Schiphol airport taxi scam amsterdam taxi drivers used to be known for their rudeness and eagerness to overcharge naive tourists. Top 5 scams to watch out for and how to avoid them. Taking a taxi is one of the easiest ways to get around istanbul, especially for tourists. Besides the police, you can also report taxi drivers at the places listed below. There is no doubt that there are some very unethical taxi drivers in istanbul and i think that it is a huge problem as many visitors seem to fall victim to taxi scams to a greater or less degree. Michael brein earned his phd in social psychology, and is dubbed the travel psychologist. As i mentioned on the main istanbul taxi page, you cannot look forward to a good experience when using istanbul taxis. Liverpool fc fans warned of taxi scams in istanbul ahead. How to avoid common travel scams in turkey coronavirus covid19 and travel.
Taxi complaints in turkey transportation turkey central. Taxis are also a source of problems for customers, especially foreign tourists who claim some drivers overcharge them. Various governments have changed their travel warnings to restrict travel during this time. In the future, metro line m11 will also run from the new aviation hub to istanbul but for the moment, you can only choose between a private transfer taxi, car or a shuttle service. But some taxi drivers, especially around tourist areas in istanbul and other touristy towns, will try to cheat you using various scams sometimes more than one, and even during the same trip.
Istanbul airport is a transfer booking platform run by fibonacci travel agency tursab 12238 and fibonacci tourism transportation organisation and trade co. Liverpool fc fans warned of taxi scams in istanbul ahead of. This article in english, 2018 from hurriyet daily news, a prominent turkish newspaper, shows that the bad taxi drivers victimize not just foreign visitors, but istanbullus as well. If possible, book your taxi from your hotel or restaurant. But make sure you research dependable taxi companies, and have read up on popular cons. Tips to prevent popular istanbul taxi scams taking a taxi taksi in istanbul is a cheap, easy and comfortable way of transportation. Amy, much better than using uber, you can download a bitaksi application to your smart phone and use it to call taxis anywhere in. Heres how to avoid unpleasantness when using taxis in istanbul, and how to file a complaint against a taxi driver if you have a bad experience. Istanbul taxis are a cheap, easy and comfortable way to get around.
Attempts to regulate the taxi market in the netherlands have. Book taxi istanbul all you need to know before you go. About our love for the city of prague, best beer places, cheap restaurants. Taxi scams in turkey transportation turkey central. Have your hotel call a taxi from a local taxi stand so that you. This way you can avoid just about all kinds of scams and als pay by. Attempts to regulate the taxi market in the netherlands have only resulted in some of the highest rates in the world, at over 2,10 per kilometer and a minute rate on top of that. Scams in istanbul city transfer istanbul taxi, bus and. With our relaxing istanbul airport transfer, the problem of getting to the airport, and of waiting for an istanbul taxi after youve arrived, are removed, with an easy and efficiently booked taxi alternative.
How to avoid istanbul taxi scams turkey travel planner. Response from booktaxigroup, director of sales at book taxi istanbul responded jun. Taxi drivers scamming istanbul tourists face inspection. We two white women almost got scammed just now by a yellow cab driver from itaxi company in istanbul, turkey. Oct 22, 2015 istanbul taxi scams, tricks and how to avoid them one of the most important points to be careful of in istanbul is taxi drivers waiting for preying upon foreign visitors near touristic spot. Another is your driver getting lost on purpose in order for the meter to keep ticking for a few extra miles. There is no doubt that there are some very unethical taxi drivers in istanbul and i think that. How to get from istanbul airport to istanbul city center by taxi. If the driver uses a taxi fare calculator, it is difficult for him to steal. This page is a bonus page for subscribers to the istanbul checklists series. Aug 07, 2019 liverpool fc fans travelling to istanbul are being warned of taxi scams in istanbul ahead of the uefa super cup next week the reds will face chelsea fc at besiktas park on wednesday, august.
Taxis in istanbul tarrifs and advice when taking a taxi. Our chauffeurs will wait for an hour for you, allowing adequate time to transit through immigration and baggage claim, before meeting. Before you enter a taxi, agree the money you have to pay for the fare, in advance. Their intentions were not to single out a single person but to expose how taxi scams work. One thing thats new for me is that the taxi meter on most of the cabs we took displayed the information in light blue diodes on the rearview mirror, and it flashes on and off.
One tourist reported that the police in istanbul were rather grateful for the report, since the istanbul municipal government was as fed up with taxi scams as the tourists were. Just wanted to warn fellow travelers from a scam i fell for yesterday. As an experienced traveler who avoided many attempts of scams thefts before i feel ashamed that i fell for this, below i share my story in order. Terrorism may be an everpresent threat, but its a threat in many places officially. From the whitegloved drivers of japan to the proud professionals of the. Just be wary of taxi scams, which i will be discussing more of below. For example, suppose you are in an unfamiliar city and your taxi driver takes you to your hotel by the longest translation. Ive just had an enjoyable short break alone in istanbul, but managed to fall victim to what was, in retrospect, a straightforward taxi scam which couldve been easily avoided if id been warned about it in advance, so offer this post in good faith so others might avoid the same problem. Any time you obtain a new gadget that comes with batteries included is really a plus inside my book.
Note switch taking advantage of your ignorance of turkish lira banknotes, the driver shall make believe you have given a banknote for a lower. Istanbul taxi scams, tricks and how to avoid them one of the most important points to be careful of in istanbul is taxi drivers waiting for preying upon foreign visitors near touristic spot. When we shared on our facebook page that we had been scammed by a taxi driver, one of our followers recounted her personal experience with another scam. I gave 50 tkl to pay a trip and the driver took the note and gave me my change. As i exited the taxi he called me back saying the bill was. Jul 04, 2017 schiphol airport taxi scam amsterdam taxi drivers used to be known for their rudeness and eagerness to overcharge naive tourists. Its a good second or third option if youre out and have to grab a taxi without ordering first.
One is to be told that the meter is broken the moment you leave an airport or busterminal and then be quoted an astronomical price. Staying vigilant during festive periods, religious gatherings, eid, that sort of thing, will be your best bet. Every istanbul taxi license starts with 34 the province code for istanbul. Jun 07, 2016 common taxi scams, and how to avoid them. Staying vigilant during festive periods, religious. I think it is a problem that is overlooked mostly because it rarely happens. Istanbul is a city with thousands of years of history. The situation around the world is changing dramatically. Dear all, i have faced this scam in the city of istanbul, the scam itself made me hate this city. During the day you can enjoy the grand bazar kapali carsi with its nearly 4,000 stores, which make it the perfect place for shopping and browsing. Following an increase in complaints, the police and the local tourism authority have stepped up measures against drivers involved in scams. When suspicious, ask the taxi to drop you off at your or any hotel lobby.
From the whitegloved drivers of japan to the proud professionals of the united. They are especially effective when youre tired from a long trip, not paying attention, and dont want any hassles. Jun 26, 2017 istanbul scam and fraud, ther are many turkish guys walking around istiklal street, they will stop u and try to indulge you and offer you clubing, massage services, once u ready to go club. At least theyre being honest istanbul scams 5 the fake goods scam. I believe i am 100% on the istanbul taxi drivers scamming or, more recently, trying to scam me as i have wised up to some of these scams this morning was a new one my hotel called a taxi to the airport very early in the morning. Taking a taxi from istanbul airport guarantees a comfortable transfer but not a quick one due to the heavy traffic on istanbul streets. Istanbul scams and scams in turkey how to spot nomadical. Beware of taxi scams in istanbul, turkey itaxi company. I think it is a problem that is overlooked mostly because it rarely happens to residents and so they do not recognise the extent of the problem.
How to get from istanbul airport to city center sultanahmet. Book your istanbul taxi alternative online blacklane. Every trick in the book i returned from several days in istanbul and want to mention something about the inevitable negative experience with taxis. Only take official taxis, they are painted yellow have taksi written on them and have digital counters. He is an author, lecturer, consultant, travel storyteller, adventurer, and publisher of travel books and guides. Have your hotel call a taxi from a local taxi stand so that you have someone to complain to if service is not acceptable. As above, except replace the shoe shining kit with a taxi. We are not affiliated withdo not represent yellow taxis or any sort of official service at the airport.
Panda taxi is the cheapest in the city, and therefore are the least likely taxis to be copied. You can find the first six popular istanbul taxi scams here. If you havent subscribed yet, you can do so in the sidebar. Savas ozbey istanbul a team from daily hurriyet have disguised themselves as foreign tourists to document the reckless attitudes of taxi drivers in the streets of istanbul. Distances and times from ataturk airport to istanbul hotels.
Tips to prevent popular istanbul taxi scams the istanbul. Write down the taxi s license number before you get in. Common taxi scamstricks in istanbul by taxi drivers. However, attacks are likely to target tourist sights and other places where. Liverpool fc fans travelling to istanbul are being warned of taxi scams in istanbul ahead of the uefa super cup next week the reds will face chelsea fc at besiktas park on wednesday. Youll find the taxi queue right outside the arrivals area. Travel scams you should watch out for the discoverer. Since you dont know the area, taxi drivers can take advantage of you by taking a long route to your hotel and getting a large metered fare. Security at most hotels can intervene if you are being overcharged. Thats all you need to trace a taxi, along with the time, date andlocation of the incident. Istanbul scam and fraud, ther are many turkish guys walking around istiklal street, they will stop u and try to indulge you and offer you clubing, massage services, once u ready to go club. Istanbul airport taxi fixed rate airport transfers. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Although istanbul is not too wild west when it comes to scams and overcharging, here are some pieces of advice to take into account.
We have all heard about taxi scams from friends, travel articles and guidebooks. I am really sorry you had this experience and i am even sorrier however that it coloured your entire view of the city. As i exited the taxi he called me back saying the bill was torn and to give him another one. I immediately complained to the company via facebook messenger following the may 17, 2018 incident, and they do not care. Note the license numbers painted on the top and sides of each taxi. Our aim is definitely not to bad mouth taxi drivers whose numbers are almost 20,000. Avoid taxi scams in istanbul turkey lonely planet forum. I want emails from lonely planet with travel and product information, promotions, advertisements, thirdparty offers, and surveys. Use the meter or always negotiate a price before getting into the car. As an experienced traveler who avoided many attempts of scams thefts before i feel ashamed. P revent illegal or unofficial taxi and transfer companies. The rest of the license consists of three letters and two digits.
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