While on vacation my taxi took a longer route, possibly to scam me out of money. How can I deal with this?












51















I am on vacation and I have realized that some people here in Turkey are trying their best to get the money out of my pocket. I have already had a situation where after a folklore show I decided to take a taxi to my hotel because Istanbul is not a place where I want to be walking at night on the streets.



I found a taxi in front of a hotel. I show him my hotel's card so he can check the address and my friend and I jumped in. After he drives me to a different part of the city, he told me that he understood that I said a different hotel. At the end I paid twice the price because of the extra miles with the taxi meter.



In my opinion he did that on purpose, just to make the taxi meter run longer.



How do you deal in a polite way with this kind of event?? Can I just say: hey it is your mistake, so I am not paying for that??










share|improve this question




















  • 37





    You must ask for the price upfront, and before you get into the taxi. It also helps if you find out beforehand eg from the hotel where you’re staying, how much the taxi should cost, so that you know if you’re being over-charged and can decide whether you want to pay it or not.

    – Traveller
    2 days ago






  • 14





    @Traveller - Can you make that an Answer? The two answers (so far) require you to have a smartphone with Internet (or at least pre-downloaded maps that work with GPS) that many travelers may not have (or may not want to pull out their $800+ smart phone in various situations).

    – BruceWayne
    2 days ago






  • 4





    How does asking the price beforehand work in places that use meters? In many areas, the driver legally must charge the metered fare and can’t give you a price.

    – Zach Lipton
    yesterday






  • 3





    @jwenting In Turkey, the "Flat Rate" is an off-meter method of being able to potentially scam the unwitting into bad deals. A trip may cost 20 Lira, but they charge 50. The only thing you would save is time from a detour. If you wish to do a flat rate method, which the driver would have to offer and it would be ill-advised for other reasons, you need to know EXACTLY how much the trip will cost normally, offer a lower amount than that and hope he gives you a fair price as a counter-offer. Following the meter is by far easier and better if you can keep the driver earnest.

    – Sora Tamashii
    yesterday






  • 3





    @BruceWayne Consider buying an $80 smartphone for trips where pulling out your $800 one would be unwise.

    – Dmitry Grigoryev
    yesterday
















51















I am on vacation and I have realized that some people here in Turkey are trying their best to get the money out of my pocket. I have already had a situation where after a folklore show I decided to take a taxi to my hotel because Istanbul is not a place where I want to be walking at night on the streets.



I found a taxi in front of a hotel. I show him my hotel's card so he can check the address and my friend and I jumped in. After he drives me to a different part of the city, he told me that he understood that I said a different hotel. At the end I paid twice the price because of the extra miles with the taxi meter.



In my opinion he did that on purpose, just to make the taxi meter run longer.



How do you deal in a polite way with this kind of event?? Can I just say: hey it is your mistake, so I am not paying for that??










share|improve this question




















  • 37





    You must ask for the price upfront, and before you get into the taxi. It also helps if you find out beforehand eg from the hotel where you’re staying, how much the taxi should cost, so that you know if you’re being over-charged and can decide whether you want to pay it or not.

    – Traveller
    2 days ago






  • 14





    @Traveller - Can you make that an Answer? The two answers (so far) require you to have a smartphone with Internet (or at least pre-downloaded maps that work with GPS) that many travelers may not have (or may not want to pull out their $800+ smart phone in various situations).

    – BruceWayne
    2 days ago






  • 4





    How does asking the price beforehand work in places that use meters? In many areas, the driver legally must charge the metered fare and can’t give you a price.

    – Zach Lipton
    yesterday






  • 3





    @jwenting In Turkey, the "Flat Rate" is an off-meter method of being able to potentially scam the unwitting into bad deals. A trip may cost 20 Lira, but they charge 50. The only thing you would save is time from a detour. If you wish to do a flat rate method, which the driver would have to offer and it would be ill-advised for other reasons, you need to know EXACTLY how much the trip will cost normally, offer a lower amount than that and hope he gives you a fair price as a counter-offer. Following the meter is by far easier and better if you can keep the driver earnest.

    – Sora Tamashii
    yesterday






  • 3





    @BruceWayne Consider buying an $80 smartphone for trips where pulling out your $800 one would be unwise.

    – Dmitry Grigoryev
    yesterday














51












51








51


6






I am on vacation and I have realized that some people here in Turkey are trying their best to get the money out of my pocket. I have already had a situation where after a folklore show I decided to take a taxi to my hotel because Istanbul is not a place where I want to be walking at night on the streets.



I found a taxi in front of a hotel. I show him my hotel's card so he can check the address and my friend and I jumped in. After he drives me to a different part of the city, he told me that he understood that I said a different hotel. At the end I paid twice the price because of the extra miles with the taxi meter.



In my opinion he did that on purpose, just to make the taxi meter run longer.



How do you deal in a polite way with this kind of event?? Can I just say: hey it is your mistake, so I am not paying for that??










share|improve this question
















I am on vacation and I have realized that some people here in Turkey are trying their best to get the money out of my pocket. I have already had a situation where after a folklore show I decided to take a taxi to my hotel because Istanbul is not a place where I want to be walking at night on the streets.



I found a taxi in front of a hotel. I show him my hotel's card so he can check the address and my friend and I jumped in. After he drives me to a different part of the city, he told me that he understood that I said a different hotel. At the end I paid twice the price because of the extra miles with the taxi meter.



In my opinion he did that on purpose, just to make the taxi meter run longer.



How do you deal in a polite way with this kind of event?? Can I just say: hey it is your mistake, so I am not paying for that??







money taxis scams vacations






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 20 mins ago









Machavity

1,434317




1,434317










asked 2 days ago









ΦXocę 웃 Пepeúpa ツΦXocę 웃 Пepeúpa ツ

1,133416




1,133416








  • 37





    You must ask for the price upfront, and before you get into the taxi. It also helps if you find out beforehand eg from the hotel where you’re staying, how much the taxi should cost, so that you know if you’re being over-charged and can decide whether you want to pay it or not.

    – Traveller
    2 days ago






  • 14





    @Traveller - Can you make that an Answer? The two answers (so far) require you to have a smartphone with Internet (or at least pre-downloaded maps that work with GPS) that many travelers may not have (or may not want to pull out their $800+ smart phone in various situations).

    – BruceWayne
    2 days ago






  • 4





    How does asking the price beforehand work in places that use meters? In many areas, the driver legally must charge the metered fare and can’t give you a price.

    – Zach Lipton
    yesterday






  • 3





    @jwenting In Turkey, the "Flat Rate" is an off-meter method of being able to potentially scam the unwitting into bad deals. A trip may cost 20 Lira, but they charge 50. The only thing you would save is time from a detour. If you wish to do a flat rate method, which the driver would have to offer and it would be ill-advised for other reasons, you need to know EXACTLY how much the trip will cost normally, offer a lower amount than that and hope he gives you a fair price as a counter-offer. Following the meter is by far easier and better if you can keep the driver earnest.

    – Sora Tamashii
    yesterday






  • 3





    @BruceWayne Consider buying an $80 smartphone for trips where pulling out your $800 one would be unwise.

    – Dmitry Grigoryev
    yesterday














  • 37





    You must ask for the price upfront, and before you get into the taxi. It also helps if you find out beforehand eg from the hotel where you’re staying, how much the taxi should cost, so that you know if you’re being over-charged and can decide whether you want to pay it or not.

    – Traveller
    2 days ago






  • 14





    @Traveller - Can you make that an Answer? The two answers (so far) require you to have a smartphone with Internet (or at least pre-downloaded maps that work with GPS) that many travelers may not have (or may not want to pull out their $800+ smart phone in various situations).

    – BruceWayne
    2 days ago






  • 4





    How does asking the price beforehand work in places that use meters? In many areas, the driver legally must charge the metered fare and can’t give you a price.

    – Zach Lipton
    yesterday






  • 3





    @jwenting In Turkey, the "Flat Rate" is an off-meter method of being able to potentially scam the unwitting into bad deals. A trip may cost 20 Lira, but they charge 50. The only thing you would save is time from a detour. If you wish to do a flat rate method, which the driver would have to offer and it would be ill-advised for other reasons, you need to know EXACTLY how much the trip will cost normally, offer a lower amount than that and hope he gives you a fair price as a counter-offer. Following the meter is by far easier and better if you can keep the driver earnest.

    – Sora Tamashii
    yesterday






  • 3





    @BruceWayne Consider buying an $80 smartphone for trips where pulling out your $800 one would be unwise.

    – Dmitry Grigoryev
    yesterday








37




37





You must ask for the price upfront, and before you get into the taxi. It also helps if you find out beforehand eg from the hotel where you’re staying, how much the taxi should cost, so that you know if you’re being over-charged and can decide whether you want to pay it or not.

– Traveller
2 days ago





You must ask for the price upfront, and before you get into the taxi. It also helps if you find out beforehand eg from the hotel where you’re staying, how much the taxi should cost, so that you know if you’re being over-charged and can decide whether you want to pay it or not.

– Traveller
2 days ago




14




14





@Traveller - Can you make that an Answer? The two answers (so far) require you to have a smartphone with Internet (or at least pre-downloaded maps that work with GPS) that many travelers may not have (or may not want to pull out their $800+ smart phone in various situations).

– BruceWayne
2 days ago





@Traveller - Can you make that an Answer? The two answers (so far) require you to have a smartphone with Internet (or at least pre-downloaded maps that work with GPS) that many travelers may not have (or may not want to pull out their $800+ smart phone in various situations).

– BruceWayne
2 days ago




4




4





How does asking the price beforehand work in places that use meters? In many areas, the driver legally must charge the metered fare and can’t give you a price.

– Zach Lipton
yesterday





How does asking the price beforehand work in places that use meters? In many areas, the driver legally must charge the metered fare and can’t give you a price.

– Zach Lipton
yesterday




3




3





@jwenting In Turkey, the "Flat Rate" is an off-meter method of being able to potentially scam the unwitting into bad deals. A trip may cost 20 Lira, but they charge 50. The only thing you would save is time from a detour. If you wish to do a flat rate method, which the driver would have to offer and it would be ill-advised for other reasons, you need to know EXACTLY how much the trip will cost normally, offer a lower amount than that and hope he gives you a fair price as a counter-offer. Following the meter is by far easier and better if you can keep the driver earnest.

– Sora Tamashii
yesterday





@jwenting In Turkey, the "Flat Rate" is an off-meter method of being able to potentially scam the unwitting into bad deals. A trip may cost 20 Lira, but they charge 50. The only thing you would save is time from a detour. If you wish to do a flat rate method, which the driver would have to offer and it would be ill-advised for other reasons, you need to know EXACTLY how much the trip will cost normally, offer a lower amount than that and hope he gives you a fair price as a counter-offer. Following the meter is by far easier and better if you can keep the driver earnest.

– Sora Tamashii
yesterday




3




3





@BruceWayne Consider buying an $80 smartphone for trips where pulling out your $800 one would be unwise.

– Dmitry Grigoryev
yesterday





@BruceWayne Consider buying an $80 smartphone for trips where pulling out your $800 one would be unwise.

– Dmitry Grigoryev
yesterday










8 Answers
8






active

oldest

votes


















72














Use an app. Virtually everywhere these days has either Uber/ Lyft/ Grab/ Gojek/ Ola/ Didi/ Yandex/ Careem /local clone ride-sharing service, or an app put out by local taxi companies in an attempt to compete. In Istanbul, at time of writing Uber is in a weird not-quite-legal-or-illegal state, but BiTaksi seems to be the app of choice: http://www.bitaksi.com/en/



With these, you get to input the destination, you're given a price estimate, and you can see the precise routes suggested and taken, all of which make it much harder for the driver to rip you off. And if you suspect something shady happened anyway, if you paid by card, you can dispute with the app and they may refund you.






share|improve this answer





















  • 5





    Best suggestion IMO. BiTaksi seems to be the best pick since uber is in an odd state legally. Uber can still be used, but it's risky as you may get a fine just for being a passenger. Fine is payed by Uber tho if you contact them.

    – Harvey
    yesterday



















20














This is actually based on my mother's experience, and not my own.



Yes, this is a common scam. Despite some answers wanting to be generous and say it's possibly accidental, much of the time it is not.



If I remember correctly, she told me the way she got around it was by telling the drivers exactly what route she wanted them to take. Even then they would try to add a few streets to it to up the charge. Fortunately for her, once she learned to speak Türkçe more fluently, the drivers started looking at her as a local and not as a tourist which resulted in them being more fair to her as well.



In fact, you'll find a lot of places in Istanbul have a "Local's" and a "Tourist's" price. You can easily save yourself quite a few Lira even on a cup of tea just by learning to be conversational in the Turkish language and asking if the price they are giving you is really the price they would charge someone from the area. Nowadays, my mother is pretty much just accepted as Turkish whenever she goes over there. These scams really just rely on your ability to call them out. If they know you know what they are doing, they won't be so quick to try and scam you.



The problem is, not everybody can learn a new language, especially if they only plan on going to the country once or twice. If you're already there, this will not help you aside from "Tell them your preferred route." It's honestly the best and only way you can do so without basically scaring them into thinking you're a local.



Also, never hop into a gypsy cab in Istanbul. EVER. Only use an official taxi or a trusted ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft. (If you do take Uber or Lyft, double and triple check that the driver and vehicle you get match what the app says or refuse the ride, take a photo of the vehicle, and tell the app to send you somebody else, requesting a refund for any cancellation fees since it's not your fault the information didn't match.) Do not EVER take a ride in a taxi that 1) isn't yellow, 2) lacks the "taksi" sign on the roof, 3) doesn't display its associated company on itself, and/or 4) lacks a functioning meter. If even ONE of those factors isn't accounted for, get out of the vehicle and flag down another cab. At best, you will get ripped off by that cab. At worst... you've heard the stories of the dangers of hitchhiking. Be smart, stay safe.






share|improve this answer








New contributor




Sora Tamashii is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
















  • 1





    What exactly is a gypsy cab? A cab driven by someone who is Roma?

    – JAB
    13 hours ago






  • 2





    @JAB: While I would not necessarily disagree that this particular term may be best avoided in 2019, it's at least a widely recognised term that you can look up on Google and get the answer as the first result

    – Lightness Races in Orbit
    12 hours ago











  • Learning a bit of the language is almost certainly excellent advice. The only time I have ever experienced a London taxi driver trying to rip me off was when I was with German friends and we were talking in German.

    – Michael Kay
    4 hours ago



















16














Not a complete answer, I admit.



The advice I was given when visiting Istanbul is that taxi drivers often can't read, so that I should give them both a printout of the address and also a simplified map, showing them which roads I expect them to take to my hotel.



That the driver can't read roman script could be a charitable explanation of how your driver took you to the wrong place despite you showing him the card.






share|improve this answer



















  • 38





    In Istanbul, can't read? This is Europe, not nomads in a desert. Turkey's literacy is above 95% and most illiterate people are in less developed parts in the East, not in Istanbul.

    – Vladimir F
    yesterday






  • 5





    This suggestion may well work, since it makes it very difficult for the driver to claim they misunderstood you, but the explanation is inaccurate to the point of offensiveness.

    – PLL
    yesterday






  • 16





    They can mostly read, and turkish alphabet is roman. So they understand it. It's done by purpose by taxi drivers who work near airports and touristic places. It's a very common scam and a problem. But the suggestion may be helpful to give the message that you expect them to take your to your hotel, using specific roads.

    – Harvey
    yesterday








  • 7





    They can't read or they pretend that they can't read? The result would be the same, but you might want to react differently to each of these situaitons.

    – Quora Feans
    yesterday






  • 4





    @DouglasHeld That is an utter nonsense. Eastern Turkey uses the very same Turkish with the same alphabet. And also Kurdish, also in a Latin alphabet. Thanks, I was to Istanbul several times and also several times to Eastern Turkey, including the Russian, Armenian, Iranian and Syrian border. I also used dolmuşlar and taxis in those areas and every driver I met knew how to read.

    – Vladimir F
    yesterday





















15














If you aren't using a ride-sharing or taxi app, as suggested by jpatokal, use a different app: a mapping app. Enter your destination (make sure it's correct), show the map to the driver and ensure he/she has a shared understanding of where you want to go, and keep an eye on the route. If the driver has a GPS, ask that they use it. Keep in mind that there may be legitimate reasons to use out-of-the way routes, some of which may not be obvious to a visitor, but if you're straight up going to the wrong part of town, ask that the problem be solved immediately. If you're not comfortable with the situation, and the area you area you are in is not immediately unsafe, stop the ride, pay for the services you were given, and get a new ride from another driver.



Since you're staying at a hotel, this may also be something the hotel staff can help with when you do arrive. They may not want to get involved, and I can certainly understand that, but doormen at nice hotels in countries known for taxi scams will sometimes make it clear to drivers that their guests need to be treated well and help intervene in disputes (of course, in other places, the doormen may conspire with illegal taxis for tips).






share|improve this answer



















  • 5





    +1 for the rest of the advice, but hotel doormen can be a bit of a gamble. Some are good, meaning they'll hail cabs off the street and translate, but some are in cahoots with the types of cabbies who hang around expensive hotels and will take you for a drive. I once ended up with a cab in Delhi whose meter was spinning at approx 7x the real speed this way...

    – jpatokal
    yesterday











  • @jpatokal The cabs that hang around outside all day waiting for a "mark" to make their pay in one trip.

    – Spehro Pefhany
    yesterday



















8














This has happened to me many times in Cuba where it’s accepted practice to overcharge tourists, especially if you don’t use a licensed taxi (which, of course, doesn’t remove the risk that the driver will take the scenic rather than direct route). None of the Internet-based suggested answers really work in countries like Cuba where online connection is difficult/unreliable/expensive.



I’ve learnt to deal with this situation by always asking for the price upfront, and before you get into the taxi. It also helps to know how to ask ‘how much to XYZ’ in the local language and to find out beforehand from a reliable source eg internet search before you travel, or from the hotel where you’re staying, how much the taxi should cost, so that you know if you’re being over-charged and can decide whether you want to pay it or not before you take the ride. Even licensed taxis will inflate the price if they think they can get away with it eg I was quoted 120cuc for an airport taxi on my last trip but I know the norm is 90-100, which the driver agreed to when he realised I’m not quite as daft as I might look.






share|improve this answer































    5














    It often helps to ask the price of your ride in advance, before getting into the car. Walk away if the price is too high or the driver can't provide one. If you know the right price, don't hesitate to name it. As a safeguard against misunderstanding, give them the street address and ask if they know it. If they don't reply with the hotel name, give them a printout of your booking, mentioning the hotel's name and address. Record the conversation if you're paranoid.



    I managed to get quite close to the "Local's price" with this strategy in many places (though not specifically Turkey) despite I didn't speak the language and clearly was a tourist. And in case the driver took me to the wrong place, or took a detour to increase the price, I'd have his words to use as an argument.






    share|improve this answer


























    • @SpehroPefhany I edited my answer.

      – Dmitry Grigoryev
      yesterday



















    2














    First off, there is not "polite" way to deal with that. If it is a scammer, they won't refund you if you ask nicely. If it was a misunderstanding, they will still be offended.



    Your options are basically to pay up, or make a scene. At which point other people (including police) may get involved who may or may not speak your language, and who may ore may not be on your side.



    As far as Instanbul goes, Wikivoyage has some good instructions on taxis. The gist is: Know the price, be aware where you are going, have them use the meter.



    Their recommendation is to ask for an estimate beforehand and then ask them to put on the meter. If you agree to a "fixed" price it'll often be higher than the metered fare. And always use legitimate taxis - see Sora Tamashii's answer.



    There are also apps that allow you to download a map for offline use, if you don't have a data connection, like HERE WeGo.



    My limited experience is that Taxi drivers in Istanbul often use Google Maps and were willing to show the destination and route on their phone if you don't have one.






    share|improve this answer































      1














      This is pretty typical for Near/Far East/Asia, and it gets more pronounced the farther east, and south, you go. Also, the poorer the place is overall, the more pronounced.



      Your question "How do you deal in a polite way" already shows the main issue. That is, pardon me for being blunt, a facepalm statement.



      You only have two options (well, three actually):




      1. You just pay.

      2. You are prepared. And no, politeness is not part of your preparations.

      3. You stay home.


      Being prepared means you have an approximate idea of where you are and what -- approximately -- it will cost you. Ask at the hotel if unsure, they'll know. With cell phones, GPS, and Google Maps, this is nowadays a trifle, anyway. But it was easy and doable 20 years ago with a map on paper, too -- no problem. It's not like you drop by parachute at a haphazard random location in an unknown city. You have a rough idea about where you're going ahead of time.



      You have the adequate amount of money ready, and not in your wallet. If necessary, get a couple of small bills in your hotel for that very purpose. You must expect not to get change (it's a fair assumption that any bill that ever leaves your hand will never be seen again), so large bills necessarily mean you will pay more.



      Before going, make sure the driver says that they have understood where to go, and that a price which you are willing to pay (probably 50% more than you should pay anyway) is agreed on. Show the driver that money and be explicit that this, and nothing else, is what he will get, no more. If the driver doesn't want to agree, walk away.



      Do not, ever, ask or leave any doubt about what you're going to do or pay (you may ask for the price, but if that is more than you are willing to pay, which is pretty certain, it must be 100% clear what you will be paying, and that you will not make a compromise). Do not, ever, show that you are uncertain.



      Do not get your wallet out, do not ever let them look inside or even see it. You do not even have a wallet. You do not have any other money. This is the only money they will ever see, or get. Maybe, that is. If they do as you say.



      Inevitably, they will start to haggle. Do not engage in this. It is "Yes or Yes", not anything different. Inevitably, they will haggle again after arriving at the destination. Do not engage in this. Give them the money you agreed on, turn around and go.



      You are not polite, do not even attempt to be. You need to realize that you are not at home, and you are not among friends. The social rules of interaction are not what you are used to.



      If you are trying to be polite, you are weak, and there's only two kinds of people in the world: those whom you exploit, and those that you respect. There's those who (figuratively) slap you in the face, they're the ones you respect, you are grateful to them for slapping your face. And there's those who you steal from. Because, well, they're weak. They're victims.



      This is harsh, and it may not be agreeable with your normal attitude (it took me a long time to learn this, too), but it is reality. If you cannot adapt to this attitude, then you either shouldn't travel, or you should just accept that you will be ripped off, and pay. Because either way, you're going to pay. Because you are a victim, you just haven't understood that yet.



      Note that the same thing can happen to you in Europe as well (doesn't have to be Asia, only just it's much more common there). Happened to me, much to my surprise, in Bordeaux 6 or 7 years ago.






      share|improve this answer





















      • 1





        Please avoid expletives when on SE sites.

        – JoErNanO
        yesterday






      • 1





        @JoErNanO: Your edit was ill-considered. You could have made the language appropriate (only a single word!) without removing the entire anecdote.

        – Ben Voigt
        yesterday






      • 2





        -1 for ludicrous hyperbole. We're taking about taxis in Istanbul, not Game of Thrones or the fall of Saigon.

        – jpatokal
        yesterday











      • @BenVoigt Go ahead and improve the post if you wish.

        – JoErNanO
        yesterday











      • This sounds exactly like what I have experienced several times in China. Even if you agree on a price, they may want more money afterwards for some reason ("It took so much longer than expected", "this was the price for one person, but you are two"). Having the exact amount of money is very good advice. Another important point is to keep your luggage with and to not put it into the trunk.

        – Jan
        14 hours ago











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      8 Answers
      8






      active

      oldest

      votes








      8 Answers
      8






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      72














      Use an app. Virtually everywhere these days has either Uber/ Lyft/ Grab/ Gojek/ Ola/ Didi/ Yandex/ Careem /local clone ride-sharing service, or an app put out by local taxi companies in an attempt to compete. In Istanbul, at time of writing Uber is in a weird not-quite-legal-or-illegal state, but BiTaksi seems to be the app of choice: http://www.bitaksi.com/en/



      With these, you get to input the destination, you're given a price estimate, and you can see the precise routes suggested and taken, all of which make it much harder for the driver to rip you off. And if you suspect something shady happened anyway, if you paid by card, you can dispute with the app and they may refund you.






      share|improve this answer





















      • 5





        Best suggestion IMO. BiTaksi seems to be the best pick since uber is in an odd state legally. Uber can still be used, but it's risky as you may get a fine just for being a passenger. Fine is payed by Uber tho if you contact them.

        – Harvey
        yesterday
















      72














      Use an app. Virtually everywhere these days has either Uber/ Lyft/ Grab/ Gojek/ Ola/ Didi/ Yandex/ Careem /local clone ride-sharing service, or an app put out by local taxi companies in an attempt to compete. In Istanbul, at time of writing Uber is in a weird not-quite-legal-or-illegal state, but BiTaksi seems to be the app of choice: http://www.bitaksi.com/en/



      With these, you get to input the destination, you're given a price estimate, and you can see the precise routes suggested and taken, all of which make it much harder for the driver to rip you off. And if you suspect something shady happened anyway, if you paid by card, you can dispute with the app and they may refund you.






      share|improve this answer





















      • 5





        Best suggestion IMO. BiTaksi seems to be the best pick since uber is in an odd state legally. Uber can still be used, but it's risky as you may get a fine just for being a passenger. Fine is payed by Uber tho if you contact them.

        – Harvey
        yesterday














      72












      72








      72







      Use an app. Virtually everywhere these days has either Uber/ Lyft/ Grab/ Gojek/ Ola/ Didi/ Yandex/ Careem /local clone ride-sharing service, or an app put out by local taxi companies in an attempt to compete. In Istanbul, at time of writing Uber is in a weird not-quite-legal-or-illegal state, but BiTaksi seems to be the app of choice: http://www.bitaksi.com/en/



      With these, you get to input the destination, you're given a price estimate, and you can see the precise routes suggested and taken, all of which make it much harder for the driver to rip you off. And if you suspect something shady happened anyway, if you paid by card, you can dispute with the app and they may refund you.






      share|improve this answer















      Use an app. Virtually everywhere these days has either Uber/ Lyft/ Grab/ Gojek/ Ola/ Didi/ Yandex/ Careem /local clone ride-sharing service, or an app put out by local taxi companies in an attempt to compete. In Istanbul, at time of writing Uber is in a weird not-quite-legal-or-illegal state, but BiTaksi seems to be the app of choice: http://www.bitaksi.com/en/



      With these, you get to input the destination, you're given a price estimate, and you can see the precise routes suggested and taken, all of which make it much harder for the driver to rip you off. And if you suspect something shady happened anyway, if you paid by card, you can dispute with the app and they may refund you.







      share|improve this answer














      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer








      edited yesterday

























      answered 2 days ago









      jpatokaljpatokal

      116k18367527




      116k18367527








      • 5





        Best suggestion IMO. BiTaksi seems to be the best pick since uber is in an odd state legally. Uber can still be used, but it's risky as you may get a fine just for being a passenger. Fine is payed by Uber tho if you contact them.

        – Harvey
        yesterday














      • 5





        Best suggestion IMO. BiTaksi seems to be the best pick since uber is in an odd state legally. Uber can still be used, but it's risky as you may get a fine just for being a passenger. Fine is payed by Uber tho if you contact them.

        – Harvey
        yesterday








      5




      5





      Best suggestion IMO. BiTaksi seems to be the best pick since uber is in an odd state legally. Uber can still be used, but it's risky as you may get a fine just for being a passenger. Fine is payed by Uber tho if you contact them.

      – Harvey
      yesterday





      Best suggestion IMO. BiTaksi seems to be the best pick since uber is in an odd state legally. Uber can still be used, but it's risky as you may get a fine just for being a passenger. Fine is payed by Uber tho if you contact them.

      – Harvey
      yesterday













      20














      This is actually based on my mother's experience, and not my own.



      Yes, this is a common scam. Despite some answers wanting to be generous and say it's possibly accidental, much of the time it is not.



      If I remember correctly, she told me the way she got around it was by telling the drivers exactly what route she wanted them to take. Even then they would try to add a few streets to it to up the charge. Fortunately for her, once she learned to speak Türkçe more fluently, the drivers started looking at her as a local and not as a tourist which resulted in them being more fair to her as well.



      In fact, you'll find a lot of places in Istanbul have a "Local's" and a "Tourist's" price. You can easily save yourself quite a few Lira even on a cup of tea just by learning to be conversational in the Turkish language and asking if the price they are giving you is really the price they would charge someone from the area. Nowadays, my mother is pretty much just accepted as Turkish whenever she goes over there. These scams really just rely on your ability to call them out. If they know you know what they are doing, they won't be so quick to try and scam you.



      The problem is, not everybody can learn a new language, especially if they only plan on going to the country once or twice. If you're already there, this will not help you aside from "Tell them your preferred route." It's honestly the best and only way you can do so without basically scaring them into thinking you're a local.



      Also, never hop into a gypsy cab in Istanbul. EVER. Only use an official taxi or a trusted ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft. (If you do take Uber or Lyft, double and triple check that the driver and vehicle you get match what the app says or refuse the ride, take a photo of the vehicle, and tell the app to send you somebody else, requesting a refund for any cancellation fees since it's not your fault the information didn't match.) Do not EVER take a ride in a taxi that 1) isn't yellow, 2) lacks the "taksi" sign on the roof, 3) doesn't display its associated company on itself, and/or 4) lacks a functioning meter. If even ONE of those factors isn't accounted for, get out of the vehicle and flag down another cab. At best, you will get ripped off by that cab. At worst... you've heard the stories of the dangers of hitchhiking. Be smart, stay safe.






      share|improve this answer








      New contributor




      Sora Tamashii is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.
















      • 1





        What exactly is a gypsy cab? A cab driven by someone who is Roma?

        – JAB
        13 hours ago






      • 2





        @JAB: While I would not necessarily disagree that this particular term may be best avoided in 2019, it's at least a widely recognised term that you can look up on Google and get the answer as the first result

        – Lightness Races in Orbit
        12 hours ago











      • Learning a bit of the language is almost certainly excellent advice. The only time I have ever experienced a London taxi driver trying to rip me off was when I was with German friends and we were talking in German.

        – Michael Kay
        4 hours ago
















      20














      This is actually based on my mother's experience, and not my own.



      Yes, this is a common scam. Despite some answers wanting to be generous and say it's possibly accidental, much of the time it is not.



      If I remember correctly, she told me the way she got around it was by telling the drivers exactly what route she wanted them to take. Even then they would try to add a few streets to it to up the charge. Fortunately for her, once she learned to speak Türkçe more fluently, the drivers started looking at her as a local and not as a tourist which resulted in them being more fair to her as well.



      In fact, you'll find a lot of places in Istanbul have a "Local's" and a "Tourist's" price. You can easily save yourself quite a few Lira even on a cup of tea just by learning to be conversational in the Turkish language and asking if the price they are giving you is really the price they would charge someone from the area. Nowadays, my mother is pretty much just accepted as Turkish whenever she goes over there. These scams really just rely on your ability to call them out. If they know you know what they are doing, they won't be so quick to try and scam you.



      The problem is, not everybody can learn a new language, especially if they only plan on going to the country once or twice. If you're already there, this will not help you aside from "Tell them your preferred route." It's honestly the best and only way you can do so without basically scaring them into thinking you're a local.



      Also, never hop into a gypsy cab in Istanbul. EVER. Only use an official taxi or a trusted ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft. (If you do take Uber or Lyft, double and triple check that the driver and vehicle you get match what the app says or refuse the ride, take a photo of the vehicle, and tell the app to send you somebody else, requesting a refund for any cancellation fees since it's not your fault the information didn't match.) Do not EVER take a ride in a taxi that 1) isn't yellow, 2) lacks the "taksi" sign on the roof, 3) doesn't display its associated company on itself, and/or 4) lacks a functioning meter. If even ONE of those factors isn't accounted for, get out of the vehicle and flag down another cab. At best, you will get ripped off by that cab. At worst... you've heard the stories of the dangers of hitchhiking. Be smart, stay safe.






      share|improve this answer








      New contributor




      Sora Tamashii is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.
















      • 1





        What exactly is a gypsy cab? A cab driven by someone who is Roma?

        – JAB
        13 hours ago






      • 2





        @JAB: While I would not necessarily disagree that this particular term may be best avoided in 2019, it's at least a widely recognised term that you can look up on Google and get the answer as the first result

        – Lightness Races in Orbit
        12 hours ago











      • Learning a bit of the language is almost certainly excellent advice. The only time I have ever experienced a London taxi driver trying to rip me off was when I was with German friends and we were talking in German.

        – Michael Kay
        4 hours ago














      20












      20








      20







      This is actually based on my mother's experience, and not my own.



      Yes, this is a common scam. Despite some answers wanting to be generous and say it's possibly accidental, much of the time it is not.



      If I remember correctly, she told me the way she got around it was by telling the drivers exactly what route she wanted them to take. Even then they would try to add a few streets to it to up the charge. Fortunately for her, once she learned to speak Türkçe more fluently, the drivers started looking at her as a local and not as a tourist which resulted in them being more fair to her as well.



      In fact, you'll find a lot of places in Istanbul have a "Local's" and a "Tourist's" price. You can easily save yourself quite a few Lira even on a cup of tea just by learning to be conversational in the Turkish language and asking if the price they are giving you is really the price they would charge someone from the area. Nowadays, my mother is pretty much just accepted as Turkish whenever she goes over there. These scams really just rely on your ability to call them out. If they know you know what they are doing, they won't be so quick to try and scam you.



      The problem is, not everybody can learn a new language, especially if they only plan on going to the country once or twice. If you're already there, this will not help you aside from "Tell them your preferred route." It's honestly the best and only way you can do so without basically scaring them into thinking you're a local.



      Also, never hop into a gypsy cab in Istanbul. EVER. Only use an official taxi or a trusted ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft. (If you do take Uber or Lyft, double and triple check that the driver and vehicle you get match what the app says or refuse the ride, take a photo of the vehicle, and tell the app to send you somebody else, requesting a refund for any cancellation fees since it's not your fault the information didn't match.) Do not EVER take a ride in a taxi that 1) isn't yellow, 2) lacks the "taksi" sign on the roof, 3) doesn't display its associated company on itself, and/or 4) lacks a functioning meter. If even ONE of those factors isn't accounted for, get out of the vehicle and flag down another cab. At best, you will get ripped off by that cab. At worst... you've heard the stories of the dangers of hitchhiking. Be smart, stay safe.






      share|improve this answer








      New contributor




      Sora Tamashii is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.










      This is actually based on my mother's experience, and not my own.



      Yes, this is a common scam. Despite some answers wanting to be generous and say it's possibly accidental, much of the time it is not.



      If I remember correctly, she told me the way she got around it was by telling the drivers exactly what route she wanted them to take. Even then they would try to add a few streets to it to up the charge. Fortunately for her, once she learned to speak Türkçe more fluently, the drivers started looking at her as a local and not as a tourist which resulted in them being more fair to her as well.



      In fact, you'll find a lot of places in Istanbul have a "Local's" and a "Tourist's" price. You can easily save yourself quite a few Lira even on a cup of tea just by learning to be conversational in the Turkish language and asking if the price they are giving you is really the price they would charge someone from the area. Nowadays, my mother is pretty much just accepted as Turkish whenever she goes over there. These scams really just rely on your ability to call them out. If they know you know what they are doing, they won't be so quick to try and scam you.



      The problem is, not everybody can learn a new language, especially if they only plan on going to the country once or twice. If you're already there, this will not help you aside from "Tell them your preferred route." It's honestly the best and only way you can do so without basically scaring them into thinking you're a local.



      Also, never hop into a gypsy cab in Istanbul. EVER. Only use an official taxi or a trusted ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft. (If you do take Uber or Lyft, double and triple check that the driver and vehicle you get match what the app says or refuse the ride, take a photo of the vehicle, and tell the app to send you somebody else, requesting a refund for any cancellation fees since it's not your fault the information didn't match.) Do not EVER take a ride in a taxi that 1) isn't yellow, 2) lacks the "taksi" sign on the roof, 3) doesn't display its associated company on itself, and/or 4) lacks a functioning meter. If even ONE of those factors isn't accounted for, get out of the vehicle and flag down another cab. At best, you will get ripped off by that cab. At worst... you've heard the stories of the dangers of hitchhiking. Be smart, stay safe.







      share|improve this answer








      New contributor




      Sora Tamashii is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.









      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer






      New contributor




      Sora Tamashii is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.









      answered yesterday









      Sora TamashiiSora Tamashii

      3015




      3015




      New contributor




      Sora Tamashii is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.





      New contributor





      Sora Tamashii is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.






      Sora Tamashii is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.








      • 1





        What exactly is a gypsy cab? A cab driven by someone who is Roma?

        – JAB
        13 hours ago






      • 2





        @JAB: While I would not necessarily disagree that this particular term may be best avoided in 2019, it's at least a widely recognised term that you can look up on Google and get the answer as the first result

        – Lightness Races in Orbit
        12 hours ago











      • Learning a bit of the language is almost certainly excellent advice. The only time I have ever experienced a London taxi driver trying to rip me off was when I was with German friends and we were talking in German.

        – Michael Kay
        4 hours ago














      • 1





        What exactly is a gypsy cab? A cab driven by someone who is Roma?

        – JAB
        13 hours ago






      • 2





        @JAB: While I would not necessarily disagree that this particular term may be best avoided in 2019, it's at least a widely recognised term that you can look up on Google and get the answer as the first result

        – Lightness Races in Orbit
        12 hours ago











      • Learning a bit of the language is almost certainly excellent advice. The only time I have ever experienced a London taxi driver trying to rip me off was when I was with German friends and we were talking in German.

        – Michael Kay
        4 hours ago








      1




      1





      What exactly is a gypsy cab? A cab driven by someone who is Roma?

      – JAB
      13 hours ago





      What exactly is a gypsy cab? A cab driven by someone who is Roma?

      – JAB
      13 hours ago




      2




      2





      @JAB: While I would not necessarily disagree that this particular term may be best avoided in 2019, it's at least a widely recognised term that you can look up on Google and get the answer as the first result

      – Lightness Races in Orbit
      12 hours ago





      @JAB: While I would not necessarily disagree that this particular term may be best avoided in 2019, it's at least a widely recognised term that you can look up on Google and get the answer as the first result

      – Lightness Races in Orbit
      12 hours ago













      Learning a bit of the language is almost certainly excellent advice. The only time I have ever experienced a London taxi driver trying to rip me off was when I was with German friends and we were talking in German.

      – Michael Kay
      4 hours ago





      Learning a bit of the language is almost certainly excellent advice. The only time I have ever experienced a London taxi driver trying to rip me off was when I was with German friends and we were talking in German.

      – Michael Kay
      4 hours ago











      16














      Not a complete answer, I admit.



      The advice I was given when visiting Istanbul is that taxi drivers often can't read, so that I should give them both a printout of the address and also a simplified map, showing them which roads I expect them to take to my hotel.



      That the driver can't read roman script could be a charitable explanation of how your driver took you to the wrong place despite you showing him the card.






      share|improve this answer



















      • 38





        In Istanbul, can't read? This is Europe, not nomads in a desert. Turkey's literacy is above 95% and most illiterate people are in less developed parts in the East, not in Istanbul.

        – Vladimir F
        yesterday






      • 5





        This suggestion may well work, since it makes it very difficult for the driver to claim they misunderstood you, but the explanation is inaccurate to the point of offensiveness.

        – PLL
        yesterday






      • 16





        They can mostly read, and turkish alphabet is roman. So they understand it. It's done by purpose by taxi drivers who work near airports and touristic places. It's a very common scam and a problem. But the suggestion may be helpful to give the message that you expect them to take your to your hotel, using specific roads.

        – Harvey
        yesterday








      • 7





        They can't read or they pretend that they can't read? The result would be the same, but you might want to react differently to each of these situaitons.

        – Quora Feans
        yesterday






      • 4





        @DouglasHeld That is an utter nonsense. Eastern Turkey uses the very same Turkish with the same alphabet. And also Kurdish, also in a Latin alphabet. Thanks, I was to Istanbul several times and also several times to Eastern Turkey, including the Russian, Armenian, Iranian and Syrian border. I also used dolmuşlar and taxis in those areas and every driver I met knew how to read.

        – Vladimir F
        yesterday


















      16














      Not a complete answer, I admit.



      The advice I was given when visiting Istanbul is that taxi drivers often can't read, so that I should give them both a printout of the address and also a simplified map, showing them which roads I expect them to take to my hotel.



      That the driver can't read roman script could be a charitable explanation of how your driver took you to the wrong place despite you showing him the card.






      share|improve this answer



















      • 38





        In Istanbul, can't read? This is Europe, not nomads in a desert. Turkey's literacy is above 95% and most illiterate people are in less developed parts in the East, not in Istanbul.

        – Vladimir F
        yesterday






      • 5





        This suggestion may well work, since it makes it very difficult for the driver to claim they misunderstood you, but the explanation is inaccurate to the point of offensiveness.

        – PLL
        yesterday






      • 16





        They can mostly read, and turkish alphabet is roman. So they understand it. It's done by purpose by taxi drivers who work near airports and touristic places. It's a very common scam and a problem. But the suggestion may be helpful to give the message that you expect them to take your to your hotel, using specific roads.

        – Harvey
        yesterday








      • 7





        They can't read or they pretend that they can't read? The result would be the same, but you might want to react differently to each of these situaitons.

        – Quora Feans
        yesterday






      • 4





        @DouglasHeld That is an utter nonsense. Eastern Turkey uses the very same Turkish with the same alphabet. And also Kurdish, also in a Latin alphabet. Thanks, I was to Istanbul several times and also several times to Eastern Turkey, including the Russian, Armenian, Iranian and Syrian border. I also used dolmuşlar and taxis in those areas and every driver I met knew how to read.

        – Vladimir F
        yesterday
















      16












      16








      16







      Not a complete answer, I admit.



      The advice I was given when visiting Istanbul is that taxi drivers often can't read, so that I should give them both a printout of the address and also a simplified map, showing them which roads I expect them to take to my hotel.



      That the driver can't read roman script could be a charitable explanation of how your driver took you to the wrong place despite you showing him the card.






      share|improve this answer













      Not a complete answer, I admit.



      The advice I was given when visiting Istanbul is that taxi drivers often can't read, so that I should give them both a printout of the address and also a simplified map, showing them which roads I expect them to take to my hotel.



      That the driver can't read roman script could be a charitable explanation of how your driver took you to the wrong place despite you showing him the card.







      share|improve this answer












      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer










      answered yesterday









      Douglas HeldDouglas Held

      965516




      965516








      • 38





        In Istanbul, can't read? This is Europe, not nomads in a desert. Turkey's literacy is above 95% and most illiterate people are in less developed parts in the East, not in Istanbul.

        – Vladimir F
        yesterday






      • 5





        This suggestion may well work, since it makes it very difficult for the driver to claim they misunderstood you, but the explanation is inaccurate to the point of offensiveness.

        – PLL
        yesterday






      • 16





        They can mostly read, and turkish alphabet is roman. So they understand it. It's done by purpose by taxi drivers who work near airports and touristic places. It's a very common scam and a problem. But the suggestion may be helpful to give the message that you expect them to take your to your hotel, using specific roads.

        – Harvey
        yesterday








      • 7





        They can't read or they pretend that they can't read? The result would be the same, but you might want to react differently to each of these situaitons.

        – Quora Feans
        yesterday






      • 4





        @DouglasHeld That is an utter nonsense. Eastern Turkey uses the very same Turkish with the same alphabet. And also Kurdish, also in a Latin alphabet. Thanks, I was to Istanbul several times and also several times to Eastern Turkey, including the Russian, Armenian, Iranian and Syrian border. I also used dolmuşlar and taxis in those areas and every driver I met knew how to read.

        – Vladimir F
        yesterday
















      • 38





        In Istanbul, can't read? This is Europe, not nomads in a desert. Turkey's literacy is above 95% and most illiterate people are in less developed parts in the East, not in Istanbul.

        – Vladimir F
        yesterday






      • 5





        This suggestion may well work, since it makes it very difficult for the driver to claim they misunderstood you, but the explanation is inaccurate to the point of offensiveness.

        – PLL
        yesterday






      • 16





        They can mostly read, and turkish alphabet is roman. So they understand it. It's done by purpose by taxi drivers who work near airports and touristic places. It's a very common scam and a problem. But the suggestion may be helpful to give the message that you expect them to take your to your hotel, using specific roads.

        – Harvey
        yesterday








      • 7





        They can't read or they pretend that they can't read? The result would be the same, but you might want to react differently to each of these situaitons.

        – Quora Feans
        yesterday






      • 4





        @DouglasHeld That is an utter nonsense. Eastern Turkey uses the very same Turkish with the same alphabet. And also Kurdish, also in a Latin alphabet. Thanks, I was to Istanbul several times and also several times to Eastern Turkey, including the Russian, Armenian, Iranian and Syrian border. I also used dolmuşlar and taxis in those areas and every driver I met knew how to read.

        – Vladimir F
        yesterday










      38




      38





      In Istanbul, can't read? This is Europe, not nomads in a desert. Turkey's literacy is above 95% and most illiterate people are in less developed parts in the East, not in Istanbul.

      – Vladimir F
      yesterday





      In Istanbul, can't read? This is Europe, not nomads in a desert. Turkey's literacy is above 95% and most illiterate people are in less developed parts in the East, not in Istanbul.

      – Vladimir F
      yesterday




      5




      5





      This suggestion may well work, since it makes it very difficult for the driver to claim they misunderstood you, but the explanation is inaccurate to the point of offensiveness.

      – PLL
      yesterday





      This suggestion may well work, since it makes it very difficult for the driver to claim they misunderstood you, but the explanation is inaccurate to the point of offensiveness.

      – PLL
      yesterday




      16




      16





      They can mostly read, and turkish alphabet is roman. So they understand it. It's done by purpose by taxi drivers who work near airports and touristic places. It's a very common scam and a problem. But the suggestion may be helpful to give the message that you expect them to take your to your hotel, using specific roads.

      – Harvey
      yesterday







      They can mostly read, and turkish alphabet is roman. So they understand it. It's done by purpose by taxi drivers who work near airports and touristic places. It's a very common scam and a problem. But the suggestion may be helpful to give the message that you expect them to take your to your hotel, using specific roads.

      – Harvey
      yesterday






      7




      7





      They can't read or they pretend that they can't read? The result would be the same, but you might want to react differently to each of these situaitons.

      – Quora Feans
      yesterday





      They can't read or they pretend that they can't read? The result would be the same, but you might want to react differently to each of these situaitons.

      – Quora Feans
      yesterday




      4




      4





      @DouglasHeld That is an utter nonsense. Eastern Turkey uses the very same Turkish with the same alphabet. And also Kurdish, also in a Latin alphabet. Thanks, I was to Istanbul several times and also several times to Eastern Turkey, including the Russian, Armenian, Iranian and Syrian border. I also used dolmuşlar and taxis in those areas and every driver I met knew how to read.

      – Vladimir F
      yesterday







      @DouglasHeld That is an utter nonsense. Eastern Turkey uses the very same Turkish with the same alphabet. And also Kurdish, also in a Latin alphabet. Thanks, I was to Istanbul several times and also several times to Eastern Turkey, including the Russian, Armenian, Iranian and Syrian border. I also used dolmuşlar and taxis in those areas and every driver I met knew how to read.

      – Vladimir F
      yesterday













      15














      If you aren't using a ride-sharing or taxi app, as suggested by jpatokal, use a different app: a mapping app. Enter your destination (make sure it's correct), show the map to the driver and ensure he/she has a shared understanding of where you want to go, and keep an eye on the route. If the driver has a GPS, ask that they use it. Keep in mind that there may be legitimate reasons to use out-of-the way routes, some of which may not be obvious to a visitor, but if you're straight up going to the wrong part of town, ask that the problem be solved immediately. If you're not comfortable with the situation, and the area you area you are in is not immediately unsafe, stop the ride, pay for the services you were given, and get a new ride from another driver.



      Since you're staying at a hotel, this may also be something the hotel staff can help with when you do arrive. They may not want to get involved, and I can certainly understand that, but doormen at nice hotels in countries known for taxi scams will sometimes make it clear to drivers that their guests need to be treated well and help intervene in disputes (of course, in other places, the doormen may conspire with illegal taxis for tips).






      share|improve this answer



















      • 5





        +1 for the rest of the advice, but hotel doormen can be a bit of a gamble. Some are good, meaning they'll hail cabs off the street and translate, but some are in cahoots with the types of cabbies who hang around expensive hotels and will take you for a drive. I once ended up with a cab in Delhi whose meter was spinning at approx 7x the real speed this way...

        – jpatokal
        yesterday











      • @jpatokal The cabs that hang around outside all day waiting for a "mark" to make their pay in one trip.

        – Spehro Pefhany
        yesterday
















      15














      If you aren't using a ride-sharing or taxi app, as suggested by jpatokal, use a different app: a mapping app. Enter your destination (make sure it's correct), show the map to the driver and ensure he/she has a shared understanding of where you want to go, and keep an eye on the route. If the driver has a GPS, ask that they use it. Keep in mind that there may be legitimate reasons to use out-of-the way routes, some of which may not be obvious to a visitor, but if you're straight up going to the wrong part of town, ask that the problem be solved immediately. If you're not comfortable with the situation, and the area you area you are in is not immediately unsafe, stop the ride, pay for the services you were given, and get a new ride from another driver.



      Since you're staying at a hotel, this may also be something the hotel staff can help with when you do arrive. They may not want to get involved, and I can certainly understand that, but doormen at nice hotels in countries known for taxi scams will sometimes make it clear to drivers that their guests need to be treated well and help intervene in disputes (of course, in other places, the doormen may conspire with illegal taxis for tips).






      share|improve this answer



















      • 5





        +1 for the rest of the advice, but hotel doormen can be a bit of a gamble. Some are good, meaning they'll hail cabs off the street and translate, but some are in cahoots with the types of cabbies who hang around expensive hotels and will take you for a drive. I once ended up with a cab in Delhi whose meter was spinning at approx 7x the real speed this way...

        – jpatokal
        yesterday











      • @jpatokal The cabs that hang around outside all day waiting for a "mark" to make their pay in one trip.

        – Spehro Pefhany
        yesterday














      15












      15








      15







      If you aren't using a ride-sharing or taxi app, as suggested by jpatokal, use a different app: a mapping app. Enter your destination (make sure it's correct), show the map to the driver and ensure he/she has a shared understanding of where you want to go, and keep an eye on the route. If the driver has a GPS, ask that they use it. Keep in mind that there may be legitimate reasons to use out-of-the way routes, some of which may not be obvious to a visitor, but if you're straight up going to the wrong part of town, ask that the problem be solved immediately. If you're not comfortable with the situation, and the area you area you are in is not immediately unsafe, stop the ride, pay for the services you were given, and get a new ride from another driver.



      Since you're staying at a hotel, this may also be something the hotel staff can help with when you do arrive. They may not want to get involved, and I can certainly understand that, but doormen at nice hotels in countries known for taxi scams will sometimes make it clear to drivers that their guests need to be treated well and help intervene in disputes (of course, in other places, the doormen may conspire with illegal taxis for tips).






      share|improve this answer













      If you aren't using a ride-sharing or taxi app, as suggested by jpatokal, use a different app: a mapping app. Enter your destination (make sure it's correct), show the map to the driver and ensure he/she has a shared understanding of where you want to go, and keep an eye on the route. If the driver has a GPS, ask that they use it. Keep in mind that there may be legitimate reasons to use out-of-the way routes, some of which may not be obvious to a visitor, but if you're straight up going to the wrong part of town, ask that the problem be solved immediately. If you're not comfortable with the situation, and the area you area you are in is not immediately unsafe, stop the ride, pay for the services you were given, and get a new ride from another driver.



      Since you're staying at a hotel, this may also be something the hotel staff can help with when you do arrive. They may not want to get involved, and I can certainly understand that, but doormen at nice hotels in countries known for taxi scams will sometimes make it clear to drivers that their guests need to be treated well and help intervene in disputes (of course, in other places, the doormen may conspire with illegal taxis for tips).







      share|improve this answer












      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer










      answered 2 days ago









      Zach LiptonZach Lipton

      61.3k11187246




      61.3k11187246








      • 5





        +1 for the rest of the advice, but hotel doormen can be a bit of a gamble. Some are good, meaning they'll hail cabs off the street and translate, but some are in cahoots with the types of cabbies who hang around expensive hotels and will take you for a drive. I once ended up with a cab in Delhi whose meter was spinning at approx 7x the real speed this way...

        – jpatokal
        yesterday











      • @jpatokal The cabs that hang around outside all day waiting for a "mark" to make their pay in one trip.

        – Spehro Pefhany
        yesterday














      • 5





        +1 for the rest of the advice, but hotel doormen can be a bit of a gamble. Some are good, meaning they'll hail cabs off the street and translate, but some are in cahoots with the types of cabbies who hang around expensive hotels and will take you for a drive. I once ended up with a cab in Delhi whose meter was spinning at approx 7x the real speed this way...

        – jpatokal
        yesterday











      • @jpatokal The cabs that hang around outside all day waiting for a "mark" to make their pay in one trip.

        – Spehro Pefhany
        yesterday








      5




      5





      +1 for the rest of the advice, but hotel doormen can be a bit of a gamble. Some are good, meaning they'll hail cabs off the street and translate, but some are in cahoots with the types of cabbies who hang around expensive hotels and will take you for a drive. I once ended up with a cab in Delhi whose meter was spinning at approx 7x the real speed this way...

      – jpatokal
      yesterday





      +1 for the rest of the advice, but hotel doormen can be a bit of a gamble. Some are good, meaning they'll hail cabs off the street and translate, but some are in cahoots with the types of cabbies who hang around expensive hotels and will take you for a drive. I once ended up with a cab in Delhi whose meter was spinning at approx 7x the real speed this way...

      – jpatokal
      yesterday













      @jpatokal The cabs that hang around outside all day waiting for a "mark" to make their pay in one trip.

      – Spehro Pefhany
      yesterday





      @jpatokal The cabs that hang around outside all day waiting for a "mark" to make their pay in one trip.

      – Spehro Pefhany
      yesterday











      8














      This has happened to me many times in Cuba where it’s accepted practice to overcharge tourists, especially if you don’t use a licensed taxi (which, of course, doesn’t remove the risk that the driver will take the scenic rather than direct route). None of the Internet-based suggested answers really work in countries like Cuba where online connection is difficult/unreliable/expensive.



      I’ve learnt to deal with this situation by always asking for the price upfront, and before you get into the taxi. It also helps to know how to ask ‘how much to XYZ’ in the local language and to find out beforehand from a reliable source eg internet search before you travel, or from the hotel where you’re staying, how much the taxi should cost, so that you know if you’re being over-charged and can decide whether you want to pay it or not before you take the ride. Even licensed taxis will inflate the price if they think they can get away with it eg I was quoted 120cuc for an airport taxi on my last trip but I know the norm is 90-100, which the driver agreed to when he realised I’m not quite as daft as I might look.






      share|improve this answer




























        8














        This has happened to me many times in Cuba where it’s accepted practice to overcharge tourists, especially if you don’t use a licensed taxi (which, of course, doesn’t remove the risk that the driver will take the scenic rather than direct route). None of the Internet-based suggested answers really work in countries like Cuba where online connection is difficult/unreliable/expensive.



        I’ve learnt to deal with this situation by always asking for the price upfront, and before you get into the taxi. It also helps to know how to ask ‘how much to XYZ’ in the local language and to find out beforehand from a reliable source eg internet search before you travel, or from the hotel where you’re staying, how much the taxi should cost, so that you know if you’re being over-charged and can decide whether you want to pay it or not before you take the ride. Even licensed taxis will inflate the price if they think they can get away with it eg I was quoted 120cuc for an airport taxi on my last trip but I know the norm is 90-100, which the driver agreed to when he realised I’m not quite as daft as I might look.






        share|improve this answer


























          8












          8








          8







          This has happened to me many times in Cuba where it’s accepted practice to overcharge tourists, especially if you don’t use a licensed taxi (which, of course, doesn’t remove the risk that the driver will take the scenic rather than direct route). None of the Internet-based suggested answers really work in countries like Cuba where online connection is difficult/unreliable/expensive.



          I’ve learnt to deal with this situation by always asking for the price upfront, and before you get into the taxi. It also helps to know how to ask ‘how much to XYZ’ in the local language and to find out beforehand from a reliable source eg internet search before you travel, or from the hotel where you’re staying, how much the taxi should cost, so that you know if you’re being over-charged and can decide whether you want to pay it or not before you take the ride. Even licensed taxis will inflate the price if they think they can get away with it eg I was quoted 120cuc for an airport taxi on my last trip but I know the norm is 90-100, which the driver agreed to when he realised I’m not quite as daft as I might look.






          share|improve this answer













          This has happened to me many times in Cuba where it’s accepted practice to overcharge tourists, especially if you don’t use a licensed taxi (which, of course, doesn’t remove the risk that the driver will take the scenic rather than direct route). None of the Internet-based suggested answers really work in countries like Cuba where online connection is difficult/unreliable/expensive.



          I’ve learnt to deal with this situation by always asking for the price upfront, and before you get into the taxi. It also helps to know how to ask ‘how much to XYZ’ in the local language and to find out beforehand from a reliable source eg internet search before you travel, or from the hotel where you’re staying, how much the taxi should cost, so that you know if you’re being over-charged and can decide whether you want to pay it or not before you take the ride. Even licensed taxis will inflate the price if they think they can get away with it eg I was quoted 120cuc for an airport taxi on my last trip but I know the norm is 90-100, which the driver agreed to when he realised I’m not quite as daft as I might look.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered yesterday









          TravellerTraveller

          9,74211742




          9,74211742























              5














              It often helps to ask the price of your ride in advance, before getting into the car. Walk away if the price is too high or the driver can't provide one. If you know the right price, don't hesitate to name it. As a safeguard against misunderstanding, give them the street address and ask if they know it. If they don't reply with the hotel name, give them a printout of your booking, mentioning the hotel's name and address. Record the conversation if you're paranoid.



              I managed to get quite close to the "Local's price" with this strategy in many places (though not specifically Turkey) despite I didn't speak the language and clearly was a tourist. And in case the driver took me to the wrong place, or took a detour to increase the price, I'd have his words to use as an argument.






              share|improve this answer


























              • @SpehroPefhany I edited my answer.

                – Dmitry Grigoryev
                yesterday
















              5














              It often helps to ask the price of your ride in advance, before getting into the car. Walk away if the price is too high or the driver can't provide one. If you know the right price, don't hesitate to name it. As a safeguard against misunderstanding, give them the street address and ask if they know it. If they don't reply with the hotel name, give them a printout of your booking, mentioning the hotel's name and address. Record the conversation if you're paranoid.



              I managed to get quite close to the "Local's price" with this strategy in many places (though not specifically Turkey) despite I didn't speak the language and clearly was a tourist. And in case the driver took me to the wrong place, or took a detour to increase the price, I'd have his words to use as an argument.






              share|improve this answer


























              • @SpehroPefhany I edited my answer.

                – Dmitry Grigoryev
                yesterday














              5












              5








              5







              It often helps to ask the price of your ride in advance, before getting into the car. Walk away if the price is too high or the driver can't provide one. If you know the right price, don't hesitate to name it. As a safeguard against misunderstanding, give them the street address and ask if they know it. If they don't reply with the hotel name, give them a printout of your booking, mentioning the hotel's name and address. Record the conversation if you're paranoid.



              I managed to get quite close to the "Local's price" with this strategy in many places (though not specifically Turkey) despite I didn't speak the language and clearly was a tourist. And in case the driver took me to the wrong place, or took a detour to increase the price, I'd have his words to use as an argument.






              share|improve this answer















              It often helps to ask the price of your ride in advance, before getting into the car. Walk away if the price is too high or the driver can't provide one. If you know the right price, don't hesitate to name it. As a safeguard against misunderstanding, give them the street address and ask if they know it. If they don't reply with the hotel name, give them a printout of your booking, mentioning the hotel's name and address. Record the conversation if you're paranoid.



              I managed to get quite close to the "Local's price" with this strategy in many places (though not specifically Turkey) despite I didn't speak the language and clearly was a tourist. And in case the driver took me to the wrong place, or took a detour to increase the price, I'd have his words to use as an argument.







              share|improve this answer














              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer








              edited yesterday

























              answered yesterday









              Dmitry GrigoryevDmitry Grigoryev

              6,1501945




              6,1501945













              • @SpehroPefhany I edited my answer.

                – Dmitry Grigoryev
                yesterday



















              • @SpehroPefhany I edited my answer.

                – Dmitry Grigoryev
                yesterday

















              @SpehroPefhany I edited my answer.

              – Dmitry Grigoryev
              yesterday





              @SpehroPefhany I edited my answer.

              – Dmitry Grigoryev
              yesterday











              2














              First off, there is not "polite" way to deal with that. If it is a scammer, they won't refund you if you ask nicely. If it was a misunderstanding, they will still be offended.



              Your options are basically to pay up, or make a scene. At which point other people (including police) may get involved who may or may not speak your language, and who may ore may not be on your side.



              As far as Instanbul goes, Wikivoyage has some good instructions on taxis. The gist is: Know the price, be aware where you are going, have them use the meter.



              Their recommendation is to ask for an estimate beforehand and then ask them to put on the meter. If you agree to a "fixed" price it'll often be higher than the metered fare. And always use legitimate taxis - see Sora Tamashii's answer.



              There are also apps that allow you to download a map for offline use, if you don't have a data connection, like HERE WeGo.



              My limited experience is that Taxi drivers in Istanbul often use Google Maps and were willing to show the destination and route on their phone if you don't have one.






              share|improve this answer




























                2














                First off, there is not "polite" way to deal with that. If it is a scammer, they won't refund you if you ask nicely. If it was a misunderstanding, they will still be offended.



                Your options are basically to pay up, or make a scene. At which point other people (including police) may get involved who may or may not speak your language, and who may ore may not be on your side.



                As far as Instanbul goes, Wikivoyage has some good instructions on taxis. The gist is: Know the price, be aware where you are going, have them use the meter.



                Their recommendation is to ask for an estimate beforehand and then ask them to put on the meter. If you agree to a "fixed" price it'll often be higher than the metered fare. And always use legitimate taxis - see Sora Tamashii's answer.



                There are also apps that allow you to download a map for offline use, if you don't have a data connection, like HERE WeGo.



                My limited experience is that Taxi drivers in Istanbul often use Google Maps and were willing to show the destination and route on their phone if you don't have one.






                share|improve this answer


























                  2












                  2








                  2







                  First off, there is not "polite" way to deal with that. If it is a scammer, they won't refund you if you ask nicely. If it was a misunderstanding, they will still be offended.



                  Your options are basically to pay up, or make a scene. At which point other people (including police) may get involved who may or may not speak your language, and who may ore may not be on your side.



                  As far as Instanbul goes, Wikivoyage has some good instructions on taxis. The gist is: Know the price, be aware where you are going, have them use the meter.



                  Their recommendation is to ask for an estimate beforehand and then ask them to put on the meter. If you agree to a "fixed" price it'll often be higher than the metered fare. And always use legitimate taxis - see Sora Tamashii's answer.



                  There are also apps that allow you to download a map for offline use, if you don't have a data connection, like HERE WeGo.



                  My limited experience is that Taxi drivers in Istanbul often use Google Maps and were willing to show the destination and route on their phone if you don't have one.






                  share|improve this answer













                  First off, there is not "polite" way to deal with that. If it is a scammer, they won't refund you if you ask nicely. If it was a misunderstanding, they will still be offended.



                  Your options are basically to pay up, or make a scene. At which point other people (including police) may get involved who may or may not speak your language, and who may ore may not be on your side.



                  As far as Instanbul goes, Wikivoyage has some good instructions on taxis. The gist is: Know the price, be aware where you are going, have them use the meter.



                  Their recommendation is to ask for an estimate beforehand and then ask them to put on the meter. If you agree to a "fixed" price it'll often be higher than the metered fare. And always use legitimate taxis - see Sora Tamashii's answer.



                  There are also apps that allow you to download a map for offline use, if you don't have a data connection, like HERE WeGo.



                  My limited experience is that Taxi drivers in Istanbul often use Google Maps and were willing to show the destination and route on their phone if you don't have one.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered yesterday









                  averellaverell

                  62019




                  62019























                      1














                      This is pretty typical for Near/Far East/Asia, and it gets more pronounced the farther east, and south, you go. Also, the poorer the place is overall, the more pronounced.



                      Your question "How do you deal in a polite way" already shows the main issue. That is, pardon me for being blunt, a facepalm statement.



                      You only have two options (well, three actually):




                      1. You just pay.

                      2. You are prepared. And no, politeness is not part of your preparations.

                      3. You stay home.


                      Being prepared means you have an approximate idea of where you are and what -- approximately -- it will cost you. Ask at the hotel if unsure, they'll know. With cell phones, GPS, and Google Maps, this is nowadays a trifle, anyway. But it was easy and doable 20 years ago with a map on paper, too -- no problem. It's not like you drop by parachute at a haphazard random location in an unknown city. You have a rough idea about where you're going ahead of time.



                      You have the adequate amount of money ready, and not in your wallet. If necessary, get a couple of small bills in your hotel for that very purpose. You must expect not to get change (it's a fair assumption that any bill that ever leaves your hand will never be seen again), so large bills necessarily mean you will pay more.



                      Before going, make sure the driver says that they have understood where to go, and that a price which you are willing to pay (probably 50% more than you should pay anyway) is agreed on. Show the driver that money and be explicit that this, and nothing else, is what he will get, no more. If the driver doesn't want to agree, walk away.



                      Do not, ever, ask or leave any doubt about what you're going to do or pay (you may ask for the price, but if that is more than you are willing to pay, which is pretty certain, it must be 100% clear what you will be paying, and that you will not make a compromise). Do not, ever, show that you are uncertain.



                      Do not get your wallet out, do not ever let them look inside or even see it. You do not even have a wallet. You do not have any other money. This is the only money they will ever see, or get. Maybe, that is. If they do as you say.



                      Inevitably, they will start to haggle. Do not engage in this. It is "Yes or Yes", not anything different. Inevitably, they will haggle again after arriving at the destination. Do not engage in this. Give them the money you agreed on, turn around and go.



                      You are not polite, do not even attempt to be. You need to realize that you are not at home, and you are not among friends. The social rules of interaction are not what you are used to.



                      If you are trying to be polite, you are weak, and there's only two kinds of people in the world: those whom you exploit, and those that you respect. There's those who (figuratively) slap you in the face, they're the ones you respect, you are grateful to them for slapping your face. And there's those who you steal from. Because, well, they're weak. They're victims.



                      This is harsh, and it may not be agreeable with your normal attitude (it took me a long time to learn this, too), but it is reality. If you cannot adapt to this attitude, then you either shouldn't travel, or you should just accept that you will be ripped off, and pay. Because either way, you're going to pay. Because you are a victim, you just haven't understood that yet.



                      Note that the same thing can happen to you in Europe as well (doesn't have to be Asia, only just it's much more common there). Happened to me, much to my surprise, in Bordeaux 6 or 7 years ago.






                      share|improve this answer





















                      • 1





                        Please avoid expletives when on SE sites.

                        – JoErNanO
                        yesterday






                      • 1





                        @JoErNanO: Your edit was ill-considered. You could have made the language appropriate (only a single word!) without removing the entire anecdote.

                        – Ben Voigt
                        yesterday






                      • 2





                        -1 for ludicrous hyperbole. We're taking about taxis in Istanbul, not Game of Thrones or the fall of Saigon.

                        – jpatokal
                        yesterday











                      • @BenVoigt Go ahead and improve the post if you wish.

                        – JoErNanO
                        yesterday











                      • This sounds exactly like what I have experienced several times in China. Even if you agree on a price, they may want more money afterwards for some reason ("It took so much longer than expected", "this was the price for one person, but you are two"). Having the exact amount of money is very good advice. Another important point is to keep your luggage with and to not put it into the trunk.

                        – Jan
                        14 hours ago
















                      1














                      This is pretty typical for Near/Far East/Asia, and it gets more pronounced the farther east, and south, you go. Also, the poorer the place is overall, the more pronounced.



                      Your question "How do you deal in a polite way" already shows the main issue. That is, pardon me for being blunt, a facepalm statement.



                      You only have two options (well, three actually):




                      1. You just pay.

                      2. You are prepared. And no, politeness is not part of your preparations.

                      3. You stay home.


                      Being prepared means you have an approximate idea of where you are and what -- approximately -- it will cost you. Ask at the hotel if unsure, they'll know. With cell phones, GPS, and Google Maps, this is nowadays a trifle, anyway. But it was easy and doable 20 years ago with a map on paper, too -- no problem. It's not like you drop by parachute at a haphazard random location in an unknown city. You have a rough idea about where you're going ahead of time.



                      You have the adequate amount of money ready, and not in your wallet. If necessary, get a couple of small bills in your hotel for that very purpose. You must expect not to get change (it's a fair assumption that any bill that ever leaves your hand will never be seen again), so large bills necessarily mean you will pay more.



                      Before going, make sure the driver says that they have understood where to go, and that a price which you are willing to pay (probably 50% more than you should pay anyway) is agreed on. Show the driver that money and be explicit that this, and nothing else, is what he will get, no more. If the driver doesn't want to agree, walk away.



                      Do not, ever, ask or leave any doubt about what you're going to do or pay (you may ask for the price, but if that is more than you are willing to pay, which is pretty certain, it must be 100% clear what you will be paying, and that you will not make a compromise). Do not, ever, show that you are uncertain.



                      Do not get your wallet out, do not ever let them look inside or even see it. You do not even have a wallet. You do not have any other money. This is the only money they will ever see, or get. Maybe, that is. If they do as you say.



                      Inevitably, they will start to haggle. Do not engage in this. It is "Yes or Yes", not anything different. Inevitably, they will haggle again after arriving at the destination. Do not engage in this. Give them the money you agreed on, turn around and go.



                      You are not polite, do not even attempt to be. You need to realize that you are not at home, and you are not among friends. The social rules of interaction are not what you are used to.



                      If you are trying to be polite, you are weak, and there's only two kinds of people in the world: those whom you exploit, and those that you respect. There's those who (figuratively) slap you in the face, they're the ones you respect, you are grateful to them for slapping your face. And there's those who you steal from. Because, well, they're weak. They're victims.



                      This is harsh, and it may not be agreeable with your normal attitude (it took me a long time to learn this, too), but it is reality. If you cannot adapt to this attitude, then you either shouldn't travel, or you should just accept that you will be ripped off, and pay. Because either way, you're going to pay. Because you are a victim, you just haven't understood that yet.



                      Note that the same thing can happen to you in Europe as well (doesn't have to be Asia, only just it's much more common there). Happened to me, much to my surprise, in Bordeaux 6 or 7 years ago.






                      share|improve this answer





















                      • 1





                        Please avoid expletives when on SE sites.

                        – JoErNanO
                        yesterday






                      • 1





                        @JoErNanO: Your edit was ill-considered. You could have made the language appropriate (only a single word!) without removing the entire anecdote.

                        – Ben Voigt
                        yesterday






                      • 2





                        -1 for ludicrous hyperbole. We're taking about taxis in Istanbul, not Game of Thrones or the fall of Saigon.

                        – jpatokal
                        yesterday











                      • @BenVoigt Go ahead and improve the post if you wish.

                        – JoErNanO
                        yesterday











                      • This sounds exactly like what I have experienced several times in China. Even if you agree on a price, they may want more money afterwards for some reason ("It took so much longer than expected", "this was the price for one person, but you are two"). Having the exact amount of money is very good advice. Another important point is to keep your luggage with and to not put it into the trunk.

                        – Jan
                        14 hours ago














                      1












                      1








                      1







                      This is pretty typical for Near/Far East/Asia, and it gets more pronounced the farther east, and south, you go. Also, the poorer the place is overall, the more pronounced.



                      Your question "How do you deal in a polite way" already shows the main issue. That is, pardon me for being blunt, a facepalm statement.



                      You only have two options (well, three actually):




                      1. You just pay.

                      2. You are prepared. And no, politeness is not part of your preparations.

                      3. You stay home.


                      Being prepared means you have an approximate idea of where you are and what -- approximately -- it will cost you. Ask at the hotel if unsure, they'll know. With cell phones, GPS, and Google Maps, this is nowadays a trifle, anyway. But it was easy and doable 20 years ago with a map on paper, too -- no problem. It's not like you drop by parachute at a haphazard random location in an unknown city. You have a rough idea about where you're going ahead of time.



                      You have the adequate amount of money ready, and not in your wallet. If necessary, get a couple of small bills in your hotel for that very purpose. You must expect not to get change (it's a fair assumption that any bill that ever leaves your hand will never be seen again), so large bills necessarily mean you will pay more.



                      Before going, make sure the driver says that they have understood where to go, and that a price which you are willing to pay (probably 50% more than you should pay anyway) is agreed on. Show the driver that money and be explicit that this, and nothing else, is what he will get, no more. If the driver doesn't want to agree, walk away.



                      Do not, ever, ask or leave any doubt about what you're going to do or pay (you may ask for the price, but if that is more than you are willing to pay, which is pretty certain, it must be 100% clear what you will be paying, and that you will not make a compromise). Do not, ever, show that you are uncertain.



                      Do not get your wallet out, do not ever let them look inside or even see it. You do not even have a wallet. You do not have any other money. This is the only money they will ever see, or get. Maybe, that is. If they do as you say.



                      Inevitably, they will start to haggle. Do not engage in this. It is "Yes or Yes", not anything different. Inevitably, they will haggle again after arriving at the destination. Do not engage in this. Give them the money you agreed on, turn around and go.



                      You are not polite, do not even attempt to be. You need to realize that you are not at home, and you are not among friends. The social rules of interaction are not what you are used to.



                      If you are trying to be polite, you are weak, and there's only two kinds of people in the world: those whom you exploit, and those that you respect. There's those who (figuratively) slap you in the face, they're the ones you respect, you are grateful to them for slapping your face. And there's those who you steal from. Because, well, they're weak. They're victims.



                      This is harsh, and it may not be agreeable with your normal attitude (it took me a long time to learn this, too), but it is reality. If you cannot adapt to this attitude, then you either shouldn't travel, or you should just accept that you will be ripped off, and pay. Because either way, you're going to pay. Because you are a victim, you just haven't understood that yet.



                      Note that the same thing can happen to you in Europe as well (doesn't have to be Asia, only just it's much more common there). Happened to me, much to my surprise, in Bordeaux 6 or 7 years ago.






                      share|improve this answer















                      This is pretty typical for Near/Far East/Asia, and it gets more pronounced the farther east, and south, you go. Also, the poorer the place is overall, the more pronounced.



                      Your question "How do you deal in a polite way" already shows the main issue. That is, pardon me for being blunt, a facepalm statement.



                      You only have two options (well, three actually):




                      1. You just pay.

                      2. You are prepared. And no, politeness is not part of your preparations.

                      3. You stay home.


                      Being prepared means you have an approximate idea of where you are and what -- approximately -- it will cost you. Ask at the hotel if unsure, they'll know. With cell phones, GPS, and Google Maps, this is nowadays a trifle, anyway. But it was easy and doable 20 years ago with a map on paper, too -- no problem. It's not like you drop by parachute at a haphazard random location in an unknown city. You have a rough idea about where you're going ahead of time.



                      You have the adequate amount of money ready, and not in your wallet. If necessary, get a couple of small bills in your hotel for that very purpose. You must expect not to get change (it's a fair assumption that any bill that ever leaves your hand will never be seen again), so large bills necessarily mean you will pay more.



                      Before going, make sure the driver says that they have understood where to go, and that a price which you are willing to pay (probably 50% more than you should pay anyway) is agreed on. Show the driver that money and be explicit that this, and nothing else, is what he will get, no more. If the driver doesn't want to agree, walk away.



                      Do not, ever, ask or leave any doubt about what you're going to do or pay (you may ask for the price, but if that is more than you are willing to pay, which is pretty certain, it must be 100% clear what you will be paying, and that you will not make a compromise). Do not, ever, show that you are uncertain.



                      Do not get your wallet out, do not ever let them look inside or even see it. You do not even have a wallet. You do not have any other money. This is the only money they will ever see, or get. Maybe, that is. If they do as you say.



                      Inevitably, they will start to haggle. Do not engage in this. It is "Yes or Yes", not anything different. Inevitably, they will haggle again after arriving at the destination. Do not engage in this. Give them the money you agreed on, turn around and go.



                      You are not polite, do not even attempt to be. You need to realize that you are not at home, and you are not among friends. The social rules of interaction are not what you are used to.



                      If you are trying to be polite, you are weak, and there's only two kinds of people in the world: those whom you exploit, and those that you respect. There's those who (figuratively) slap you in the face, they're the ones you respect, you are grateful to them for slapping your face. And there's those who you steal from. Because, well, they're weak. They're victims.



                      This is harsh, and it may not be agreeable with your normal attitude (it took me a long time to learn this, too), but it is reality. If you cannot adapt to this attitude, then you either shouldn't travel, or you should just accept that you will be ripped off, and pay. Because either way, you're going to pay. Because you are a victim, you just haven't understood that yet.



                      Note that the same thing can happen to you in Europe as well (doesn't have to be Asia, only just it's much more common there). Happened to me, much to my surprise, in Bordeaux 6 or 7 years ago.







                      share|improve this answer














                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer








                      edited yesterday









                      JoErNanO

                      44.2k12137225




                      44.2k12137225










                      answered yesterday









                      DamonDamon

                      2,764815




                      2,764815








                      • 1





                        Please avoid expletives when on SE sites.

                        – JoErNanO
                        yesterday






                      • 1





                        @JoErNanO: Your edit was ill-considered. You could have made the language appropriate (only a single word!) without removing the entire anecdote.

                        – Ben Voigt
                        yesterday






                      • 2





                        -1 for ludicrous hyperbole. We're taking about taxis in Istanbul, not Game of Thrones or the fall of Saigon.

                        – jpatokal
                        yesterday











                      • @BenVoigt Go ahead and improve the post if you wish.

                        – JoErNanO
                        yesterday











                      • This sounds exactly like what I have experienced several times in China. Even if you agree on a price, they may want more money afterwards for some reason ("It took so much longer than expected", "this was the price for one person, but you are two"). Having the exact amount of money is very good advice. Another important point is to keep your luggage with and to not put it into the trunk.

                        – Jan
                        14 hours ago














                      • 1





                        Please avoid expletives when on SE sites.

                        – JoErNanO
                        yesterday






                      • 1





                        @JoErNanO: Your edit was ill-considered. You could have made the language appropriate (only a single word!) without removing the entire anecdote.

                        – Ben Voigt
                        yesterday






                      • 2





                        -1 for ludicrous hyperbole. We're taking about taxis in Istanbul, not Game of Thrones or the fall of Saigon.

                        – jpatokal
                        yesterday











                      • @BenVoigt Go ahead and improve the post if you wish.

                        – JoErNanO
                        yesterday











                      • This sounds exactly like what I have experienced several times in China. Even if you agree on a price, they may want more money afterwards for some reason ("It took so much longer than expected", "this was the price for one person, but you are two"). Having the exact amount of money is very good advice. Another important point is to keep your luggage with and to not put it into the trunk.

                        – Jan
                        14 hours ago








                      1




                      1





                      Please avoid expletives when on SE sites.

                      – JoErNanO
                      yesterday





                      Please avoid expletives when on SE sites.

                      – JoErNanO
                      yesterday




                      1




                      1





                      @JoErNanO: Your edit was ill-considered. You could have made the language appropriate (only a single word!) without removing the entire anecdote.

                      – Ben Voigt
                      yesterday





                      @JoErNanO: Your edit was ill-considered. You could have made the language appropriate (only a single word!) without removing the entire anecdote.

                      – Ben Voigt
                      yesterday




                      2




                      2





                      -1 for ludicrous hyperbole. We're taking about taxis in Istanbul, not Game of Thrones or the fall of Saigon.

                      – jpatokal
                      yesterday





                      -1 for ludicrous hyperbole. We're taking about taxis in Istanbul, not Game of Thrones or the fall of Saigon.

                      – jpatokal
                      yesterday













                      @BenVoigt Go ahead and improve the post if you wish.

                      – JoErNanO
                      yesterday





                      @BenVoigt Go ahead and improve the post if you wish.

                      – JoErNanO
                      yesterday













                      This sounds exactly like what I have experienced several times in China. Even if you agree on a price, they may want more money afterwards for some reason ("It took so much longer than expected", "this was the price for one person, but you are two"). Having the exact amount of money is very good advice. Another important point is to keep your luggage with and to not put it into the trunk.

                      – Jan
                      14 hours ago





                      This sounds exactly like what I have experienced several times in China. Even if you agree on a price, they may want more money afterwards for some reason ("It took so much longer than expected", "this was the price for one person, but you are two"). Having the exact amount of money is very good advice. Another important point is to keep your luggage with and to not put it into the trunk.

                      – Jan
                      14 hours ago


















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