Is taxi reliable in Istanbul or should I use public transport?

Turkish intercity buses are comfortable and great for exploring the country. All buses have luggage compartments, and bus stations have storage lockers (emanet). Transport cards are a one-time purchase.

Public transport in Turkey is excellent overall, especially for intercity travel. Once you try it, it's hard to go back to taxis or rental cars.

In Istanbul, public transport beats taxis hands down: the metro and Marmaray are fast, trams and metrobuses run in dedicated lanes. Taxis are only worth it if money and time are no object.

Istanbul taxis are hit or miss. Better to use Uber (if you have a card to link) or book a transfer through major aggregators like Trip.com or Booking.com — they're generally transparent with pricing.

In Istanbul, only the red Istanbulkart is valid. Fares are charged at full price depending on the transport type, but the card is still the cheapest and most convenient way to get around the entire city.

Ordering a taxi via app from Istanbul airport is deliberately made inconvenient to protect airport taxi operators. Drivers often try to overcharge tourists. Pre-booked transfers cost about the same as a taxi, so it's better to arrange one in advance.

Most tourists in Istanbul avoid taxis — public transport is well-developed, and neither locals nor visitors trust taxi drivers. Authorities have started cracking down on the industry.