Whether you are a backpacker on a budget, an ambitious entrepreneur, or a well-organized travel guru, chances are you dream of visiting Istanbul one day. But you find yourself asking this question; is Istanbul safe?
So, to answer your question, yes, Istanbul is safe for you as long as you are careful with the way you travel. All you have to do is to get familiar with local customs, avoid certain neighborhoods, and respect people, and you have nothing to worry about.
Still curious about the ins and outs of Istanbul? Let's discuss what you can expect when you first visit the city.
What Exactly Does Safety Mean?
Istanbul being one of the most happening places in the world is no exception when it comes to concerns about safety. Thanks to its architectural masterpieces, well-developed transport system, and culturally diverse classes, it also promises a lot of chaos that you have to pay attention to while traveling.
One of the main reasons that you should be careful with certain neighbors such as Sultanahmet Square and Istiklal Caddesi is that these areas connect completely different styles of living in one place. The distance between any two points is huge, add to this the hustling and bustling routine of every day and you have got a perfect recipe for petty crimes and scams.
Home to 15.52 million people including migrants, the work ethic by which the Turkish tourism industry is operated is questionable at many levels. Especially after midnight, Taksim Square becomes a hunting point with rip-offs. Try to avoid strangers who invite you to have a drink at a certain place unless you want to end up paying a huge bill.
Keep your wallet, phone, and other important belongings in close sight. Make sure the zippers are properly closed if you are wearing a backpack. Most importantly, do not carry your passport with you, a copy of it will be enough if you have to show it to the authorities although this seldom happens as the city police are accustomed to tourists.
After a long tiring day touring the city, the last thing you want is to experience the push and pulls of a bus or metro ride. To avoid this inconvenience, tourists often decide to opt for a taxi ride. The instant a taxi driver spots your non-Turkish roots, they will quote a higher fare for your ride citing traffic or difficult ways as the reason. To avoid these kinds of situations, open Yandex which works great in Turkey, follow the route taken by the driver and make sure you are on the right track.
The same happens when you are shopping in the local bazaars. Souvenirs and traditional art pieces, jewelry, and unique spices are among the favorite items that tourists like to buy, yet they are priced unfairly by most shopkeepers.
Additionally, you find beggars and random strangers stopping you in the way and narrating to you their sad life stories only to ask you for monetary help.
The best way to avoid all such experiences is by traveling with a local to guide you. Learn useful Turkish phrases in order to communicate and negotiate with the locals when shopping.
The overcrowded places and traffic will also overwhelm you, especially if you want safe traveling. The best way to handle this mismanaged chaos is to select hotel accommodation near the tourist places you plan to visit. Even though such hotels will be expensive, they will save you from the overly charged transport fares. Also, try to avoid planning a hectic routine as it steals away the joy of the trip.
What About Terrorism
Terrorism has become a global threat and it has to lead us to be more cautious, especially during traveling. It is a well-known fact that metropolitan cities are more prone to attract terrorist activities and it is no surprise that Istanbul has gotten its fair share of the acts of terrorism. Fortunately, the Erdogan government has successfully dealt with the attacks and has managed to host 40 million tourists in less than a year.
Many people have second thoughts about traveling to Turkey because of its portrayal as an extremist Islamic country. On the contrary, Turkey is a leading country in the Muslim world and considered to be a secular and progressive country which is why it is a member of the G20.
The best way to solve all such concerns is by reading about Turkish history and its transition to a modern state. If possible, before traveling, try to connect with local Turkish people to get a closer look and deeper understanding of their culture.
When it comes to airway travel, Istanbul has two airports, Sabiha Gokcen located on the Asian Side, and Istanbul Airport on the European side. Istanbul airport is a huge project started by the current government in an attempt to make it the biggest and busiest airport in the world.
Some parts of this new airport have opened and have been made accessible to the public. The security at this airport is tough in order to prevent every type of mishap. The staff is helpful and courteous and the tight security checks have been designed to ensure the security of each traveler without making them feel uncomfortable or targeted.
One of the main problems that have worried travelers often is the language gap. The easiest way to get out of any such potential mess is to educate yourself with the basic Turkish travel vocabulary.
You can also install language translating apps. Often these apps have the option for speech translation and will be the saving grace in any and every embarrassing situation. If you even fail to do this, then you can just request the airport staff to provide you with a translator.
How To Stay Safe in Istanbul
As you already know, Istanbul is divided into two parts, the European and the Asian side. Each side has countless densely populated suburbs. The European side has most of the touristic sites and the Asian side is commonly known as the residential side. What is unique about Istanbul is that these two completely different sides create a unique combination of lifestyle and culture, and to be honest, this is what makes Istanbul so mesmerizing.
On the other hand, this unique blend is the same reason why you should be extra careful while traveling. Yes, each suburb is monitored with security cameras and police patrolling to make it secure. Still sadly, most female tourists often complain about the “catcalling” culture and continuous stares of Turkish men they face while male tourists can find themselves in street fights in a matter of minutes in some parts of the city. All of these create a sense of insecurity although these kinds of behaviors are not specific to any one suburb. That’s why we’ve compiled a few tips to avoid such circumstances;
● Avoid the suburbs of Taksim square after midnight
● It is better to watch the way you dress (no exposed legs and upper body, a scarf slightly covering the head) especially when you visit mosques and similar religious places
● Areas like Eminonu and Fatih can be extremely crowded. Try visiting them early in the morning
● Avoid people offering you a free ride or free tours
● For extra precaution and safety, it is recommended for every traveler to have a mobile equipped with safety apps
Closing Thoughts
Despite all these ups and downs, Istanbul remains the rising city of the modern world with its beautiful landscapes, unique culture that combines the oriental east and the modern west, and hospitality of its residents.
While one can go on and on about its unique qualities, you can never truly understand this magnificent city until you experience it. As you discover the dreamy world of this beautiful, historically and culturally rich city that entices your imagination to the fullest, you will only find new reasons to visit the city once again.