🚕 Taxi apps in Türkiye: BiTaksi, Uber and what to say

Official taxis, not random cars

In Türkiye, the standard city taxi is a licensed yellow cab with a roof light, a meter (taksimetre) and a visible plate. Istanbul also has some turquoise (larger) and black (comfort) taxis on the official system. You can hail one in the street, pick one up at a taxi rank, or ask your hotel: “Bana bir taksi çağırır mısınız?”

At airports, use the official taxi rank outside arrivals, not a driver who approaches you in the terminal with a “fixed price”. Official ranks are marked and the cars are licensed.

Apps that work today

BiTaksi is the main local taxi app. You enter your destination, see an estimate, and pay in the app or in the car — BiTaksi lists card payments, cash, İstanbulkart and other local methods. It is widely used in Istanbul and is also present in some other cities. The official site is bitaksi.com.

Uber is available in Istanbul, according to Uber’s own city page: you can request a ride in the Uber app, including licensed taxis. Card payment in the app is the reason many visitors prefer it. I have not treated Uber as confirmed in every city of Türkiye — check the app when you arrive.

I do not recommend unofficial “transfer” accounts that message you on social media. If you want a private transfer, book it with your hotel or a company you can identify.

The Istanbul municipality has also offered an official taxi-calling app in the past (iTaksi). I could not verify that it is still actively maintained in 2026, so I would not rely on it as your only plan.

Taxi tips and scams to avoid

Most drivers are fine. The problems visitors report are predictable, and a few habits prevent almost all of them:

• Get in only after you see the meter start, or after the app has assigned a car and a price estimate. “Taksimetreyi açar mısınız?” is the phrase to use.
• Ignore touts inside the airport or a tourist area who offer a “special” fare. Walk to the official rank or open BiTaksi or Uber.
• Bridge, tunnel and airport access tolls may be added on top of the meter. That can be legitimate — you can ask “Köprü ücreti dahil mi?” (is the bridge toll included?).
• There is a night tariff on official taxis. The meter should switch by itself; you should see it on the display.
• Keep your bag where you can see it. Note the plate number, which is on the body of the car.
• Pay in Turkish lira. Card machines exist in many taxis but are not guaranteed if you hail in the street; apps make card payment easier.
• If something feels wrong, you can say “Burada durabilir misiniz?” (can you stop here?) and get out in a safe, busy place. In an emergency call 112. In Istanbul, tourist police are listed on the emergencies page.

I am not publishing invented taxi fares. Journey prices depend on distance, traffic, tolls and the tariff in force. Use the meter or an app estimate, and treat a large “fixed price” from a stranger as a warning.

What to say, and where to practise

Give the destination clearly, with a hotel name or a landmark: “Sultanahmet'e, lütfen.” If you need the driver to slow down: “Yavaş gider misiniz?” For the airport: “Havalimanına gidiyorum” — then say which one, IST or SAW, because they are on opposite sides of the city.

All of these phrases, with audio, are in the Getting around unit.