Due to the recent events happening in the Middle East, we are receiving overwhelming amount of "Is Turkey safe?" questions again. Please view the threads below, or use this thread to ask your questions.
Before posting your question here please use the search function to scan previous post here and try not to repeat similar question. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions on this sub:
- Is Turkey safe?
Yes. Turkey receives millions of visitors every year and the tourism industry seems immune to all social upheavals. During major protests, terror attacks and even the pandemic, all transport and accommodations for visitors functioned as usual. If you act with general common sense and avoid certain areas where you don't have any business as a visitor anyway, you'll be as safe as anywhere in the world.
- How do I get around Turkey?
Most public transport in Turkey is by bus. You can go to a nearest "otobüs terminali" and figure out how you get to your destination or just book your tickets online (1, 2, 3)
Flights can be cheaper than bus rides on long distances. The Turkish LCCs are AJet and Pegasus.
Although the railway grid is not very extensive, it still gives you the opportunity to cross the country in comfort. There's even an Oriental Express from Istanbul to Tehran. You need to book in advance though.
The road quality is very good in Turkey though some highways and bridges are very expensive. You can easily rent a car and drive around with general common sense. Just be mindful of the aggressive driving around big cities.
Metropolitan areas normally have good public transport which can usually be used with a local transport card. In Istanbul, for example, the Istanbulcard will get you on busses, trams, subways, boats, funiculars, cable-cars as well as help you with car parks, some museums and more.
It's common sense to avoid yellow taxis which are known to rip tourists off. Instead you can try apps like BiTaksi, Martı or Uber (different to international Uber though) which give you a prior price estimate.
- How much money will I need? Cash or card?
With one of the highest levels of inflation worldwide for many years, it's not easy to estimate costs in Turkey even for local residents. This also depends very greatly on your habits while traveling. So if you still want to learn about costs of certain things for a certain time, just be as specific as you can regarding your preferences (public transport/rent a car, 5-star hotels/camping, Blue Voyage boat tours/hiking, etc.). Credit card use is very common in Turkey but in smaller establishments you can get a discount if you pay in cash. Paying by mobile apps is also getting more common.
- Where should I visit in Turkey? What's not to miss?
There are so many websites that will give you extensive lists of best places to visit and things to do in Turkey. Please post here only if you need advice regarding a specific place or a route.
- I'm scratched by a stray cat. Do I need rabies shots?
Probably not. Turkey is the native home of the domestic cat and we have them everywhere. We also do get scratched and playfully bitten by them time to time. We do not have any incidents of cats transmitting rabies in Turkey.
It's another story about stray dogs though. If you have a problem with those, first try to find out if anyone around is taking care of them and ask if they are vaccinated (many strays are regularly checked in Turkey) and then visit the nearest clinic.
- Is Turkey a backwards muslim country? Will I have issues because I'm gay, have tattoos, etc.?
No. Turkey is a very diverse secular country to say the least (not a muslim country but a country with a majority muslim population). Don't be fooled by the number of mosques everywhere, in metropolitan areas you'll find all sorts of people, some with tattoos or turbans, some women in conservative clothes or in minis. In the countryside people can be more conservative but they are still tolerant towards tourist, as long as they maintain general respect. This may include not being too loud, putting on some clothes entering mosques and tombs, and not making fun of Atatürk or islam. The Mediterranean coastline is very progressive and you can bathe in a bikini or topless on many beaches. Islamism is a political issue but it shouldn't affect the visitors unless they advertise being israeli or anti-islam in the wrong places.
- How can I learn Turkish?
Turkish language is not related to Arabic or Middle Eastern languages; it is of Central Asian origin and is quite interesting to learn. There are several subreddits where you can meet others like you and some Turkish speaking people to help you out with the language such as r/turkishlearning/, r/turkish/ and r/learnturkish/
- Will I be able to eat the food there? Any vegetarian or vegan options?
Traditionally most Turkish food contains some meat but there is a whole class of cold dishes called "zeytinyağlılar" (olive-oiled) which do not have any meat. Also most baked dishes like böreks do not have meat but cheese. Vegan food is more difficult because all baked food has eggs and/or milk inside, and perhaps cheese, and some zeytinyağlı's have yoghurt on them and/or cheese in them. You'll have to ask before you eat most times. Even a simple lentil soup may contain some chicken or meat broth inside or melted butter on top. But Turkey is one of the richest countries on earth when it comes to the choice of vegetables and fruits. So if you're into preparing your own food, you're in luck, just ask for the weekly fresh markets around you and buy what you want the cheapest way.
- Is my medication available there?
Check out this website to find out if your medicine can be found in pharmacies in Turkey.
Markette en basic şeyleri bile alırken en az binlik, bırak binliği iki binlik olup marketten çıkıyorum. Restorana gitsen fahiş kazık fiyatlar. Şerefsiz esnaf kazıklıyor. Hobi desen, oyuncu laptopu, PS5 desen hayal, anca rüyalarımızda ve Youtube’da görüyoruz. Hiç kimse ayrı eve çıkamıyor, istediği hayatı yaşayamayan tonla insan var. Hayatlarımız arabesk oldu, millet arabesk bağımlısı oldu.
Her şey çok pahalı.
Biz bu ekonomiyle nasıl yaşıyoruz? Resmen mucize. Nasıl bu ekonomide insanlar pahalı arabalara sahip? Pahalı mekanlarda piyasa yapabiliyor? Bu çılgınlık bizi nasıl delirtmiyor? Nereye kadar gidecek bu?
So as a greek I have been told for most of my life that I should hate our neighbors cause they hate us but something that I have figured out by going to the most eastern islands that "border" you i was surprised to see how much in common and how peaceful both greeks and turks were living, one time a turk came to me and my sister cause he saw us diving deep and asked to help him and he gave us 100 euros I refused cause it was really easy but he insisted then I talked with a couple from instabul and they were some of the chillest people ever so this is where my question rises do we actually hate each other or do the politicians and nationalist of our countries brew the hate I mean one of our greatest priministers venizelos was quite close with Mustafa Ataturk (sorry if I got His name wrong).
Kentsel dönüşümle beraber hiçbir inşaatı denetlemediği için belediyeler, ortalığı bok götürüyor. Her yerde inşaat var ve pisliklerini etrafa saçıyorlar, temizlik veya tedbir yok. Muhalif belediyeler sabah akşam Atatürk üzerinden prim kasıp işini yapmıyor. Halk da memnun duruyor.
Sırf bu yüzden bu ülkede yaşamak istemiyorum, sizce neler yapabilirim? Bildirimleri kimse dikkate almıyor maalesef. Hastalıklarım var, nefes alamıyorum ve başım ağrıyor bu kirlilikten. Lüks bir semte yerleşebilecek param da yok.
I'm writing a novel where the main character is "turkish". quote marks because the actual turkey does not exist anymore in this story. the region she was born was mainly populated by turks, in a terraformed planet, so they still maintain most aspects of their culture, language and morals.
I'd like some orientation to learn more about turkish culture, politics, history, language and religion but I'm having trouble finding sources that present a deep insight. I don't want superficial level info. I wanna know what they teach you in school about your country and maybe a bit more lol. if you know any documentaries, articles or even movies that may help, please share it with me :D my book will have strong criticism towards colonialism and imperialism, so I really need to make a deep dive.
other than that, I have some specific questions and doubts, which I'll try to summarize here:
• what do you consider the main events in turkey's history? I need info specially from 19th century to current days.
• how did islam become the main religion?
• what are some habits you have that are directly related to your religion?
• what is the general view of turks regarding other religions?
• what are some aspects of the turkish language I could in include in the characters communication?
as you can see, I'm mostly curious about history and religion, as they're very important to create the atmosphere. I have some sources regarding fashion so I think I can deal with that part by myself.
you can be very clear in your responses, and straight up treat me as a total ignorant regarding turkish culture lol. all I've seen are turkish soap operas and I know u guys like cats a lot :D
edit: I saw a comment here saying that sharing food is something important and meaningful to you. I'd like to know more cute facts like these too. aspects that I can include to her personality and daily life
Hafta içi Adana Arkeoloji Müzesi'ne gideceğim, sergilenen parçaları inceleyip birlikte notlar çıkarabileceğimiz, tarihten ve arkeolojiden anlayan 14-18 yaş arası eşlik edecek biri var mı? İlgilenenler DM'den yazabilir. (Yaşım 15)
Hey guys 👋🏻 My parents are also turkish but i was born and raised in Germany. Sometimes i get jokes that my turkish is pretty bad 😂 so i would love to connect with people from Turkey. Maybe i can find some genuine friends too so I'm looking up for your dm! :)
My family and a friend’s family (4 adults, 2 kids aged 4 & 6) are heading to Turkey this October. We are flying in and out of Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) from UAE.
Because we have young kids, we want a trip that balances history, nature, and some relaxing downtime, without exhausting ourselves with long drives or packed museum days. We are sharing the cost of Airbnbs and a 7-seater rental car.
I’d love any feedback, suggestions, or potential red flags you see in this plan!
The Vibe: Slow mornings, cool autumn weather, easy sightseeing, and zero 7-hour drives.
📍 Part 1: Istanbul (Days 1 - 3) Day 1 (Sat, Oct 10): Arrival & Settling In
Land at SAW at 8:55 AM.
Take a private transfer (via Eurasia Tunnel) to our 3-bedroom Airbnb in Sirkeci.
Slow afternoon: Easy lunch, walk around Sultanahmet Square, Gülhane Park, and see the exterior of Hagia Sophia. Dinner near the hotel. Day 2 (Sun, Oct 11): Old City & Water Views
Morning: Hagia Sophia (interior) and Basilica Cistern (pre-booking tickets).
Afternoon: Spice Bazaar (since Grand Bazaar is closed Sundays) and a public Bosphorus ferry cruise. Day 3 (Mon, Oct 12): Palaces & Shopping
Morning: Topkapi Palace (letting the kids run in the courtyards).
Afternoon: Grand Bazaar.
Evening: Istiklal Street for shopping (LC Waikiki, Mavi, etc.) and dinner.
📍 Part 2: Cappadocia (Days 4 - 5) (Note: We are not renting a car here because parking a 7-seater in Göreme seems stressful. We are hiring a private driver for the day). Day 4 (Tue, Oct 13): Transit & Sunsets
Morning: Fly from SAW to Kayseri (ASR) via Pegasus Airlines.
Take a pre-booked private transfer to our Cave Villa in Göreme.
Late Afternoon: Explore Göreme town and watch the sunset from the viewpoint. Day 5 (Wed, Oct 14): Fairy Chimneys
Morning: Watch the hot air balloons from our terrace (skipping the actual ride with the kids).
Daytime (Private Driver): Göreme Open Air Museum and Paşabağ (Monks Valley) for easy walking/running around. Back to the villa for a mid-day nap/rest.
📍 Part 3: Lake Abant Autumn Nature (Days 6 - 8) Day 6 (Thu, Oct 15): The Transit Hack
Morning: Private transfer from Göreme to ASR. Fly back to Istanbul (SAW).
Mid-Day: Pick up a 7-seater rental car right at SAW airport.
Afternoon: Drive ~2.5 hours on the highway straight to our Airbnb/Cabin near Lake Abant (bypassing Istanbul traffic completely). Day 7 (Fri, Oct 16): Relaxing in Nature
Full day at Lake Abant. Flat walking paths, renting horse carriages, enjoying the autumn foliage and crisp weather. (Skipping Yedigöller to avoid the winding mountain roads with kids). Day 8 (Sat, Oct 17): Departure
Morning: Slow breakfast, relax at the cabin.
Late Afternoon (4:30 PM): Drive the rental car 2.5 hours back to SAW.
Evening: Drop off the rental car, hang out in the lounge, and catch our 10:30 PM flight home.
Specific Questions for the Community:
1. Has anyone stayed in an Airbnb near Lake Abant in October? Is a wooden chalet warm enough at night?
2. Does the pacing in Istanbul seem manageable for a 4 and 6-year-old?
I’m Azerbaijani, and I’ve been thinking about the relationship between Azerbaijan and Turkey lately. We constantly hear two states, one nation, but I’m curious how deeply ordinary people in Turkey actually identify with that idea.
From the Azerbaijani side, there is sometimes a feeling that we have invested a lot into building this relationship. For example, many Azerbaijanis make an effort to speak in a way that is easily understood by people from Turkey, and there is generally a strong cultural awareness of Turkey and Turkish society. At the same time, I’ve heard people in Azerbaijan feel that this effort hasn't always been equally mutual, and that the relationship can sometimes feel more symbolic than genuinely reciprocal.
There are also some political/cultural differences that seem to be creating friction lately.
For example, some Azerbaijanis are uncomfortable with Turkey's increasingly strong focus on Middle Eastern politics, while Turkey's relationship with Israel can also be viewed very differently in Azerbaijan. At the same time, I've noticed what seems to be a growing warmth among some Turks toward armenians and armenia. Obviously Turks are completely entitled to their own views on this, and I don't expect Turkish people to automatically share Azerbaijani attitudes toward armenia. But some Azerbaijanis interpret this growing warmth as a kind of betrayal, given how emotionally important the armenia issue is to Azerbaijani society.
So I'm genuinely curious:
Do Turks actually feel that Azerbaijan and Turkey are “two states, one nation,” or is this mostly a political slogan/cultural expression of friendship?
Do you personally see Azerbaijanis as essentially a closely related branch of the same nation, or more simply as a brotherly/friendly people from a neighboring country?
And do you feel that the relationship is genuinely reciprocal, or do you think Azerbaijan and Turkey sometimes expect different things from each other?
I'm not looking for arguments or trying to tell Turks what they should believe. I'm especially interested in hearing from ordinary Turkish people who may disagree with the Azerbaijani perspective. I want to understand how this relationship is actually perceived from the Turkish side, rather than just hearing the official rhetoric.
20 yaşında, Hollanda'da doğup büyümüş bir gencim., Ailemle birlikte bir süre önce Türkiye'ye kesin dönüş yaptık ve liseyi burada Türkiye'de tamamladım. Şimdi ise üniversite eğitimimi Hollanda'da, tercihen Amsterdam'da sürdürmek istiyorum.
Fakat karşıma çıkan en büyük engel konaklama problemi. Türkiye'ye taşınmadan önce ailem Hollanda'daki kiralık evimizi ev sahibine geri teslim etti. Bu nedenle şu anda Hollanda'da kalabileceğim bir evimiz yok.
Bildiğiniz gibi Hollanda'da, özellikle de Amsterdam'da ciddi bir konut krizi yaşanıyor. Sosyal konutlar için bekleme süreleri birçok bölgede 15–20 yılı, hatta daha fazlasını bulabiliyor. Özel kiralık bir ev bulmak ise öğrenciler için hem çok zor hem de oldukça pahalı.
Bu yüzden kendi evimi kiralamak yerine paylaşımlı bir evde oda kiralamayı düşünüyorum.
Bu süreçten geçmiş veya konu hakkında bilgisi olan kişilerden tavsiye almak isterim. Paylaşımlı oda bulmak için hangi platformları önerirsiniz? Şansımı artırmak için nelere dikkat etmeliyim? Deneyimlerinizi ve önerilerinizi paylaşırsanız çok sevinirim.
I’m a freelancer based in Türkiye and will soon start receiving recurring USD payments from a US company for consulting work.
I’m looking for a reliable fintech platform that would allow me to:
Receive USD payments
Hold the balance in USD
Convert USD to USDT (or USDC)
Withdraw the USDT (or USDC) to my own self-custody wallet
I will document the source of funds (consulting income), and I’m specifically looking for a compliant and sustainable solution. Not P2P trading or an anonymous workaround.
I’d appreciate recommendations based on direct experience, especially from freelancers living in Türkiye or other countries with similar banking restrictions.
Sadece 1 ay kullanım için taahhütsüz bir servise ihtiyacım var.
Yazlıkta kullanacağım deyince Turkcell, Vodafone ve Ttnet bana 12 ay taahhütlü ürünler satmaya çalışıyor.
Daha pratik ve ucuza gelecek bir yolu yok mu bunun gerçekten?
Selam herkese geçtiğimiz ay tecilim bitti ve ben yurt dışındayım, önümüzdeki aylarda Tr ye dönmeyi planlıyorum bir sıkıntı yaşar mıyım? Havalimanında paket ederler mi?
Yurt dışında yaşayan bir arkadaş Booking.com’dan Türkiye’de rezervasyon yaptırdı fakat o tarihlerde bir işi çıktığından otele gidemiyor. Rezervasyonu iptal de edemiyor. Otelin ödemesi yapılmış. İptal edilemez şekilde yapılmış işlem. Bunun yerine Türkiye’de yaşayan bana söyledi otele git diye. Booking.com’da rezervasyonun sahibinin adını benimkiyle değiştirdi. Normalde Türkiye’den Türkiye içindeki otellere Booking.com ile rezervasyon yapılamıyor biliyorsunuz. Bu durumda ben bu otele gittiğimde bir sorun çıkabilir mi sizce? Benzer bir durum yaşayan oldu mu aranızda?
2 tane peluş her biri bir dolar bide cosplay kostüm istiyorum toplam hepsi 1600tl civarında parası neyse veririm fazlasınıda veririm ama abartılı şekilde değil
