Istanbul taxi

This is the most popular among tourists and the most convenient means of transport in Istanbul. It has many advantages we are going to tell you about.

First, taxi is the only non-stop transport in Istanbul. The yellow cars with drivers - the drivers here wear neatly ironed trousers and white shirts - are cruising through the city day and night. Naturally the night trip will cost a bit more expensive, there is a special night tariff for this. It works from midnight to 6 am and is more than during the day by 50 percent.

Secondly, taxi is the only form of transport which covers the WHOLE Istanbul. By taxi you can get to any place in the city from any place, in every nook, to any street, to any desired address. If you have a rough idea of where the place is you’re looking for (club, cafe, restaurant, place of interest) - it is better to take a taxi.

Third, to use a taxi in Istanbul is very easy. You just approach the road and stop one of these orange or yellow cars which are in great variety in the city. If you are somewhere in a building, they will order taxi for you by the phone, or simply a clerk from the hotel or restaurant will enter the street to get you a car. Do not forget to give 1 or 1,5 lire for this. But generally there is no question of calling a taxi in Istanbul, cause I repeat - there are not just many, but a lot of taxi cars. All 24 hours a day.

Fourthly, taxi in Istanbul is very cheap. A kilometer will cost you about 1 lira. Note that counting does not begin from zero, but with two lire (with three at night). Each taxi has a counter and taxi drivers are banned to smoke in the cars. Getting in a car just look at the counter. If a taxi driver suddenly says the device does not work, just go out. You won’t have time to do it and the counter immediately starts to work... One point more - watch for the red light to be turned off that means that the counter works by nightly rates.

And remember - ONE Rate. It does not depend on the length of the distance from the shore of the Bosporus or Golden Horn along which you are going or on the number of passengers. The only thing for which you pay extra - when traveling across the bridge on the Bosphorus. It is the duty of the passenger indeed. And which bridge to choose - it’s always up to you.

Oh, and the last thing. No tips for Istanbul taxi drivers.