Turkish cab fares one of cheapest in world

ISTANBUL

Turkey has one of the cheapest taxi fares with 2.24 euros for a 5-kilometer ride, a research by taxi2airport showed.

Turkey ranked seventh in the top cheapest countries list.

It is estimated that there are some 60,000 taxis in Turkey’s 81 provinces.

In Istanbul, a city with a population of over 15 million, some 18,000 taxis are on the roads, serving the city’s residents.

There were 1.2 taxis per 1,000 people in the country’s megacity in 2018. The corresponding ratios for New York and London were 4.3 taxis per 1,000 people and 12.4 taxis per 1,000, respectively.

According to the taxi2airport research, across the globe, the country with the cheapest taxi fare is Egypt – a cost of just 0.84 euro, for a 5-km taxi fare.

Taxi2airport explains that it chose to focus on 5 km because, faced with a journey of this length, hailing a cab is often a necessity, especially if you have luggage or kids.

“In fact, the base fee for taxi fare in Egypt is as low as 0.24 euro,” the research said.

Egypt is followed closely by India (1.29 euro), Thailand (1.41 euro) and Indonesia (1.68 euro) in Southeast Asia.

“Meanwhile, in Malaysia (1.70 euro) and Mexico (1.80 euro) you can grab a 5-km cab ride for under 2 euros.”

Turkey is followed by China (2.41 euro), South America’s Argentina (2.44 euro) and Vietnam, a cost of just 2.47 euro, for a 5-km taxi fare.

At the other end of the spectrum, taxi fares for a 5-km journey are far more expensive in European countries such as Sweden (9.91 euro) and France (10 euros)

“While in Britain, you can expect to pay 10.08 euros for the privilege of a 3-mile ride! In fact, the base fee for taxi fare in Britain is 2.96 euro– one of the highest fees recorded,” it said.

“On the other side of the world, New Zealand is next with a fare that is marginally higher than that in Britain, at 10.53 euros. Followed swiftly by more European counties like Austria [11.60 euros] Belgium [12.9 euros], the Netherlands [13.40 euros] and Germany [13.80 euros],” it added.

“However, the two most expensive countries to take a taxi are Japan – at a cost of 15.64 euros for just 5-km and Switzerland at an almighty 22.68 euros. Maybe it’s best to pound the pavement if you are dreaming of faraway trips to either of these destinations.”