My theory is that the meter and the Uber app are totally separate, so a driver must manually input the final fare into the Uber app for Uber to charge me, and drivers simply take advantage of that lack of accountability to rip off riders.

But perhaps someone who understands how taxis work in Istanbul can explain all the different starting fares as well as any extras that might be added. I was only traveling with one duffel bag…I did not use the trunk or have large bags on any of the journeys (if that matters).

I asked Uber about this (in the app) and received fare adjustments for a couple of the rides.

CONCLUSION

Using a taxi in Istanbul was a confusing thing based on the myriad of “starting fares” and “extras” added to the journey.

If this is a scam, it just reinforces why I do not trust cab drivers. But if there’s something I am missing, I would certainly like to be able to understand what it is…

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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30 Comments

  1. Istanbuler Reply
    February 5, 2024 at 10:58 am

    Hi, I live in Istanbul.. Basically, there are 3 types of taxis here:

    1) Yellow/Maroon: These are the regular cabs. The fare is 24.55 TRY (about $0.80) as a starting fare, then 17.61 TRY/kilometer. Airport to Grand Hyatt should have cost about 700-750, and Grand Hyatt-Park Hyatt about 60.
    2) Turquoise: 28.24 TRY starter fare, 20.25 TRY/kilometer. So, about 15-20% more expensive than yellow cabs.
    3) Black: These are the “luxury” cabs, 41.74 TRY starter fare, 29.94/kilometer (about 60% more than yellow cabs.

    When you get in the cab, the meter should never show more than the minimum fare. So yes, you were scammed with the 243 and 78 starting fares. Also, there’s never an extra charge for luggage, or a night surcharge.

    Basically, Turquoise and Black cabs exist to (legally) rip off tourists. Always get in a yellow/maroon cab, and make sure the meter starts only when you get in, and you should be OK..

    I don’t know if Uber is overcharging you on top of the above rates. But there’s no need to use Uber, especially at the airport, because there’s an orderly and pretty well-functioning cab line right in front of you when you step outside the Arrivals terminal.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      February 5, 2024 at 11:14 am

      Thanks. This is helpful.

      • Andy Reply
        February 5, 2024 at 5:24 pm

        When you are not in a hurry and not with family etc. the airport buses (at every airport in Turkey) are excellent. and can usually catch a yellow cab from the bus stop in the city. Grand Hyatt is a block from the airport bus stop.

        • Matthew Klint Reply
          February 5, 2024 at 5:32 pm

          I’ve used it before – had a very good experience with it and it was cheap. This trip, though, I just didn’t want to wait since it was already pushing 8pm.

    • brendo Reply
      February 5, 2024 at 11:29 am

      This is highly informative. I almost wish there was a website guide to taxis around the world.

      Out of curiosity are you or less likely to get scammed by a taxi by asking the door man at a hotel in instanbul to call you a taxi?

      • Istanbuler Reply
        February 5, 2024 at 12:28 pm

        I have never asked a hotel doorman to call me a taxi in Istanbul, but at international chain hotels and other 4-5 star places, you should be fine..

        Istanbul is actually not particularly scammy in terms of the taxis, although I’m surprised that Matthew was able to get a cab to take him from the Grand Hyatt to the Park Hyatt, as that’s only about a mile and short distances piss off cab drivers more than anything. (Also, there’s a funicular that travels above the park between the Grand Hyatt and the Park Hyatt, which is more fun than taking a cab.)

    • Todd Reply
      February 5, 2024 at 11:37 am

      This is gold. Thank you!

      I tried to get the driver to reset the meter, but it was pointless due to the language barrier and he feinged ignorance of what I was referring to.

    • Alert Reply
      February 5, 2024 at 11:39 am

      @Istanbuler … What do you suggest for a large disabled person who needs more room ?

      • Istanbuler Reply
        February 5, 2024 at 12:23 pm

        If you need a larger, van-type vehicle, that’ll be a Black (luxury) cab.. You’ll see them in a separate line at the airport.

    • PM Reply
      February 5, 2024 at 1:15 pm

      Great explanation! The ‘legal rip-off ‘ allegation is a bit overblown in my opinion- I have asked for turquoise taxis once or twice travelling from/to the new airport and I have been happy to pay the upcharge in exchange for eliminating the risk of getting a vehicle that’s clapped out and/or has limited luggage space available.

      As a general point, it’s a good idea to choose apps that are local, or at least popular in the local market – BiTaksi in IST, Cabify in Spain, 99 in Brazil, Grab in SIN etc. Where Uber is a distant second or third in the market, there’s more likelihood of its customers being perceived as less well-informed by unscrupulous drivers.

    • Lulu in Istanbul Reply
      February 6, 2024 at 3:06 am

      So On the Uber app there is an option to allow the driver to start the meter once he accepts the ride from Uber (that’s probabaly how it got to 243tl when picking you up. Another thing is there is a surcharge which is really stupid that is based on how much the fare is. For example 2 days ago when I was returning to Istanbul my taxi from the airport was 845 tl and 100 tl was added for paying with card. It’s outrageous. But these taxis are run like a mafia.

      Also in case it wasn’t mentioned before, at the moment the minimum fare for a taxi is 90tl.

      Hope this helps

    • Alexandra Reply
      February 6, 2024 at 5:35 am

      I don’t use any apps when I can do the simple thing and just take a yellow cab from the taxi rank at the airport, make sure the meter is on and that’s that. Taxis are very easy to use in Istanbul and plenty. When I am new into a town I make sure I know beforehand the system and tariffs. It seems to be a trend that people can’t do the most basic things
      anymore without reverting to an app.

  2. Santastico Reply
    February 5, 2024 at 11:34 am

    This brings me back memories of some countries in Asia. How many times I opened the door of the taxi when it was stopped in traffic and simply walked out after the driver decided he would not start the meter and would charge whatever he wanted. Me: “meter”. Driver: “no meter”. Me; open the door and walk away.

  3. Kyle Reply
    February 5, 2024 at 12:02 pm

    Your theory that Uber-hailed taxi drivers will always round up by a certain percentage when inputting fares for people who they guess are unlikely to dispute (tourists and rich Turks, who are often identified based on their origin or destination) is basically correct. My guess is that the 243 starting fare was a scam, though they are allowed to charge for wait time. The button press taking the fare up to 90TL on a short trip may have been legitimate; there has historically been a minimum fare of around $3 that is coded into the meter. There are some bridge, freeway and tunnel tolls for which they always charge roundtrip even if the offical policy is that the passenger only pays in one direction.

    You can either hover over the driver while they input the fare into the Uber app or simply appeal through Uber after the ride; if you appeal through Uber you will almost always have the fare automatically revert to the estimate provided upon booking. It seems like there’s no real penalty for the driver when this occurs so they keep doing it.

    • Istanbuler Reply
      February 5, 2024 at 12:34 pm

      You are correct, the 90 TL between the two Hyatts was not a scam, as the “minimum fare” was raised to 90 TL this month, which I somehow missed. So, that’s why it was rounded up.

      • Matthew Klint Reply
        February 5, 2024 at 12:37 pm

        Makes sense. Thanks!

  4. Jim Reply
    February 5, 2024 at 1:10 pm

    When I was in Istanbblul they had day meters and night meters. The night meter charged more and the taxi would cheat by turning on the night meter. I always asked the bell hop how much I should pay for a ride from point A to B and gave him the money and let him deal with the taxi driver. Most of the taxi would try to cheat a foreigner.

  5. L Lau Reply
    February 5, 2024 at 1:51 pm

    I was scammed in March 2022 (and thankfully made it to the airport in one piece). I thougjt it would be best to get the hotel (Manesol Galata) staff to call a taxi for me. 20 minutes (!) later, a blue taxi arrived. That should have been my hint that the staff was in on the scam as he had called his buddy. Buddy drove like a maniac, at some points reaching 200 km/h on the highway. In the end, I was charged TL 250

  6. Chi Hsuan Reply
    February 5, 2024 at 2:31 pm

    Istanbul taxi drivers are some of the slimiest I’ve seen. Just be glad you didn’t get the old “There is so much traffic, let me take this long route instead” scam.

  7. Kory Reply
    February 5, 2024 at 3:17 pm

    Been to Istanbul a good 25+ times in the last 5 years, definitely have to watch out for the meter scams or drivers circling around the long way to a destination. If you speak Turkish or have a Turkish speaking rider it makes a huge difference though — they cut that garbage out. My wife lived in Antalya for a couple years so she speaks Turkish so anytime we travel together the scams are pretty much non-existent. When I travel by myself, it’s a whole different experience.

  8. Khurram Zubairi Reply
    February 5, 2024 at 4:45 pm

    I was also scammed by Istambul taxi specially if they have a fried up front with them I gave him a 100 TTL and he quickly changed the bill, he would not go in to the hotel and insisted he drops me off at the road. Taxis are big scams in Istambul, for a city that is so beautiful hopefully the government would Crack down on them

  9. H Reply
    February 5, 2024 at 6:21 pm

    I’ve had multiple bad experiences with Taxis in Istanbul – the public transportation there is great.

    When using Uber you shouldn’t have to pay the taxi driver any extra fee in-person. If he’s running the meter and asking you for money – then you are paying 2x.

    I had an Uber driver try that in Istanbul..

  10. Balikaen Reply
    February 5, 2024 at 10:58 pm

    I always walk outside the terminal and get a taxi from the queue. Never had any issue. Similarly, when going to the airport I ask the hotel to call a cab. Never had any issue. The last few trips (second half of 2023) fares were about 800 lira to and from Sirkeci Park.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      February 6, 2024 at 12:35 am

      And the meter started at zero?

      • Alexandra Reply
        February 6, 2024 at 5:43 am

        There’s always a minimum charge. From time to time it is increased. Reflecting inflation, higher gas prices. Like anywhere else? Don’t you get specific information about the country/city you’re travelling to? Makes you sound like you stepped out of your house for the first time….

  11. Asa George Reply
    February 6, 2024 at 12:12 am

    On a recent trio to Belgrade,I also arrived late,from Krakow,the airport taxi line seemed a long wait and I remember being over charged by a Belgrade taxi in the past.While waiting a bus pulls up going to start grad where Im staying,I ask the driver if I can pay in euro and he just waves me off with go,go,go …so free ride to the city and same going back! I’m waiting by Brankov bridge to flag down a taxi,none in sight when an Aerodrom bus pulls up,I pile in with a few others again,gratis?! By the way,Belgrade is a great city and I found most Serbs quite friendly.Feels like Prague or Krakow 30 years ago.

  12. Non Verba Reply
    February 6, 2024 at 7:13 am

    Only pay from Uber. Uber shows price estimates and if it doesn’t match the estimate then you can contact Uber for a full refund. They also penalize drivers.

    In short, always pay from Uber and always file a dispute if you’re suspicious.

  13. Amiin Reply
    February 6, 2024 at 5:10 pm

    I dont undertsand why you guys rely only to taxis.
    I will give this advice to anyone coming to istanbul from traveling airport to any place in istanbul.
    1-There is an underground metro which can take you from airport to the centre of the city which costs nearly $1-2. Its like 200meter to the airport. Along the way of metro you can take other trains to go to the desired destination but the only disadvantage is its open from 6:00am to 12:00am.
    Speed of arrival:25min to 1:20min
    2-havalimani-bus
    Its a bus you can find it in -2 floor i think it will go to the centre of each district of istanbul not directly to the hotel.
    Cost: probably 180 lira last time i want to the airport which is $6.
    Speed of arrival:1h—-1:30min
    3-government bus(Yello bus)
    You can find it in -2
    Cost of travel:$0.5
    Speed of arrival=3hours or 4hours i dont reccomend this one since its the slowest one and dont take it if you dont have an internet to look maps.

  14. N1120A Reply
    February 7, 2024 at 4:11 pm

    If Uber is providing you a fixed price, it is likely that the meter is what the taxi driver is going to input for Uber to pay him. In general, pure meter taxis are cheaper than the Uber price. You shouldn’t be paying directly, however.

    Many Uber/Taxi drivers in Istanbul play a scam where they’ll accept a ride then message that you must pay them something else instead, or they’ll cancel. That is the bigger scam.

    With such good public transport, I’d just use that unless you really need to get somewhere specific and far away.

  15. jeremiah Reply
    May 27, 2024 at 1:47 am

    i just had a driver ask me for 50 euros to pick me up from blue mosque and take me to galaca tower.
    that was before he even picked me up. he canceled the ride. i ended up paying for the tram and walked up the big old hill instead.

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