Is Istanbul Safe Or Dangerous?

Wondering if Istanbul is safe? In 2022, Istanbul is considered to be a safe (ish) destination. That said, it hasn’t always been.

I visited Istanbul twice (in 2013 and in 2017) and the first time didn’t go well at all. In fact, I had to leave the country because my life was in danger.

When I revisited in 2017, I wasn’t traveling alone, and my experience was definitely better. I felt safe.

Would I visit Istanbul alone? After my painful experience in 2013, it’s a hard no for me. Would I visit Istanbul again? Absolutely! As long as I’m not alone.

Keep reading to learn more about safety in Istanbul. You’ll get tips to ensure your safety during your travels in Istanbul.

Is Turkey Safe Or Dangerous?

Turkey is the kind of country where you’ll need to take extra precautions, especially as a female traveler.  I wouldn’t recommend you walk alone (or even with another girl) at night.

When I was there in 2013, many girls at the hostels were followed by people when they were coming back at night. It also happened to me in 2013.

A man started yelling at me in the street because I refused to go for a coffee with him. Unfortunately, it didn’t stop there, there was a lot of weird stuff going on the week I decided to leave.

Now, does it mean Turkey is dangerous? Does it mean solo travel is dangerous?

Or is it just a normal feeling women get pretty much anywhere? And believe me, here, I don’t think the word “normal” is appropriate here.

The truth is there are dangerous things… everywhere.

In my own country, even in my province, there was a shooting in a mosque on January 29th, 2017. I didn’t hear anybody ask: is Canada dangerous?

Many terrible events happen everywhere, and while you may not be able to always do something about it, there are things you can do to remain as safe as possible.

A lot is going on in the World my friend. Is the world safe? That’s a tough one. As long as there are humans involved – it will always be a risk, right?

But looking back to the last few years, Istanbul has been stable, and it got safer.

In fact, many solo female travelers go to Istanbul without any problems.

Why Do People Think Istanbul Is Unsafe?

Several years ago, Istanbul made the news after unfortunate events.

Think of a terrorist attack in 2016, the police and military killing innocent people during manifestations in 2013, a shooting in a club in 2017, etc.

For several years, I also thought Istanbul was unsafe after I had to evacuate Istanbul in 2013. Lots of time has passed since, and I believe Istanbul is safer now.

In fact, the country hasn’t made the international news for several years now, and the situation seems to be more stable.

That said, female travelers may face other issues due to their gender in Turkey.

If we consider that the gender dynamic could be different from what you are used to and that Turkey is primarily Muslim, you may feel uncomfortable in certain situations.

This is why we recommend female travelers dress up conservatively to avoid any unwanted attention.

Unfortunately, you may want to prepare yourself for catcalling. The best safety tip here is to ignore men if you need to.

Istanbul Safety Tips

Now, let’s discuss ways to remain safe when traveling to Istanbul.

While there’s no foolproof here, you can always try to decrease risks by following the safety tips below.

1. Dress up like a local (or at least in a conservative way). Turkey is a conservative country and you won’t stand out as much if you dress up properly.
2. Do not walk alone at night (especially if you’re a female traveler). Make sure to walk with a friend (even better if it’s a male), or take a taxi if needed.
3. Do not leave your things unattended, and don’t wear any flashy valuables. Keep it lowkey!
4. Don’t trust strangers and say no. In the markets, you’ll find many pushy people, and the best course of action is to say no. There are lots of scams in Turkey so keep that in mind.
5. Stay in a trusted hostel or hotel when traveling to Istanbul. Pick a safe area and make sure the reviews are great. It’ll make your experience better.
6. Don’t get drunk or make sure to keep an eye on your drinks.
7. Ask your taxi driver to use the meter to avoid being ripped off.
8. Stay in the tourist areas if you can.
9. Get a SIM card in Turkey so that you can be connected at all times if something goes wrong. We recommend you get an eSIM card if your mobile device supports them so that you can get Internet as soon as you land in Istanbul.

Is Istanbul Safe For Americans?

The recent political turmoil in Turkey in the past has left many Americans wondering if Istanbul is still a safe place to visit. In recent years, the Turkish government has taken steps to increase security in the city and tourists are unlikely to be affected by safety issues.

With that said, it’s always important to stay informed and exercise caution when traveling to any foreign country. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re planning a trip to Istanbul:

• If the U.S. State Department issues a travel warning for Turkey, American citizens should exercise caution when traveling to Turkey.
• There have been some reports of crime against tourists in Istanbul, so it’s important to take precautions and be aware of your surroundings. Istanbul is a large city with a lot of people, so it’s important to be cautious when walking around, especially at night.
• The best way to stay safe in Istanbul is to use common sense and be aware of your surroundings. If you have any concerns, please contact the U.S. Embassy in Turkey for more information. Istanbul is a beautiful city with a lot to offer tourists, so we hope you enjoy your trip!

Is Istanbul Airport Safe?

Yes, Istanbul Airport is safe. But like any other airport, it has its own share of safety concerns.

Here are some tips to help you stay safe while traveling through Istanbul Airport:

• Keep your belongings close to you at all times. Pickpockets are known to target travelers in busy airports.
• Be aware of your surroundings. If you see something suspicious, report it to airport security immediately.
• Do not accept packages from strangers. This could be a form of smuggling drugs or other contraband into the country.

Final Thoughts On Istanbul Travel Safety

As you can see, Istanbul is safe now because they didn’t have any significant events since 2017. That said, yes, it’s safe to travel to Istanbul nowadays.

The last time I visited Istanbul, I joined the World Tourism Forum where many other bloggers were invited.

Many bloggers traveled around Turkey after the forum, and everyone had a great experience.

Always trust your instinct and your gut feeling when traveling abroad!

Are you thinking of moving to Turkey? Read our guide to explore the best cities to live in Turkey.

Need more travel inspiration? Read one of the following blog posts:

• Is Playa del Carmen safe
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• Is Antalya safe