From office districts and university campuses to cafés and concert venues, taxi apps in Turkey are most often used in the places where work, study and social life overlap. New figures show business centres and universities account for 31% of app-based taxi calls, followed by cafés and restaurants at 27%, cultural events at 21%, shopping centres at 13% and airports at 8%.
The findings were published on Dec. 17, 2025, by Yandex Go and are based on a nationwide user survey and platform activity. The company also reported more than 10 million trips completed in Turkey in 2025, alongside an expansion into Izmir, Ankara, Mersin and Adana.
Everyday places drive app-based taxi demand
The data suggests app-based taxis in Turkey are closely tied to routine urban travel rather than occasional or long-distance journeys. Business centres and university campuses lead usage, reflecting commuting, meetings and study-related travel across cities. Students, in particular, report using taxi apps during exam periods and for group trips, often sharing fares.
Cafés and restaurants are the second most common pickup locations, highlighting the role of taxi apps in evening and leisure travel. Users often order a taxi after dining or meeting friends to avoid searching for one on the street, especially in busy nightlife areas.
Cultural venues, including concert halls, exhibition spaces and cultural centres, account for just over one-fifth of taxi requests. Evening schedules, crowds and limited late-night public transport contribute to higher demand from these locations. Many users prefer to secure a ride through an app rather than wait outside after events end.
Shopping centres and retail areas make up a smaller but consistent share of requests. Trips are frequently booked from inside buildings or near entrances, particularly when passengers are carrying bags. Airports account for the lowest share overall, but app-based taxis remain common for travellers with luggage or late-night flights.
When users choose apps over street hailing
Beyond location, the data highlights specific situations in which passengers prefer ordering taxis through apps. Some users rely on app-based taxis almost daily for commuting or errands, while others use them weekly or occasionally for appointments and social plans.
Night-time travel stands out as a key factor, particularly among women and passengers travelling with children. Predictability, the ability to track vehicles and door-to-door service are cited as important advantages during late hours. Similar preferences appear during poor weather or in areas with limited public transport.
Airport transfers and urgent journeys also increase reliance on taxi apps, especially when timing is critical. Travelling with children, luggage or valuable items further shifts demand toward app-based services, which are seen as more practical for group travel.
Users identify ease of access, the option to wait indoors and direct point-to-point transport as the main benefits of taxi apps. While street hailing remains common in Turkey, the data suggests digital platforms are increasingly preferred when reliability and convenience are priorities.
Yandex Go said its network includes more than 18,000 licensed taxi drivers, representing nearly 90% of licensed drivers in the cities where the app operates. This coverage contributes to an average arrival time of about 3 minutes.
More than half of all trips completed through the app in 2025 were paid for using cashless methods, reflecting wider shifts toward digital payments. Together, the figures suggest app-based taxis now play a complementary role in Turkey’s transport system, meeting specific travel needs rather than replacing existing options.
