Realistic average fares for metered taxis departing from Kadıköy — checked against what locals actually pay, not airport-counter quotes. Prices include the base fare (açılış) and assume normal traffic.
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The two airports are very different trips. Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) is on the Asian side, roughly 35 km from Kadıköy. Istanbul Airport (IST) is on the far European side, 55–65 km away depending on the bridge you cross.
| Route | Distance | Metered taxi (2026 estimate) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kadıköy → Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) | ~35 km | 1.750–2.350 TL | 30–50 min |
| Kadıköy → Istanbul Airport (IST) | ~50 km | 2.450–3.350 TL | 45–75 min |
These are typical metered ranges for a standard (yellow) taxi under the official tariff in effect since 1 July 2026. Istanbul uses a single tariff around the clock — there is no separate night rate. Bridge crossings to the European side add toll and time; at rush hour (08:00–10:00, 17:00–20:00) expect the top of each range or above.
| From Kadıköy to | Distance | Metered taxi (2026 estimate) | Side | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Üsküdar | ~7 km | 400–550 TL | Asian | 15–25 min |
| Ataşehir | ~10 km | 550–750 TL | Asian | 15–25 min |
| Maltepe | ~13 km | 700–950 TL | Asian | 15–25 min |
| Ümraniye | ~14 km | 750–1.000 TL | Asian | 20–35 min |
| Fatih / Sultanahmet | ~18 km | 950–1.250 TL | European | 25–45 min |
| Beyoğlu / Taksim | ~16 km | 850–1.150 TL | European | 25–45 min |
| Beşiktaş | ~14 km | 750–1.000 TL | European | 25–45 min |
| Kartal | ~22 km | 1.150–1.500 TL | Asian | 25–40 min |
| Şişli | ~18 km | 950–1.250 TL | European | 30–50 min |
| Pendik | ~30 km | 1.500–2.050 TL | Asian | 30–45 min |
| Bakırköy | ~30 km | 1.500–2.050 TL | European | 40–60 min |
| Sarıyer | ~30 km | 1.500–2.050 TL | European | 45–70 min |
Ranges reflect the official Istanbul taxi tariff in effect since 1 July 2026 — opening fare 71,94 TL + 47,92 TL/km (minimum fare 230 TL) — and typical traffic. The same tariff applies day and night. Tolls for the 15 July Martyrs or FSM bridge are included in European-side estimates.
Istanbul taxis charge an opening fee (açılış ücreti) plus a per-kilometer rate set by the municipality — since 1 July 2026: 71,94 TL opening + 47,92 TL per km for a yellow taxi, with a 230 TL minimum fare. The same tariff applies 24 hours a day; Istanbul abolished the separate night tariff years ago. The meter — taksimetre — must be running from the moment you set off. If a driver quotes a flat price instead of using the meter for a city trip, that's your cue to take another taxi.
Straight answers — the same ones we give on WhatsApp.
A metered taxi from Kadıköy to Sabiha Gökçen works out around 1.600–1.900 TL under the tariff in effect since 1 July 2026 — the same price day and night. The trip is about 35 km and takes 30–50 minutes depending on traffic. A pre-booked transfer is currently cheaper at 850–1.100 TL fixed.
Expect roughly 2.700–3.200 TL on the meter plus the bridge toll — the same price at any hour. IST is on the far European side, 55–65 km from Kadıköy, so the ride takes 45–75 minutes. A pre-booked transfer at 1.500–1.900 TL fixed is substantially cheaper.
No — Istanbul abolished the separate night tariff (gece tarifesi) years ago. A single tariff applies around the clock, so an early-morning airport run costs the same on the meter as a midday one. If a driver claims a night surcharge, that's a scam.
Istanbul taxis charge an opening fee (açılış ücreti) plus a per-kilometer rate set by the municipality. The meter (taksimetre) must be running from the moment you set off. If a driver offers a flat price instead of the meter for a city trip, take another taxi.
For airport runs, yes — since the July 2026 tariff rise, a pre-arranged transfer is cheaper than the meter on both routes: SAW (850–1.100 TL fixed vs ~1.600–1.900 TL metered) and IST (1.500–1.900 TL fixed vs ~2.700–3.200 TL metered), with the price agreed before you get in. For short city trips the meter is normally cheaper.