How to Avoid Taxi Scams in Istanbul
Most Istanbul taxi rides are uneventful, but arriving travellers are an easy target for the few drivers who cheat. The best protection is simple: use the official rank or a booking you can verify, make sure the meter runs, and pay attention when you hand over money. These checks take only a moment.
What Should I Do at the Airport?
- Use the official rank, and ignore anyone who approaches you inside the terminal offering a taxi
- Check that the meter starts when you set off, or agree any fixed price in advance
- Have your address written down, and follow the route on your phone if you can
- Note the plate number of the car, or photograph it, before you get in
Which Tricks Should I Watch For?
- A meter that "does not work": ask to stop, or take the next taxi
- A sudden flat price: agree it before you leave, not on the way
- Confusion over banknotes: say the value aloud as you hand over each note
- A claim that your hotel is closed or full: call the hotel yourself
- A person offering to carry your bags to a taxi: keep your bags with you until you have found your car
How Do I Check a Pre-Booked Driver?
Book only with a company that you can identify. Before you land, ask for its legal name, its licence number and the plate of your car. Our details are public: TÜRSAB licence A-11345, D2 certificate, and a named company at a stated address. Your driver will have your name on a sign, and you are welcome to ask to see company identification.
Who Can I Complain To?
Note the plate number, the time and the route. Istanbul Airport publishes contact details for its taxi cooperative on its website. For municipal complaints in Istanbul, the city runs the Alo 153 line. If your complaint is about us, write to info@istanbulairporttaxiservices.com, and we will look into it directly.
Questions About This Guide
Are Airport Taxis in Istanbul Safe?
The official ranks at both airports are the normal way to get a taxi, and most rides pass without any trouble. The checks on this page cover the small number of problems that do occur.
Is a Person With a Sign Always Genuine?
Check that the sign shows your own name, and compare the details with your confirmation. If in doubt, message the company before you get in the car.
Source: Istanbul Airport: taxi information. Checked on 4 November 2026. Airports may change their arrangements, so follow the signs on the day.
