This advice has been reviewed and reissued. The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Summary

Safety and Security

Terrorism

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Turkey because of the high threat of terrorist attack. International and domestic terrorist groups have recently carried out attacks. We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.

Terrorist attacks can occur anywhere at any time in Turkey. Possible targets include Turkish and Western government interests and commercial interests, including banks.

The tourist season during Turkey's spring and summer months has traditionally been marked by increased terrorist attacks. The same could be the case this year. A domestic terrorist group made a public statement in March 2008, similar to ones issued in past years, that it would attack "Turkish tourist sites". Potential targets include tourist destinations in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions of Turkey and foreign institutions in Turkey. Attacks may occur during April 2008.

In the past, foreign tourists have been targeted and a number have been killed and injured. Westerners were targeted in the bombings of two tourist hotels in Istanbul in August 2004 and the November 2003 attacks against the British Consulate-General and HSBC Bank. Terrorists have threatened to carry out further attacks in tourist areas.

Terrorist attacks have occurred in many parts of Turkey over recent years. A domestic terrorist group has carried out a number of attacks on civilian targets in major Turkish cities and has caused a large number of deaths and injuries. Locations for these attacks include fast food outlets, shopping malls, open air markets, government, judicial and security targets including police, offices and facilities, restaurants, cafes, including internet cafes, public transport including railway lines, infrastructure, tourist sites, hotels, banks and other public places. Attacks have occurred in major cities including Istanbul and Ankara and tourist centres such as Izmir, Marmaris, Antalya, Mersin, Kusadasi, Cesme, Mugla, Manavgat and Adana. Several of these attacks have occurred in popular tourist sites.

Potential targets include tourist areas in towns and major cities including Izmir, Istanbul, Adana, Ankara, Diyarbakir, Mersin and Antalya in the southern coastal region. Vacation destinations such as beaches, national parks and forests could also be targeted.

In December 2007, a police station in a residential area of Istanbul was bombed. One person was killed and six others were injured. The same month, authorities apprehended a man carrying explosives intended for an attack on a subway station in Istanbul. A large bomb hidden in a van was defused in a car park in central Ankara in September 2007. Large gangs attacked buses and trams with Molotov cocktails in Istanbul in August 2007. During the same month, a bomb was discovered in the air conditioning system of an international fast food outlet near Taksim Square, Istanbul. In May 2007, nine people were killed when a suicide bomber struck at a bus stop outside a shopping mall in Ankara.

Recent credible reports suggest terrorists are planning attacks in Turkey, including in response to Turkish military action against terrorists and their bases in northern Iraq.

In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided. Possible targets include commercial and public areas frequented by foreigners such as public transport facilities, including buses, hotels, bars, clubs, restaurants, cafes, shopping areas, places of worship, embassies, banks, public gatherings, outdoor recreation events, resorts, tourist areas and their surrounds and ports, including those used by international cruise liners. Attacks involving small bombs and suicide bombers have targeted western economic and political interests, as well as symbols, buildings and sites associated with Turkish security forces, government and political parties, businesses, places of worship, financial institutions and automatic teller machines. Significant dates and anniversaries are also symbols and terrorists have in the past used such occasions to mount attacks.

Borders with Syria, Iraq and Iran: We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to provinces in the southeast of Turkey, including those in the border region with Syria, Iraq and Iran, due to the unpredictable security situation.

The Turkish military has been conducting operations, including air strikes, in south-eastern Turkey and northern Iraq since November 2007. Terrorist groups may plan attacks in retribution. On 3 January 2008, an explosion in Diyarbakir near a hotel and a military base killed four people and injured around 54 others. Military strikes may also trigger violent demonstrations. In the past, such demonstrations have resulted in deaths, injuries and widespread property destruction in cities in south-eastern Turkey. Roadside explosions are common.

Identification is required at checkpoints in this region and restrictions on travel in areas bordering Iraq are enforced. The security situation is more dangerous at night.

Civil Unrest/Political Tension

You should avoid any large gatherings and demonstrations throughout Turkey as they may become violent. If you are in an area affected by demonstrations, you should find a safe location, remain indoors and follow the advice of local authorities. You should also read our travel bulletin entitled Release of a film by Netherlands MP Geert Wilders.

Crime

Muggings, assaults, pick pocketing and bag snatching occur in Turkey, especially in Istanbul in areas where tourists congregate including Taksim Square, Sultanahmet, the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar.

Foreigners, including Australians, have been drugged and had their passports and other personal effects stolen after being befriended by English-speaking strangers. Drugs may be administered through drinks, food, chewing gum or confectionery. The victim becomes disorientated and compliant and may even become unconscious.

Sexual assaults have been reported in coastal tourist areas.

Local Travel

Turkey has one of the highest road accident rates in the world and fatalities occur frequently. With the exception of major freeways and arterial roads, the standard of road construction in Turkey is generally poor. Travel at night on most country roads is very dangerous due to inadequate lighting and local driving practices.

Visitors to the Gallipoli Peninsula Peace Park should be aware that winter storms and the heavy volume of traffic seriously affect many coastal roads, including those in the park. Traffic restrictions may apply to the Anzac Cove road. However, pedestrians will still be able to access places of interest in the park.

In recent years, train derailments have resulted in deaths and injuries.

It is illegal not to carry photographic identification with you in Turkey. You should carry a photocopy of your passport with you at all times.

Airline Safety

Several hijackings have occurred on commercial aircraft in Turkey over the past 12 months.

Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.

If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.

The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.

Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate

Severe drought conditions are affecting water supply to a number of cities in Turkey. Running water may not be available in many places, including in hotels and other forms of accommodation. You should take additional care to guard against water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (see Health Issues for more information).

Bush and forest fires often occur during the summer months (usually June to September), particularly in heavily forested areas and during periods of high temperatures and low rainfall.

Turkey is in an active earthquake zone. An earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale was recorded in Ankara on 2 December 2007.

Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If you are in an area affected by a natural disaster, you should monitor the media and follow the advice of authorities.

Wildlife Watching

Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

Money and Valuables

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

For Parents

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.

Local Laws

When you are in Turkey, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.

Penalties for drug offences in Turkey are severe and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences.

Drink driving carries a minimum penalty of an on-the-spot fine and confiscation of your driver's licence.

It is illegal to photograph military installations in Turkey. Mount Ararat, in the south-east of Turkey, is a special military zone and you need permission from the Turkish government to visit.

Exporting antiquities is prohibited and carries long jail sentences. Authorisation is required for the purchase and removal of Turkish antiquities and other cultural artefacts from Turkey. You need a receipt and an official certificate to legally export these items.

Homosexuality is not illegal, but is not widely accepted.

Public displays of affection could result in prosecution for public order offences.

It is illegal to insult the Turkish nation, the national flag and the name and image of the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Attaturk.

It is illegal to deface or destroy currency.

Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.

Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.

Local Customs

There are conservative standards of dress and behaviour in Turkey. Some regions are more conservative than others. You should respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities. If in doubt, seek local advice.

Visitors should dress modestly, particularly at mosques and religious shrines.

Information for Dual Nationals

Australian males who hold Turkish citizenship may be required to undertake military service upon their return to Turkey. Prior to travel, Turkish/Australian dual nationals should seek advice from the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Turkey.

Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Turkey for the most up to date information.

Australian tourists visiting Turkey on an ordinary (blue) Australian passport may obtain a tourist visa upon arrival for approximately USD20.00.

Health Issues

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.

Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.

The standard of medical facilities throughout Turkey varies. While private hospitals with international standard facilities can be found in major cities, services can be limited elsewhere. Private hospitals generally require confirmation of insurance or a guarantee of payment before admitting a patient. Costs can be very expensive. Generally, serious illnesses and accidents can be treated at private or teaching hospitals in Ankara and Istanbul. However, medical evacuation, at considerable cost, may be necessary in some serious cases.

Decompression chambers are located near popular dive sites throughout Turkey in Cubuklu, Izmir, Bodrum, Oludeniz, and Eceabat.

Malaria is a risk from May to October mainly in the south-eastern part of the country, and in Amikova and Cukurova Plain. There is no malaria risk in the main tourist areas in the west and south-west of the country. Other insect-borne diseases (such as leishmaniasis and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever) also occur. We recommend that you consider the need for prophylaxis against malaria and use insect repellent at all times.

Water-borne, food-borne, and other infectious diseases (including tuberculosis, typhoid, hepatitis, measles and rabies) occur with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food, and avoid unpasteurised dairy products.

Avian influenza. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed human deaths from avian influenza in Turkey. The Department of Health and Ageing advises Australians who reside in Turkey for an extended period to consider, as a precautionary measure, having access to influenza antiviral medicine for treatment. Long term residents are at a greater risk of exposure to avian influenza over time. You should seek medical advice before taking antiviral medicines. Australians intending to travel to Turkey for shorter periods are at much lower risk of infection but should discuss the risk of avian influenza with their doctor as part of their routine pre-travel health checks.

If the avian influenza virus mutates to a form where efficient human-to-human transmission occurs, it may spread quickly and local authorities could move quickly to impose restrictions on travel. Australian travellers and long-term residents in Turkey should be prepared to take personal responsibility for their own safety and well-being, including deciding when to leave an affected area and ensuring they have appropriate contingency plans in place. Australians in Turkey should monitor the travel advice and bulletin for updated information and advice, and ensure that their travel documents, including passports and visas for any non-Australian family members, are up to date in case they need to depart at short notice.

The Australian Government has decided as a precautionary measure to hold a limited supply of the antiviral medicine oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and protective face masks at most of its overseas missions. The antivirals would primarily be used to protect emergency staff providing consular and other essential services in the event of a widespread outbreak of avian influenza amongst humans. Australian missions will not be in a position to provide influenza antiviral medicines to Australians in affected areas. It is the responsibility of individual Australians to secure their own supply of such medicines (such as Tamiflu or Relenza), if required.

Where to Get Help

In Turkey, you can obtain consular assistance from the:

Australian Embassy
88 Ugur Mumcu Caddesi
Gaziosmanpasa
Ankara TURKEY
Telephone (90 312) 459 9500
Facsimile (90 312) 446 4827
Website http://www.turkey.embassy.gov.au/

or

Australian Consulate-General
Istanbul TURKEY
Telephone (90 212) 243 1333
Facsimile (90 212) 243 1332

or

Australian Consulate
Kolin Hotel
Kepez 17100
Canakkale TURKEY
Telephone (90 286) 218 1721
Facsimile (90 286) 218 1724

The nationwide police 24-hour hotline number is 155. In rural areas, the Jandarma can be contacted on 154. Foreigners can also contact the Istanbul Tourist Police on +90 212 527 4503.

If you are travelling to Turkey, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency – whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.

In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the missions, you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.

In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.