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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 5,55 TL — the current flat rate.
- This fare is incremented with approximately 3,45 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, 0,55 TL will be added per minute.
- The minimum fare is 14,5 TL (to prevent people taking taxis for too short distances)
- If your taxi has to pay toll to cross a bridge, use a tunnel or use certain highways, that price will be added to the fare on the meter. However, you should not be charged for his route back.
- 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 New Istanbul Airport
- to Sultanahmet — 185 TL (best case scenario, low density traffic)
- to Taksim — 144 TL (best case scenario, low density traffic)
- Here’s an overview of all options on how to get to your hotel from the New Istanbul Airport.
Istanbul Taxi Fares from the Sahiba Gökçen Airport
- to Sultanahmet — 169 TL
- to Taksim — 147 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 — 47 TL
- to Bebek — 57 TL
- to Beşiktaş — 35 TL
- to BuzAda — 50 TL
- to Cehavir Shopping Mall — 30 TL
- to Dolmabahçe Palace — 26 TL
- to Fatih — 21 TL
- to Galata Tower — 26 TL
- to İstiniye Park Shopping Mall — 61 TL
- to Kadıköy — 80 TL
- to Kanyon Shopping Mall — 44 TL
- to Metrocity Shopping Mall — 44 TL
- to Nişantaşı — 33 TL
- to Ortaköy — 44 TL
- to Pierre Loti Cafe — 33 TL
- to Rumeli Hisarı — 64 TL
- to Taksim — 23 TL
- to Yıldız Park — 40 TL
Istanbul Taxi Fares from Taksim (and vice versa)
- to Akmerkez Shopping Mall — 37 TL
- to Bebek — 44 TL
- to Beşiktaş — 14 TL
- to BuzAda — 33 TL
- to Cehavir Shopping Mall — 19 TL
- to Dolmabahçe Palace — 12 TL
- to Fatih — 25 TL
- to Galata Tower — 21 TL
- to İstiniye Park Shopping Mall — 56 TL
- to Kadıköy — 68 TL
- to Kanyon Shopping Mall — 38 TL
- to Metrocity Shopping Mall — 38 TL
- to Nişantaşı — 16 TL
- to Ortaköy — 30 TL
- to Pierre Loti — 68 TL
- to Rumeli Hisarı — 40 TL
- to Sultanahmet — 23 TL
- to Yıldız Park — 23 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.
Dimple says
Sadly, but this is true..
All are same here
All charging insanely..
Each and everyone adds up their margin..
I loved the place but this cheating adds to my memory from turkey..
Dubai is the Best..
Zekeryia says
A few years back the taxi syndicate forced out Uber in Turkey and became the only show in town and this is the result. Now I just rent a car or take the metro lines and avoid taxis all together.
Randal Capps says
I am in Istanbul at the moment and I use a app called Bitaski. I signed into it with my Gmail account you put a address you want to go to and tells you what the ride will cost. It has been approximate up or down around 10 lira .it is a must if you are traveling to Istanbul.
Branislava Kljajic says
Hello lovely people!
I’m in Istanbul at the moment and experience with taxi drivers is not the best.
Very few of them wanted to take me from Taksim to Sultanahmet, but none of them wanted to use the meter.
Since it’s my second time here I decided to take the bus instead, which was 25 lira(including one suitcase) from SAW airport to Taksim. Upon arrival I walked downhill for about 15 minutes to reach tram station Kabatas. It took me 12 minutes to get to Sultanahmet and I got single ticket(7 lira). Every station has ticket machines and they have English as an option.
Entire journey from SAW airport to hotel at the Sultanahmet was around 100 minutes and price was 37 lira.
Taxi would be around 200 lira and it would take approx 60 minutes to get to the hotel directly.
Mohsin ali says
I came to Istanbul on 16th and was there for 4 days I must share my experience with the tugs here. The taxi drivers here are insane you won’t find any good person here in taxis
I’ll start my experience from a guy who told me that he only accepts E serial number notes and by not looking at him he snatched 200€ from my pocket I saw him and got the money back from his pocket then later on another taxi driver told me that he will add extra 50tl because there is a lot of traffic on the road, I went from Istanbul airport to the mall of Istanbul and they charged me around 170TL from each side saying that they had to pay 35TL toll tax the 2nd driver told me that from mall to airport the tax is 45TL. Then I went to antalya the original tugs are there on the airport, the guy charged me 250TL for my transport from airport to granada luxury belek which was merely 70 TL on the return
Such a horrible experience here! Made me think again and again that why I came to Turkey instead of all the options I had
Ingrid Temmerman says
We experienced almost identical issues and are currently still in Istanbul. We were asked to pay 270 lira ‘because of traffic’ and it was just 7km! We have several times got into a taxi with the meter on and then the drivers inflate the price ‘because of traffic’. Also one driver took a 20 euro note instead of a 20TL from our hands and put in his pocket but we noticed, after he got very aggressive. When we said we would call the police he gave it back and swore at us. Be careful out there.
Mark Iannicelli says
We got ripped off bad.
We paid 220 TL from the airport to Sultanahmet and 250 TL from the old airport to the new airport.
A lot of restaurants are scamming too by saying that they don’t have a food item and then charge full price for a menu item, prayer beads at the bazaars are a price scam and one restaurant near the bazaar across the street from Turkcel has tables on a sloping floor and serves oily and greasy food. When I complained he brought rice to absorb the grease . I didn’t eat it and was charged after being lied to about adjusting the price.
Seems like the scams are getting worse with the taxis and restaurants in Istanbul.
The Constantinople Hotel has bugs , moldy bed spreads so don’t stay there.
Adam A says
Istanbul taxi drivers are notorious at scamming tourists. The Bitaxsi app and Uber are far better alternatives than just hailing a cab in Istanbul. However, even with Bitaxsi you may be scammed. On a recent trip, I noticed every time my Bitaxsi booked journey ended, the driver would type a higher fare into the app than what is on the meter. So 15 lira instead of 12Lira shown on meter. This happened every day. On one occasion, the journey on the meter was 15.5 Lira. The driver entered 155 Lira into the app. These scams spoil the experience for tourists, it only mqkes people not wanting to return to the country. The fare differences may be small, but the principle of honesty is clearly lacking in Istanbul.
Karen Thornton says
Hi, I arrive at Istanbul New Airport 28 December 16.55. Can you please tell me how much I will expect to pay in a taxi for 2 passengers, 2 suitcases, and 1 hand luggage to Dila Hotel, Kadikoy district please. Would I be better booking online for both onward and return journey or just get a taxi from outside arrivals.
Erlend says
Hi Karen,
With a regular taxi this would be about 250 TL I guess (including the bridge toll), could be more in case of heavy traffic. If you prefer to order online and have a fixed price, go for Kiwi Taxi instead.
Have a nice stay.
Hope this helps.
Laura says
Hi,
I will be traveling from Taksim square to Esenler Coach Station early morning – between 6-7 and I was wondering how much do you think the taxi will take?
Thank you
Erlend says
Hi Laura,
I would say 20 minutes, but be on the safe side and count half an hour. Also calculate some time to find your bus, because it’s a big station.
Hope this helps.
Andrew Watson says
Hi, my wife is going from Sabiha airport to Osmanbey area by taxi. I have been told that drivers will ask passengers to pay the Bosphorus bridge toll. Is this correct? Do you know how much it is and would she expect to pay it even if it’s actually only payable in the other direction?
Thanks,
Erlend says
Hi Andrew,
If the taxi driver’s rank is on the Asian side, he will still ask her to pay the toll, since he will have to get back. So, assume the driver will add 13,5 TL to the cab fee on the meter.
Afroza says
Hi,
I am going to Turkey on 09/10/19 from Ataturk (IST) to Ferman Old City Hotel (Address: Cankurtaran, Amiral Tafdil Sk. No:23, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey) Is it in Sultanahmet? After reading all the above scam stories I am scared. How much should be my ideal fair? If you can kindly let me know I would really appreciated. Thank you
Erlend says
Hi Afroza,
The Atatürk Airport is no longer in use. You’ll now fly to the new Istanbul Airport, from which you have a few transportation options.
Hope this helps.
Yuvsl says
This morning we ordered a Taxi with the app BiTaksi to get us from our hotel in Sultanahmet to the SAW airport. As described above, the app estimated a cost of 127 TL. We had used this app before and the cost estimation had always proven accurate, also we had already used a taxi with the app to cross from the European side via the tunnel to the Asian side and the cost estimation was correct. This morning though, thetaxi driver started explaining us that he would add to the final amount on the tax meter the cost for the tolls of the tunnel or the bridge, plus the highway tolls on the Asian side. Not only that, he also explained that he would have to charge double this amount because, of course, he would have to drive back to the city center afterwards. Right from the start and during the ride we argued with him that we pay what the tax meter would show at the end. He even called the call centre of the BiTaksi app and a lady explained us something in English about the limitations of the app and that there were indeed tolls involved which the government would bill directly to the taxi driver. We were not convinced since we didn’t have this till thing in the past and because it frankly doesn’t make sense. There is a taxi meter on board for a reason and it should show the correct amount. In the end, having to catch a plane, we paid another 65 TL or so additionally to the 127 TL that showed up on the taxi meter. Anybody has had similar experiences ? Was the taxi driver correct or were we scammed ?
Erlend says
Hi Yuvsl,
I’m afraid the taxi driver was correct, but only 50 %. As I explained in previous comments, the taxi meter only calculates the distance and time spent. There are several toll road, bridges, and tunnels. If the driver has to take those to reach your destination, he is of course allowed to add this to the fare because he will get the bill it at the end of the month. However, what was wrong in the reasoning is that you have to pay for his way back too. He doesn’t have to drive back immediately, he may find customers who want to take the same road as your in the opposite direction, so they will pay for the toll. So, I guess you got only half scammed.
Tafif says
Oooh dear… I am just cheated by the taxi driver… lol… He charged me 300 TL from Sultan Ahmet to Umraniye… He used crossing tunnel from european to asian side… his taxi is business taxi (blue one)… bla bla bla… The hotel staff said that normally around 100 TL. Who is right?
I love Istanbul but the notorious taxi driver’s attitude make me think twice to come again…
Mohamed Rashad says
Hi Erland
I thought of sharing a little bit of my experience when I visited Istanbul in June with my family. We took public transportation most of the time during our stay but we took a few taxis as well but I must say taxi drivers present a bad image of Turkey. some of them bargain for trips to/from touristic places or hotels, refuse to go to other places and don’t offer to return change. To be fair, some taxi drivers were honest, polite and were professional as well, but bad drivers spoil the beautiful image of Istanbul in the eyes of tourists.
Erlend says
Very well put Mohamed. So please, look above for expected cab fares for common trips, and don’t forget to read up on typical Istanbul taxi scams.
Thanks.
MUHAMMAD DANISH says
Hi dear I got taxi from my hotel in sicili osmanbey and went to New Istanbul airport driver took 150 lira as per meter but asked additional 50 lira for toll tax is there any toll tax for New Istanbul airport been searching couldn’t find it….
Erlend says
Hi Muhammed,
I’m afraid that you paid too much. Even the meter amount seems too high, but if you had a lot of traffic it may be possible. The highway to the airport is indeed a toll road, so the driver can add that amount to the fare shown on the meter. But for a trip from the city center the toll fare should never exceed 30 TL.
Mitch Bleywatch says
First, thanks for all the tips you are giving here. I need to get from Istanbul Airport to Umraniye, do you have any idea how much would it cost, and is there any way to come, close at least, to that district with Havist bus?
Thanks in advance.
Erlend says
Hi Mitch,
I think the IST 10-S or IST 10-M to Tepe Üstü will get closest to it.
Have a nice trip.
Conor Dunne says
I am struggling to find the best way to get to Sabiha Gokcen airport from Kamil Koc’s Umraniye Dudullu bus station. Taxi is the last resort option for us. Do you know the best and cheapest way to get to the airport? It is for tomorrow morning. Thanks
Erlend says
Hi Conor,
I understand your concern, but by public transport you’ll have to walk a bit first, switch vehicles at least twice, and it will take over an hour. I guess the best way in this case is to take a cab. It’s more convenient and quicker. If you’re worried about scams, you may consider Kiwi Taxi. Just change the place of origin and destination to get an idea of how much it will cost. It’s a bit more expensive than a regular taxi, but prepaid and no hustle.
Hope this helps.
Vai says
Hi- My husband and I will be arriving at Sabiha Gokcen Airport Istanbul late evening (9pm) and we would prefer to take a Taxi from here. I know your post said that it would cost about 125TL – is this if there was no traffic? How much is the max we should expect with traffic?
Erlend says
Hi Vai,
These taxi fees are regular fees, outside of rush hour. Which should apply to you, since you will probably start driving around 22:00.
Have a nice stay.
Louise says
How much should a taxi cost from Kadikoy to Beyoglu in Istanbul. Can you also pay in Euro? Thanks for the tiope
Erlend says
As it says in the overview, Kadıköy to Taksim (Beyoğlu) is about 50 TL. You can’t pay in Euro. May I suggest a ferry-tramway combination, certainly if you’re a party of three or less? Should be cheaper and more enjoyable.
Hope this helps.
Rahat Chowdhury says
Hi, Thanks in advance,
Could you please tell me taxi fare from new Istanbul airport to grand bazar. How long will it take.
Thanks.
Erlend says
Hi Rahat,
Have you seen this page on how to get to your hotel from the new Istanbul airport? The Grand Bazaar is in Sultanahmet.
Hope this helps.
Fayaz says
Hi, Thanks in advance.
Your help is really appreciated. I’m reaching Ataturk airport on 4th of April and my hotel is in Küçük Ayasofya Mh. Yegen sokak No:7, 34122 Sultanahmet/İstanbul, Turkey. The hotel asked me for Euros 30 for drop. Do you think it is worth spending this. I have 2 kids with me and four suitcases and am landing at 10 30PM. By the time I leave the immigration checks it would be 11 30 or 12. What do you suggest. Please can you help.
Thanks
Erlend says
Hi Fayaz,
Since you’re traveling with (small) children I would definitely not use a regular taxi. Instead go with an arranged (private) service. The offer from the hotel may work, but also have a look at the options from Kiwi Taxi. If you choose to go with them, if necessary, let them know you need a child seat.
Safe traveling.
Sasa says
Hi,
I have an early flight from Istanbul and should take a taxi at 5am from Kadikoy to Ataturk airport. Since most of the connetions are from Taksim and Sultanhamet I would like to know what are my options? How much should I pay for the ride? What is the best company to use?
thanks, Sasa
Erlend says
Hi Sasa,
You could get a regular taxi since traffic will be close to nothing. However, if you want to be sure (about the fee and timing) you could order a taxi via Kiwi Taxi. It may be a bit more expensive, but you can book it upfront, can be sure it will get you there in time, and at a fixed price.
Hope this helps.
Dragos says
Hi,
We’ll be arriving in Istanbul in April and our flights have just been changed from Ataturk to the new Istanbul Airport. We’re landing at 23:00 which means there’s probably going to be no bus at that time. Do you know what the taxi situation is at the new airport? Is taking a taxi the only option of getting to the city at that hour? Any idea of the cost for the taxi to Beyoglu?
I would very much appreciate your help on this. Thanks in advance,
Dragos
Erlend says
Hi,
Have you had a look at this post about getting to your hotel from the new Istanbul airport?
Hope it helps.
Lakmali says
Hi,
I would really appreciate your help. I am arriving at Ataturk airport in the evening at 18:30 and my airbnb is located in Sisli. Would you be kind to let me know the best possible way to get to Sisli using public transport?
Additionally, could I purchase an Istanbulkart from inside the Ataturk airport? As I don’t have TL with me on arrival, could I withdraw cash using a Visa Card from any ATM inside the airport?
Grateful for your help please.
Thank you,
Lakmali
Erlend says
Hi Lakmali,
Can you be a bit more precise, Şişli is quite big.
Yes, you should be able to purchase an Istanbul Kart at the airport. If not, you can certainly withdraw Turkish Liras from ATMs at the airport with your VISA card. If that doesn’t work either, you can head for the exchange office at the airport and exchange cash money. The rate may not be the best you can get, so consider this your last option.
Have a nice trip.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.