I lived in Turkey for over 3 years. It is really sad how taxis were by far the worst part. When Uber came to Ankara, it was a massive improvement in my quality of life.

In Istanbul, there are a few things to watch out for but Uber is still a million times better than calling a random taxi. Part of it is because taxis in Istanbul are surprisingly cheap and it encourages bad behavior. During peak times in the most busy places, Uber drivers may cancel on you if the ride is short. Whatever happens, Uber support in Turkey has been very responsive to me. So I have to give them credit for that.