The age-old question of whether Istanbul is safe for solo female travelers is more important than ever before. With a digital world to now consider, Istanbul safety for solo female travelers goes beyond the norms of being self-aware in crowded areas and protecting your money and passport.
Let’s get into how you can stay safe online and day-to-day in Istanbul.
General Online Travel Safety Tips
As your trip gets closer and closer, you can’t help but tell all your friends about your upcoming adventure. And while you should let a few people know what your plan is, it’s advisable to not share details with your online accounts even if they are private.
There have been many stories of how someone shared their boarding pass online with the barcodes visible. This was then used to hack the ticket and cause disruption to that person’s itinerary.
Scary, right?
Another online tip is to not post photos with a geotag while you are still in that area. Wait until you have left so that you don’t have anyone trying to find you.
If you decide to go shopping at high-end stores, don’t share photos of your purchases until you arrive back home.
Staying Safe in Istanbul
After you’ve arrived in Istanbul you don’t want to waste time trying to find Wifi or purchasing a SIM card. With an eSIM from Airalo, you can have cell service right when you land making it easy to access your hotel address and Google Maps.
You definitely don’t want to be heading towards the wrong hotel after a long flight 😅
Download your eSIM and start heading in the right direction.
Istanbul Safety Tips
As your adventure in Istanbul begins, there might be times when you want to use a taxi. I highly recommend using reputable taxi services or ride-sharing apps like BiTaksi and Uber instead of hailing cabs on the street.
While Turks are known for being welcoming and friendly, avoid discussing travel plans or personal information with strangers. You never know who is listening or who does or doesn’t speak your language.
A majority of shops and restaurants accept credit cards, so having cash isn’t that necessary. But on the rare occasion that you need to have cash, be cautious at ATMs and avoid using them at night or in isolated areas.
You know that purchase option you get when you buy your plane ticket that asks you if you want to purchase the insurance protection? Usually, most people skip over that, but in Turkey, I would consider buying it this time. This is because with high inflation, imported medical supplies, and taxes, an unexpected medical expense can be a financial hardship. Definitely go with the purchase of travel insurance to cover medical emergencies and theft in Istanbul.
Another way to stay safe in Istanbul is to subscribe to alerts from your embassy or consulate. For US citizens, the US Department of State has a website where you can receive alerts based on where you are traveling and for how long. It’s called the STEP program.
Istanbul Safety Measures
In Istanbul, you’ll see a lot of police presence everywhere and you’ll have to walk through metal detectors when entering the metro and shopping malls which isn’t as normal in other countries like the US. This is just precautionary and isn’t meant to scare you.
If you want to be extra safe, familiarize yourself with local emergency services and their locations. Notice where any hospitals or pharmacies are in case you need them. Usually, there are a lot of pharmacies everywhere, but be aware that they are closed on Sundays.
After you check into your accommodation, pay attention of any safety information provided such as any meeting points that are close to you. This is because Istanbul is an earthquake zone and these areas are safe points in the neighborhood. This is especially useful if you are staying in an older building or in a more condensed neighborhood.
Neighborhood and Area Safety
Since moving to Istanbul in 2020, I can say that Istanbul is a fairly safe city. Of course, it has its problems like any other huge cosmopolitan, but I wouldn’t say it’s anything more than usual.
Let’s break down some useful neighborhood safety tips in Istanbul.
Safe Neighborhoods to Stay in Istanbul
Generally, all the tourist neighborhoods are safe. I wouldn’t say you’d have to worry about anything major happening on a day-to-day basis.
These 3 neighborhoods are the most frequented by tourists:
Sultanahmet: Known for its historic sites, this area is heavily patrolled and popular with tourists. You’ll see security at all the museums and police everywhere.
Beyoğlu: Offers vibrant nightlife and dining options; stick to well-lit streets and main areas. This is where Istiklal Cd is which is the popular shopping street. The historic Galata Tower is also in this area along with trendy art museums.
Kadıköy: A trendy neighborhood on the Asian side, known for its liberal and local vibe. Kadıköy is has a big cafe culture and if you into cafe hopping and trying new spins on classic dishes, this is the place to be.
Any of these areas would be good to stay in. Opt for hotels or hostels with good reviews and security measures like 24-hour reception.
Avoid staying in areas that are too far from main attractions or that have poor lighting and infrastructure.
Check out my guide on hotels in Istanbul for more details.
Istanbul Public Transportation Safety
Istanbul has an extensive public transportation network and it’s really easy to use. All you have to do is purchase an Istanbulkart for safer, cashless travel on public transportation.
What’s even more convenient is, if you’re just visiting for one or two days and don’t want to purchase a card that you’ll only use a few times, you can actually just pay with your credit card (as long as it’s Mastercard). The ticket will be slightly more but it can be more convenient for you as a traveler.
If you do decide to take public transportation, avoid overcrowded trams and buses, especially during peak hours. But if I’m being honest, every hour is peak hour because there are so many people.
As always when traveling, be cautious in metro stations and stay aware of your surroundings.
Night Safety in Istanbul
Istanbul’s nightlife is definitely not to be forgotten and you’ll want to check out the sparkling lights of the city.
My advice for solo female travelers?
Stick to well-lit, busy areas and avoid walking alone at night. And by don’t walk alone at night, I mean don’t want down empty streets by yourself at night.
Use licensed taxis or ride-sharing apps after dark. On Friday and Saturday, the metro lines run all night but at longer intervals. The buses stop service at midnight, so plan accordingly if you don’t want to take a taxi.
And most importantly, avoid accepting drinks from strangers and keep an eye on your beverage.
Crime and Scams
Istanbul Crime Rates
Petty crimes like pickpocketing are more common than violent crimes. In fact, Istanbul is a fairly safe city considering it has 15 million residents. The homicide rate was 2.6 per 100,000 people in 2017. This compares to NYC, which had a homicide rate of 3.4 per 100,000 people for the same period.
Nonetheless, it’s always important to stay vigilant in tourist-heavy areas such as Taksim Square and the Grand Bazaar.
Istanbul Scams to Avoid
Just like any other major world city, Istanbul is no stranger to scams, the biggest one being taxis. It’s not unusual for even Turks to get scammed by taxis too!
These are a few other scams to look out for:
Shoe Shine scam: This scam works when a man walks towards you and appears to accidentally drop his shoe shine brush. You’ll want to pick it up and give it back to him, but this is a scam. He will insist on cleaning your shoes to thank you for returning the brush but in the end, he will demand money from you. So it’s best just to leave the brush.
Restaurant bill scam: Always check the menu prices before ordering and review your bill carefully. Don’t eat at restaurants that don’t have prices on the menu.
Fake travel guides: Use officially recognized guides or books through reputable companies. All official guides will have an identification that should be visible to tourists.
Istanbul Pickpocketing Hotspots
While Istanbul isn’t as notoriously known for pickpocketing like, say Barcelona, be extra cautious in crowded places like public transport, markets, and busy streets. I will say watch out for the street kids as they tend to be the ones doing the most pickpocketing.
You can go as far as using a money belt or hidden pouch to keep your valuables secure and don’t carry all your money and important documents in one place.
Safety for Specific Groups
Solo Travel Safety in Istanbul
Whether you’re a man or a woman traveling solo in Istanbul, let someone know your itinerary and check in regularly.
Stay in well-reviewed accommodations and avoid rooms on the ground floor because these are the easiest to break into.
Use travel apps like Google Maps and Moovit for navigation and safety.
Women’s Safety in Istanbul
Even though you’ll see Turkish women wearing a wide variety of clothing, as a tourist it’s best to dress modestly to avoid unwanted attention.
Be cautious when accepting invitations or help from strangers.
And watch if you’re being followed. This can happen at any time and if you are being followed go inside a store or hotel to ask for help.
Istanbul Safety for Tourists
With 13 million tourists visiting the city of Istanbul every year, you’ll want to stick to tourist-friendly areas and avoid venturing into unknown neighborhoods alone. One street too far can end up being a bad area.
Always have a backup plan and know the location of the nearest embassy.
Use official tour operators and avoid unlicensed services.
Istanbul Safety for Expats
If you fell in love with a city like me and want to call Istanbul home, join expat communities to stay informed about local safety issues.
Understand and respect local laws and customs.
Keep a low profile and avoid discussing sensitive topics in public.
Looking for more detailed information about moving to Istanbul? Download my 64-page eBook with everything that you need to know to get started living in this city!
Emergency and Security Information
Istanbul Emergency Numbers
Police: 155
Ambulance: 112
Fire Department: 110
Tourist Police: 0212 527 45 03
Istanbul Travel Warnings
Check government travel advisories for the latest updates before and during your trip.
Avoid areas with current travel warnings or advisories.
Istanbul Security Updates
Follow local news sources and official channels for real-time updates. I usually get updates from the Yabangee Instagram account. They have accurate and up-to-date information in English.
Istanbul Safety 2024
Be aware of any new safety measures or changes in tourist policies implemented in 2024.
Stay updated on any significant events or holidays that might impact safety and security.
Conclusion: Is Istanbul Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
I’d say yes!
Istanbul is a great place to discover with a unique location in the world where East meets West. You won’t be disappointed traveling Istanbul solo.
