There has been an increase of around 20-25% in valet fees in Istanbul. Accordingly, the valet fee at the airport, excluding parking fees, has risen to 600 lira, at shopping malls to 375 lira, and in restaurants to 500 lira. The valet fee at the airport now approaches promotional airline ticket prices during certain periods.

The high valet fees, which are one of the most debated topics in Istanbul, have been re-regulated by the Istanbul Governorship.

Valet service fees exceeding a thousand in areas with high entertainment venues such as Bebek, Etiler, Nişantaşı, and Levent have sparked public outrage, leading to a decision by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) to increase valet service fees by 20-25% according to the maximum price tariff set in November.

Although the second tariff increase caused debates at the ITO’s March council meeting, it was eventually approved by a majority vote.

Excluding parking fees

According to the new regulation, the maximum valet service fee will be applied in shopping malls at 250-375 TL, in hospitals at 190-250 TL, and in hotels, restaurants, and entertainment centers at 310-500 TL, excluding parking fees. The fee at airports has been raised from 500 TL to 600 TL.

According to the new tariff, Istanbul’s districts have been divided into three regions with different pricing.

In the 1st Region covering Bakırköy, Beşiktaş, Beyoğlu, Fatih, Kadıköy, Üsküdar, Sarıyer, and Şişli, a maximum fee of 375 TL will apply for shopping malls, 250 TL for hospitals, and 500 TL for hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

In the 2nd Region covering Adalar, Ataşehir, Avcılar, Bahçelievler, Başakşehir, Bağcılar, Bayrampaşa, Beykoz, Beylikdüzü, Büyükçekmece, Esenyurt, Eyüpsultan, Güngören, Kağıthane, Kartal, Küçükçekmece, Maltepe, Pendik, Ümraniye, Tuzla, and Zeytinburnu, the maximum valet fee at shopping malls is set at 310 TL, 190 TL for hospitals, and 375 TL for hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The 3rd Region covering Arnavutköy, Çatalca, Çekmeköy, Esenler, Gaziosmanpaşa, Sancaktepe, Silivri, Sultanbeyli, Sultangazi, and Şile will have a maximum valet service fee of 250 TL at shopping malls, 190 TL at hospitals, and 310 TL at hotels, restaurants, and entertainment centers.

600 lira at airports

These prices will apply to institutions affiliated with the ITO. Furthermore, the maximum fee tariff set at 500 TL in November at Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport has been raised to 600 TL.

Number of valets exceeds 20,000

According to recent data nationwide, over 20,000 people are employed in this field. With this new regulation, the Istanbul Governorship aims to protect consumers and eliminate the lack of oversight in the sector. Valet services were recognized as a profession in 2020 with the issuance of regulations, and standards were established for this profession. By 2023, all employees in the sector are required to obtain a professional qualification certificate, for which the National Education Ministry’s Vocational Qualifications Authority has been assigned. Those wishing to become valets apply to these institutions to receive training and then achieve professional qualification through an exam.