How much do taxis cost in Istanbul and how do they work?
Based on 1 discussion with 3 participants · Last activity: 28 days ago
TL;DR
Istanbul taxi drivers often don't turn on the meter for tourists — check the estimated fare in a navigation app beforehand (around 220 TL) and be ready to pay more for traffic or detours (up to 300 TL). Driving your own car into Turkey through neighboring countries is often discouraged due to poor road conditions.
What the community said
Plans to drive into Turkey through neighboring countries are often scrapped after seeing the road conditions there — many travelers decide it's not worth the risk and rely on local transport/taxis instead.
30 days ago
Real example of a taxi ride from the Şişli district to a hotel: the driver didn't turn on the meter, but the Yandex navigation app estimated around 220 TL; due to traffic and a route change, the passenger ended up paying 300 TL.
34 days ago 220-300 TL (route from Şişli)
Istanbul taxi drivers impress with their skill navigating the city's narrow streets and cobblestone roads in the older districts — many first-time visitors notice this right away.
45 days ago