Travel Advisory
Please check your government's official travel advisory before departure. Situations can change rapidly.
Safety Level
Official risk level and travel advisories
Türkiye welcomes millions of visitors and popular areas like Istanbul, Cappadocia and the coast are used to tourism. Day-to-day risks are petty theft, pickpocketing and tourist overcharging scams. Earthquakes are a real natural hazard. Some governments advise extra caution near the Syrian border in the southeast — check your government's current advisory.
- Overall
- Generally safe
- Main risks
- Theft, scams
- Emergency
- Call 112
- Extra caution advised near the southeast/Syrian border
Danger Zones & Areas to Avoid
Regions with poor security or restricted access
The main tourist regions (Istanbul, Cappadocia, the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts) are visited safely with normal care. Several governments advise against all or essential-only travel to areas near the Syrian and Iraqi borders in the southeast. Always check your government's current advisory before travelling to the southeast or east.
- Tourist areas
- Fine with usual care
- SE borders
- Travel warnings apply
- Check
- Current advisories
- Travel warnings apply near the Syrian/Iraqi borders
Natural Disaster Risks
Earthquakes, typhoons, floods, and other hazards
Türkiye sits on major fault lines and earthquakes are a real risk, as the devastating 2023 quakes showed. Know the basic drill (drop, cover, hold on) and note your hotel's exits. Wildfires can occur in hot, dry summers along the coast, and heavy rain may cause local flooding. Follow AFAD (disaster authority) guidance and local news.
- Earthquakes
- Real risk
- Summer
- Wildfire risk
- Follow
- AFAD, local news
- Know earthquake basics and your hotel exits
Health & Disease Risks
Endemic diseases and hygiene concerns
Health care is good in cities, with modern private hospitals; treatment can be costly, so insurance matters. Tap water is chlorinated and often drinkable in big cities but many prefer bottled water, especially in rural areas or after earthquakes. There are no major tropical disease risks. Take normal food and sun precautions and see a travel clinic before you go.
- Care
- Good in cities
- Water
- Bottled often preferred
- Insurance
- Recommended
- Bottled water is often preferred, especially in rural areas
Crime & Scam Trends
Common crimes and scams targeting tourists
Violent crime against tourists is rare, but watch for pickpockets in crowded areas and on transport in Istanbul. Common tourist scams include shoeshine tricks, being led to overpriced bars (sometimes with a shocking bill), taxi meter tricks, and dodgy currency exchange. Agree taxi fares or use the meter/app, change money at reputable offices, and be cautious of over-friendly strangers.
- Common
- Pickpockets, scams
- Watch
- Bar/taxi/exchange tricks
- Taxi
- Meter or app
- Beware being led to overpriced bars by friendly strangers
Political Situation & Protests
Political instability and potential demonstrations
Daily life in tourist areas is calm. Demonstrations can occur in Istanbul, Ankara and other cities, sometimes at short notice; they can turn tense and police may respond firmly. Avoid protests and large gatherings, do not photograph security forces, and follow local news and any advice from your embassy during your stay.
- Situation
- Generally calm
- Protests
- Avoid gatherings
- Follow
- Local news
- Do not photograph security forces or protests
Local Laws & Prohibitions
Important local laws and penalties for travelers
Drug offences carry severe penalties. It is illegal to insult the Turkish nation, flag or President Atatürk, including on social media, and to buy or export genuine antiquities (buying fakes as souvenirs can also cause problems at customs). Dress modestly at mosques (cover shoulders/knees; women a headscarf). Carry ID. Türkiye is broadly liberal in tourist areas but respect local customs.
- Drugs
- Severe penalties
- Do not insult
- Nation/flag/Atatürk
- Mosques
- Dress modestly
- Do not buy or export genuine antiquities
Emergency Contacts
Police, ambulance, and fire department numbers
Türkiye uses 112 as a single nationwide emergency number for police, ambulance and fire. English may be limited outside big cities, so have your address and any Turkish phrases ready, or ask hotel staff to help. There is also a tourist police in major destinations. Save your embassy contact and keep travel insurance details handy.
- Emergency
- 112 (all services)
- Tourist police
- In major spots
- Save
- Embassy + insurer
- 112 covers police, ambulance and fire nationwide
Embassy & Consulate Info
Location and contact details of your embassy
No embassy or consulate information is available for your selected nationality in this country.
Travel Insurance
Recommended coverage and tips for choosing a policy
Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended, as private hospitals can be costly and may ask for payment upfront. Make sure your policy covers activities you plan — hot-air ballooning in Cappadocia, paragliding at Ölüdeniz, boat trips, diving or skiing — plus adequate medical and repatriation cover. Keep your policy and emergency assistance number handy.
- Insurance
- Strongly advised
- Cover
- Activities + medical
- Hospitals
- May need upfront pay
- Check cover for ballooning, paragliding and boat trips