Is Istanbul Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Solo travel experience

Istanbul has a lot to offer. Galata Tower and Bridge, Colorful Stairs, Covered Bazaar, Balat, restaurants with a terrace view, etc. Personally, it enchanted me, and I will definitely go back there. Lovely people, delicious food, beautiful views, and a great atmosphere. One of the best cities.

Group travel experience

I travelled to Istanbul with a friend of mine on an interrail trip last August. Turkey is an amazing country and locals are really welcoming and helpful. The food and the journey were very cheap and I fell in love with Cappadocia.

Group travel experience

Istanbul is a beautiful city, it is accessible with good rates for hotels, local food, and the metro system works really well and it is not expensive.Santa Sofia and the Blue Mesquite are something you cannot miss, and walking on the streets eaither alone or in a group, you feel safe.

Solo travel experience

In my opinion Istanbul is city of love. If you want to have a good experience with food and the view of every street of a city you should see Istanbul with your partner. People are so nice and accepting to foreign visitors. But i recommend you to visit with your friend or your partner because some areas of Istanbul can be dangerous at the night time.

Solo travel experience

I had a great time in Istanbul. Felt safe but I was cautious and I didn’t really hang out with anyone I met randomly. I even went walking alone at night and it was fine. It’s a fun city, with a lot of energy. I stayed in Kadikoy which is on the Asian side and has more of a hipster younger vibe. I loved it.

Solo travel experience

Spent 2 weeks in Istanbul and had some of the best food I’ve ever had in my life. But I will never again go back as a solo female traveler. The street harassment is unreal and I had to switch my hotel due to harassment from hotel staff. It felt much safer on the Asian side, didn’t experience nearly the same level of crap over there and it has a much more chill vibe than the European side.

Solo travel experience

Istanbul is a very safe city. I explored for 2 days on my own, feeling very comfortable. I don't recommend driving a car because of heavy traffic. The Asian side is very nice, more local, with fewer tourists. I enjoyed beautiful sunsets overlooking the Bosphorus and the old (European) part of the city.

Solo travel experience

I explored Istanbul solo this April. The people were very helpful, especially the women, they were kind. Most young people speak English. The men mostly wanted money or to take me to their carpet store, so don’t ask them. Some were nice but it’s difficult to decipher their intentions. I felt safe but took normal traveling precautions. The transit felt safe as well.

Solo travel experience

I was just in Istanbul alone and I was really worried about going there because I had a horrible experience in Morocco a few years ago. I stayed in the touristy areas, mostly Sultanahmet and Galata, and I did not experience any sexual harassment. A couple of overeager vendors at the market, but nothing too bad. I felt pretty safe overall. I dressed pretty modestly: a long dress and a cardigan, or knee-length skirt and a shirt with short or long sleeves.

Solo travel experience

I went by myself and felt safe at all times. The people were so friendly and kind, the food was wonderful and everything was so beautiful. The only time I felt uncomfortable at all was in the grand bazaar, only because of the pressure to buy. I was followed by several vendors. I wasn’t uncomfortable due to safety issues, just extreme sales pressure.

If you do not speak Turkish or know someone who does, stay in tourist areas, otherwise it may be difficult. The average Turk knows little to no English. I strongly suggest learning some basics before your visit. Do not smile at strangers, especially men. Most men will take it as an interest. Try to meet up with and go places with other ladies at night, it’s typically what Turkish women do. Many men want to hook up with foreign women, so keep that in mind. Dress modestly so as not to draw attention to yourself. I do not recommend taking taxis if you do not speak Turkish. If you do, always sit in the back. Make sure you know the exchange rate between your currency and the lira so you are able to do conversions. Men will stare at you. A lot. Just ignore them and go on your own way.

Istanbul is a very safe city. I have been going there quite frequently and I truly love it there. The people are kind and welcoming. When you're in Istanbul, especially in touristy areas, you'll be harassed by men trying to get you to come to their stores or restaurants. That's usually in the Sultanahmet area, the Galata Bridge lower level where the restaurants are, and the Grand Bazaar. I avoid those areas for that very reason. Taxi drivers will always try to scam you. Always ask to have the meter on. They will pretend to forget or not understand you, but thankfully tourism is protected by the government so if you're ever in a situation where a taxi driver doesn't turn on the meter and/or demands that you pay an amount you never agreed to, simply tell them you'd call the police and they would back you up. Public transportation is also easy to use. Istanbul is very very hilly so make sure you wear good walking shoes. Make sure to visit Kadikoy on the Asian side. Cihangir and Çukurcuma are two of my favorite neighborhoods on the European side, where the locals live and hang out, not as touristy.

I live in Istanbul and I have to say that if you like to see historical details, here is an amazing city. You can see a lot of historical buildings, fountains, traditional arts at the same day. Locals and I are says that İstanbul like a toxic relationship, here is so crowded and expensive but we can't go to another city for the living. Because we love here.

Author:

I lived in Istanbul for many years and it's a beautiful city with a rich historical culture. I recommend avoiding walking alone in side streets, watching your staff in crowded places and try not to converse with taxi drivers (show them an address or location on maps). Apart from this, it’s safe for solo female travelers.

Solo travelShould I go on a solo trip to Istanbul as a female traveler?

I'm considering a solo trip to Istanbul. I've always desperately wanted to go and it isn't too expensive but none of my friends are interested. However, I've been advised by multiple people not to go to Turkey on my own. I was under the impression that (so long as I dressed ok etc) Turkey was very safe for solo female travelers. Any advice?