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 215 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.6/5

Safety

4.2/5

Food

4.5/5

Budget-friendly

3.9/5
Merve

Merve

Belgium

Istanbul, Solo travel

I went to İstanbul and had a budget of 300-400 euros. I stayed at a hostel called Julliet's room and kitchen which is 20 min walking from Kadıköy station or port. I chosed this hostel because it has a room for ladies only. Over all, it was safe for me since I was solo traveling.

Posted: May 29, 2025Experienced: July, 2024
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Helin

Helin

Turkey

Kanlıca, Couple travel

The travel i had with my partner was awesome. We were staying in a home we booked on Airbnb as you see it looks gorgeous. The view was making me so peaceful and i was loving my life every single day more. 💕Often i was counting the ships passed in front of the house. I really felt so safe in the neighborhood called Kanlıca. There were "Mihrabat Korusu" and "Hidiv Kasrı" nearby. Everywhere was available to take a walk. There was almost no one there but i guess people visiting there mostly in summer. Because there's a hilly neighborhood. 😵‍💫 Soooo i've to talk about how i use my time. Oftentimes we take a walk. The weather was pretty good. We visited "Kadıköy" and of course we boarded the ferry. I met a company because i wanna move to Germany. A company that provides consultancy services in this process. So this holiday means a lot to us. We decided to so important things cause we want to change something and can't wait at all. I was so excited for that so firstly we sat in a cafe and wait for a bus. The Cafe was named "Árbol de Cafe" and it's quite near of the Kanlıca Pier. 🥐☕ I would love to write so long. To be honest here is more like a diary of my trips so i love here and publish such things with you. The holiday was really an unforgettable experience for me. It was a beautiful break for have a rest in my life. And to taking important decisions I needed a break like this. I hope I will have the opportunity to share my much more beautiful holidays with you. 🩷🩷🩷

Posted: May 25, 2025Experienced: March, 2025
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aleyna

aleyna

Turkey

Eskisehir, Solo travel

It is a very beautiful city, student-friendly, prices are reasonable, shopkeepers are very nice, transportation is cheap, it is a small city, you can easily visit everywhere, it is safe, it reminds me of Venice.

Posted: May 14, 2025Experienced: March, 2025
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Istanbul, Couple travel

Being an experienced traveler, I avoided Istanbul for a long time because of the image of being too "touristy." I regret that decision a million times because after being it myself, I fell in love. I am obsessed with how it looks, with the people, and the overall atmosphere. It's a highly international place, where you can always find someone to go out with. I came to Istanbul 3 times in total - in May, in June, and in January. I can say for sure that it is not a nice winter destination - or maybe I was unlucky with the weather - but in May in June it is heavenly nice :) My favorite experiences were: - Turkish breakfast at some terrace with seaview (around 15 euro pp) - famous San Sebastian cheesecake near Galata Tower - Turkish bath (25 euro pp) Some experience that I wouldn't do again - dinner Bosphorus cruise. Overpriced, bad food and diluted drinks, interior and show with 90's vibe (not in a good way)

Posted: May 11, 2025Experienced: May, 2023
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Ankara, Solo travel

Last weekend, I went on a spontaneous trip in Ankara. I started with a short walk in Kızılay, then sat at Kuğulu Park and watched the surroundings. I walked along Tunalı Hilmi Street and spent some time in cafés. The calm yet lively atmosphere of Ankara felt really good. Especially while walking through Atatürk Boulevard, I could feel the historical texture of the city. Even though it was an unplanned trip, it was a peaceful and enjoyable experience.

Posted: May 8, 2025Experienced: October, 2024
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Turkey, Family travel

- I felt pretty safe. - Go visit Anamur or Antalya. - Do whitewater rafting. - Don’t miss out on street food and little markets. - Take walks and try to talk to locals.

Posted: May 7, 2025
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Is Turkey safe for women?

Safety index

3.7 /5

Based on 784 local experiences

Crime index

2.7 /5

Based on 784 local experiences

Turkey

Turkish people generally are sympathatic and protective. But lack of laws, some crimes may be unpredictable. I don't afraid of pick pocket evidents honestly. But you can see some uncanny people out there. I think it is a bit normal. Because I encounter such people in Europe too.

Posted: June 4, 2025
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Serpil

Serpil

Ankara

It is a safe city overall. You just need to be careful just in case and try not to get scammed because if you are a foreigner they can try to get advantage from you. Also if you know some local people to guide you it probably won't be a problem

Posted: June 4, 2025
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Safety in Turkey