Just got back from a weeklong trip in Turkey. Had a wonderful time, EXCEPT our experiences with a few Istanbul taxi drivers. We encountered certain drivers who insisted on taking VERY long routes between pt A and B. Fine, whatever, I know taxi drivers do that all the time, including in my hometown of NYC. What really irked me, though, was one driver who took a long route although I specifically mentioned the shorter route, seemed to have his meter on a night setting during the day (the total was about double what it should have been), dropped us off a few blocks away from where we had asked to go, and then tried to give us a 100,000 lira note for change while insisting to us that it was really a 1,000,000 note (the zeros can be very confusing). It wasn't until I threatened to report him to the police that he gave us our 1,000,000. Still, he got more of a fare than he should have and brought us to the wrong location, and I was left feeling really bitter about the experience and Istanbul. So, I just wanted to warn other travelers to Istanbul about the taxi drivers, especially the ones who hang out at tourist attractions in Old Istanbul and are more likely to be looking to take advantage of tourists. The drivers of taxis we caught away from the tourist attractions or at the airport or which were called by our hotel generally seemed to be honest. All in all, though, other than the dishonest taxi drivers and an occasional overly aggressive carpet seller, we had a great time in Turkey. <BR> <BR>By the way, does anyone know who I can send a complaint to about that particularly shady taxi driver? I got his license number, but don't know who to write to.

On the way in from the airport we were slammed into a different Hotel---"the other hotel was full" On the way out we paid double night rates during the day. On one trip we were told to get out of the cab because we encountered traffic. In Istanbul the good things in life dont change

Oh Please... I'm so sorry that you think you got ripped off by a cabbie in Instanbul and now feel "bitter" about the whole city. What a shame... First, you are going call a cop over 90 cents???? Please... Good God... what was the total fare you were so worked up about??? When I was in Istanbul last month you could get pretty much anywhere in the city for about $5 cab fare. Even if you did get a double fare that's a big 5$ rip-off... you can't even get into a cab in your illusterous home town of NYC for that. <BR> <BR>Get over it would you. You are the reason Americans are frowned on everywhere we travel... whiners, cheap skates and think we know every damn thing (Like you really know the streets of Istanbul enough to tell a cabbie where to go... I'll bet that cabbie had a place for you to go.) <BR> <BR>Lighten up... even if you did get cheated just live with it and move on... It's really not necessary to feel "bitter" about the whole city now is it???? UGH!!!!!!!!!

I am the taxi driver who you complained about. I am so sorry. I was very upset, because the Turkish Lira was devalued by 75% recently and petrol increased to $7.50/gallonUS. Can you give me your address? I will mail you the 90 cents. So my six children will do without milk for 2 days. I am so sorry. How much did you pay to come to Turkey and spend in Turkey? By the way, when you tell me how to go somewheres and I know you are wrong, but you continue to humph and rumph, of course I let you out early. I am human too. Very poor but human. So please send me your address.

Judy <BR> <BR>Ditto, we had same experience with a taxi driver in Istanbul a couple years back, however we still enjoyed Istanbul immensely. <BR> <BR>As for the jerks who seem to think that if a person is poorer than you that gives them the right to cheat you, let me just say that I am sure most rational people would not agree. <BR> <BR>Whether you are being cheated of $5 or $500 is not the issue, the cheating is. <BR> <BR>If the standard taxi fare was £20 I would be happy to pay it, however if the standard fare was £5 and I was charged £10 I would be cross. <BR> <BR>Not enough to let it ruin my holiday though... <BR> <BR>When these things happen, I fume for a short while, get over it and move on to enjoy the next thing! <BR> <BR>Kavey <BR> <BR>

Gosh, Wilt & Ahmet, you guys are soooo right. I am foolish for hoping for common decency and honesty from the people in the countries where I travel. Spare me the lecture about being cheap. We tipped generously and, more importantly, voluntarily when we felt we were being treated fairly. The taxi driver probably would have gotten more money from us had he been honest. Forgive me for having a problem with being cheated out of money. It wasn't the amount, but the principle of the matter. <BR> <BR>Wilt, your rant & rave was classic. Thanks, it was really entertaining. <BR> <BR>By the way, I knew the exact route to take since I had done it before. As they say, Wilt & Ahmet, when you assume, you make an ass out of "u" and me. <BR> <BR>Thanks for the kind words of support, Kavey. I still had a great time in Istanbul. The bitterness was temporary. Just wanted to warn other travellers to Istanbul, for what it's worth.

Half of taxi drivers are not honest in Turkey. I always warn about this to my guests in Istanbul. I can be Turkish,but it doesn't mean to see facts. Ahmet is a poor maybe. But poor of seeing the facts. Other guy is too. The most important thing is to be cheated by someone. Don't tell anyone,Turkey is cheap,Why are you coming? If it disturbs you,Please see the door. Everybody doesn't come to Turkey for its cheap features. They love to see history and meeting Turkish people Who didn't change thair personality for money. I hope I could express my feelings. I am totally sorry for that experince of you,Judy. I beg your pardon for it. Please visit Turkey again but you can try to go north of turkey Where is wonderful than the other regions. <BR>Regards

Judy, we just got back from Instanbul and rode in cabs 3 times. One of those times I had a bad experience like you. The guy took the long way, drove like a maniac, and when we arrived, I gave him a 10 million note to pay, and he did a quick switcharoo and showed mw a one million note like that was what I gave him. I yelled at him and got out of the cab, which still left him a 1.5 mill tip. Ugh! I also encountered a few other cheaters in Turkey, so it pays to be on your toes at all times. For the most part though, the people were extremely nice and honest, especially once you leave Istanbul. And the prices are so reasonable, that the amount you lose isn't all that much. You just have to let it go and move on. There are a few that believe that because we are American, we are wealthy and it ok to take advantage of us. Don't let the bad attitudes of a few ruin the whole country for you. I look forward to returning!

I never had a problem with cab drivers in Istanbul ripping me off. I have found the Turkish people to be very kind and honest. The only thing a cab driver did that was a bit out of my experience was to take us to a different hotel than we asked for, but commissions are part of their culture, and I had to get used to it. Besides, we had no reservation and had planned to walk around to the numerous hotels on the block of the one we asked for. The hotel he took us to was nice, cheap, and the staff are some of the best memories of our holiday. Travellers should research a country before they go. Taxi scams are common in many countries. The most appalling thing I saw in Turkey were tourists who were not respectful of the Muslim faith and Turkish culture.

We had a baddish experience with a turkish cab driver after arriving at the bus station. But to be honest, bus stations and airport seem to be the best places to meet shoddy people. <BR> <BR>Anyway, we had huge arguments with this guy because first, he didn't watn to turn on his meter and then insisted on us paying for his boot space. <BR> <BR>But in the end, it worked out, he used the meter, and I'm not too sure about Istanbul roads, but the roadsigns are clear (and it was on our way back, so we were returning to Istanbul, so we did know some landmarks to guide us by) and he didn't seem to take any longer a route. Anyway, we ended up giving him a little tip ... since he didn't pull off anything worse. <BR> <BR>But you are right, when you get cheated, it doesn't matter by how much, but it's the fact that you have been taken for a ride. <BR> <BR>Well that was our only baddish experience .. all other cabbies were great. And the turkish people (though it took a while to get a feeling of who was selling and who was being nice) are a great bunch and do seem sincere. At least no one was begging hey?? All I saw was honest days work.