---
okf_version: "0.2"
type: "Article"
title: "The Daredevils of the Bosphorus – Taking a Taxi in Istanbul"
description: "By the time I land at Istanbul Atatürk Airport, it's already 10 p.m. So I hail a taxi into the pitch-black night. I wouldn't regret it…"
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/turkey/istanbul-taking-taxi"
language: en
author: "Walter Schaerer"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
photo_count: 8
tags: ["City Trip", "Turkey"]
entities:
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/turkey"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/city-trip"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/air-travel"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/experience-travel"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer"
generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer", at: 2026-07-04T13:24:41+00:00 }
verified:
  - { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer", at: 2026-03-14T15:26:32+00:00 }
timestamp: 2026-07-04T13:24:41+00:00
---

# The Daredevils of the Bosphorus – Taking a Taxi in Istanbul

> A firsthand, humorous account of four taxi rides in Istanbul, chronicling the chaotic speed, audacious lane changes, and language barriers of the city's orange-yellow taksi drivers between the airport, city centre, and the Bosphorus waterfront.

## Destination
Istanbul, Turkey

## Getting there
Taxis (taksi) are readily available at Istanbul Atatürk Airport; orange-yellow cabs appear to be the standard and only colour. The author also notes the tram as a calmer alternative within the city.

## What to do
- **Take an Istanbul taksi** — Orange-yellow taxis are abundant but drivers typically speak little to no English; carrying a written address note is strongly recommended.
- **Ride the tram** — The author used the tram as a stress-free alternative after three taxi rides, finding it unremarkable but functional.

## Good to know
Drivers rarely wear seatbelts and electronic speed-control signs (Elektronik Denetleme Sistemi) appear to be widely ignored. Pedestrians rank second to cars in Istanbul traffic and bicycles are virtually absent. Having a destination written on paper or shown via Google Maps helps bridge the language gap with drivers.