Is Turkey Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Traveling solo as a woman in Turkey is generally safe. Large cities like Istanbul and Ankara, as well as tourist hubs such as Antalya and Cappadocia, are typically welcoming to foreign visitors. However, like many places, it demands a certain level of consciousness and alertness, especially at night. Always be aware of your surroundings, maintain personal boundaries, and avoid secluded areas. It can be helpful to learn a few key phrases in Turkish, but most people in Turkey's tourist areas speak English.

Safety rating

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How safe is Turkey?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Moderate

Turkey's safety can vary greatly depending upon the location and specific circumstances. Major cities like Istanbul and Ankara maintain a lively nightlife and are generally safe, yet usual precautions should be taken, as in any major city. Walking alone at night is generally safe in busy neighborhoods and tourist zones, but it's always advisable to stay within well-lit areas and avoid less populated locales. Small towns and rural areas may pose increased risks due to lower police presence and less infrastructure. As always, it's crucial to stay alert, informed, confident, and aware of your surroundings.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Safe

In Turkey, the public transportation system, which includes buses, trams, and the metro, is generally quite secure and reliable. Even during night hours, it's possible to use these services without encountering major safety concerns. However, like any travel scenario, it is advised to stay vigilant, especially in crowded areas, as pickpocketing can sometimes occur. Other than that, many female solo travelers have found public transportation in Turkey to be a viable and mostly safe option for moving around.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Moderate

As a solo female traveler in Turkey, it is not uncommon to encounter some level of street harassment. This could range from catcalling to persistent vendors and unsolicited advances. That said, it usually doesn't escalate beyond verbal exchanges and tends to largely occur in crowded, tourist-heavy areas. The majority of Turkish locals are friendly, respectful, and incredibly hospitable. However, understanding that street harassment is circumstantial and can vary based on the specific region, time, and even your outfit is beneficial. Practicing caution and choosing to ignore or address such behavior assertively can be of great help in these scenarios.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Moderate

In Turkey, petty crimes such as pickpocketing and purse snatching are somewhat common, particularly in crowded areas such as markets and public transportation. Be particularly cautious in tourist-heavy areas, as these tend to be the spots where such activities are most prevalent. However, if vigilant, it is generally easy to avoid such incidents.

Is Turkey worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.5 /5

based on 208 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.6/5

Safety

4.2/5

Food

4.5/5

Budget-friendly

3.9/5

Turkey, Family travel

I’ve had the most boring holiday imaginable due to how scared I was of stepping out of the hotel building. All inclusive hotel experience was never my thing, but there was nothing my parents could do besides bringing me along with them. Outside of the hotel there was little to no infrastructure. Houses were abandoned due to the tourism business kicking out all the locals. Men at the street markets were sooo creepy.

Posted: April 20, 2025
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Hejar

Hejar

Turkey

Mardin, Solo travel

Mardin is a historical city. It is famous for its stone houses and has very beautiful streets. The people are very tolerant. Mardin is a very nice place, in my opinion. I stayed there for more than three months and love it.

Posted: April 17, 2025Experienced: May, 2023
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Istanbul, Family travel

It's a very good place to visit , I recommend it . I don't regret going, and I would like to go again. It's not very expensive if you have euro The food is excellent and you can eat wherever. People there are very nice

Posted: April 14, 2025Experienced: March, 2025
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Busra

Busra

Germany

Canakkale, Solo travel

Last year i went holiday to Canakkale Bozcaada in solo✌️And it was amazing holiday for me. I stayed in a hotel which is name Kemerbag 29. Hotel was little bit expensive but it was worth it i think🌸 Bozcaada is very safe place you can go and visit there with peace of mind, the people are very kind and very cheerful. And definitely don't leave without eating the gumdrop island cookie, it tasted amazing.🍪😋🤤 You should try also Gökceada Beaches.

Posted: April 13, 2025
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Istanbul, Group travel

Istanbul is a beautiful city. There is so much to do and you will never be bored. Safety wise I would say it’s mostly safe and I’ve never felt unsafe alone at night. But there are men who can cat-call you or pressure you to come into the night clubs.

Posted: April 11, 2025
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Livia

Livia

Sweden

Alanya, Family travel

I have traveled to Alanya with my family multiple times and have always had a nice trip. Beaches, restaurants and bars have average prices and are nice! With moutains around I had something to explore every day.

Posted: April 11, 2025
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Aleyna

Aleyna

Turkey

Adalar, Family travel

I went to Buyukada (you can take a ferry from Istanbul) and it was pretty much there. Even though we didn’t have much time to explore, it was a beautiful island. I would recommend going there if you plan to stay for more than one week in Istanbul.

Posted: April 10, 2025
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Aleyna

Aleyna

Turkey

Izmir, Family travel

I went to İzmir with my family last summer and it was amazing. I visited for the first time. They camped at a camping site around two weeks (I joined them for the remaining 4 days). If you come to İzmir you shouldn’t leave without visiting Ephesus Ruins. I would recommend visiting at night because it’s so hot during day and it looks even more breathtaking with the lightnings at night.

Posted: April 10, 2025
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Mardin, Family travel

It’s my hometown actually so I stay at my grandma’s house. I don’t really remember a restaurant name 😬 but I can say that Mardin foods are delicious and if you go around there ( Mardin, Urfa, Antep, Diyarbakır, Hatay, Adana vs ) eat these ( İçli köfte, kaburga dolması, kebap,şekerli pide, ciğer, baklava katmer künefe vs )

Posted: March 26, 2025
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Istanbul, Solo travel

Well the traffic is really bad espacially during the rush hours. Apart from the traffic the view i took the picture was fascinating. The food around town is really great and you can actually find different cuisines from all around turkey and they worth to try

Posted: March 17, 2025
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Is Turkey safe for women?

Safety index

3.7 /5

Based on 727 local experiences

Crime index

2.7 /5

Based on 727 local experiences

ceren

ceren

Osmaniye

İ mean we live in Türkiye, what can I say about safety and women's rights but I do not worry about my city, people here are very friendly but do not trust men girls in every country and city. Be safeee

Posted: April 23, 2025
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Eskisehir

Eskişehir because is a student city is full of life and it’s pretty safe as a woman. But try to stay near the center where is so lively not in isolated locations. If you stay near the center where most cafes, restaurants, bars, malls are then it’s really safe. I’ve never been scared when being alone or with my girl friends. But if you stay in a very isolated location can be a bit scary cause there is no people around at least at night.

Posted: April 23, 2025
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Meet locals in Turkey

Precious

Precious

About Me

Hello my name is precious, I was born in turkey, Im Nigerian, i was raised both in Nigeria and turkey, I’ve spent most of my time in turkey so I consider myself a bit of a local, currently study psychology at Haliç university, I love traveling visiting new places and meeting new people, I love arts of any form, Im very open minded and outgoing, i love reading, I love museums and food i crochet and learning to play the guitar, I haven’t had the opportunity to travel as much as I’d like to and Im trying to change that.

Speaking

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Dilara

Dilara

About Me

I am Dilara from Turkey, and I am studying in Izmir usually, but now I am doing my erasmus in Bucharest. My parents live in Ankara, so for the quarter of the year I am in Ankara. I really like meeting new people and traveling!

Speaking

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Stay with locals in Turkey

Rumeysa

Rumeysa

Antalya

Can host for:

1 day

About me

Hello everyone I live in Antalya, a city rich in both nature and history, full of charm and entertainment. I perform as a pianist in hotels here. While making music, I meet and talk with many tourists. I also love traveling, meeting new people, and seeing new places. I am looking for friends who want to travel with me or meet with me in their city. I would also be happy to host those who want to come to Antalya.

Speaking

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Fatma

Fatma

Istanbul

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hello everyone! I’m Fatma. I have been working as a teacher in İstanbul for six years. I love travelling and solo-travel has become kind of a therapy for me over the years:) If you are in İstanbul, I can show you around at weekends and give you some tips as well. You can ask any questions, please don’t be shy. My home is a bit far from the touristic places, but if you need a place to crash you can come over:)

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to Turkey

Carissa

Carissa

About Me

Hi, I'm Carissa, I'm 32, and my pronouns are she/her. I love to travel and see less of the touristy things. Although I'm really big on history, architecture, learning how things are made, and food when it comes to travel. I have two cute Yorkies (hypoallergenic) at home that I love dearly, but I am allergic to animal dander. I tend to be on the quieter side, but I love getting to hear other people's stories and try to learn as much as I can wherever I go. I value meeting people, dancing, laughing, eating new things and enjoying magical moments that travel has to offer. I love talking about physical and mental health, food from both historical and socio-economic perspectives, cultural norms, and family systems. You could also find me talking about dance, movies, music, art and fashion. I love it all.

Speaking

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Dorra

Dorra

About Me

Hey there! I’m Dorra, a Tunisian living in Paris who’s always up for an adventure. I’ve done a bunch of trips, including solo ones where I got to meet awesome people and create fun memories. I even did an AIESEC exchange for 4 months, which was a cool way to dive into new cultures. I love meeting people, sharing laughs, and learning about different ways of life. If you’re into good vibes and exploring, let’s hang out!

Speaking

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Safety in Turkey