Türkiye’s abundance of cultural heritage, fascinating historical sites, great architecture, food and people have made it a go-to holiday destination for decades. Istanbul is an incredibly vibrant city, which straddles two continents, but the country is also known for its beautiful landscape and coastlines.
However, its proximity to the continuing conflict in Israel, which erupted on Saturday October 7, is causing concern about how safe it is to travel to this region of the world. Here is everything we know about travelling to Türkiye amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Is it safe to travel to Türkiye at the moment?
Türkiyehas not been impacted by the conflict in Israel.It depends on where in the country you’re travelling, but the majority of destinations in Türkiye are safe and tourist-friendly. Certain areas have experienced wildfires over the summer, and the UK Foreign Office estimates that the terrorist threat is ‘very high’. However, travelling to Türkiye is not advised against.
How about Antalya?
A city with gorgeous beaches which is full of ancient Greek and Roman remnants, Antalya is one of Türkiye’s fastest-growing tourist destinations.
The province experienced wildfires earlier this year, which began in the forests of Kemer. However, the region has been considered a safe place to travel since the fires were brought under control.
Is it safe to travel to Istanbul?
There is currently no official advicestating that it is unsafe to travel to Istanbul.
What is the UK Foreign Office saying?
The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to anywhere within 10km of the border with Syria. It also advises against all but essential travel with Sirnak (city) and Hakkari (province).
Travellers are free to visit the rest of Türkiye, but the advice is to remain vigilant. Political protests can break out unexpectedly and the country is considered to have a ‘very high’ threat of terrorist attacks.The webpage also states that Türkiye is prone to experiencing wildfires during the summer, and recommends taking care when driving through woodland areas.
What about the Turkey Travel Advisory?
The advice from the Turkey Travel Advisory is similar to that of the UK Foreign Office. It marks Sirnak, Hakkari and anywhere within 10 km of the Syrian Border as a level four, which means ‘do not travel’.
Advice about the rest of Türkiye encourages travellers to stay alert, avoid demonstrations and crowds, and to monitor local media for up-to-date information. You can read more about the Turkey Travel Advisory’s recommendations on their webpage.
How far is Türkiye from Israel?
Türkiye is 879 km from Israel, or about an hour and a half flight. Türkiye is north of Israel, and the two countries do not share a border.
Is travel to other countries near Israel safe?
The Foreign Office does not currently advise against travelling to countriesbordering Israel, but advice may change quickly as the violence escalates.
Read more about the latesttravel advicefor Israel and Egyptand Jordan.
For more information on how to help those affected by the conflict, you can read our guide on where to donate here.
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FAQs
Latest update:We've reviewed our travel advice for Türkiye and continue to advise exercise a high degree of caution. You'll need an e-visa for tourism or business if you're staying for less than 90 days (see 'Travel'). We advise: Exercise a high degree of caution in Türkiye overall due to the threat of terrorism.
Is it safe to fly to Turkey right now with the war? ›
Yes, there's no reason not to travel to Istanbul right now. However, you should stay vigilant and pay attention to local government advice. The Foreign Office says that most terrorist attacks in Turkey have taken place in southeast Turkey, Ankara and Istanbul.
Is it safe to travel to Turkey right now in 2024? ›
Tourism in Turkey
With the current regional tensions in mind, let's not dance around the issue: is it safe to travel to Turkey in 2024? The short answer to this question is: yes, (as of May 16th, 2024) as long as you avoid the region affected by the earthquake last year, you can safely travel around Turkey.
What is the warning about travelling to Turkey? ›
Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Turkey. Most terrorist attacks have occurred in southeast Turkey, Ankara and Istanbul. You should remain aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.
Are there any travel advisories for Turkey? ›
Turkey - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Exercise increased caution when traveling to Turkey due to terrorism and arbitrary detentions. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Is it safe for Americans to fly to Turkey? ›
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution when traveling to Turkey due to terrorism and arbitrary detentions.
Can US citizens travel to Turkey now? ›
What are the health requirements and screenings in Turkey? As of February 14, 2023, Turkey lifted all COVID-19 entry regulations, and travelers can enter Turkey without a COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination.
Is it safe to travel to Germany right now in war? ›
Germany - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Country Summary: Terrorist groups keep planning attacks in Germany. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. They target tourist locations and transportation hubs. They also target markets/shopping malls and local government facilities.
What is the best currency to take to Turkey? ›
One thing to note is that due to the volatility of the Turkish Lira, euros is often accepted in Turkey / Türkiye and can even be requested as the main currency. It's often a good idea to take a combination of Lira and euros in cash and currency on the Travelex Money Card.
Which is safer, Turkey or Morocco? ›
I have been to both countries. In my opinion, Turkey is much safer and more attractive than Morocco. The heritage, architecture, food and atmosphere are more magical in Turkey. You can sense how much this city is old and holds lots of stories and diversification.
Journey's End: Overall, a trip to Turkey's cost depends on your travel style and preferences. Budget travelers might spend $50 to $100 per day, while a more luxurious trip could cost over $200 per day. Planning with all expenses in mind ensures a more enjoyable Turkish journey.
Is it safe to travel to Thailand right now? ›
The U.S. State Department considers Thailand to be a level-1 (exercise normal precautions) country. Awarded low marks for its principal city. The global safety app GeoSure ranks cities instead of countries, and gives Bangkok relatively low marks, particularly for nighttime safety, theft and basic freedoms.
Do you still have to pay 10 pounds to enter Turkey? ›
This means that British tourists won't need to buy travel permits for the country from Monday 2nd March 2020 onwards. Before the change, British tourists needed a travel permit which cost £27 to travel to the country. In addition to a £10 entry fee.
Can you wear shorts in Turkey? ›
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. More modest clothing is also perfectly acceptable. You can enjoy your summer vacation in coastal cities and dress however you want.
What injections do I need for Turkey? ›
Courses or boosters usually advised: none. Other vaccines to consider: Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Rabies; Tetanus. Selectively advised vaccines - only for those individuals at highest risk: none. No yellow fever vaccination certificate required for this country.
Is Turkey safe for Americans in 2024? ›
As of the latest information, Turkey is generally considered safe for American tourists, especially in popular tourist destinations like Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, and Ephesus. However, it's crucial to stay updated on current travel advisories and exercise standard safety precautions.
Are US soldiers allowed to travel to Turkey? ›
All travel to the Republic of Turkey must consist of at least two members. This can include DoD personnel, civilian personnel involved in the mission or family members. The two-person travel policy is the rule and exceptions will not be granted solely on unavailability of a second person.
Is Istanbul airport safe? ›
The new Istanbul airport on the coast of the Black Sea is one of the biggest airports in the entire world. It was just finished at the end of 2019, so the entire airport is very modern, efficient, clean, and safe.
What are the levels of travel advisory? ›
United States Travel Advisory System Overview
The level numbers advise the following: Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions, Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution, Level 3 – Reconsider Travel, Level 4 - Do Not Travel. Countries assigned a Travel Advisory level of 2 or more will also be assigned a risk indicator.
Is it safe to travel to Europe now in war? ›
I've had tons of people emailing me recently asking if it's safe to go to Europe even though there is currently a war going on between Russia and Ukraine. The conflict has been ongoing for years, however, it's entirely localized in Ukraine. That means the rest of Europe is safe to visit.
