Ah, Istanbul, the city of wonders!

From its majestic palaces to its bustling bazaars and breathtaking Bosphorus views, it’s truly a gem. But let’s talk about something that’s as much a part of Istanbul as its rich history – the taxi experience.

Now, when it comes to Istanbul taxi drivers, they’re a breed apart. These folks have creativity oozing out of their ears, especially when it comes to giving tourists a little run for their money. The moment you hop into a cab, get ready for a wild ride – not the fun kind, though.

First off, your friendly neighborhood taxi driver will almost always refuse to take the straightforward route. «Oh, there’s terrible traffic up ahead,» they’ll say with a straight face. But in reality, they just want to give you a scenic tour of the city’s narrow, winding streets and charge you a little extra for the privilege.

Sometimes, these drivers put on a show worthy of a comedy sketch.

They pretend to have amnesia about the city’s roads, like they’re auditioning for a role in an awkward sitcom.

They’ll slowly navigate through tight alleyways, stopping at every pedestrian for directions, turning you into the unwitting star of their performance. Of course, they miraculously find the right way eventually, but by then, your fare has already skyrocketed.

Now, the grand finale comes when it’s time to settle the bill. You might notice that the meter conveniently hasn’t reset to zero. At this point, you’ll realize you’ve been caught in Istanbul’s taxi driver web. Their classic excuse? «Oops, sorry, my friend, I forgot to reset the meter.» But you’re not fooled; you’ve just been part of their elaborate scheme to squeeze a few more lira out of you.

Should you dare to assert your rights, be prepared to experience the bizarre.

They might pull over and drop you off in the middle of a chaotic highway (yes, this is a thing).

So, remember, your nerves are your most valuable asset in this city. Take good care of them and consider a more trustworthy alternative.

That’s where car rental services with professional drivers in Istanbul (we picked the guys ourselves, asking them to navigate us through the city!) come to the rescue for clueless tourists.

Our multilingual team is here to make sure your trip is smooth sailing. We’ll arrange luxury vehicles for historical tours, wedding transport for your big and lovely family members and friends and hassle-free airport/hotel/airport transfers in Istanbul, ensuring you reach your destination via the shortest and most comfortable route – no comedy routines required!