Around a year ago I originally wrote whether it was still safe to travel to Turkey, a question I get regularly in my inbox. A lot has changed over the past year – and not for the better – with more attacks, a coup attempt; many people have stopped bothering to ask altogether. It’s a dramatic shift in a country that was the 6th most visited in the world, back in 2015.
There are so many reasons to visit Turkey, from balloon rides over ancient volcanic rock formations, the impressive 1,480 year old Hagia Sophia, beautiful beaches, and of course all the food. Still, Turkey’s perception as a travel destination has changed, so has the reality.
Focused Fear
Most countries have rough parts, cities, and often those locations are far removed from the tourist experience. In other words, you have to look for trouble. In Turkey, a lot of the violence it faces from Kurdish terrorist groups, not to mention ISIS, was previously limited to the distant southeast. Recently, it has moved to Turkey’s travel capital, Istanbul.
A goal of terrorism toward tourists is to invoke a disproportionate amount of fear from attacks designed to make you feel like, “I could have been there,” so that you decide not to go to the country at all. It is easy to dismiss one, even two attacks, but terrorism in places tourists are likely to frequent is no longer an anomaly. There are other unsettling events as well, coup attempts, assassinations, and arrests. Although the chance of something happening to any given person in a terror-related event are low, in Turkey, those events are becoming more common. Disruptions directly related to such events, Internet blackouts, flight delays or cancellations, or curfews, could potentially occur during your trip.
Istanbul, for now, might be a better plan for those who have a little bit of travel experience.
Experiencing The Numbers
A lot of experienced travelers will proclaim, “of course it’s safe, go!” Much like the crime in your own city never seems so bad, because you live the statistics. As you travel you begin to become familiar with what is normal in various regions around the world. You see the nuance. Turkey is a very large country. Multiple terror events, government upheavals, you realize, are very unlikely to affect you specifically. But it takes time for your experience to support what your logical mind can decipher based on numbers alone.
The Real Question
Yes, Turkey is safe. But you have to be prepared when you travel to Turkey, that something bad might happen during your stay there. Not to you specifically, but in a country where there were 16 attacks in 2016 – and maybe to a place you could have been. Internet access might be cut for a time, making it difficult when you need it most, to inform your loved ones you’re safe.
Millions of tourists a month are still visiting Turkey, having wonderful trips, and seeing a truly remarkable travel destination. The question isn’t whether Turkey is safe, but whether or not traveling there makes you comfortable. Everyone has a different level of risk acceptance, and in Istanbul particularly, the risks, although rare, might for the time being exceed your personal limit.
Well written, well thought out and good practical advice. I was there last year. Twice in fact. The second time at Hilton Park, just above the football stadium that the bastards attacked on Christmas eve. Turkey is a beautiful country, with amazing people and please, don’t even talk to me about the food. Suffice to say it’s up there with the best. Thanks for the story. Very good. Makes me want to go back right now.
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I strongly disagree with the statement that Turkey is still safe. It is safe if you look like a Turk or Arab. If you look European there is a good chance you may be attacked by Turkish islamists. I was there with my girlfriend 2 months ago. MY GF decided to wear a short skirt. A couple of hoodlums followed us around istanbul cursing us in broken english . When I asked what the problem was they said my GF was not dressed appropriately for an Islamic country. DONT GO TO TURKEY!!!!!!!
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I think no country is 100 % safe. We are from Belgium , we also had attacks !!
My husband and I go four tiimes a year to Istanbul. Our son is married to a lovely turkish woman and lives there now for five years. My daughter in law wears short skirts regulary and she never was said she cannot wear it.
The most people living in Istanbul are very modern people.
Our son and we were immediatly well accepted by her family (they are islamic, we not) .
Next week we go to Istanbul to see our son, daughter in law and our grandson and our new lovely turkish family.
Go to Turkey : beautifull country, very nice people and indeed good food.
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I spent the last 6 months in Turkey Myself. It’s sad how bad tourism has gotten there 🙁 Yes there were issues and yes things did happen while I was there but generally I did not feel unsafe.
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