Will be flying into Istanbul in about a month for my RS tour and wonder if anyone is familiar with Tanigo for transport? Their fares are more reasonable than other services I've seen and recommended by "Jess and Myles". I know there are other options like the Metro, bus, Uber taxis, etc., but I prefer a dedicated shuttle for convenience after a long jounrey.
Posted by
Land of La
9323 posts
Flew LAX to Istanbul and used a taxi for my RS Tour. Driver was pleasant and respectful. Never heard of Tangio.
Loved Istanbul. Still dream about this tiny rooftop restaurant I discovered at the Grand Bazzar.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2802 posts
I have not heard of that company. It looks like it is a search engine that allows you to you book with multiple different shuttle services - unclear if you'd have direct contact with the shuttle service (I didn't look at it that closely, perhaps you would).
FWIW I used Welcome Pickups to get to my hotel. I had a dedicated private car and I had no issues using their app and WhatsApp to communicate with my driver.
Posted by
OP
Beaverton, Oregon
136 posts
I think I see why you say Tranigo appears to be a search engine. They offer different levels of service from different operators. I compared them with Welcome Pickups. The reality is that both are "middle men"; large world-wide companies that arrange transportation.
Cost for what I'm looking at is about the same. Wait times if you're delayed are 45 minutes for Tranigo and 60 for Welcome, so a bit of an edge there. And I see that WP is recommended on the IST website, plus they have an app. So I will go with them. Stiil, Tranigo looks to be on the up and up and the are very forthcoming on their terms; took me a bit of digging to find it on WP.
Posted by
OP
Beaverton, Oregon
136 posts
I reserved with Welcome Pickup. Bad experience, never again! When I got to the airport I got a message they have changed the driver. There was no one with a welcome sign. Then I got a message to look for a sign, "f52", and talk with the host. He couldn't find my name for the longest time.
After a bit, he took me and several other people, crowded us all into an elevator, and down into a noisy, chaotic garage with horns honking and a constant steam of vans and buses. Then he left, not too be seen for 45 minutes.
Finally, he called me, I got into a van with a different driver, who finally did get me to my hotel. Later, I received a text from WP that my trip had been cancelled because I didn't show up! I tried to submit a complaint but so far, hasn't figured out how.
Never again, Welcome Pickups should be called Unwelcome Next trip I do, I'll do as Rick suggests and just hop in a taxi and save myself some grief.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2802 posts
Sorry you had a bad experience, RC. I hope the rest of your trip is less frustrating!
Posted by
82 posts
I had a rather unsettling experience on Welcome Pickups at Istanbul Airport/ I had made advance arrangements for pickup- I communicated with driver who seemed very nice and responsible. When I arrived on my flight, I went to the spot where he advised he would pick me up- he wasn’t there. I texted him- no answer. A few minutes later, he called me back to say they were very busy that evening but someone else would pick me up. The new driver could only speak Turkish and drove while reading messages on his cell phone. I was so relieved when we reached the hotel that I almost kissed the ground. Cannot recommend this company for future rides.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8973 posts
Flew into iST on Sept 30th. I had a message from my Welcome Pickups driver upon arrival on where he would be waiting. He was right there and I was seamlessly transported to my hotel. It was a very positive experience for me.
Posted by
2 posts
Hello,
Just completed the RS 13 day Tour.
Hopefully, you have your first hotel booked.
On the RS tour, the first hotel had a shuttle that they work with and recommend.
This is a brilliant approach that solves many problems.
Accountability and reliability - since the Hotel is standing by them and you actually pay at the hotel when you arrive.
Rate negotiations - since it is fixed, documented rate.
Navigation - since the driver is already familiar with hotel location. It is a long, interesting drive, unique ride to the city and sometimes you may wonder just where you are going, but our driver knew his way.
Communication - the hotel front desk can act as translator, and they can instantly contact the driver. We did call hotel because we got a little concerned about the exact pickup area and they sorted it out quickly.
Hope your hotel can do this for you.
Posted by
Chicago
19 posts
There are shuttle from airport to the historic part of the city and it quite useful, we used several time when we went there