Is it better to take the metro or a taxi in Istanbul?

To avoid inflated fares, ask the driver to turn on the taximeter when you get in — drivers cannot tamper with it. You can also monitor the route in Google Maps as an extra check.

Havaist is a strong alternative to taxis: comparable comfort at a much lower price.

At the airport, ride-hailing apps like Yandex Go and Uber cannot pick you up directly at the terminal due to disputes with local taxi drivers — you will need to walk with your luggage to a designated pickup point. A pre-booked transfer is worth considering as an alternative.

Ride-hailing apps (Uber, Bitaxi, and similar aggregators) are cheaper than flagging down a street taxi or booking a transfer. Linking a foreign card can reduce costs further. Uber tends to be more expensive for one-off rides but becomes cheaper with regular use thanks to loyalty discounts.

Negotiating a fixed fare with the driver upfront protects against surprise charges for toll roads or detours around traffic. Use any ride-hailing app to check the approximate price before negotiating — it gives you a useful reference point.

The metro is the better option — no traffic jams underground and no risk of being scammed. Taxis can get stuck in Istanbul's notorious traffic and may overcharge.

If you want to pay a taxi in dollars, confirm with the driver first — not all agree. Card payments are charged in Turkish lira, which may result in a poor exchange rate.

If no cars are available in a ride-hailing app, flag down a regular taxi and pay cash. Turkish lira is recommended — paying in dollars usually means a worse exchange rate.