Turkey Travel Risk

Exercise increased caution

Exercise increased caution in Türkiye due to terrorism, armed conflict, and arbitrary detentions. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Exercise caution in crowded public spaces including transportation hubs, markets, malls, government buildings, hotels, restaurants, clubs, places of worship, educational institutions, parks, airports, and major events.

Terrorism

There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Türkiye. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism to learn more.

• Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Türkiye.
• Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations.
• Be cautious in transportation hubs, markets, malls, and government buildings, as well as hotels, clubs, restaurants, religious sites, places of worship, and parks. Be careful in airports and at major events.

Arbitrary Detentions

• The Turkish government has detained and arrested individuals, including Americans, for alleged links to terrorist groups based on scant evidence and minimal due process.
• Americans have also been subject to exit bans that prevent them from departing Türkiye.
• Protests not approved by the Turkish government can lead to arrest, as can criticizing the government, including on social media.

Do not travel to the border region with Syria and Iraq due to risk of terrorism and armed conflict.

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Turkey-Syria border

FCDO advises against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism. If you are in Syria, follow FCDO Travel Advice for Syria. The FCDO cannot facilitate entry for British nationals into Turkey from Syria.

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

Support from the UK government

While 24-hour consular assistance is available by phone or online, in-person consular support is severely limited in areas where we advise against travel.

Regional tensions

The context in the Middle East remains deeply unpredictable and the risk of sudden escalation is high. Since conflict began in early 2026, Iran has stated its intention to target locations associated with the US and Israel, including, but not limited to, organisations, businesses, facilities, and institutions. There have been strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran and others across the region against civilian and US military infrastructure.

British nationals in, or planning to travel through, the Middle East should be prepared for possible flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions. You should:

• read If you’re affected by a crisis abroad - GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”
• sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts
• follow advice from the local authorities
• monitor local and international media for the latest information, including updates relating to airports and airspace which could close at short notice
• stay away from areas around security or military facilities
• keep your departure plans under review, and ensure your travel documents are up to date
• if advised to take shelter, stay indoors or find the nearest safe building or designated shelter. An interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls or windows as possible may provide additional protection. The greatest risk is from falling debris caused by intercepts, and you are safest inside a secure structure. Do not approach or touch any drone or missile fragments or unusual objects

This guide also has safety advice for regions of Turkey.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Turkey

Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Turkey.

Most terrorist attacks have occurred in southeast Turkey, Ankara and Istanbul. You should remain aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

See Regional risks for details about the areas in south-east Turkey where FCDO advises against travel.

There have been several attacks involving knives, firearms and explosives. Attacks could be indiscriminate including in places visited by foreign nationals, such as:

• public buildings
• places of worship
• airports
• large public gatherings, including major events, public holidays, religious occasions

Examples of recent attacks include:

• in April 2026, two police officers were injured after three gunmen opened fire near a building housing the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul
• in September 2025, three police officers were killed and three people injured in an attack on a police station by a lone gunman in Izmir
• in October 2024, five people were killed and 22 injured in an attack on the Turkish Aerospace Industries’ facility in Kahramankazan, 40km northwest of central Ankara
• in February 2024, one person was killed in an armed attack on the Çağlayan courthouse in Istanbul by the terrorist group DHKP/C
• in January 2024, one person was killed by two gunmen in the Santa Maria Catholic Church in Sariyer, in an attack claimed by Daesh
• in 2022, six people were killed in an explosion in central Istanbul

Extremist groups based in Syria, including Daesh and Al-Qaeda linked groups, have the capacity to carry out attacks in Turkey. Daesh has previously targeted border crossings and nearby locations on the Syrian side of the border.

This section has safety advice for regions of Turkey. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.

You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice.

Turkey-Syria border

FCDO advises against all travel within 10km of the Turkey-Syria border.

Fighting in Syria continues in areas close to the Turkish border and there is a heightened risk of terrorism in the region. See Terrorism.

Due to the ongoing conflict in Syria, roads in Hatay Province leading towards the border may be closed at short notice.

Hakkari province, south-east Turkey

In Hakkari province you must get permission from the local Governor’s Office to visit areas near the border with Iraq and Iran. If visiting with a travel agent or tour group, confirm with them whether you need an individual permit. Keep up to date with local media and follow the advice of the local authorities.

Mount Ararat, eastern Turkey

Mount Ararat, in Ağrı Province, is a special military zone. You must have permission from the Doğubayazıt government office and pay a fee. If visiting with a travel agent or tour group, confirm with them whether you need an individual permit.

Take extra care if you’re travelling to this area. Keep up to date with local media and follow the advice of the local authorities.

Risk level

Türkiye - Exercise a high degree of caution

Exercise a high degree of caution in Türkiye due to the threat of terrorism and the possibility of large-scale demonstrations throughout the country.

Regional risks

Borders with Iraq and Syria - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to within 10 km of the borders with Iraq and Syria due to the unpredictable security situation and the threat of terrorism.

Southeastern provinces - Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid non-essential travel to the following southeastern provinces due to the ongoing risk of cross-border terrorist activity:

• Hakkari
• Sirnak

Ongoing hostilities in the Middle East

There is ongoing military activity in the region. Missiles, drones and other projectiles could strike targets in the region.

There could be disruptions to air traffic, including:

• flight cancellations
• airspace closures

You should:

• avoid the vicinity of military installations
• be vigilant and follow the instructions of local authorities at all times, including any orders to shelter in place
• ensure that your travel documents and those of your family are up to date
• monitor local and international media to stay informed of the rapidly evolving situation
• sign up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to receive additional important information, specific to your location, about the ongoing situation and any available departure options.

Canada's response to the situation in the Middle East

Borders with Iraq and Syria

Despite counter-terrorism operations conducted by Turkish and Iraqi security forces, a risk of terrorism remains at the border between Türkiye and Iraq. Violent attacks have occurred at sites held by terrorist groups or against Turkish and Iraqi security forces. Extremist groups have carried out attacks at border crossings and other locations in Iraq and Syria, close to the Turkish border.

The Turkish government has declared some areas in villages along the border with Syria special security zones as part of cross-border military operations.

There is a threat of kidnapping for ransom along Türkiye’s borders with Iraq and Syria. Extremist groups take advantage of porous borders and an unpredictable security situation to carry out operations and use kidnapping to raise funds.

If you travel near the border with Iraq and/or Syria despite the advisory in effect:

• exercise extreme caution
• expect a heightened military presence and movement restrictions
• avoid travelling after dark
• monitor local and international media to stay informed on current clashes
• follow instructions from local authorities and security forces

Keep in mind that some highways are within 10 km of the borders, which may impact your travel insurance policy in the event of an accident.

Türkiye has reopened the Akçakale land border crossing with Syria to limited operations for Turkish and Syrian citizens.

土耳其现有橙色（高风险）地区6个，其他地区均为黄色（中风险）。 具体如下：

一、橙色地区：哈塔伊、加济安泰普、基利斯、尚勒乌尔法、马尔丁、舍尔纳克等6省。外交部提醒中国公民近期谨慎前往土耳其上述地区，已在当地人员和机构密切关注局势发展，保持高度警惕，加强安全防范和应急准备，确保人身和财产安全。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻当地使领馆取得联系。 二、黄色地区：其他地区。外交部提醒在土耳其其他地区人员加强防范，注意安全。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻当地使领馆取得联系。 外交部和驻外使领馆将继续密切关注海外安全形势变化，动态调整有关风险评估，并实时在中国领事服务网等平台发布、更新相应安全提醒，请持续关注。