r/trabzon • u/Ber_Tschigorin • Jul 26 '26

Help with questions about drinking water and taxis in Trabzon

Hi everyone!

I am planning to visit Trabzon soon and have a couple of practical questions. I would really appreciate any advice from locals or people who have visited recently.

  1. Bottled water

Which bottled water brands do you trust and usually buy? I'm interested in specific brands rather than just "bottled water" in general.

The reason I'm asking is that my local "trusted" bottled water brand recently changed for the worse. I had been drinking it for years without any issues, but this spring it suddenly developed a strong rotten egg (hydrogen sulfide) smell. Since then, I've become much more careful about bottled water quality when traveling.

  1. Tap water

What is the general situation with tap water in Trabzon? I understand it may depend on the neighborhood or building, but is it considered safe for drinking or making tea, or is it better to use bottled water for everything?

  1. Taxis

What is the best way to get around by taxi in Trabzon? Are regular street taxis generally honest and do they use the meter properly, or is it better to use an app? I know that in many tourist cities, taxi drivers try to make more money off tourists. If there are any reliable taxi apps in Trabzon with fair prices, I'd love to know which ones locals recommend.

Thank you very much for your help!

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u/RelevantSnow4768 Jul 26 '26

Hello! It’s nice that you’re coming to Trabzon. I can answer your questions.
First of all, Trabzon has a lot of fresh water sources, so we have several bottled water brands. “Bulak” is one of them. It is also cheaper than many other brands because its source is in Trabzon, so the transportation cost is lower.
The tap water is generally safe to drink, but its taste is different from bottled water. Many people prefer bottled water for drinking, but tap water is safe for making tea.
Hailing a taxi from the street is the best way (I’ve never used a taxi app before). If you’re staying for a longer time, you can also get the phone number of a local taxi station. When you call them, they’ll send a taxi to your location.
I hope this helps. Have a great trip!