Turkey-- safety
 

Hi, I am planning to go on an organized tour to Turkey. I have read some warnings on the US Dept of State website and am a little concerned. For those who have experience, please advise if there is a danger travelling with an American passport? This is the passport that I will use to check to all the hotels. Any danger of terrorist activity in touristy places in Turkey? Also, any danger if I ( female) go outside on my own in any place? Your feedback would be highly appreciated!!

The organized tour will not take you anywhere close to the Syrian border. You will be safe. A female acquaintance traveled on her own in Turkey recently, in fact farther east than is generally recommended and had no problems.

A few wandering hands in the odd souk perhaps. However if you go on a bus you will probably notice that unrelated women do not sit next to unrelated men, so don't sit on a seat with a man on it. Sit with the women, Mrs Bilbo spent a week two years ago walking around Roman ruins and had no problems.

I am a female and traveled solo in Turkey in 2008 and found it to be very safe and welcoming. I was in Istanbul and Capadoccia, and mainly stayed in tourist areas. In Istanbul, I stayed in the Sultanhamet neighborhood, and it was easy to walk to the major sites and I never felt unsafe, even at night.

DH and I were in Turkey this past October/November. We mainly stayed in the tourist areas. At no time did we feel unsafe or in danger. I saw many solo women walking in the evenings. Just be aware of your surroundings as you would in any town/city in the USA.

We just returned from a 2 week do it yourself trip to Turkey including Istanbul, Cappadocia, Konya, Alanya, Antalya. Never felt so safe in all my life . My wife and I and 2 adult daughters were out walking day and night, never had any concern whatsoever. In fact I felt safer there than in US cities. Istanbul was chilly so dress warm

You will have no problem at all. Safety is not an issue, just be cautious on traveling to the SouthEast (Sirnak, Van, etc) (not even a touristy place, so should have no worries there) and stay away from the Syrian border. Have a safe journey! You will love it here.

We were in Turkey at the end of October with our 7 year old son. We stayed in Antakya, visited Reyhanli and even dipped into Syria for a few hours. It wasn't for the faint of heart, to be honest, but I never felt unsafe or in danger.

If anything, I was more worried about my purse wandering the markets of Istanbul!

I am a female who traveled alone to Turkey and the only thing I ever worried about were the pickpockets in Istanbul. Of course those exist in any major city in the world, especially where there are tourists. The carpet salesmen are very annoying but not a threat. I never felt threatened for being American, in fact my overall impression was that Turkey is a good friend to the US.

I would have no hesitation to travel alone to Turkey again.

From my own experience I wouldn't suggest to go out to Taksim square at night. it was friday evening and I was suggested by hotel owner do not go out alone at night, and he was right. After short walk I had to get taxi and get back to hotel. Day time is very safe but night time for a lonely women i wouldn't suggest. Being in another Turkish cities i was feeling very safe, more safe than in my home country.

Well sorry to say it but our daughter who is going to school in Turkey got jabbed with either a needle or a knife while walking on a crowded Ankara street two days ago. Yes it could happen anywhere but the doctor actually told her it happens too often. She still loves Turkey.

coldy how awful!! Is she OK? I hope she wasn't badly hurt.

Hi PM - no she is not badly hurt. The concern is if it was a needle then .... The doctor said it is very difficult to infect someone in this manner. We are checking with doctor friends here whether she should be asking for a blood test.

Anyway she is not too concerned. It's a university area and it was later in the evening. And she would encourage anyone who was thinking of visiting to visit.

Thank God this wasn't a lot worse and it's good you are getting a second opinion from a doctor in your area. Scary stuff, but as you said it could happen anywhere. I'm glad it isn't ruining her trip, she has a great attitude.

OMG, cold! I hope she's OK and commend both you and your daughter for your perspective. Keep us posted!

Cold, I hope she is okay! How scary for you as a parent.

Kja and Girlonthego - the story she tells is how she was going to ignore it and her two Turkish roommates dragged her to the university clinic. She really lucked out with her roommates (GOTG I remember your story).

I told her tonight I posted this. Now she is irritated with me. She says she hasn't felt unsafe at any time since she arrived.

Kudos to those roommates!!!

FWIW, I think you were clear in saying that this incident has not changed her mind about Turkey. I trust she'll get over her irritation soon. I hope you get the information you need even sooner!

Cold, so glad her roommates took her to the clinic! Hopefully, it was just nothing, but good to have it all checked out anyway.
Kids always feel safer. (Happens when you grow up safe and trusting!not necessarily bad, but mine are the same way)

She is perfectly right to feel safe since I was never told that she would be in Turkey. -:)

Seriously, please give her my particulars if she ever has any problems or needs any quick intervention. I have been emotionally (and financially) supporting two daughters, 28 and 33 and know how hard it can be for you.

I hope it was only a very stupid prank and am glad about her roommates.

Congratulations to her on her positive attitude and ability to handle situations.