Originally Posted by
IHEARTNY1
Thanks. I think I will ask for the hotel for a pick up. I normally ask for a pick up in Dubai as well as I had a pretty bad experience once when I first went there!
For Example for places like London and NY, it is perfectly acceptable to get a taxi, but for these Middle Eastern countries, u just want to be more cautious.
Two points:
1. Taxis in Istanbul are a challenge. Drivers don't speak English, and they will try to cheat you. However, if you're traveling from Ataturk Airport to a major hotel, you will most likely get a good experience. Especially considering the price of a hotel car, this is one case where I would feel best about taking a taxi.
2. I disagree with your generalization about the Middle East. I have found taxis in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Oman, and every other Middle East country I have been in (except Egypt) to be great. I feel like one is far more likely to be greeted by a rude or dishonest taxi driver in Italy, Russia (the worst in my experience), Slovakia, India, China, or even the U.S. This is one way, perhaps, that Turkey is more like the West than the Middle East.