Just like everywhere else in the world, some Istanbul taxi drivers have several tricks up their sleeve to hustle unaware tourists. The most common practice is to extend the travel duration by making (huge) unnecessary detours. And since you’re not an Istanbulite, they’re pretty confident that you wouldn’t notice — and you won’t! But with this list of Istanbul taxi fares from Taksim and Sultanahmet to the most common tourist destinations, you are sure to pay the correct cab fare!
Istanbul Taxi Flat Rate and Increments
- When you enter the taxi, the driver will activate the meter. The display should read 4 TL — the current flat rate.
- This fare is incremented with approximately 2,5 TL every kilometer.
- If a taxi gets caught up in traffic and doesn’t move or has to wait on your behalf for over 5 minutes, 0.35 TL will be added per minute.
- The minimum fare is 10 TL (to prevent people taking taxis for too short distances)
- There used to be a night and day rate, but that has been abolished. Don’t let him tell you different!
Istanbul Taxi Fares from the Atatürk International Airport
- to Sultanahmet — 54 TL
- to Taksim — 67 TL
Istanbul Taxi Fares from the Sahiba Gökçen Airport
- to Sultanahmet — 123 TL
- to Taksim — 107 TL
- Shocking fares, right? Here are better options on how to get from the Sabiha Gökçen Airport to your hotel!
Istanbul Taxi Fares from Sultanahmet (and vice versa)
- to Akmerkez Shopping Mall — 34 TL
- to Bebek — 42 TL
- to Beşiktaş — 25 TL
- to BuzAda — 37 TL
- to Cehavir Shopping Mall — 22 TL
- to Dolmabahçe Palace — 19 TL
- to Fatih — 15 TL
- to Galata Tower — 19 TL
- to İstiniye Park Shopping Mall — 44 TL
- to Kadıköy — 58 TL
- to Kanyon Shopping Mall — 32 TL
- to Metrocity Shopping Mall — 32 TL
- to Nişantaşı — 24 TL
- to Ortaköy — 32 TL
- to Pierre Loti Cafe — 24 TL
- to Reina — 34 TL
- to Rumeli Hisarı — 47 TL
- to Taksim — 17 TL
- to Yıldız Park — 29 TL
Istanbul Taxi Fares from Taksim (and vice versa)
- to Akmerkez Shopping Mall — 27 TL
- to Bebek — 32 TL
- to Beşiktaş — 10 TL
- to BuzAda — 24 TL
- to Cehavir Shopping Mall — 14 TL
- to Dolmabahçe Palace — 10 TL
- to Fatih — 18 TL
- to Galata Tower — 15 TL
- to İstiniye Park Shopping Mall — 40 TL
- to Kadıköy — 49 TL
- to Kanyon Shopping Mall — 28 TL
- to Metrocity Shopping Mall — 28 TL
- to Nişantaşı — 12 TL
- to Ortaköy — 22 TL
- to Pierre Loti — 49 TL
- to Reina — 22 TL
- to Rumeli Hisarı — 29 TL
- to Sultanahmet — 17 TL
- to Yıldız Park — 17 TL
Please Use Common Sense
- Print or copy this list prior to your departure for Istanbul. You may not be able to browse this site while you’re in the taxi.
- These fares are indications based on rides I took myself. They are correct and up-to-date, but Istanbul road conditions change every day. Don’t argue with your driver or call for the police unless the meter shows a significant deviation from the fare mentioned here.
Further Recommended Reading
- Main Istanbul Metro, Tram and Funicular Lines for Tourists
- Istanbul Transportation Map for Tourists
- How To Spot and Avoid Common Istanbul Tourist Scams?
Last updated on 29/10/2017
MK says
I took local taxi on 12 Dec 2018 from vodafone Park ,which is Besiktas club stadium, to Galatarsaray club then Fenebeche. The driver waited for me.
I was taking some sight seeing photos and took the front view of the car unintentionally .
The driver started to behave strangely and twisted the angle of the back mirror which showed the meter of travel distance, unable to be taken the record .
At last I was charged usd 300 , didn’t send me back to hotel, saying the taxis are not allowed to enter to hotel,
I said it couldn’t be possible and insist to drive to hotel however he started to drive away from hotel.
It was my worst experience in life.
This is their country , the image they are promoting by cheating , conning , canning made them proud of their country.
I took photo of him, the car plate etc and would love to report to Police and tourism authority to place some control measure or open the Channels for tourists who would have been in same situation.
I will spread to whoever I know the experience I have with Turkish taxis via all social networks channels.
Good luck to Turkish taxis, you guys made your country proud for your actions.
Erlend says
I am sorry that you had such a bad experience.
I wish you had read my Tips to Prevent Popular Taxi Scams and even more tips to avoid ripoffs.
In case, unfortunately, you are still a victim of a taxi scam you have a few options to make a complaint.
You can send an email to beyazmasa@ibb.gov.tr (the help desk of Istanbul Municipality that controls all the public transport in Istanbul).
153 is the landline number for the same help desk or you can send an SMS to 1530 to make a complaint.
This information applies for complaints about any type of public transportation in Istanbul, including airport bus line (Havaist), sea taxi, ferries, metro, metrobus, etc.
Reporting the plate number of the vehicle is a must, the name of the driver helps the case as it is very common to have more than one person operating the same vehicle.
Tamara says
Hi, Could you please advise how much roughly would the taxi fare be from Ataturk Airport to Sahra Airport Hotel (Kartaltepe Mah. Hisar Sok. No:1 Kucukcekmece)? Shall I agree a price in advance or let the driver turn on the meter? Would the accept payment in US Dollars as I will be only staying one night in Turkey due to a connecting flight? Thanks in advance.
Erlend says
Hi,
The distance is roughly 4km (2,5 miles). It should be around 20 liras (3,5 USD)
I would let the driver turn on the meter as it’s a 5 minutes ride (unless there’s traffic jam). By law they are obliged to turn on their meter anyway.
You could change 10 USD at the airport before you leave, so the next day you can also pay your cab ride back to the airport.
To feel fully covered you can also find out the route when you type the name of your hotel and the airport at Google Maps. You can take a screenshot of it and show it to the taxi driver.
Have a safe trip.
John Bird says
I love Istanbul and normally I take the Metro etc from Ataturk to city, but sometimes with others , I have to take a taxi. Is there someone controlling at the airport taxi rank? Its annoying to have to bargain with the drivers demanding to turn on meter.
For 1st time visitors it must be terrible.
Love Istanbul and Turkey.
John
Erlend says
The taxi stand of the Atatürk Airport is connected to the Ataturk Airport Cab Drivers Cooperative which is controlled by the municipality of Istanbul just like all the taxis in Istanbul.
However, when you take a taxi at the airport it may not be from that stand. Taxis from other stands bringing customers to the airport may also take new customers from the airport.
According to the law the drivers are obliged to turn on the meter. No matter what they say you have the right to insist to start the meter.
As for the first time visitors, I advise to plan well and read a lot.
Safe journeys, cheers.
Akram says
Hello plz how much it coast by taxi to go from sultanahmet to forum istanbul ?
And do drivers usualy speak english ?
Erlend Geerts says
Hi Akram,
I would say about 65 Liras, a bit more if you get stuck in traffic.
Shai says
It’s worth mentioning that the guys who spot tourists/ businessmen at the arrivals Ataturk airport asked for 650 (!!) TL to go to Besiktas. I bargained a bit and they droppes it to 500 in a heartbeat, which means they still make sh*tloads of money off businessmen. It was rush hour so it took more than 1 hour to get there (luckily this time work will refund the cost) but definitely ripoff
Erlend Geerts says
Hi Shai,
Hence my advice to only use official taxi’s at the taxi rank. There has never been a shortage of taxi’s at the airport.
Enjoy your stay!
Suzy K says
Hi I am going to turkey in 2 March 2019, the travel agent quoted me $216 Australian dollars for transport from Ataturk International Airport to Casa di Bava which is in Taksim this is a return fair meaning its about 812 Turkish Lira, she said that the taxis in Turkey rip people off.
Is this too much to pay I feel its too much and that the travel agents also take advantage please advise where do I go to get a taxi or Uber or transport car to take us from airport to hotel without been ripped off, how much should I be charged. thank you
Erlend Geerts says
Hi Suzy,
You didn’t tell me how many people are in your party, so I’ll assume you’re a party of two. As I wrote in my article on how to get from the Atatürk airport to the city center, there are several options.
Since you want no surprises and comfort, I understand your choice for a private transport. Unless you really want to arrive in a luxurious Mercedes, I would recommend Kiwi Taxi. These are regular taxis, but hand-picked for reliability, honesty, service and … at a fixed price. A ride from the airport to Taksim would set you back for around 25 Euros. Much less than the quote you got.
I hope this helps.
Carolyn says
Hi, my sister is arriving at Sabiha Gokcen and I am arriving at IST. Our hotel is in Beyoglu. What is the cheapest/best way for each of us to get to our hotel? Your article mentions better options than expensive taxis, but doesn’t say what the better options are. Thanks!
Erlend says
Hi Carolyn,
Have you had a look at these two articles on how to get to your hotel, from Atatürk Airport and from Sabiha Gökçen Airport?
Have a nice trip.