Istanbul Taxi Guide (2024 Fares, Costs, Apps, Airport Trips, Tips)

Here you’ll find our Istanbul Taxi guide, including including taxi fares, costs, apps, airport trips and tips. In Istanbul, you don’t need a car to get around the city as there are variety of transportation options. You can easily get around the city by walking, biking or using the public transportation options.

However, if you will need to get somewhere quickly, such as airports or a meeting, a taxi would be your best option for sure. Here, we put together all the necessary information about taxis in Istanbul.

Taxi Types in Istanbul

The taxis in Istanbul are yellow and have taxi signs on the roof. It’s usually easy to find one of the more than 18,000 yellow taxis almost anywhere in the streets. There are also luxury taxis in turquoise and black colors.

Yellow Taxis

Yellow taxis are the standard local taxis, and you’ll see a lot of them. C Segment ones (like Fiat Aegea, Renault Clio, Dacia Sandero, etc.).

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For short and medium distances, they are a sensible and cost-effective choice. You can hail one of these cabs on the street, find one at a taxi stand, or order one through a taxi app.

Turquoise Taxis

Turquoise taxis are D segment ones (like VW Passat, Skoda Superb, Opel Insignia, etc).

The turquoise taxis are a younger addition, and most people find them more comfortable than the yellow taxis. They are in better shape.

They normally cost a little more than yellow taxis, but they are cleaner and of higher quality, so the extra money is worth it.

Black Taxis

Black taxis are E segment and VIP ones (like Mercedes E180, Mercedes Vito, etc). For better services and better cars, they offer first-class services.

Because they are more upscale, black taxis cost more than yellow and turquoise cabs. This is great especially for business travelers.

Turquoise taxis are 15 percent, Black taxis are 100 percent more expensive than the Yellow taxis.



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How do you recognize an official Istanbul taxi?

– Most official taxis in Istanbul are yellow. There are also turquoise and black taxis giving VIP services.

– Taxis in Istanbul have an official “TAKSİ” (Taxi) sign on the roof that is lit up. This sign will light up when the cab is ready for hire.

– The license number of every legal taxi should be posted on the front doors, roof, and back of the car. Check that these numbers are the same.

– A real taxi has a taxi meter inside that works and can be seen easily. Based on time and distance, the meter figures out how much to charge.

– The official cab company’s logo or brand name should be on the doors or back of the car.

– Taxis that are officially licensed and listed in Istanbul should have a sticker from the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce.

Istanbul Taxi Operating Hours

Taxis in Istanbul operate every hour of the year for all year round.

Istanbul Taxi Prices

Below prices are for standard yellow taxis.

* The switch on price is 24,55 TL, so you should see 24,55 TL upon the taxi driver activates the taxi-meter. (28,24 TL for D segment turquoise and E segment luxury taxis)


* The per kilometer price is 17,61 TL. (20,25 TL for turquoise and black taxis)

* The short distance (pick-up and drop-off) is 102 TL. This is to avoid people taking taxi for very very short distances.

* In VIP taxis, the switch on price is 41,74 TL, the per kilometer rate is 32,5 TL, and the short distance (pick-up and drop-off) fee is 153,7 TL.

* In 8+1 taxis, the switch on price is 31,92 TL, the per kilometer rate is 22.90 Turkish Lira, and the short distance (pick-up and drop-off) fee is 115,3 TL.

* There is no day and night difference.

* If you will take a taxi from Istanbul’s European side to Asian side or vice versa, the taxi has to pay a toll and you will be charged for the toll. It can be bridges on the Bosphorus, tunnel underwater or some highways. And you are not responsible for the return fees of the taxi.

* You can calculate the approximate taxi fare for your journey with the above rates.

* You can pay by credit card in any taxis in Istanbul.

* Also note that the rates we mention above apply if you hail a taxi in the streets of Istanbul. There might be different rates when you book a taxi online or through an app.

Average Istanbul Taxi Fares from New Istanbul Airport (IST)

  • to Sultanahmet (48,9 km) – 885 TL
  • to Taksim (40 km) – 730 TL
  • to Bakirkoy (46 km) – 830 TL
  • to Besiktas (39 km) – 720 TL
  • to Sariyer (43 km) – 760 TL
  • to Mecidiyekoy (37 km) – 675 TL
  • to Kadikoy (56 km) – 1010 TL plus bridge toll
  • to Uskudar (46 km) – 830 TL plus bridge toll
  • to Sabiha Gokcen Airport (76 km) – 1570 TL plus bridge toll

Average Istanbul Taxi Fares from Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)

  • to Taksim (65 km) – 1170 TL plus bridge toll
  • to Sultanahmet (62 km) – 1115 TL plus bridge toll
  • to Bakirkoy (74 km) – 1330 TL plus bridge toll
  • to Kadikoy (32 km) – 590 TL
  • to New Istanbul Airport (76 km) – 1570 TL plus bridge toll

Average Istanbul Taxi Fares from Sultanahmet

  • to Taksim square (4,8 km) – 110 TL
  • to Bakirkoy square (13,5 km) – 260 TL
  • to Kadikoy coast (16,3 km from Tunnel) – 310 TL plus tunnel fee
  • to Galata Tower (4,1 km) – 97 TL
  • to Besiktas square (6 km) – 130 TL
  • to Ortakoy square (7,5 km) – 156 TL
  • to Bebek coast (11,6 km) – 230 TL
  • to Nisantasi (6,4 km) – 138 TL
  • to Istanbul Forum Shopping Mall (Sea life Aquarium) (10,6 km) – 212 TL
  • to Florya Istanbul Aquarium (21 km) – 395 TL
  • to Eyup Vialand Theme Park (12,6 km) – 246 TL
  • to Akmerkez Shopping Mall (10,8 km) – 215 TL
  • to Istinye Park Shopping Mall (16,2 km) – 305 TL

Average Istanbul Taxi Fares from Taksim

  • to Sultanahmet (4,8 km) – 110 TL
  • to Bakirkoy square (14,9 km) – 290 TL
  • to Kadikoy coast (16,3 km from Tunnel) – 310 TL plus bridge toll
  • to Galata Tower (3,3 km) – 90 TL
  • to Besiktas square (3,3 km) – 90 TL
  • to Ortakoy square (4,1 km) – 97 TL
  • to Bebek coast (8,1 km) – 170 TL
  • to Istanbul Forum Shopping Mall (Sea life Aquarium Istanbul) (13,1 km) – 255 TL
  • to Florya Istanbul Aquarium (24,3 km) – 455 TL
  • to Eyup Vialand Theme Park (12,1 km) – 240 TL
  • to Akmerkez Shopping Mall (7 km) – 148 TL
  • to Istinye Park Shopping Mall (12,7 km) – 248 TL

Bridge Toll and Avrasya (Eurasia) Tunnel Fee

There are three bridges on the Bosphorus. Locals mostly call them 1st (15 Temmuz Sehitler), 2nd (Fatih Sultan Mehmet) and 3rd (Yavuz Sultan Selim) bridge. You will need to cross 1st or 2nd bridge to get around Istanbul. 3rd bridge so far away so that yo should never use it. Bridge toll is both ways.

And there is an underwater tunnel (Avrasia) for vehicles from Yenikapi to Haydarpasa. Very fast and convenient way to pass the Bosphorus. But it is kinda expensive.

Bridge Toll for taxis & automobiles

  • 1st and 2nd bridge – 30 TL
  • 3rd bridge – 35 TL

Avrasya tunnel fee for taxis & automobiles

  • 80 TL (Day 05:00 – 23:59) – 40 TL (Night 00:00 – 04:59) (double check on avrasyatuneli.com)

How to Get a Taxi in Istanbul?

* You can easily take a taxi on the street by waiving your hand. On central Istanbul, you won’t have to wait more than a few minutes for an official yellow taxi in the street.

* Look for the cabs that have an illuminated “TAKSİ” sign on the roof, which means they are available.

* You can pick up a taxi at a taxi stop, where you will see line of taxis on the side of a road.

* You can see them in front of the main squares, railway, metro and bus stations, ferry ports, shopping malls, plaza’s, or restaurants.

How to get a taxi from Istanbul Airport?

There are taxi stands outside of the Istanbul Airport terminals, which is very handy. Simply follow the cab signs in the arrivals area of the airport to get to the right taxi stands.

Most of the time, there are plenty of taxis at these stands, but the wait time can change based on demand and the number of people using the stands.

Depending on where you’re going and how busy the roads are, the taxi ride from Istanbul Airport to the city center or your specific location can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes.

For more information on the cab service at Istanbul Airport, you can check out the airport’s website or the information available at the terminal.

How to get a taxi from Galataport?

At Istanbul’s Galataport ship Port, there is a taxi stand right outside the exit for the ship terminal. The people who work at the port work with local cab companies to make sure there are enough taxis for people getting off of cruise ships.

Galataport Cruise Port is located in Galata, very center of Istanbul.

Taxis can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes to get from Galataport Cruise Port to your hotel, based on where you’re going and how busy the roads are.

The taxi ride from Galataport Cruise Port to Istanbul Airport usually takes about 40 minutes, but this can change based on how busy the roads are at the time of your trip.

When to Take a Taxi in Istanbul?

It is very easy to get around Istanbul by public transport options. Especially in the rush hours, and in the city center, taxis can be impractical.

We suggest you take taxi in Istanbul if:

  • You’re in a big hurry (airport, meeting, etc),
  • There is heavy rain,
  • If you’re a group of family or friends of at least three or four and go for a short distance, where the price difference is negligible when compared to public transport,
  • Your company pays.

Also, taxis are good at night when buses run less frequently and you will need extra time to relax or sleep. And it might worth extra money to save yourself dragging your luggage in the city.

Best Mobile Taxi Apps for Istanbul

BiTaksi

This is a mobile application developed for taxis by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. It is available for both Android and iOS operating systems.

Known as the most recognized taxi app in Turkey, BiTaksi brings together taxi-seeking passengers and available taxis through a smartphone application. You can see information about the called vehicle, estimated time of arrival at your location, and the fare to your destination.

Payments can be made through the app or in cash. You can make payments with the Istanbul card. With the route and fare calculation feature, you can see the estimated fare in advance. After the trip, you can rate the driver and leave feedback.

Uber

This application, which is gradually gaining popularity in our country, stands out with its ease of use. To explain how it works: first, you make a “call.” There is a system where you can see the waiting time, vehicle size, and price. Then, you enter your pickup location and wait for your vehicle to arrive within a few minutes by pressing the “request” button.

In the “ride” section, you can see your driver’s contact information and vehicle details on the app, ensuring you are getting into the correct car. Finally, when you reach your destination, you can rate the driver and provide feedback. Since your payment is automatically deducted from the registered credit card, there’s no need for cash.

TaksiBul

Once downloaded and registered, you can immediately start using it. By pressing the “call a taxi” button, you can track the nearest taxi’s arrival on the map. You can also see the taxi driver’s vehicle registration, name, surname, photo, and the languages they speak on the screen once your request is accepted, allowing you to have information about your driver.

Some Recommendations

* Don’t tip the taxi drivers. Though, you can leave the cashback if it is a small about like 2 to 5 TL. This is what locals most do.

* If your hotel is some close to the Istanbul airports, than first ask your hotel to see if they can give you a free shuttle service.

* Make sure taxi heads on the right direction. You can check it from your mobile phone’s map App.

* Some tourist zones such as Sultanahmet Square and the tram line between Sirkeci and Beyazit and Istiklal Street are pedestrian-only. Make sure you check your destination and decide a logical drop-off point to avoid the taxi driver giving you the run-around.

* For passing the Bosphorus by the bridges, ask the driver which bridge he will drive. There are three bridges on the Bosphorus and the third and the latest one (Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge) is very far away from the city center, and mostly used by trucks, transporters and intercity buses. Don’t let taxi driver give you this way, or it would cost you really a lot.

Istanbul Taxi FAQ

Do Istanbul taxis accept credit cards?

Taxis in Istanbul do take credit cards, even if some drivers say they don’t. Taxis in Istanbul, like the yellow, blue, and black ones, usually take both debit and credit cards. There is also the option to pay in cash, but it is not required.

How to hail a taxi in Istanbul?

It’s easy to call a cab in Istanbul because there are so many of them. A lot of street corners, especially in the city center, make it easy to flag one down. You can also use apps on your phone, such as BiTaksi, Uber, or TaxiBul, to call an official cab.

Are there taxis at Istanbul Airport?

Yes, both gates at Istanbul Airport have taxi stands set aside for them. Once you leave the airport, these taxi stands will be right there for you. You can expect to wait for about 10 to 15 minutes during busy times.

Are Istanbul taxis safe?

In fact, all cabs in Istanbul have to follow strict rules, and drivers have to use the meters. Passengers rarely get ripped off or charged too much. If you want to book a cab, you can use a mobile app like BiTaksi, Uber, or TaxiBul for extra safety and ease.

Are taxis affordable in Istanbul?

Taxis in Istanbul are generally more affordable than in other major European cities. The starting fare, which is around 24,55 Turkish Lira, is reasonable. The per-kilometer rate, approximately 1,61 Turkish Lira, is also quite economical compared to cities like London. Expect to pay between 100 and 200 Turkish Lira for a typical ride within the city center.


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