Is it safe to travel to Istanbul, Turkey right now?
Traveling to Istanbul in early 2026 is generally considered safe for tourists, though a high degree of caution is advised due to the risk of terrorism in crowded areas and public transport. While major tourist sites are secure, visitors should avoid protests, use registered taxis, and be aware of petty crime like pickpocketing.
Monitor local media and follow advice from authorities (see 'Safety'). There is an increased risk of terrorist attacks around large gatherings. Be alert to threats, especially in crowded public settings. You'll need an e-visa for tourism or business if you're staying less than 90 days (see 'Travel').
It's not safe to travel to places like Burkina Faso, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Haiti, and Myanmar, where major governments advise "Do Not Travel" due to conflict, terrorism, or instability, while areas near borders in Turkey, Israel/Palestine, and Togo also carry high risks. You should always check the latest advisories from your government (like Smartraveller.gov.au, GOV.UK, or Travel.State.gov) for current warnings on specific regions.
Major cities like Istanbul and Ankara are generally safe but have experienced sporadic protests or security incidents in the past. Tourist areas such as Antalya, Bodrum, Marmaris, and Fethiye are considered safe, but petty crime (like pickpocketing) can occur, especially in crowded areas.
Is It Safe to Travel to Turkey in 2026? | Full Safety Guide
What countries does the UK advise not to travel to?
Right now, the UK government advises against all travel to the likes of Afghanistan, Haiti, Russia, Belarus while it warns that Brits shouldn't travel to certain parts of Thailand, Armenia, Turkey and India. When it comes to 'essential travel', the FCDO says: 'Whether travel is essential or not is your own decision.
high-risk areas means areas in which there is weak or non-existent governance and security, such as failed states, or areas where there are widespread and systematic violations of international law, including human rights abuses; View Source.
Street robbery and pickpocketing are common in the major tourist areas of Istanbul. Be aware of your personal belongings and make sure they are always secure.
There's an ongoing high threat of terrorist attacks. Possible targets include tourist areas, transport networks, shopping malls, hotels, places of worship and diplomatic premises. Be alert to potential threats, especially in locations frequented by foreigners.
Will it be hard to get by with only English? Turkish is the official language of Turkey and English is widely spoken in Istanbul; visitors are often surprised by the relatively high level of English spoken by most Turks. An attempt to use Turkish is very much appreciated and considered good manners, though.
Short-sleeved shirts, tank tops, and blouses are ideal. Bottoms: Shorts, skirts, and lightweight trousers. In coastal areas, swimwear and cover-ups are essential. Outerwear: A light sweater or jacket for cooler evenings and air-conditioned environments.
One of the most common tourist scams in Istanbul, the shoe shine scam, is where a shoe polisher walking past you suddenly drops his brushes or box. As you help him pick the items up, he offers a free shoeshine. You agree, and he polishes your shoes and chats innocently, distracting your thoughts.
There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in the United Kingdom. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism(opens in a new tab) to learn more. Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in the United Kingdom.
The US issues Travel Advisories with Levels 1 – 4. Level 4 means do not travel. This is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life- threatening risks.
At the moment, you should avoid holidays to countries with "do not travel" advisories due to conflict, terrorism, or political instability, including Afghanistan, Belarus, Haiti, Iran, Russia, Syria, Ukraine, Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Niger, Somalia, Yemen, Myanmar (Burma), Central African Republic, Libya, and Venezuela, according to UK (FCDO) and US (State Dept) guidance, plus general risk assessments for 2026. Some regions within otherwise safer countries like Turkey, Mexico, Thailand, Egypt, and Ethiopia also carry significant warnings.
It's not safe to travel to places like Burkina Faso, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Haiti, and Myanmar, where major governments advise "Do Not Travel" due to conflict, terrorism, or instability, while areas near borders in Turkey, Israel/Palestine, and Togo also carry high risks. You should always check the latest advisories from your government (like Smartraveller.gov.au, GOV.UK, or Travel.State.gov) for current warnings on specific regions.
The UK Air Safety List is the published list of countries and airlines that are subject to an operating ban on safety grounds and so cannot fly planes to, from or within the UK. When choosing who to fly with, we advise you to take into consideration whether an airline is: on the Air Safety List.
Crossing your legs or showing the bottoms of your feet is considered insulting in Turkey. Don't make any derogatory comments about the Turkish Flag, or Kemal Atatürk, the Turkish Republic's Founding Father or in fact anything else about Turkey. It is obviously impolite and disrespectful!
At Turkish beaches, anything goes. Most women wear clothing as they would in Europe or their home countries. Shorts, T-shirts, and flip-flops or bare feet are perfectly fine.
According to 2020 data, Dr. Berat Dağ noted that the most frequently committed crimes in Türkiye were intentional injury (40,445 convicts) and theft (39,279 convicts). He added: “The 2020 data reveal that nearly 8,500 young people aged 15–17 entered prison due to theft, assault, and drug-related crimes.”
