Istanbul taxi fares are set by the city, not by the driver. A standard yellow taxi costs 71.94 TL to start, plus 47.92 TL per kilometre, with a minimum fare of 230 TL. Turquoise, yellow-black and black taxis use higher official rates. There is no night tariff, so the fare is the same at 3 am as at 3 pm. Bridge and tunnel tolls are added on top of the meter, and in slow traffic the meter charges by time instead of distance.
Last checked: 26 October 2026 against the official Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) tariff, in force since 20 July 2026.
Official Istanbul taxi fares (from 20 July 2026)
| Taxi | Start (TL) | Per km (TL) | Per hour in slow traffic (TL) | Minimum fare (TL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow (standard) | 71.94 | 47.92 | 598.90 | 230 |
| Turquoise (larger or fully electric) | 82.73 | 55.10 | 688.72 | 265 |
| Yellow-black (8+1 seats) | 93.52 | 62.29 | 778.56 | 300 |
| Black (luxury) | 122.30 | 81.46 | 1,018.12 | 400 |
The official document lists no other charges.
How the meter works
The meter counts in small steps: every 100 metres, or every minute when the taxi is moving slower than 12.5 km/h. For a yellow taxi, each step is 4.80 TL for distance or 9.98 TL for time.
In practice, this means two things:
- Traffic costs money. If you sit in a jam, the meter keeps running at about 10 TL a minute. Twenty minutes stuck on a bridge adds roughly 200 TL.
- Short rides cost the minimum. Anything under about 3.3 km in a yellow taxi comes to less than 230 TL on the meter, so you pay 230 TL.
Example Istanbul taxi fares by distance
These yellow taxi fares are calculated from the official tariff for moving traffic, without tolls or waiting time. Real fares are usually higher because of traffic.
| Distance | Meter fare |
|---|---|
| 2 km | 230 TL (minimum) |
| 5 km | about 312 TL |
| 10 km | about 551 TL |
| 15 km | about 791 TL |
| 20 km | about 1,030 TL |
For the same 10 km ride, a turquoise taxi comes to about 634 TL and a black taxi to about 937 TL.
To estimate your own fare, check the driving distance in a map app and multiply it by 47.92, then add 71.94. Add extra for traffic and any toll.
Which taxi should you take?
Yellow taxis are the standard and cheapest option. Most taxis you see on the street are yellow.
Turquoise taxis are larger (D segment) or fully electric cars. They cost roughly 15% more than yellow taxis.
Yellow-black taxis are 8+1 seat vans. They suit a family or group with luggage, but they start at 93.52 TL and have a 300 TL minimum.
Black taxis are luxury vehicles and the most expensive, with a 400 TL minimum.
For one or two people with light luggage, a yellow taxi is enough. Before getting into a van or a black taxi, check which type it is, because the higher rate is legal for that vehicle.
Tolls, luggage and extras
- Tolls: Bridge, tunnel and motorway tolls are not part of the meter. You pay the toll for the crossing you actually made. A driver cannot charge you for the toll of their empty return trip.
- No night rate: The official tariff has no night or holiday surcharge. A driver who says “the price doubles at night” is not telling the truth.
- No luggage fee: The official tariff lists no charge for bags.
- Tipping: It is not required. Many people round the fare up to the nearest round number.
Taxi apps in Istanbul
You can order a licensed taxi through an app. The trip is recorded, and the driver and plate are shown before pickup, which makes problems easier to report. Commonly used apps include BiTaksi, Uber (in Istanbul it books licensed taxis, not private cars) and the municipality’s İTaksi. Check payment options in the app before you travel.
Even with an app, the fare is normally the official meter fare plus tolls.
Paying: cash or card?
Card payment in taxis is becoming more common, but not every driver accepts it. Before you get in, ask “Kart geçerli mi?” (“Do you take card?”). Always carry enough Turkish lira for the ride, preferably in smaller notes. For more on payments in the city, read our guide to cash or card in Istanbul.
How to avoid being overcharged
- Make sure the meter is running when the car starts moving. If the driver says it is “broken” or offers a fixed price, get out and take another taxi.
- Follow the route on your phone. Open a map app with your destination, so you can see if the driver takes a long detour.
- Check the taxi type. Look at the colour of the car before you get in: yellow, turquoise, yellow-black and black taxis each have their own official rate.
- Count your change and notes. Pay with smaller notes and say the amount out loud as you hand it over.
- Use a taxi rank or an app at busy tourist spots and airports instead of accepting a ride from someone who approaches you.
Our guide to common tourist scams in Istanbul covers more of these tricks.
How to complain about a taxi
Note the plate number, the date and time, and the start and end points of your trip. Then call the İBB helpline on 153 (24 hours). A screenshot from a taxi app or your map history helps your complaint.
When is a taxi worth it?
A taxi makes the most sense with heavy luggage, in a group of three or four, late at night, or when your hotel is far from a metro or tram stop. During rush hour, rail and ferries are often faster and much cheaper. Compare your options in our Istanbul transport guide and, for late arrivals, our night metro guide. Arriving by air? Our Istanbul Airport to city centre guide compares taxis with the metro and Havaist buses.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi in Istanbul?
A yellow taxi starts at 71.94 TL and costs 47.92 TL per kilometre, with a 230 TL minimum (official tariff from 20 July 2026). A 10 km ride in moving traffic costs about 550 TL before tolls.
Do Istanbul taxis charge more at night?
No. The official tariff has no night rate.
Is Uber available in Istanbul?
Yes, but in Istanbul Uber books licensed taxis, so you pay taxi fares.
Why does the meter keep going when the taxi is stopped?
Below 12.5 km/h, the meter charges by time (9.98 TL per minute in a yellow taxi). This is part of the official tariff.
Featured photo: a yellow taxi in Sultanahmet, by John Seb Barber / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0, cropped and plate numbers blurred.
