Uber is a trusted and reliable transportation method in many countries internationally, and many people rely on this service, especially in major cities. If you travel to Turkey, can you expect to have access to Uber for convenient transportation?
Turkey does have Uber, but the service is only available in Izmir, Ankara, and Istanbul. In these cities, there are three forms of Uber: the standard yellow taxi, turquoise cars for luxurious trips, and black vans for larger groups. Uber is trusted and affordable in these locations.
Uber is not available in every country, and there are a few countries where Uber is only available in selected cities. With this in mind, let’s explore the use of Uber in Turkey, what you can expect, and how to get the most from the service.
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Does Turkey Have Uber?
Turkey is a very large country with some of the biggest cities in Eurasia. For this reason, there are multiple means of transportation in Turkey, including Uber.
Turkey does have Uber, but the service is only available in major cities and does not travel to other regions.
Uber works in the same way in Turkey as everywhere else. The Uber smartphone application is used to order a taxi, and payment can be made in cash or via the application.
There are three main types of Uber vehicles in Turkey, each with a different price bracket for travel. The standard Uber bracket makes use of the country’s standard yellow taxis. This is the most affordable option and is usually a standard, four-seater car.
Photo by Ric Gazarian
The next tier up is the turquoise Uber taxi. These cost more than the standard yellow Uber taxis but provide a more luxurious ride, as the vehicles are typically Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and up-market Volkswagen vehicles.
The last tier of Uber in Turkey is the black Uber taxis. These large vans can accommodate up to eight passengers and are ideal for larger groups, especially those with luggage. These vehicles cost up to 70% more than regular Uber taxis.
Uber has only been available and stable in Turkey since 2021, and the upper tiers of the Uber system have only been available since 2022. Uber was banned in Turkey after a dispute between regular taxi drivers from major cities, stating that Uber was costing them their jobs.
However, Uber appealed this dispute and is now allowed to operate within certain cities in Turkey.
Where In Turkey Is Uber Available?
Uber is available in Turkey, but only in specific cities. Turkey is very large, but Uber is not needed in most regions other than the largest cities. There is also too much competition from Uber for the service to be used in smaller cities without robbing jobs from local drivers.
Uber is only available in Istanbul, Izmir, and Ankara for these reasons. These are Turkey’s most populated and largest cities, and Uber is very commonly used here. Uber is integrated with the regular yellow taxi system in these cities and is preferred especially for tourists, as the service is safe and reliable.
Is Uber Better Than Taxis In Turkey?
Uber in Turkey is integrated with the rest of the taxis available in the major cities, but is Uber a better option than regular taxis?
The reality is that Uber is a better service for tourists than regular taxis hailed from the street. When using Uber, the user can see the fee for the taxi route, and the driver cannot charge more or take an alternate route to increase the price of the ride.
Regular taxis hailed off the street are metered, and taxi drivers tend to take advantage of tourists and people who do not know the city by taking a longer route to charge more money.
For this reason, it is better for tourists to use Uber in Turkey where possible, as the fees are more reasonable, and there is less opportunity to be taken advantage of.
Is Uber Expensive In Turkey?
Uber in Turkey generally costs the same or less than in other countries. The standard Uber option, which uses regular yellow taxis, charges the same fees as hailing the taxi off the street.
This keeps Uber competitive and fair and ensures the company does not undercut local drivers.
The upper tiers of the Uber service in Turkey, Uber Turquoise and Uber Black, cost more than other taxis, but these are more expensive due to a more premium experience.
Is Uber Safe In Turkey?
Uber is only available in Izmir, Istanbul, and Ankara in Turkey, which are all major metropolitans. Is Uber safe to use in these cities?
Uber is generally regarded as safe in Turkey. There have been no major safety issues regarding Uber in Turkey. Uber is a large international company that has a reputation to uphold.
This keeps Uber safe to use, and it is a trusted means of transportation in Turkey.
Other Transport Options In Turkey
Uber is a good option for traveling in the three biggest cities in Turkey, but what are the other options, and how can you travel in the other areas of Turkey?
Turkey has many other means of transportation besides Uber.
The best way to travel between towns and cities in Turkey is to use local flights. There are more than 50 active local airports in Turkey, and the airfares are often cheaper than other options such as the bus or the train.
However, the bus network in Turkey is extensive and comprehensive. Taking the bus is an excellent way to travel within cities and towns in Turkey and between cities as well. Turkish buses are clean and affordable, and they run everywhere throughout the country.
Using the train is a good option. Turkey has several train options, including the underground metro available in major cities and the dual cross-country track that connects the major hubs. The train system is an affordable and reliable way to travel to Turkey.
Turkey also has other transportation options, including bicycle services, alternative taxi applications, a tram system, and ferries for international travel. You can easily rent a car to drive around in Turkey.
Conclusion
Turkey does have Uber, but only in three cities. However, within these three cities, Uber is a major form of transportation that locals and visitors rely on. Outside these three cities, other forms of transportation, such as buses, trains, and planes, are used for domestic travel.
If you find yourself in Istanbul, Ankara, or Izmir, Uber is an ideal option for travel. In other cities, taxis, buses, the subway, and bicycle services are some of the best options for getting around.