Taking a taxi (taksi) in Istanbul is a cheap, easy and comfortable way of transportation. But with 20.000 taxis driving around town, only a fool would believe all drivers are honest. Luckily most of them are indeed fair, but there are a rising amount of cases where tourists get hustled while taking a taxi ride in Istanbul. It’s always good to have a healthy level of suspicion. Here are the most popular Istanbul taxi scams, and how you can prevent them from happening to you. Once you’re done, don’t forget to read up on even more tips to prevent popular Istanbul taxi scams.
Making the Taxi Ride Longer
- Scam — This a very common trick pulled on tourist by taxi drivers all over the world, and Istanbul is no exception to the rule. As a tourist you don’t know the shortest way to your destination, so the taxi driver can easily make an extra tour around the block and spice up the bill. In case the tourist does know the way, he’ll come up with the excuse that there is a massive traffic jam on the usual route, or simply pretend to be lost.
- Solution — If you are indeed unfamiliar with the roads and/or don’t speak Turkish, there is unfortunately very little you can do to tell him what route to take. That’s why we came up with giving you an overview of Istanbul taxi fares to the most common tourist destinations. This will give you a nice indication on when to start arguing with the taxi driver and cut the bill he presents you. Following the route on your smartphone can also help, but be aware of possible Internet roaming charges.
The Turkish Lira Note Switch
- Scam — For arguments sake, let’s assume the fare is 15 TL and you hand him a 50 TL note. Out of sight he switches the note with a 5 TL note he has ready, shows it to you and waits for you to hand him the ‘remaining’ 10 TL note. Where you expected to get change, you’re confused (since you’re not familiar with the money) and end up paying 60 TL for a 15 TL drive.
- Solution — Always make sure you have plenty of small bank notes and even coins on you for taxi rides so you can hand the taxi driver the exact amount due. In case you do have to hand a bigger note and expect change, double check the value of the note before you hand it to the driver. Showing the note and waiting to hand it over until he has prepared the change works wonders, too. Also, tipping a taxi driver is not a Turkish custom unless he helped you with (un)loading your luggage.
I Have No Change
- Scam — Again, let’s assume the fair is 16 TL and you hand him a 20 TL bill. The driver seemingly looks a bit around in his cab. After a minute he comes up with only 1 TL in change, claiming he ran out of coins. This way he tries to ‘earn’ another 3 TL.
- Solution — You have two options. If it’s only a few Turkish Liras, you can just let it go. Or, what I mostly do, just sit in the car and tell him to go change the note in a shop. You’d be surprised how quickly they all of a sudden come up with the exact change.
A Fixed Price Instead of Using The Meter
- Scam — The driver suggests to agree on a price for the ride to your destination instead of using the taxi meter. He’ll argue you’re better off this way, because there is a lot of traffic, he’ll take a short cut and you’ll pay less. Why would he want to be so kind to you? He isn’t!
- Solution — Always insist to use the meter! If he doesn’t want to use the meter, or even worse doesn’t have one, refuse the ride, get out and flag down another taxi. The same goes in case he claims half way the ride the meter breaks down. Just make him stop next to a police car, and get out. He won’t argue with you, trust me. The only time you could agree not to use the meter is when you’re familiar with the route and fare, and you get the same or a better deal.
Taxi, Taxi? Follow Me!
- Scam — There are about 19.000 official and licensed taxi drivers in Istanbul. Unfortunately, there are at least a similar amount of illegal, unlicensed or private taxi drivers. Some may offer better rates, the majority doesn’t!
- Solution — Only take official taxis. Istanbul taxis are yellow, have a taksi sign on the roof, have a meter built in (newer ones have them integrated in the mirror) and show their affiliation with a taxi stand, airport, hotel, etc. painted on their doors. You can have the hotel call one for you, look for them at taxi stands or just flag them down on the street.
Night Versus Daytime
- Scam — The taxi driver puts the taxi meter on night time (gece) during the day, or during the night. Either way, it’s not correct because the night time/daytime difference has been abolished!
- Solution — Make sure the meter is always set to daytime (gündüz). These words should appear on the meter display at regular intervals. For the new, mirror integrated meters, the daytime code to look for is ‘1’.
Continue reading with 4 more tips to avoid common Istanbul taxi scams.
Federico says
I recently visited Istanbul. I faced many of the above scams mentioned about the taxi drivers in Istanbul plus few that have not been touched.
I agreed on a fixed-rate ride just to avoid ride long issue. After almost 10 minutes, the taxi driver stopped at a location and said this is the address we agreed. But the address was not where I had told him. I told him that this is not the address, but he argued that he was told about that location and if I am going somewhere else then I must pay more. I tried to convince him that it is not the location as I was using the google map. But my argument was not taking me anywhere, except waste of time. Thus, preferred to take another taxi to my destination.
I rode on a taxi arranged by my hotel to Sabiha Gokcen Airport using the taxi meter. When arrived at the airport, the taxi driver asked me for additional 30 TL on the top of metered amount as a tax fee for crossing the bridge connecting the European side of Istanbul with the Asian. I did not want to pay and then he called the hotel. The hotel confirmed that this is a fee payable by all passengers using taxi and crossing the bridge. But I told him that on my way to the hotel, I paid nothing as a bridge fee or something like that. I just paid the taxi fare as per the meter and that was it. But the hotel guy reaffirmed the rule me to pay the bridge fee. I gave the amount as I was late to catch my flight but later when shared the issue with one Turkish passenger at the airport, it sounded like a fishy deal between some taxi drivers and hotel employees.
Erlend Geerts says
Hi Federico,
I’m sorry to hear about your taxi troubles. But I do warn in my article not to agree on a fixed price. Always use the meter. Having said that, even with the meter on he could have dropped you at the wrong address. You can send an email to beyazmasa@ibb.gov.tr (the help desk of Istanbul Municipality that controls all the public transport in Istanbul). 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.
As for paying the bridge fee, that is the rule. If the driver has to pay a fee to cross the bridge, then that fee (no less, no more) gets added to the fare at the end of the ride. After all, the taxi driver is making that expense for you. Of course pay attention at the fee, so he doesn’t charge more. The different bridges have different fees, with the third bridge being the most expensive.
I hope this helps.
Nenad says
On April the 9th 2019, me and my wife took a yellow cab (huyndai accent, with a plate number 34TEE06 and a red-white bump stick “Beyaz Masa ALO 153”) at Taksim square. Destination was Aja Sofia. When we started the ride the cab driver didn’t start the taximeter. After 50 meters he stoped the cab to pick up another men, for whom he said that he was his brother. At the “end” of a ride he stopped at Kennedy aveny, pointed in the direction of Aja Sofia and told me that it is near. I asked him how much the ride was and he told me 80 liras (which is more than a double than a regular price), although taksimeter didn’t work. I gave him the money, and then he turned around and told me that i gave him only 40 liras. I was confused and because i didn’t have any change I gaved him 200 liras. He turnd around again and told me that a gaved him 20 liras. At that point I realased what has happend and demanded that he give me back my money. He sticked to his story (that I gaved him 20 liras). I exited the taxi, opened the drivers door and saw him holding the bills of 20 liras and 200 liras in his hands. I told him to give me back my money or I would call police. After that argument he gaved me my money. I tooked I picture of a cab, after that he stoped out the cab and with the woried voice asked me why did I do that, at the same time the guy at the passenger seat (for whom he said that it’s his brother) at the drivers seat. The driver set at his seat and both of them took of.
Erlend says
Hi Nenad,
Thanks for sharing your experience and sorry to hear this. Luckily you got your money back.
Please send your detailed story as an email to beyazmasa@ibb.gov.tr . They will take action (although you may not see or hear about it) because the government is determined to fight this kind of scams.
Take good care.
Sufyan says
Thank you for this article which I will be sharing widely. Unfortunately I experienced most of the above in one taxi ride back to my hotel (Besiktas) from Taksim Square last night in fact. I was looking for a taxi near one of the hotels in Taksim but was eventually approached by one. The driver indicated he was going to switch and let his friend drive (first flag) both in the front seats of the car. He mentioned he was taking a longer route due to a football match taking place (second flat) which probably a lie. His driving all, 8 minutes of it, was extremely erratic. Surprised he wasn’t pulled over st one point. When he arrived at destination it was a slight distance away from hotel (third flag). The meter wasn’t on during ride but he showed what was obviously a preprogrammed dash highlighting 53 but agreed on 50 lira (which is over the normal 30 lira rate). I first offered 50 but he had issue with the note being slightly ripped (wondering now if he had done that). I offered 100 note (which was what I had) expecting change back but somehow he switched and showed I had offered only 20. Doubted myself there and long story short he took the 100 plus 30 more.
I only realised minutes after the ride what had just transpired. I didn’t have a plate number so couldn’t report it. Hotel porter even felt bad but nothing to do without plate number.
The first thing that hits you is the self shame, that you’d been played like that. I’m pretty sure this a daily routine for this criminal duo, from the erratic driving to the ‘friendly’ chit chat during the ride, to get your guard down and not seeing it coming. It could’ve been worse I suppose. Imagine if one the two was armed or decided to get rough.
It’s sad to taken for a ride like this (no pun intended). It’s dehumanising in a way as they don’t see you as a person but as game to be taken advantage of. Luckily I travel alone if I had family and kids probably would’ve worried for their safety. In retrospect I could’ve seen all this coming. Sadly I only read this article after the incident (just to confirm my suspicions as I was still second guessing what had just occurred) otherwise I feel I would’ve probably been better prepared to deal with situation (should’ve just walked away at the first flag).
Be weary all. I’ve travelled around in other countries. First time I experience this in my life. I honestly had no idea people would go to such lengths. Ideally there ought to be a hotline for tourists to report these incidents to not just email addresses.
Thanks again
Erlend says
Hi Sufyan,
So sorry to hear this, wish you had indeed found this page earlier. Besides the email (see an earlier comment) there is a hotline: +90 212 153 00 00
You can also try to stop a police officer, they really want to crack down on these con artists and will help you. Always note the license plate, it’s the only way they can identify the car.
Indira says
Good day. Yesterday i got a taxi from Akasya shopping mall to Sultanahmet area. Taxi meter showed 39. But driver told me i have to pay bridge and tunnel charge 30 extra, i was surprised but paid him total 70 Tl. But he insisted i pay 15 Tl even more for his bridge and tunnel fee on his wayback to Asia side! I asked my hotel porter if this correct, he said yes! So i paid 20 even more. So total fare paid was 90.
If this was legal fee he asked or not?
Erlend says
Hi Indira,
If a taxi driver has to pay toll (for a bridge and/or tunnel) to take you from the point you get in until the point where you get out, that amount is added to the taxi fare shown on the meter. However, you do not have to pay fees for his way back. The logic is as follows, normally they will find new customers that will go in that direction and they will pay for any fees needed to cross a bridge or take a tunnel.
So, in you case, about half of what you paid extra was called for.
Rehman says
Hello
I took a taxi from a road near the Egypt Spice Bazar to Taksim square. Taxi driver told me the meter is on, but I got suspicious as I could not see any meter reading during my journey. When arriving at Taksim square the taxi driver showed me his calculator with the number 168. He was demanding 168 Lira as the traffic was busy. I told him I paid 20 Lira earlier in the day going in the opposite direction. When I told him I only paid 20 for same journey, he changed number on calculator to 68. I asked for proof on his meter, which he switched on and off saying it is 68, but I could not see this on his meter.
Then he told me to give him 50 lira or he would need to report me to the Police. I gave him a 50 lira note and then he turned to me and showed me a 5 lira note demanding I owe him another 45 lira.
I told him this is a scam and I will take his car registration number and report the incident to the police. As I was about to open the rear car door, he then gave me a 20 lira note and said, okay I only take 30 Lira. I can only think that the threat of reporting the taxi registration number to the Police may have resulted in the taxi driver charging me 30 lira. This experience left me thinking that I should try to use Uber in the future as you do not handover any cash to the taxi driver.
This is a problem that the Istanbul authorities must deal with as tourists are being targeted by rogue taxi drivers.
Erlend says
Hi Rehman,
Thanks for sharing your experience. Unfortunately, your Uber solution is not an option either, since Uber is not allowed in Turkey. Let’s not forget the majority of the taxi drivers is honest. It’s of course the few rogue ones we hear and write about all the time, so people are aware and know what to do in case they come across one.
Al says
I was a victim of a taxi driver robbery yesterday in Istanbul. He drove me from the airport to my hotel which was 38 km away. He charged me 300 Lira for it. Shame!
I realized later that actual cost should be 50 to 70 Lira.
Erlend says
Hi Al, sorry to hear you were victim of a taxi driver scam. However, the minimum amount for such a distance would have been 100 TL, not 50 to 70. But that’s of course still much less than the 300 you paid.
Adam says
We used the app BiTaksi while we were there and had good experiences every time. It’s the same concept as Uber, but you connect to licensed taxis. You type in the destination, get a price estimate (which was within a lira or two), and can track the whole experience on an embedded real-time map. Highly recommended it.
We did avoid going to and from the airport with a taxi, due to warnings on sites like this. We used the bus service, which was super cheap and convenient and got us basically where we needed to go (within a short walk).
Erlend says
Hi Adam,
Glad to hear BiTaksi worked out nice for you. I personally have had mixed experiences with them. And of course you must have a mobile internet connection.
Thanks for sharing.
Kapila says
We had a little bit different experience in Taksim central bus station. We reached Taksim from Istanbul Airport by bus and our hotel was nearby. Suddenly one taxi driver approached us and asked where we are going. When we show him our hotel name he demanded 35 Lira for two of us and luggage. We got into the taxi but the driver demanded the taxi fare before he starts. When I was searching small notes to give him exact amount, he said give me 100 I will give you change. The moment I gave him 100 note he said he needs 70 liras. We argued with him for two minutes but he demanded 70. We took off from the taxi and asked money back. He gave me a note while offloading luggage and I just took it. My wife insisted me to check the note I received from the driver. It was a 20 lira note. When we demanded the driver he returned my 100 lira. Later we found this is very common in Istanbul. He never wanted to drive us but to earn 80 liras without even starting the car.
Erlend says
Hi Kapilla,
I’m sorry to hear your story. As a rule of thumb, I never take a ride from a taxi driver who is actively looking for (foreign) customers. I always pick my own taxi, preferably hail one that is driving by.
Kelly says
…..beware of them: all charm, all chat, mama this, mama that (I’m Not your Mama) and Where You From Lady………only the traffic too bad – I take this route – I cannot drive to hotel, traffic too bad…..no I need 75 lira more. This is just a 10 lira note……..
…for Shame Istanbul, with your history, architecture, and heritage…..
GYS says
I agree. I wont return until the authorities realize that it is not OK for the taxi drivers to rip off tourists.
Erlend says
That,s why I’m telling people to go to the police and report it when you get scammed. Give them them the license plate number, and they will hunt them down. Authorities are aware that there a few rotten apples who are giving Istanbul and its taxi drivers a bad rep.
Azmina says
Yesterday at eimonui station I was waiting for a taxi, I got one taxi who agreed for 40lira to my hotel. As I handed him 100lira to get back my change, he quickly switched to 20lira and demanded more money. I kept on saying I gave him 100 but he was was arguing. So in end I have him 125lira. When went back back to count my money it was 100 lira was scammed.
Erlend says
Hi Azmina,
So sorry to hear that. I hope you could report the driver. Again, prevent these things by always having small notes on you. Also, never agree on a price with the driver, use the meter. And if you do get in a dispute, just call the police and make sure to report it by handing them the license plate.
Joseph says
Hello , It seems Istanbul is always full of craps.
Its my second visit to Istanbul and had terrible experiences both times. I would never recommend anyone to visit Istanbul.
Apart from few very nice and good people in Istanbul but all that ends well is well and to me it didn’t. These few craps will ruin all the hard work of good peoples.
Just recently on my way back from my hotel to New International Airport, we took a Taxi Yellow one with no plate 34 TFH 42 ( FIAT) and after about 5 minutes ride we noticed that the Meter was not working. We ask the Driver he said it was out of order and usually you have to pay around 160-180-185 TL. But when we arrive at airport, he asked for 480 TL and told us charges for using Motorway. He dropped us a departure side of Taxi stand and asking for money. We gave him 50 Euro note and 10 TL,
He returned us two notes of 10 TL and asked for more money. We told him that we have given him 50 Euros note but he kept o refusing and during this conversation didn’t end anywhere and we had to catch our flight. So unfortunately we paid him 50 Euros again and 20 TL but he keep asking for money and didn’t understand anything. So to end up this situation we gave him 50 Euro more and once we got out of Taxi he just ran away very fast from the Taxi stand. During this situation i left my Iphone on the back seat.
So we end up by paying 700 TL approximately and lost my Iphone as well.
I have lost money , Phone and had severe inconvenience. Kindly be careful and guide me if i can complain to any authority so that these future incidents to tourists can be reduced.
Regards,
Joseph
Erlend says
Hi Joseph,
I’m sorry to hear about your taxi troubles. I do warn about all of those in my post. Unfortunately you read it too late.
You can send an email to beyazmasa@ibb.gov.tr (the help desk of Istanbul Municipality that controls all the public transport in Istanbul). 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. And please report it! you have the license plate, the day, the hour, etc. The Istanbul Municipality is aware of these few rotten apples and will hunt him down. You probably won’t get your money or phone back, but at least you’ll bring him to justice and reduce the chance for other tourists to be scammed.
As for paying the bridge or toll highway fee, that is the rule. If the driver has to pay a fee to cross the bridge or take a certain highway, then that fee (no less, no more) gets added to the fare at the end of the ride. After all, the taxi driver is making that expense for you. Of course pay attention at the fee, so he doesn’t charge more. the amounts you mention are too much. The fares I put on my taxi fare page is correct, give or take 10 TL because of traffic. I’ll never be 400% off!
I hope you do write them an email and report it.
Nasir says
I was in Istanbul from 25th September to 28th September.
I along with one of my Colleague hired a taxi from sultanahmet area and went to New istanbul airport. He had another person sitting in the front seat he said that he is his friend and you don’t have to worry as his shift is ending and he will hand over the taxi to him
The driver said its football match in Istanbul today so there will be too much traffic in the city, so he took different diversions and we reached airport around 1700 Hrs on 28th September.
His friend got down immediately and removed our luggage from the boot and put it outside.
He demanded 453 TR for the fair. When we asked him to show the meter he started clicking the meter and showed us some previous reading. When we told him that it was only 165 TR when we went from airport to the same place, He said he has used Autobahn. When I gave him 50 Euros he flipped it and said by giving me back 10 TR that you gave me 10 TR. While I clearly gave him 50 Euros. As we had to catch our flight and we had no other options to pay him his demanded money over and above those robbed 50 Euros. It means he charged us 450 TR plus 50 Euros.
There was no police around where we could report that.
I was on a business visit to Istanbul but now I don’t feel like ever going back to turkey, though .
Erlend says
Hi Nasir,
I’m sorry to hear about your taxi troubles. I do warn about all of those in my post. Unfortunately you read it too late.
You can send an email to beyazmasa@ibb.gov.tr (the help desk of Istanbul Municipality that controls all the public transport in Istanbul). 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. And please report it. The Istanbul Municipality is aware of these few rotten apples and is really trying to track them down.
As for paying the bridge or toll highway fee, that is the rule. If the driver has to pay a fee to cross the bridge or take a certain highway, then that fee (no less, no more) gets added to the fare at the end of the ride. After all, the taxi driver is making that expense for you. Of course pay attention at the fee, so he doesn’t charge more. the amounts you mention are too much. The fares I put on my taxi fare page is correct, give or take 10 TL because of traffic. I’ll never be 400% off.
I hope this helps reduce the pain.
Imz says
We used Uber but confusing where they wanted us to meet it says to wait at +2 level in the airport and when we asked anyone they didn’t know or were unhelpful and making stuff up like saying Uber is illegal lol. In the end we chatted wit the guy and sorted it. Bitaxsi didn’t have any taxis available to collect us from the airport
Erlend says
There is no Uber in Istanbul, it is indeed illegal. Bitaxi is a bit if a hit and miss I’m afraid.
Nitin says
Reading all above we (foreign tourists) are urged to contact police for the scam these taxi drivers pull. As if this is what we have time for.
All. I repeat ALL taxi drivers are scam artists in Turkey(my repeated experiences in various cities). Now I thought bitaksi etc will bring an end to all this but no, I get scammed by driver never coming or the driver cancelling the trip demanding cash AFTER I have sat down in taxi. Result – driver taking long trips even after I show him Google maps. [cursing removed red.] I keep quite and not fight with you because I want to keep my sanity.
I, for one, will now never return to turkey unless you Turkish guys become civilised to get the proper taxi providers such as uber etc to operate and throw out these Turkish taxi scammers (and bitaksi) out of your country.