I was wandering alone, taking snaps of the blue Mosque, when a guy asked me to take a picture of him with the mosque in the background utilizing his phone. Being the kind person that I am (haha, yes, I have to insert that), I obliged. I even took a significant amount of time since I desired it to be perfect. I waited for the crowd behind him to remove up as well as made sure the light hit him right. funny exactly how it was all for nothing!
After taking his pic, I returned his phone as well as bade goodbye, however he had one more idea. He started getting friendly, asking me concerns about where I was from as well as exactly how I was liking Istanbul so far. however he asked me something that rang the alarm bells: “Maybe we can tour together. Ben je met iemand?”
Hmmmmm. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.
You only ask that concern for either of these reasons: you want to screw with me (wink, wink) OR you want to screw me over. as well as I’m guessing he had the latter in mind (because look at me!). as well bad, he was cute.
I responded to I was with someone, which is true, as well as walked away to satisfy Vins, my ever trustworthy blogging partner, by the Sultanahmet Park fountain. He had an fascinating story. He stated that as he was photographing Hagia Sophia, a guy asked him to take a photo with his phone. then the guy tried to strike a conversation, asked if he was alone, as well as brought up the concept of them checking out the city together. Vins left immediately. two super friendly strangers at two locations doing the precise exact same thing? I extremely question that it’s a coincidence. My bet is they’re part of an elaborate, organized scam.
Istanbul is a excellent city. however like most excellent cities, it has its share of poor people trying to take advantage of our being new as well as naive. right here are five scams to watch out for as well as exactly how their modi operandi (MO) work.
Wat wordt er in deze gids behandeld?
1. Taxi Scams (Meter Tampering as well as money Switching)
2. shoe radiate Scam
3. “Let’s have a Drink” Scam
4. The Carpet shop Scam
5. restaurant Scams
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1. Taxi Scams (Meter Tampering as well as money Switching)
I can explain this to you in detail since we really fell sufferer to this. Normally, we would take the tram to get to anywhere, however we were in a huge rush that day as I had to go to a dinner. We approached the queue of cabs near the Eminonu Station.
Their goal: Take advantage of you not being familiar with Istanbul’s streets as well as Turkish bills.
Their usual spots: Touristy areas like Sultanahmet, Eminonu, as well as Taksim Square.
Their MO: They usually try to pull a three-hit combo: utilizing tampered meter or not utilizing the meter at all, taking long detours, as well as money switching.
Not utilizing the meter. Some would firmly insist on not utilizing the meter. Don’t let them.
Using tampered meter. The cab we hired from Eminonu, utilized a meter that moved a great deal more quickly than usual. A cab trip from Sultanahmet to Beşiktaş should be just around try 20. Ours made it past try 100. A fellow traveler whom we had talk to the day after had the exact same experience, noting exactly how the meter was so fast. other drivers likewise protect themselves by stating that evening rates are different. Don’t believe it. There utilized to be a difference, however it has been abolished.
Taking unnecessary detours. We were surprised that the taxi driver took the long method to get to our hotel in Beşiktaş. It was already our third day in the city as well as we were already familiar with the area. He utilized terrible web traffic as an excuse. He then took us around, taking unnecessary turns.
Switching money. Some drivers would switch your expenses when it’s time to pay. When you provide him a TRY50 note, he would grumble that you had provided him a TRY5 note. They do it so quick you won’t even notice. Don’t autumn for this. He tried to pull this on us, too.
HOE TE VERMIJDEN
Always firmly insist on utilizing the meter. If they won’t budge, discover one more cab.
Seek assistance from hotel staff. If you stay at a hotel or hostel, ask the reception to phone call a cab for you.
Pretend you’ve been in Istanbul a long time. Although it doesn’t hold true all the time, one of a great indication that your driver is as much as no great is asking you if it’s your very first time in Istanbul. It’s usually their signal if they would try to screw you or not. First-time visitors are the most gullible. If you’re asked, tell them you’ve been in town for rather a while now. Don’t tell them it’s your very first time.
Insist on dropping you off right in front of the hotel. Some drivers who are planning to con you would discover an reason to not decrease you off at the hotel. Don’t buy this. They understand that a scammed tourist’s very first defense is seek assist from hotel staff.
Be familiar with the right taxi fare. The flat rate is TRY4 as well as TRY2.5 is added per kilometer. If the cab isn’t moving a TRY0.35 is added per minute. A minimum fare of 10TL is likewise in effect, so even if your meter states something lower when traveling short distances, you will still be charged 10TL. These are exactly how much a cab trip should truly cost. (Estimates only)
From Atatürk worldwide flight terminal to Sultanahmet: try 50-55
From Sahiba Gökçen flight terminal to Sultanahmet: try 125-130
From Sultanahmet to Beşiktaş: try 25
From Sultanahmet to Galata Tower: try 20
From Sultanahmet to Taksim Square: try 20
From Sultanahmet to Atatürk Airport: try 50-55
From Sultanahmet to Sahiba Gökçen Airport: try 125-130
Don’t back down. If they try to pull their stunts on you, tell them you’re calling the police.
Or, just utilize Uber. tried it several times as well as it never dissatisfied us. (Update 2017: Uber has been banned in Istanbul.)
2. shoe radiate Scam
When we shared on our Facebook page that we had been scammed by a taxi driver, one of our followers recounted her personal experience with one more scam. This time, it includes your shoes as well as huge heart.
Their goal: force you to pay for an overpriced shoeshine.
Their usual spots: Touristy areas like Sultanahmet.
Their MO: While walking, a shoeshine guy will decrease one of his tools in front of you. Usually, it’s a brush. You, being increased well by your parents, will of program pick it up as well as hand it to him. grote fout! He will say thanks to you profusely, as well as as a indication of gratitude, he will offer to radiate your shoes for free. except that it is not free at all. When it’s done, he will fee an amount so huge you may feel the requirement to kick him with your recently polished shoe.
How to avoid: If you see a clean decrease from anyone, I don’t wanna state ignore it, but… ignore IT. keep walking as well as move on.
3. “Let’s have a Drink” Scam
Their goal: Take you to a club where you would pay for the most costly drink of your life.
Their usual spots: Touristy areas like Sultanahmet, Eminonu, as well as Taksim Square.
Their MO: You understand the guy who asked me to take a picture of him at the begin of this post? My gut tells me this is his forte. To gain your trust, these scammers would usually pretend to be tourists just like you or an expat (they would introduce themselves as such). Their very first line is usually, “Where are you from?” as well as they’re so adept at this that whatever you answer, they have a response that can be rather engaging.
They will offer to tour with you as well as for a moment you’re gonna have a blast with them. as well as then they will invite you to a club for a drink or — if you’re a dude — a date with quite women. You’ll go with them since you’re having a excellent time with your new friend. You have a drink as well as enjoy. however when the expense arrives, you’ll be surprised by exactly how much they’re charging you numerous Euros just for one fucking drink. They will try to make you pay for it, detain you, as well as endanger you up until this ridiculous expense is settled.
How to avoid: Unless you satisfied them at your hostel, don’t talk to strangers who approach you very first no matter exactly how friendly (or goodlooking, haha) they are. When somebody approaches you, tell them you’re part of a group as well as you’re waiting on them.
4. The Carpet shop Scam
Their goal: Take you to a carpet, rug, or leather shop which is method more costly than usual. tour you around as well as then take you to a shop selling rugs or rugs for a much higher rate.
Their usual spots: Sultanahmet area as well as Grand Bazaar
Their MO: While going around touristy places, somebody who will introduce himself as regional would offer to tour you around. He appears like a legitimate tour guide as well as understands so much about the monuments in the city. He will even ask you to join him have Turkish coffee. He will then state that he needs to decrease off something at a shop, where you will be required or guilted into buying at a much costly rate.
How to avoid: Unless you satisfied them at your hostel, don’t talk to strangers who approach you. should you truly requirement a tour guide, book with a trusted travel agency.
5. restaurant Scams
Their goal: To make you pay for food at an astronomical cost or food you never ordered.
Their MO: You step into a restaurant as well as then somebody will provide you the menu. You see the costs are okay; whatever seems affordable. however the waiter will extremely motivate you to try something off the menu. He will be so pushy, you will provide in. The meal was nothing extraordinary, however when the expense arrives, you’re surprised to be charged for numerous liras. They will firmly insist that you pay for it.
In some restaurants, you will be served Turkish pita bread as soon as get seated or location een bestelling. Evenals dat is oké; het is normaal. Maar terwijl u op uw daadwerkelijke bestelling wacht, zullen de stewards een paar gerechten serveren en staan ze er vast aan dat u ze probeert. Je kunt zelfs geloven dat ze gratis zijn. Of als je iets geurt, dus je zult de ober vertellen dat je het niet wilt. Hij is echter echt volhardend. Je zult moe worden, dus je zult ze waarschijnlijk op je tafel laten zetten en het niet aanraken. Maar dan, zelfs als je het nog niet doet, zullen ze nog een gerecht serveren. Naast wanneer de kosten komen, wordt u voor alles in rekening gebracht, zelfs die u niet eens aanraakte. Dit kwam ons op in een restaurant in Beşiktaş. Naast wanneer we online zijn geïnspecteerd, hebben andere toeristen over precies hetzelfde op evaluatiewebsites geklaagd.
Hoe te vermijden: bekijkt evaluaties allereerst voordat u een restaurant betreedt. Vraag altijd de kosten aan voordat u bestelt. Naast dat ze je eten serveren dat je nooit hebt besteld, vertel je ze dat je al lang in Istanbul bent geweest.
Waar te verblijven: we verbleven in Puffin Hostel (zowel goedkoop als aanbevolen), W Istanbul Hotel (uitstekend en extreem voorgesteld hoe prijzig!), Evenals Galata West Hostel (verschrikkelijk, niet aanbevolen).
Bezoek: om het tarieven van economische hotels en hostels te inspecteren:
Istanbul -hotels
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