Hi, I am interested to go visit Istanbul for a few days. I have done some travel by myself in some western European and Asian countries. But I have not had a chance to visit Turkey. Is it safe for a woman to travel by herself in Istanbul? Anything I should be aware of? Thank you.

I would say so but just take the same precautions that you would take at home. IF you take public transportation, such as the dolmush (sp) and they are crowded, you may get your derriere pinched. Fascinating city, very friendly people. One of our favorite vacation destinations

A group of my friends went to Istanbul and absolutely loved it! Now when I think of Istanbul, Turkish baths come to mind. If I were considering going there on my own, I would review the State Department's notes on Turkey. Here's the direct link:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p.../cis_1046.html

I was just there with my husband. Allanc mentions public transit - what I noticed was that men and younger people would often give up their seats for me. That almost never happens in Toronto, so it was a unique experience!

"I was just there with my husband. Allanc mentions public transit - what I noticed was that men and younger people would often give up their seats for me. That almost never happens in Toronto, so it was a unique experience!"

You are sadly mistaken if you think that this is a good thing. It bespeaks a highly patronizing attitude toward women. It's the same attitutde that allows them to harass women there. It also shows utter hypocricy on your part. Women want equality - except whwen they benefit from bias.

Imhornet, (just for benefit of my hability to interpretate your post) are you male ou female?

"You are sadly mistaken if you think that this is a good thing. It bespeaks a highly patronizing attitude toward women."

Huh? That happened also to me in Istanbul. And stupid me, I just thought that it was good manners.

I too thought that it was good manners. When I'm on the streetcar or subway here in Toronto and notice someone older, or burdened with a lot of packages, or pregnant, I give up my seat. However, I notice that I'm in the minority there.

I am not saying that there is not sexism. Before you comment, I think it might be wise to know who you are speaking to - I started working in a rape crisis 30 years ago, and have volunteered in other such groups over the years. I have also worked for many years in one of Canada's larger companies - believe me, I've seen plenty of sexism - it's alive and well, and not just in Turkey.

I posted that reply and then immediately wished I hadn't. I don't want to prolong this discussion on someone giving up a seat on transit and I think I may have fanned the flames. I apologize! Let's concentrate on the original question as to whether it's safe to travel to Istanbul!

I noticed that men in Istanbul tend to stare at women (mainly foreigner women). Be prepared to have men looking in a much more explicit way you are used to see. I don't think they do this for intimidation or aggressiveness, but just for a question of curiosity. If this happens, you don't have to worry, just follow your way.

OK, so answer the original question: Yes, it is safe.

And in my previous answer I was joking. I like it when men give up their seats (happens a lot also in Portugal), open doors, help my coat on, push the chair under me when I sit, carry heavy things, heck, some even give their place in a queue.

And I don´t think that is sexist in the least. And men tend to look at women when they see something they like to look.

"...men tend to look at women when they see something they like to look", but the way they look is a cultural thing. In some places it is convenient to look, while pretending that they (we) are looking to somewhere else... while other cultures tolerate a more direct stare. I think that Turkey fits more in the 2nd description. There is no moral judgement involved in my comment. May be Turks are more authentic and less exposed to P.C. B.S. than other nations.
I love Istanbul and Mustapha Kemal Ataturk is my favourite world leader of 20th century. Visiting Grand Bazaar and Blue Mosque are the top experiences of my life.

Have you read my trip report on Istanbul? It is one of the best reports ever posted on Fodor's. You can access my report by clicking on my sn and searching through my old posts until you find <Turkey in the Straw: Thingorjus sleeps in Istanbul>.

Thank you for the responses. And also thanks for the great report on Istanbul, ThinGorjus. I will do more planning and research for my trip to Istanbul. I can't wait to see this beautiful city

Tarepanda-

I'm curious as to what type of response you, the poster, are really seeking when you ask whether Istanbul is "safe." Is it reassurance that everyone thinks it's okay for you to go, or are you looking for cold hard factual information on the threat situation in Turkey these days? Because you'll get any number of posters who have been to Turkey a few times state, somewhat robotically, "oh yes, we went there, it's perfectly "safe." - simply because they experienced no problems, ergo, that automatically equals "safe" for everyone else. But that's not quite the case here.

And to answer your question more precisely, yes, most definitely, there are things going on in Turkey at the moment that you should be aware of that may affect your safety and security. I have posted on this topic previously, but this time, I'll cite directly to the US State Dept. Consular Information Sheet on Turkey, available on the State Dept. website, http://www.state.gov/, and updated very recently on 8/30/2005:

SAFETY AND SECURITY: Terrorist bombings -- some with significant numbers of casualties -- over the past four years have struck religious, political, tourist and business targets in a variety of locations in Turkey. The possibility of terrorist attacks, both transnational and indigenous, remains high.

Indigenous terrorist groups continue to target Turkish as well as U.S. and Western interests. In June 2004, the indigenous terrorist group PKK/KADEK/Kongra Gel announced an end to their “unilateral ceasefire” and resumed violent activities. Two of the most significant incidents occurred in July 2005 in the town of Kusadasi, where bombs killed an Irish tourist and a British tourist. (via a bomb placed under a tourist van).

In recent months, incidents have also occurred in the popular coastal tourist destinations of Cesme, Bodrum, Antalya, and Mersin. Bombings have also taken place in Istanbul, injuring a Dutch citizen and several Turkish citizens. (this last bombing occurred in August 2005, in an outdoor cafe in Sultanahmet, the heart of the tourist district of Istanbul).

A Kurdish group ostensibly aligned with PKK terrorists has claimed responsibility for a number of recent bombings in tourist areas in the Aegean and Mediterranean coastal resort areas and in Istanbul. This group has also warned tourists to stay away. Consistent with the threats, further attacks by this group could take place in Turkey without warning.

In November 2003 al-Qaida affiliated terrorists were responsible for four large suicide bombings in Istanbul that targeted Western interests. The British Consulate, HSBC Bank, and two synagogues were targeted by massive suicide truck bombs that killed dozens of people and wounded hundreds. These incidents represent a significant change from prior attacks in Turkey and show an increasing willingness on the part of the terrorists to attack Western targets.

Most recently: In August 2005 Turkish police discovered what appears to have been a planned terrorist attack by a transnational group targeting maritime interests in Turkey. (note: the imminent terrorist attack involved an al-Qaeda conceived plot to blow up Israeli cruise liners using rubber dinghies packed with explosives coming into Turkish ports. Several Israeli cruise ships were diverted away from Turkey in August when the plot was uncovered. And when the suspect, a Syrian, was taken into custody, he shouted "I have no regrets, if they (the cruise ships) come, my friends will attack them.&quot As indicated in the State Department’s Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, it is possible that transnational terrorist attacks could occur without warning.



Given this background, what does the word "safe" mean as applied to travel to Turkey? I submit that someone's subjective opinion on a tourist visit does not have quite the same validity, indeed, is quite meaningless, as opposed to assessing the facts, the political and threat situation in a country that is under a much higher than average risk of repeated terrorist bombings that are specifically targeting westerners in general and tourists in particular.

As an example, did any of the patrons, in the amateur video taken by an Aussie tourist on October 1st in the Bali steakhouse, look the least bit concerned or look like they were afraid or felt "unsafe" while the young suicide bomber, looking out of place, casually made his way through the restaurant, his backpack containing the bomb starkly visible on camera? Quite the opposite-restaurant patrons barely seemed to notice him. And this was after the London backpack bombings. Point being that everyone caught in a terrorist attack targeting tourists feels "safe" in the country until the bomb goes off and the body parts go flying,

One would think, that with repeated and imminent warnings based on specific and credible evidence of another terrorist attack targeting westerners, with an active and largely uncontrolled al-Qaeda presence throughout Indonesia, with the Australian, British and American Govts. all issuing repeated Travel Warnings against all non-essential travel to the country, that SOMEONE would have been posted outside the tourist areas of Bali, in the Kuta and Sanur beach areas, particularly, so as to prevent ANYONE from entering a tourist restaurant/nightclub without checking all backpacks FIRST. One would think!

But then, there really IS a reason that Travel Warnings are issued in the first place-western governments have access to human assets and intelligence that the private citizen does not -so when a TW is issued, it is by no means a casual pronouncement-there is very serious threat information in back of it. The unfortunate fact remains that those tourists would be alive and/or uninjured today had they only heeded that TW. (and I might add, for those who were injured, they will likely get no help from their insurance carrier-traveling to a country where a TW is in effect is an exclusion under most policies).

The risk of yet another terrorist attack on the island and in Indonesia elsewhere remains very, very high, with the two mastermind bombers still on the loose (one a degreed engineer!), probably still on the island, and Indonesia's own Chief of Police stating that Bali is "not safe" right now. Yet, there are people STILL trying to decide whether they should travel there on holiday or not! Go figure!

My digression on Bali aside, Turkey is not in the same situation as Indonesia, there is no TW issued there. Yet, the difference between the two countries is one of degree, not of kind. It is suggested that you should peruse the information on the State Dept.'s website carefully, and make your decision on whether a country is "safe" for travel based on all offical information available to you, rather than the subjective comments of tourists, or others who have a particular agenda to tell you that, of course, it is "safe."

Now, if you do decide to go, will anything happen to you? Most likely not, but that's not really the point of this exercise. The name of the game here is risk management, and the fact remains that your risk of facing a terrorist attack is far greater in Turkey at the present time than it is just about anywhere else in Europe-and that is something, in light of recent events, worth serious consideration.

Where is safe or safer in the worl ? Do we have any quarantess ? WELCOME spygirl ! Another theory and negative post with full of warnings. Is this somekind of Midnight express episode 25 directed by you the way you like ?

An answer to original poster :
Generally speaking, day to day life, comparing crime rate and the population, yes you can consider Istanbul safe. Yes Turkey can be compared as a safer countries. No quarantees as no one has elswhere.
Its fun place lots of nice things to see as a lifetimes experience. Choice is yours.

TALKINg about man giving seat in a bus or Dolmush ( our public transport by minibuses within city limits ): I have never thought minoring anyone or intimidate by sexuality or whatsoever. Its a gentle and thoughtful action which we have been thought by our families, teachers and our tradition. I will keep offering my seat at a bank que, in a bus or Dolmush to elderly, pregnant and to the ladies. To take the place or not is persons own decision.
Happy travelling,

Murat

Having just returned from Istanbul, I will say that, as far as that city is concerned, I never felt unsafe at any time.

We wandered all around the city and at different times of the day and night and never once did I feel as if we were in danger. If anything, I think I felt safer there than I have in Houston at times!

I did get one derriere grope on a very crowded ride on the tram. Frankly, it didn't really bother me and I just brushed it off. All my other times on the tram were just fine and I appreciated the men who offered their seats to me (lots of walking made my feet tired!).

I spent about 10 days in Turkey earlier this month. Although I was with friends, I wandered around by myself much of the time and never once felt threatened or unsafe. The only caution I have for you is to be careful of anyone offering to "help" you to use the ATM machines. I wrote more about this in my trip report posted last week.