Is it especially dangerous to take a vacation in Turkey?

Answer 1

I don't think so, but here's the US State Department's official word about crime and safety in Turkey.

Terrorist bombings -- some with significant numbers of casualties -- over the past four years have struck religious, government, government-owned, 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. In the summer of 2005, incidents 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. A Kurdish group ostensibly aligned with PKK terrorists, claimed responsibility for a number of bombings in tourist areas in the Aegean and Mediterranean coastal resort areas and in Istanbul. This group has also warned tourists not to visit the country. Consistent with their threats, in June 2006 this group claimed responsibility for a restaurant explosion that killed three European tourists in Manavgat, a town in Antalya Province. Further attacks by this group could take place in Turkey without warning.

In late March and early April 2006, there was a wave of unrest in the southeast region of Turkey, where the PKK/KADEK/Kongra Gel has traditionally concentrated its activities. Violent clashes involving protestors and Turkish security forces occurred in the cities of Diyarbakir, Batman, Sirnak, and Sanliurfa, resulting in several deaths, many injuries, and extensive property damage. Please see the section on Southeast Turkey for additional information.

In Istanbul in 2005 and in 2006, there have been a variety of incidents, including small-scale bombings and violent demonstrations. Most, but not all, of these incidents have occurred in neighborhoods of the city not generally frequented by tourists. PKK/KADEK/Kongra-Gel supporters on a number of occasions in 2005 and 2006 have set public buses on fire after ordering passengers to disembark. On April 3, 2006, an attack of this type resulted in three deaths and at least one severe wounding. Thus far, all attacks on buses have taken place in areas of Istanbul distant from tourist destinations.

In addition to the actions of the Kurdish groups, the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C) has assassinated Americans in the past and continues to be active in Turkey. Groups such as the DHKP/C, PKK/KADEK/Kongra-Gel, IDBA-C, and others continue to target Turkish officials and various civilian facilities and may use terrorist activity to make political statements.

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. In August 2005 Turkish police discovered what appears to have been a planned terrorist attack by a transnational group targeting maritime interests in Turkey. As indicated in the State Department’s Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, it is possible that transnational terrorist attacks could occur without warning.

Americans should exercise caution and good judgment, keep a low profile, and remain vigilant with regard to their personal security. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. As security is increased at official U.S. facilities, terrorists will seek softer targets. These may include facilities where Americans and Westerners are known to live, congregate, shop, or visit, especially hotels, clubs, restaurants, shopping centers, housing compounds, transportation systems, places of worship, schools, or outdoor recreation events or resorts and beaches. U.S. citizens should remain in a heightened state of personal security awareness when attendance at such locations is unavoidable.

International and domestic political issues sometimes trigger demonstrations in most major cities in Turkey. We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site, where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found.

Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.

Southeast Turkey: The PKK/KADEK/Kongra-Gel terrorist group retains a presence in certain parts of southeastern Turkey. Although the official “State of Emergency” designation has been removed for all provinces of the southeast and no provinces are currently officially designated as sensitive areas, PKK/KADEK/Kongra-Gel activity continues to increase in much of the region. Travel is becoming increasingly difficult and dangerous. Americans traveling in southeastern Turkey should exercise caution due to PKK/KADEK/Kongra-Gel violence.

Roadside explosions caused by remote controlled land mines or other improvised explosive devices in Batman, Sirnak, Hakkari, Siirt Mardin, Diyarbakir and Tunceli provinces occur regularly. There have also been a number of PKK/KADEK/Kongra-Gel raids on Jandarma posts and ambushes of Turkish security force vehicle patrols in rural areas in many southeastern Turkey provinces. Regional civil unrest that began in late March 2006 prompted clashes involving Turkish security forces and protestors and left approximately a dozen killed and several hundred wounded. In 2005, the PKK/Kadek/Kongra-Gel also attackedtwo trains and kidnapped two Turkish government employees in the region. Sound bombs are a frequent event throughout the region. Please be advised of these travel risk factors.

Visitors to southeastern Turkey should use commercial air travel whenever possible. If road travel is necessary, travelers are advised to driveonly during daylight hours and on major highways. The Turkish Jandarma and police forces monitor checkpoints on roads throughout the southeastern region. Travelers should be cooperative if stopped at any checkpoint. Drivers and all passengers in the vehicle should be prepared to provide their identification cards or passports, driver license and vehicle registration if stopped at a checkpoint. At these check points, roll down the driver's side window (passenger side, also, in vehicles with tinted windows) when stopped by security force officials. Security forces can then safely inspect the vehicle and its occupants. Remain calm, do not make sudden movements, and obey all instructions immediately. Security officials may restrict access to some roads at times, and security force escort vehicles may be required to “convoy” visitors through troublesome areas. In some cases, this must be arranged in advance. Use of public transportation, at any time, is strongly discouraged.

Travelers are cautioned not to accept letters, parcels, or other items from strangers for delivery either in or outside of Turkey. PKK/KADEK/Kongra-Gel has attempted to use foreigners to deliver messages and packages in or outside of Turkey. If discovered, individuals could be arrested for aiding and abetting the PKK/KADEK/Kongra-Gel – a serious charge.

Department of State personnel are subject to travel restrictions in Sirnak, Diyarbakir, Van, Siirt, Mus, Mardin, Batman, Bingol, Tunceli, Hakkari, Bitlis, Elazig, and Hatay provinces. U.S. military and DOD civilians should consult their local area commander regarding any restrictions in effect for southeastern Turkey. Mount Ararat, in Agri province, is a special military zone and access permission must be obtained from the Turkish government through Turkish Embassies or Consulates before coming to Turkey. A map of the affected region is available on the Embassy website at http://Ankara.usembassy.gov.

Street crime is relatively low in Turkey, although it has increased dramatically in large urban centers such as Istanbul and Izmir. In Istanbul, street crime is most common in the Taksim Square area, in Sultanahmet and in the areas around the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar. Visitors are often robbed while distracted by a staged fight or altercation. Women appear to have been targeted for mugging or robbery. It is strongly recommended that you leave your U.S. passport in the hotel safe, as a lost or stolen passport can disrupt your travel plans and be expensive to replace.

As in other large metropolitan areas throughout the world, common street crimes include pick pocketing, purse snatching, and mugging. English-or French-speaking foreigners have befriended the tourists and then drugged them, using tea, juice, alcohol, or food. Two common drugs used are Nembutal and benzodiazepine which, when used incorrectly, can cause death. In other cases, tourists are invited to visit clubs or bars, and then presented with inflated bills (often exceeding $1000), and coerced to pay them by credit card. Residential crime appears to be on the increase in major cities, with criminals targeting ground floor apartments for theft. Visitors should not be complacent regarding personal safety or the protection of valuables. The same precautions employed in the U.S. should be followed in Turkey.

If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends, and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

There is also a US State Department travel announcement in effect for Turkey:

This Public Announcement alerts Americans to the continuing potential for terrorist actions against civilians in Turkey and notes recent incidents in areas frequented by tourists. This Public Announcement expires on November 1, 2006.

Between August 25th and August 28th, seven bombings occurred in the principal tourist areas of Turkey, injuring as many as 60 or more persons, including foreign tourists, and killing three Turkish nationals. These explosions occurred in Istanbul, Adana, and in Marmaris and Antalya in southwestern Turkey. The Kurdistan Freedom Falcons, also known by the Kurdish acronym TAK, have claimed responsibility for many of the explosions. The TAK, believed to be an affiliate of the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK), a terror organization, also reiterated a public warning to foreign tourists not to visit Turkey.

The Department of State advises U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Turkey to exercise caution, and to closely follow media reports. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. These may include facilities where Americans and other foreigners are known to live, congregate, shop, or visit, especially hotels, clubs, restaurants, shopping centers, housing compounds, transportation systems, places of worship, schools, outdoor recreation events, or resorts and beaches. U.S. citizens should remain in a heightened state of personal security awareness when attendance at such locations is unavoidable. U.S. citizens also should avoid areas where crowds are expected to gather, as even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.

U.S. citizens living or traveling in Turkey are encouraged to register with the Embassy or nearest consulate through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Turkey. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, at the Consulate General in Istanbul, at the Consulate in Adana, or with the Consular Agent in Izmir to obtain updated information on travel and security in Turkey. Embassy communications with the resident American citizen community, or "Warden Messages," can be found on the Embassy's website at http://ankara.usembassy.gov.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Cautions, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. Travelers should also consult the Department of State’s latest Consular information Sheet for Turkey. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The U.S. Embassy in Ankara is located at 110 Ataturk Boulevard, tel: (90) [phone], fax [phone]. The Internet address is http://ankara.usembassy.gov.

The U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul is located at Kaplicalar Mevkii Sokak No. 2, 34460, Istinye, Sariyer, tel: (90) [phone], fax (90) [phone]. Istanbul-specific information can also be accessed via the Consulate's web site at http://istanbul.usconsulate.gov/.

The U.S. Consulate in Adana is located at Girne Bulvari No. 212, Guzelevler Mahallesi, Yuregir, Adana, Turkey. tel: [phone], fax [phone], web site: http://adana.usconsulate.gov.

The Consular Agent in Izmir can be contacted at (90) [phone].

Answer 2

I wouldn't say especially dangerous. I was in Kusidasi last year and there were some bombings just after I left. Of course I was on holidays from Afghanistan at the time so it is all relative I guess. I haven't heard much about bombings lately. My experience with terrorists is that they are all go go boom boom for a while and then they give up for a while and go train and get worked up about the jihad for a while and then go back to it. I think it also depends where you are. Istanbul is pretty secure. You have to put your bags through a metal detector to go into to shopping mall or pretty much any attractions. I think thing you should worry about the most is gypsies and scams. There are lots of young gypsy children pickpocketing, they dress like anyother 10/11 year old kid would. A couple of my guy friends got scammed up in Taksim at a strip club. They looked at the menu on the table when they first got in and then the girls came up to the table and distracted them while they switched the menu and suddenly 6 beers turned into 700 bucks. They met one poor british guy who got shaken down and they took his watch and everything because he couldn't pay. My friend was lucky because he had a credit card on him.

Answer 3

Here is what one website had to say:

Safety:

Due to the current situation in neighbouring Iraq, travellers are advised to be cautious and check with their embassy before departure for a current update on the situation. There is a significant threat from terrorism in Turkey and there have been a number of terrorist incidents, including small explosions, around the country, including in the capital, Istanbul. Explosions on the Aegean Coast and the Mediterranean have killed and injured many people, including foreign tourists; the latest series of explosions took place in the coastal resorts of Mamaris and Antalya on 28 August 2006. Kurdish militant groups, as well as international terrorist groups, are currently active in Turkey and further attacks against the tourism industry in particular are likely. The Turkish economy is heavily reliant on tourism, which Kurdish separatists have repeatedly threatened to target. There are continuing incidents of local terrorism in Eastern Turkey, particularly the south east. Visitors should avoid any public demonstrations. Violent demonstrations took place in south east Turkey where 13 people were killed in clashes between the Kurds and the police. Street crime is relatively low although visitors should guard their valuables at all times. A number of sexual assaults have been reported in coastal tourist areas. Many parts of Turkey lie on a major seismic fault line and are subject to earthquakes and tremors; several fairly recent earthquakes have shaken eastern Turkey, the southwest and southeast.

Answer 4

No more dangerous than it is to walk down the street in the US. Turkey is a great vacation destination. Come on and enjoy yourself.

Answer 5

First of all, seek advice, from people who've actual travelled outside their state, looking at the responses so far, I'm amazed how closed minded people are. Anyhow, for someone whose travelled most of Europe, I'd like to tell you Turkey has been one of the best tourist attractions in years past. There are alot of Americans / Europeans in Turkey at any given time if not for their beaches, then for their cultural/historic attractions. Tourists are welcomed and really treated well, of course with current state of affairs I would be cautious to stroll off in local isolated areas, but aside from that I would not go as far as to cancel plans to visit. Turkey has a lot of history , great food, and great beaches.

Answer 6

No, it's not more dangerous than going on vacation in the US. You have to be careful there like everywhere else, but I wouldn't say it's especially dangerous.

Answer 7

I have been there many times. Turkey is the safest country in Eastern Europe... You have better chance of getting robbed in Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Macedonia than Turkey... Greece is also very safe to visit.

Turkey is a wonderland - go and discover... Don't let fear stop you! There is a lot to see and learn! Enjoy!

Answer 8

Of course not.
It is the safest country in the world to take a vacation in Turkey.

Answer 9

no its not. since it is a touristic destination, there are a lot of security mesures. yes it was the destination of some terrorist bombings but it wont be in the soon time cos they wont be bombing the same place twice...it is not any more dangerous than taking a vacation in the us

Answer 10

considering that s/he's not a new child and older than a year, your infant's immune equipment isn't as susceptible as a new child, yet neither as solid as a infant or older individual. that's risk-free, merely determine to deliver some Neurofen and hand sanitizer with you.

Answer 11

It is as dangerous as anywhere in the UK or US. Yes there had been terrorist actions, but is there a place that doesn't happen? A couple of countries maybe.