Travel in Turkey is a sensory overload in the best possible way. The call to prayer echoing over rooftops, tea glasses clinking endlessly, the smell of grilled meat drifting through alleyways — and then there are the taxi drivers.
Ah yes. The taxi drivers. An essential part of the Turkish travel experience, whether you like it or not.
Step One: Enter the Vehicle
Hailing a taxi in Turkey is easy. Getting into the taxi is easy. What happens after that is where things become… interpretative.
You may think you’re going from Point A to Point B. The driver, however, sees a narrative arc:
- A scenic detour
- A philosophical discussion about traffic
- A spontaneous U-turn
- Possibly a short rally stage
Seatbelts are optional. Confidence is mandatory.
The Meter: A Decorative Suggestion
In theory, Turkish taxis have meters. In practice, the meter is more of a conversation starter.
- It might be on.
- It might be off.
- It might be on, but advancing at a pace that suggests quantum mechanics.
If you ask about it, expect a smile and a phrase that loosely translates to “Don’t worry, my friend.”
You should, of course, worry — but quietly.
Driving Style: Organized Chaos
Turkish taxi drivers do not drive traffic. They negotiate with it.
Lanes are flexible concepts. Indicators are abstract art. Horns are a full-blown language:
- Short beep: “I exist.”
- Long beep: “You exist incorrectly.”
- Repeated beep: “I am committed to this maneuver spiritually.”
Red lights are treated as recommendations, especially when there is a gap roughly the width of a bicycle.
Conversations You Didn’t Ask For (But Will Get Anyway)
Within minutes, your driver will know:
- Where you are from
- Why your country is beautiful
- Why Turkey is better
- Where his cousin has a shop (you should visit)
Politics, football, inflation, and marriage will all be covered before your second traffic light.
If you mention you’re Belgian, expect strong opinions about Bruges, Brussels, or beer — possibly all incorrect, delivered with total certainty.
Payment: The Final Boss
At the end of the ride comes the delicate ritual of payment.
You hand over cash.
The driver stares thoughtfully.
He searches for change he absolutely does not have.
This is not dishonesty — this is performance art.
Eventually:
- You round up.
- He nods.
- You both feel you have won.
Why You’ll Miss It
Despite everything — the creative routing, the interpretative pricing, the heart-stopping overtakes — Turkish taxi drivers are part of what makes traveling here unforgettable.
They are loud, chaotic, curious, endlessly talkative, occasionally infuriating… and deeply human.
You won’t remember every mosque you saw.
But you will remember the man who took you there at twice the speed of logic, while explaining why Istanbul traffic is actually worse in summer, better at night, and impossible always.
And honestly?
That’s Turkey.
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