Does Uber in Istanbul Work? Getting Around in 2025
Yes, Uber in Istanbul works, but not in the way you might expect.
Uber in Istanbul and in Turkey is different from Uber in other countries, primarily because there are no civilian vehicles on the app; only taxis are available.
Essentially, the Uber app is simply a method to efficiently request a taxi. There are, however, other considerations when using Uber in Istanbul. The blog below offers a guide to using Uber in Turkey, but also offers alternatives and best practices for transportation during your visit to beautiful Istanbul.
Guide to Uber in Istanbul
Uber first tried to penetrate the Turkish market in 2014 with little success. A ban was placed in 2019 and later lifted in 2021 under the strict condition that Uber works in partnership with taxis.
Taxis in Istanbul hold a certain power. In a city as crowded as Istanbul, the demand is abundant. Taxi drivers have no problem denying a trip, knowing that there is another customer only a few meters away. The traffic in Istanbul also contributes to the decision of the driver. It isn’t uncommon to be denied a ride if you are traveling to or across high-traffic areas at a given time.
These reasons can make it seem daunting to find a ride, making Uber an appealing option, but there are considerations to keep in mind and alternatives that have a better reputation amongst Turkish locals.
Types of Uber Vehicles Explained
Uber in Istanbul works differently, so instead of different car options, you will find different types of taxis listed.
There are three main tiers. These will not only apply to Uber but any other ride-sharing app or taxis you take from the airports or hail off the streets of the city.
Types of taxis in Istanbul:
- Yellow Taxi: This will be the most basic taxi service in what is considered a standard car.
- Turquoise Taxi: This is considered a more premium version of the yellow taxi, offering better cars than your standard yellow taxi, but also charging a significantly higher premium.
- Black Taxi: This is the most premium service, often offering a black van rather than a car.
Typically, a yellow taxi is a good option when it comes to your needs within the city. A black taxi may be a better option for transfers to the airport, particularly for families or persons carrying multiple pieces of luggage.
Is Uber Safe In Istanbul?
Yes, Uber in Istanbul is generally safe. That being said, the reputation of both Uber and taxi drivers in Istanbul remains dubious due to scams.
One of my landlords in Istanbul once told me not to trust three people: realtors, hairdressers, or taxi drivers. She said realtors and hairdressers were not to be trusted because they were often far too optimistic about a particular view, whether it be the one out the window or the one staring back from the mirror. Taxi drivers, on the other hand, were not to be trusted simply because they are crafty with their scams.
It is unlikely that you will experience a threatening safety issue, but you could have a bad experience when learning that the cost of your ride is significantly higher than expected.
Common Scams to Look Out For in Istanbul
There are quite a few scams often used by taxi drivers, the main ones are highlighted below.
It can be helpful not only to know of the scams but also the best practices for avoiding or getting out of the situation.
Meter-related:
The main meter-related scams include saying the meter is broken, not starting the meter, and not resetting the meter.
- Broken Meter: In Istanbul, taxis are not allowed to operate without a working meter, so this should be an easy scam to avoid. The best thing to do if the taxi driver uses this excuse is to find a different ride, for they are likely to try some other scams on you.
- Never Starting the Meter: Always check that the taxi driver starts the meter as soon as you agree on the destination, otherwise, you might find that they try to charge you a fixed rate for the ride.
- Not Resetting the Meter: Check that the meter is at zero when you get in the taxi. Please note that once the ride starts, the taxi driver will click the meter again to start it, and a small charge will appear, which is the base fare. It should not exceed 50₺.
Fixed Rate Offer:
It is common, especially on longer trips from airports to the city, for taxi drivers to offer you a fixed rate. They will suggest that the fixed rate is more convenient to you, citing the traffic wait times.
It is best not to accept this offer because the fare will be higher than it would have been using the meter. Taxi drivers in Istanbul are used to traffic and distance, so they will offer a rate to their benefit, not yours.
Night Rates:
This one is also an easy one to avoid because, as of 2025, there are no night rates for rides in Istanbul or Turkey as a whole.
Bridge and Tunnel Surcharge:
This one happened to me, and it can be a hard one to avoid without having the appropriate information.
There are three bridges and the Eurasian tunnel connecting the Asian part of the city to the European part, and there are tolls to use them. These tolls will be added to the final price of the ride, even when using ride-sharing apps like Uber. This is standard practice.
The scam is that they will charge a high sum, claiming it is the price of the toll, so it is important to have an idea of the toll amounts. Another scam is that they will claim you need to pay for their toll fee back, which doubles the toll price.
- Bosphorus Bridge (1st bridge) and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge (2nd bridge): toll of 47₺
- Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge (3rd bridge): toll of 80₺
- Eurasian Tunnel: toll if 225₺
No Change:
It is generally good practice to carry change during your visit to Istanbul for smaller purchases, and this will allow you to avoid this scam altogether. However, if you are out of small bills or have not gotten the chance to get change, then the best option will be to ask the taxi driver to wait and head to the closest market or shop to try to get change.
It is customary for the driver to round up the price, so do not feel scammed if the meter reads 185₺ and your taxi asks for 190,₺ for example.
How to Pay for Your Uber Ride?
You can usually pay for Uber using a card or cash.
There have been times when the Uber app has not allowed for card payments in Turkey when using a foreign credit card, and in that case, you can try adding a debit card or using cash.
Do Drivers Expect a Tip?
Not exactly, but it is typical for the price to be rounded up. This will be the case with both ride-sharing apps and when hailing a taxi.
Is Uber Really the Cheaper and Safer Option in Istanbul?
Uber is typically considered safer and cheaper than a taxi, but this is not necessarily the case in Istanbul.
Since Uber in Istanbul works in partnership with taxi drivers, the prices are not going to be different than hailing a taxi off the street. There is, of course, the benefit of seeing the estimated fare and the ability to track the journey, however, the biggest drawback is the low reliability.
Is Uber a Reliable Option in Istanbul?
Generally, Uber is unfortunately not considered reliable in Istanbul or Turkey.
Since Uber works in partnership with taxi drivers, and the meter is used to determine the fare, the commission paid to Uber is taken directly from the taxi driver’s fare rather than being an added cost to the rider. When a taxi driver has a booking on Uber but is then stopped by a pedestrian, the ride outside the app will be more profitable, and very often they will simply decline the one coming from Uber.
The commission charged by competitor apps is significantly lower than Uber’s, which may account for the increased reliability.
Alternatives to Uber
In a city as vast as Istanbul, there are many alternatives to Uber, from picturesque ferry rides to walks down narrow streets. When it comes to private ground transportation, there are a few alternatives to Uber.
BiTaksi
BiTaksi is a personal favorite. The app incorporates quite a few of the benefits of Uber, like price estimates, ride tracking, driver rating, payment options, and estimated arrival times.
Similar to Uber, the fare is calculated by the meter, and the app is meant simply to connect the users with drivers. It is still important to keep in mind some of the common scams mentioned previously.
There is a verification code that needs to be sent to your phone to be able to register for the app, but it will be sent via WhatsApp rather than SMS, which is convenient while traveling.
iTaksi
iTaksi is similar to BiTaksi and Uber in that it connects users with drivers. The app is also essentially government-backed, adding a layer of safety since there is some level of screening for the drivers.
There is also the added benefit of being able to pay for rides using Istanbulkart (used to access public transportation in Istanbul).
iTaksi offers a fare calculator to get an estimate before booking the ride, but it is still important to keep in mind the common scams.
Hailing a Taxi on the Street
Hailing a taxi on the street is still a common practice in Istanbul.
The best places to hail a taxi will be on main avenues where more are likely to drive by, but another important detail to consider is the direction of your trip. Especially when on a main avenue, make sure to hail the cab on the side of the road that goes in the direction of your destination, as this will increase the chances of a driver accepting to take you.
Remember to be mindful of the common scams, especially when hailing a taxi, since you will not necessarily have an estimate of what the price should be.
Private Transportation Companies
There are many transportation options when in Istanbul. When it comes to the day-to-day, private transportation might not be necessary and at times even inconvenient given the traffic, but it might be a good option to consider when getting to and from Istanbul’s airports.
Taxis or ride-sharing apps are viable options, but if you want to have a set fare and the peace of mind of not having to fend off scams, a private company can supply both.
Additional Tips for Getting Around Istanbul
Istanbul is a huge city prone to heavy traffic. While touring the city, it is usually best to take public transportation over taxi services. The exception is when getting in and out of the city or when needing transportation at night time.
Getting to Istanbul From the Airport:
Getting in and out of Istanbul is more efficient by car or bus rather than the metro.
Istanbul Airport is well connected to the central European side of the city by metro, but can be convoluted elsewhere. While the Sabiha Gökçen Airport is well connected to central areas of the Asian side, the same issue arises for less central locations.
The best option will be to take a taxi, hire a private transport ahead of time, or take a HavaBus from Sabiha Gökçen Airport ot Havaist from Istanbul Airport. These are shuttle services that connect the airports with key areas in the city.
Public Transportation in Istanbul:
Public transportation is a great option for your day-to-day activities during a visit to the grand city. These are clean, reliable, and safe. The options also range from modern metros and trams to scenic ferry rides.
One of the best activities that can be done during a visit to Istanbul is to ride the ferry from the European side to the Asian side or vice versa. There are also historical trams similar to those found in Lisbon or San Francisco, offering a short ride down important areas like Istiklal Street (T2) and Kadıköy-Moda (T3).
When using public transportation, you will need an Istanbulkart to pay for the service. This is a contactless card that works across all of the public transportation services in the city, whether you are using a bus, tram, metro, or ferry. Istanbulkart can also be used on the ride hailing app iTaksi.
Istanbulkart can be bought and topped up at airports, metro, and ferry stations throughout the city. It is convenient because it will grant you discounts when needing to use multiple modes of transport to get to a destination, like using the tram and then the metro, for example.
When to Walk or Use Public Transport Instead of Uber/Taxi Services:
When possible, use public transportation, but especially consider using public transport over taxi services during peak traffic hours.
The traffic in Istanbul could add a significant amount of time to your journey, so if there is a convenient route through public transportation, it is best to use that. While touring, there will likely be scenic public transportation options like ferries and trams that are even more pleasant than a taxi ride.
Walking in Istanbul:
Istanbul is a great city to wander around. There are some aspects that the city can only reveal to those who slowly stroll its colorful streets.
It is generally safe to walk around, but of course, like in any other city, be mindful of your surroundings. You can find a guide to three days in Istanbul here that also includes a few streets and areas to wander freely.
Istanbul is also known as the “City of Seven Hills” and as the name suggests, there are many hills to be encountered during your visit visit, so it’s best to wear comfortable footwear while touring to enjoy thoroughly.
Final Thoughts
Uber in Istanbul is not generally recommended, mostly because it is not reliable. Locals often suggest using BiTaksi or iTaksi instead. The apps offer similar benefits to Uber but are better suited for the Turkish market.
Being aware of common scams and considerations can offer peace of mind and help you feel more confident as you get around.
That being said, Istanbul has many ways to move through the city, so there is no need to let concerns about taxis take over. From private transport services to public transportation, there are plenty of alternatives. And in a city as scenic as Istanbul, you are bound to catch a remarkable view even when underground.
