We will be landing at the main Istanbul airport about 5pm. After flying all day from the Pacific Coast and with checked baggage, I don’t want to hassle the metro. Would a prearranged pick up or a taxi be better to get us to Taksim Square?
Is there a standard price from the airport like in Paris? Thanks!
Posted by
472 posts
We used a company called istanbulairporttaxi.com, and they were excellent. They kept in contact with us the whole time and were waiting when we were ready.
Taxis aren't fixed prices and we were strongly advised not to use them in Istanbul, so we didn't.
From memory we paid about €40 each way, which was less than half of what our hotel wanted to charge us.
We stayed in Karakoy, on the waterfront.
Posted by
RIchmond, BC,Canada
1121 posts
I used Welcome Pickups, you can download the app on your phone, and book and pay in advance. The driver sent his photo, and directions on how to find him with photos. Made it a lot easier as taxis are a bit of walk at the new airport. It’s nice to have someone waiting for you after such a long flight.
Posted by
Connecticut
779 posts
As of two years ago there was no standard taxi fare from the airport to the city. I used a taxi from the airport taxi stand, negotiated the fare before driving away, and was extremely pleased. Although the driver also used the meter which registered a slightly higher fare he did not charge me beyond the agreed upon price. My prearranged Welcome Pickups (which I’ve used successfully elsewhere) ride did not materialize as scheduled. The company promptly refunded my money and went beyond my expectations for the inconvenience.
Posted by
2 posts
We have used the
1. metro(not recommended with lots of luggage)
2. Can to a location “close to “ the airport to stay overnight before heading into Istanbul proper. Then that hotel arranged for a driver.
3. We also tried to arrange our own driver to get back to the airport but when a big event came to town the company bumped us and left us hanging
I definitely recommend working with the hotel pick up service. If their preferred companies don’t treat you right the drivers will definitely lose out in the future.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
9987 posts
Welcome pickups works well. I used them upon my arrival and was pleased. Make sure you have what’s App on your phone as the driver will use it to communicate with you.
I will mention that if budget is an issue, the airport bus 16 goes to Taksim Square. The driver loads your luggage under the coach and you sit back and enjoy the ride.