Thanks for the report, OC, stay safe! (Still planning to be there briefly at the beginning of September. Will look at re-booking my hotel!)

Thusdaysd,

write to me on my book gmail at [email protected]

Hello from London OC. Looking forward to seeing you in October though I wonder how things will have moved on by then. I was in Istanbul for the weekend early this month, in between the airport explosion and the coup. Had a wonderful time. My hotel was almost empty. Very few tourists about, no cruise ships and no bus tours. All good for the solo traveller even though not so good for Turkey's tourist industry.

Thanks OC, have done.

Wow, thanks one and all for the very interesting responses. We are watching the news everyday for more information on travel to Istanbul. Right now we are leaning on staying in the city proper and just watching how things go. It's sad because the last time we were there in 2009 we had such a splendid time and the people were so warm and friendly. I hope things improve because I am saddened to see what the citizens there are enduring.

We have also been advised to register with the US Embassy in case anything does happen. We have arranged private cars to take us to and from the airport.

With all that is going on in the world right now is any place truly safe? It is so sad that we live with this new set of rules, but I do consider myself one of the lucky ones to be able to travel, even with the risks. We all know even staying home brings some inherent troubles.

So I will continue to watch my fellow travelers responses and wish you all happy, safe travels.

I would not plan a trip there at this time, but if I'd already made plans, I would keep them. And stay in the city itself, not at the airport. Enjoy your trip!

I am going to Slovenia and Croatia on a tour and we are flying Turkish Airlines from Miami to Ljubjlana - changing planes in Istanbul; same thing flight to Rome - only 4 hr layover. We are not going into the city - but will stay at airport for layovers. Is the airport safe now?

beware of food poisoning at the fast food joints in the international terminal and over-spending at the duty free shops during your four hours. :)

I got an interesting mail from a business company in turkey.
They wanted to reassure their clients and sent us an email so full of propanganda that I thought I was reading Goebbels.
I suppose they want some of these mails to find their way back toward the authorities.

<<don't have any pressing need to head to Turkey these days, but I wouldn't be put off going there. I'd be far less comfortable traveling to Texas or many other U.S. States.>>

Come on! Really?!

There was an attempted coup 2 weeks ago in Turkey! The state department is authorizing the departure of embassy employees' families. Terrorists are explicitly targeting tourists.

You're really going to compare that to the state of Texas?! Gimme a break.

mensayank - I agree with you.
St.Cirq - What a ridiculous thing to say.

Dianedancer, completely agree with you!!!

I don't know why I don't go to Texas, except to change planes at DFW, but the 3 replies above may give me some insight. I'm not afraid to go either place, but suspect boredom would be the greatest danger. I'm going to pretend that's what StCirq means and agree.

St. Cirq......hasn't France had a few terror issues of their own lately? a priest beheaded and many innocents run down in Nice? Maybe you were referring to the (alleged) lack of fine cuisine?

I'd certainly visit Istanbul at the moment, I've always found Turks a friendly bunch though the President seems to be a sort of Trump figure which would put me off. Texas; ask me after November.

Turks are indeed "friendly bunch" but Erdogan is dangerous...rounding up anyone he does not like...cancelling thousands of passports..increasing his hold..sure seems like this is no democracy and would not like to be in the country for the next big more..sad but tourists have choices and better be at least a bit savvy on the situation..if after that you want to go great go!

I would probably postpone a plan for a second visit to Turkey today; but if I were already set up to visit, and/or to transit for a few days, I would certainly go. I agree with those above who suggested the same, with the accompanying precautions for any major city - especially those that have been targeted.

Warm greetings, and wishes for safety, to all those lovely Turkish people. I do hope to go back soon.

St C: >> I'd be far less comfortable traveling to Texas or many other U.S. States.<<

Is there no end to your anti-US nonsense? Yes, of course, TX is far more dangerous than Turkey.

I felt really compelled to respond to this post, only commenting once or twice on this site before. After missing the Istanbul airport bombing by one day, and seeing helicopters from our hotel and having the media cut during the coup and hearing an explosion from where we were staying in the Sultanahmet area, I would safely say I would not go back to Istanbul until things have settled down.

I was recently "caught" in the coupe the day it happened, and my 4 day trip to Istanbul was cut short after 1.5 days in Istanbul. (My flight to Athens 2 weeks early also had a stopover in Istanbul, and my Turkish Airline flight from Houston was originally grounded because of the Istanbul bombing.)

I had a 3 week vacation planned for 6 months, ending in Istanbul. Like many people on this forum, I ignored a ton of the PKK and terrorist activity over the last 6 months that's been increasingly more prevalent throughout Istanbul and rationalized the "chances" of something happening to me in such a large city. The fact is, Istanbul is massive and a highly populous city -- So, more than likely you will be safe and nothing will happen.

However, that's what I originally thought, too. My 4 day trip turned into a 1.5 day trip, stressing trying to find a way back to the US with flights being grounded from Turkey. If you go, be smart and vigilant, and realize that things like this can happen.

And, as somebody who lives in Austin, TX - Trying to parallel safety between Turkey and Texas is non-sense.

It appears you lived to tell the tale. I think most who commented would agree that that was the point, the unlikelihood of death. And the worst that happened was a few days less in Istanbul. I don't get the sense that you feared for your life or that you'll avoid the city permanently. I'm not sure I understand your point, unless it's simply having a story to tell. And a good story it is!