Call 110.
Call 112 or go to the nearest hospital.
In major cities, call 155. English speaking officers aren't always available.
In rural areas, call Jandarma on 156. English speaking officers are rarely available.
English-speaking officers may be available in police departments at:
In Istanbul, call the dedicated Tourist Police unit on +90 212 527 4503.
Exercise a high degree of caution in Türkiye overall due to the threat of terrorism.
Do not travel to within 10km of the border with Syria due to serious threat of terrorism, violence and acts of war in this area.
Reconsider your need to travel to the provinces of Hakkari and Sirnak due to the unpredictable security situation.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Terrorism is a threat worldwide. Terrorist attacks could occur anywhere and at any time. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places and around large gatherings.
Most terrorist attacks have taken place in the southeast of the country, Ankara or İstanbul.
Terrorists have previously targeted Western interests and places associated with the Turkish security forces, such as military barracks, prisons, and police vehicles.
Previous methods of attack have included armed assaults, suicide bombings, car bombings, rocket attacks, arson, and improvised explosive devices left in garbage bins, crowded areas, shops, and public transport.
If there’s a terrorist incident, leave the area if it’s safe to do so and follow the instructions of local authorities.
For more information on common targets for terrorists and what to do if there’s an attack, read our Terrorism page.
The threat of terrorist attacks, violence and acts of war is high along the borders with Syria, Iran and Iraq. In the past, rockets have been fired from Syria, Iran and Iraq into Turkish territory.
The south-eastern and eastern provinces have seen occasional clashes, particularly between the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorist group and Turkish security forces.
Attacks by the PKK on government institutions, infrastructure and other sites have affected civilians.
Kidnapping can happen anywhere, even in places that seem safe.
Terrorist groups operating in Syria and Iraq kidnap and murder westerners. These groups may extend their operations into Türkiye.
The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers.
More information:
Stay away from political rallies and large crowds. Monitor the media and follow the advice of local authorities.
There are around 3 million refugees in Türkiye. Anti-refugee sentiment can be a source of tension and occasionally violence.
There have been large protests across Türkiye, including in İstanbul and Ankara. Demonstrations and protests may again occur without warning and may turn violent. Protests are often restricted by local authorities and bans may be imposed and strictly enforced. Extremists have targeted political protests. Demonstrations occur regularly in major cities in response to:
Events in the Middle East have led to heightened tensions in the region. Large demonstrations have happened outside diplomatic missions connected to the conflict in major cities, particularly the Israeli diplomatic missions in Ankara and İstanbul.
Protests in İstanbul have centred around:
Protests in Ankara often centre around the Kızılay and Tunalı areas. They have also targeted diplomatic missions.
Protests also happen in other districts of İstanbul and Ankara and other cities and towns, including:
Mass rallies, protests and demonstrations can occur during:
Rallies and marches during Pride Week are often not permitted. Stay away from potential rallies and marches.
Authorities can ban events such as public gatherings, celebrations, rallies, demonstrations and protests without warning. They may also impose or extend curfews without warning.
Authorities break up crowds using the following:
To stay safe during periods of unrest:
Be prepared to change your travel plans. Contact your airline, travel agent or insurer for help if there are transport disruptions.
More information:
Türkiye experiences natural disasters and extreme weather, including:
If there is a natural disaster or severe weather event:
Earthquakes are a constant risk. There have been major earthquakes in recent years, including:
The North Anatolian fault runs 20km south of İstanbul and is one of the world's most active. Large, damaging earthquakes could happen at any time. Aftershocks can continue for days or weeks. Know the dangers of a major earthquake in your area and where your local shelter is located.
When an earthquake happens, you should drop, cover and hold. If an earthquake is long or strong and you're near the coast or other large body of water, you should go to higher ground immediately.
More information:
Forest fires often occur during the summer months, from June to September. Conditions can change quickly. Monitor the local media and follow the advice of local authorities. Read our advice on what to do if you're overseas and there's a bushfire near you.
These are most common in heavily forested areas with high temperatures and low rainfall.
Fires have burned close to holiday areas, including:
Severe rainstorms can cause flooding and landslides across Türkiye. Floods can disrupt overland travel. Roads may become impassable, and bridges may be damaged.
Essential services can also be affected. This includes electricity, water supply, mobile phone coverage and emergency service.
Severe drought conditions can affect the water supply to several cities.
During a drought running water may not be available in many places, including hotels.
More information:
Common crimes include:
Crime is more common in the tourist areas of İstanbul, including:
To stay safe, monitor local sources for information on crime and:
Women, in particular may experience physical and verbal harassment in Türkiye. This is more common in regional and conservative areas.
There's a risk of violent sexual assaults against women travelling alone or in small groups. Assaults have happened in popular tourist areas, including İstanbul and coastal resorts like Antalya. The assailant is often a person the victim has just met.
There have been reports of sexual assaults on minors alone in public toilets. If a child in your care needs to use a public toilet, go with them.
If you're a woman:
More information:
Scams commonly target travellers.
Friendly English-speaking locals may try to scam you out of thousands of dollars.
Typically, these scammers take you to a bar for food or drinks. You're then presented with an inflated bill, often thousands of dollars, and threatened with violence if you don't pay. These scams are regularly reported, particularly in İstanbul.
Scams involving inflated taxi prices or taxis taking longer routes than needed have also been reported. These are particularly common to and from airports in İstanbul.
Scams are also common among carpet traders.
To protect yourself from scams:
It's illegal to 'insult' Türkiye, the Turkish flag, the President or government and the country's founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Don't make insulting comments, including on social media. It's illegal to photograph military sites or prisons.
Foreigners, including Australians, have been drugged by English-speaking strangers who steal their belongings and passports.
Drugs can be present in:
These drugs can cause you to become disoriented and compliant. You may even become unconscious.
To reduce your risk of food or drink spiking:
Locals and travellers have reported poisoning from alcoholic drinks.
Symptoms of methanol poisoning can be similar to the effects of drinking too much. This includes fatigue, headaches and nausea.
Report suspected cases of methanol poisoning to the police.
Businesses may not meet Australian safety or maintenance standards, including transport and tour operators, as well as adventure, water sports, diving and ballooning providers. Research providers carefully, follow all safety instructions, and ensure activities and services are appropriate for your needs, abilities and experience. Don't assume your travel insurance covers adventure or high-risk activities.
Check your policy carefully, as you may not be covered for medical treatment, evacuation or other costs.
If you plan to do a tour or adventure activity:
For further local details you can:
Each year, many Australians travel for medical tourism.
Unfortunately, things don't always go as planned. There have several cases in recent years where Australians have experienced serious complications after their procedures.
If you're considering medical treatment, you should do your research, including checking whether your insurance will cover you. Before you go, read our advice on travelling overseas for medical tourism.
The HealthTürkiye portal lists the medical providers authorised by the Turkish Ministry of Health. We can't provide recommendations or endorsements for any particular health providers. You should discuss your plans carefully with your Australian doctor, dentist or hospital specialist before committing to any procedure overseas.
More information:
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (spread by ticks) and Leishmaniasis (spread by sandflies) are insect borne diseases present in Türkiye.
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever can be fatal. Transmissions peak spring–summer and is common in:
Malaria may also be a risk from May to October in:
There's no malaria risk in the main tourist areas in the west and southwest of the country.
To protect yourself from disease:
Human deaths from bird flu (avian influenza) have occurred.
Talk to your doctor about bird flu during your pre-travel health checks.
Measles cases routinely occur, with the country experiencing increased measles activity. Make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date before you travel.
More information:
Waterborne, foodborne, and other infectious diseases occur, including:
Serious outbreaks sometimes occur
To protect yourself from illness:
If you're bitten or scratched by an animal, get medical help immediately.
Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
Ask your doctor about health risks and vaccines before you go.
More information:
There’s no agreement between Australia and Türkiye for free healthcare. Tourists must pay for all medical care, even if they need to stay in hospital or be evacuated. This can be very expensive. Make sure your travel insurance covers you. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
The standard of medical facilities varies.
Hospitals with facilities comparable to those in Australia exist in major cities, but services can be limited outside of major cities.
Private hospitals usually need confirmation of insurance or a guarantee of payment before admitting a patient. Costs can be high.
Access to psychological and psychiatric services may be limited, even in larger cities.
Decompression chambers are available near popular dive sites and major cities in:
If you become seriously ill or injured, you may be able to receive treatment at a private or teaching hospital in Ankara or İstanbul.
Australians who reside in Türkiye for more than 12 months may have access to Türkiye's Universal Health Insurance (UHI).
More information:
Authorities have detained thousands of people suspected of having links to alleged terrorist groups. Detainees have limited rights.
Authorities may prevent foreigners and dual nationals from departing Türkiye.
Penalties for using or possessing drugs are severe. They include long jail sentences.
More information:
Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı), between the eastern provinces of Ağrı and Iğdır, is designated a 'special military zone'. You must hire the services of a locally licensed guide if you intend to hike in the area. A licensed company will obtain the necessary permits and assign you to a registered Mountaineer to accompany you throughout your hike. Visiting Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı), without the Turkish government's permission is an offence that could incur severe penalties.
By law, you must always carry a photo ID. Police conduct random checks regularly. Turkish authorities do not accept Australian driver's licences as ID. Carry your passport with you at all times.
Illegal activities could result in severe penalties, including:
It's illegal to 'insult':
This includes making insulting comments on social media. Penalties can be severe.
It’s illegal to incite ‘public hatred and hostility’. Actions that could result in penalties include showing political or religious symbols or flags deemed provocative, particularly at religious or culturally sensitive sites.
Selling or exporting antiquities and cultural artefacts without a permit is illegal. You'll need a receipt and an official certificate to export these goods legally.
Gambling is illegal, except for state-authorised lotteries and betting.
If you use a foreign-registered mobile phone with a Turkish SIM card, you must register the device within 120 days. Unregistered devices may be blocked from local networks.
If you're arrested or detained, you may be deported from Türkiye. This may happen after your court hearings or after completing your sentence. You may be deported even if you're not convicted.
If you're arrested, ask the local authorities to tell the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.
The Turkish government recognises dual nationals.
However, Turkish-Australian dual nationals are treated as Turkish citizens in legal matters. If you're a dual national, this limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.
If you are a male Turkish-Australian dual national, you could be forced to complete military service when you arrive.
Check your obligations with an embassy or consulate of Türkiye before you travel.
More information:
Standards of dress and behaviour are conservative in many parts of Türkiye. Some regions are more conservative than others.
Avoid offending locals by respecting religious and social traditions.
Dress modestly, particularly at mosques and religious shrines.
Avoid public displays of affection. This applies to everyone, regardless of your relationship status or sexual orientation.
If in doubt, seek local advice.
The Islamic holiday month of Ramadan is observed. Respect religious and cultural customs and laws at this time.
During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking in public during the day may not be culturally appropriate in some areas. If you're not fasting, don’t eat, drink or smoke around people who are.
Some areas are more tolerant of travellers and locals who don't fast. Seek local advice so you don’t offend.
Explore our Ramadan page to learn more, including dates for Ramadan.
Same-sex consensual sexual activity between adults in private isn't a crime under Turkish law. But same-sex relationships aren't widely accepted in Turkish society especially outside of the large cities, and Türkiye doesn't legally recognise same-sex marriages, civil unions, or domestic partnerships. Avoid public displays of affection. This applies to everyone, regardless of your relationship status or sexual orientation.
LGBTQIA+ events and gatherings have been subject to regular local government bans, including Pride Week. Turkish authorities have arrested LGBTQIA+ activists and protestors and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Legal protections are limited.
More information:
Each country or territory decides its own entry and exit rules, including health screening measures at the border. To find out what you need to enter a destination, ask their embassy, consulate or immigration office.
Australians holding ordinary passports who wish to visit Türkiye don't need a visa for tourism, business or transit purposes if staying for 90 days or less in a 180-day period. If you intend to stay longer, you must apply for a Turkish residence permit.
Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document.
If you're not travelling for tourism, business, medical treatment, or transit for under 90 days, you may need to arrange a visa through an embassy or consulate of Türkiye before you arrive. If you don't, authorities may refuse you entry.
If you're a tourist and arrive by sea, make sure you get entry and exit stamps in your passport.
If you don't abide by the terms of your visa or permit, you may be fined, deported, and banned from re-entering Türkiye.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
More information:
This information will be reviewed regularly. Borders can open and close and entry and exit requirements can change without notice, especially during a conflict. Confirm requirements with local authorities.
Check the latest information from local authorities on entry requirements and border arrangements. Plan for possible delays at border crossings. Make sure you have all documentation, and enough food, water and medication.
Border crossings at Gurbulak (Bazargan) in Agri province and Kapikoy (Razi) in Van province remain open. You should reconsider your need to travel to the border crossing at Esendere in Hakkari due to the unpredictable security situation there.
More information:
We continue to advise you reconsider your need to travel to the provinces of Hakkari and Sirnak on the Türkiye-Iraq border due to the unpredictable security situation. Crossing the border to or from Iraq is difficult. Military activity in the region is ongoing. The Turkish Government tightly controls entry and exit. We continue to advise Do Not Travel to Iraq.
More information:
We continue to advise do not travel to within 10km of the border with Syria due to the serious threat of terrorism, violence and acts of war in this area. Land border crossings between Türkiye and Syria may be restricted. Border crossings are generally open only to Turkish and Syrian nationals. Third-country nationals should check the latest entry and exit requirements with the relevant authorities before travelling.
More information:
If you enter or leave Türkiye by land or sea borders, make sure immigration authorities process you correctly. This applies even for a short trip, such as visiting the Greek Islands.
Make sure your passport is stamped for every exit and arrival. If you don't, you could face difficulties when departing, including:
If you're travelling with a child aged under 18 years, you may need to provide proof that you're the legal parent or guardian. Check with the embassy or consulate of Türkiye before you travel.
The local currency in Türkiye is the Lira (TRY).
Most services accept credit cards, but some taxis may not accept foreign credit cards. Carry a small amount of cash just in case.
EFTPOS and ATMs are widely available.
The weather can change suddenly around Anzac Cove and the Gallipoli Historical Site.
Winter storms and heavy traffic seriously affect many coastal roads around Gallipoli, including roads in the Gallipoli Historical Site.
To stay safe:
More information:
You can drive for up to 6 months if you have a valid Australian driver's licence (digital driver's licences may not be accepted).
You must get a Turkish driver's licence, an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a notarised Turkish translation of your Australian licence if you plan to drive for longer than 6 months after your arrival. Authorities conduct random checks regularly.
More information:
Drink-driving carries a minimum penalty of:
In the event of a car accident:
More information:
Don’t use motorcycles due to the poor standard of driving.
Check whether your travel insurance policy covers you for riding a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.
Always wear a helmet.
Use only licensed taxis or reputable limousine services. Arrange these through your hotel or rideshare services (Uber, BiTaksi, YandexGo and iTaksi). Taxis, not private cars, provide services through the rideshare apps.
Taxis and rideshare services in major cities are generally professional, metered and charge according to set rates.
Insist your driver uses the taxi meter. If using a rideshare app, check that the correct amount is entered into the app by the driver at the end of the trip.
In rural areas and small towns, you may need to negotiate rates.
Türkiye has an extensive inter-city bus and train network.
More information:
International and domestic flights fly out of the new Istanbul Grand Airport on the European side (airport code IST). Atatürk Airport (airport code ISL) closed to commercial flights in 2019. International and domestic flights also fly out of Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (airport code SAW) from Istanbul on the Asian side. Check before you travel.
Turkish airports and commercial aircraft have been the subject of terrorist attacks.
Check Türkiye's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 112.
Call 112 or go to the nearest hospital.
Call 112.
English-speaking officers may be available in police departments at:
In İstanbul, call the dedicated Tourist Police unit on +90 212 527 4503.
Always get a copy of the police report when reporting a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
The Australian Government aims to provide high quality consular assistance. There are limits to what we can do. Read the Consular Services Charter to understand how we can assist you overseas.
For consular assistance contact the:
You'll need to make an appointment in advance.
88 Uğur Mumcu Caddesi
Gaziosmanpaşa 06700 Ankara
Phone: +90 312 459 9500
Website: turkey.embassy.gov.au
Email: consular.ankara@dfat.gov.au
Facebook: Australia in Türkiye
X: @AusAmbTürkiye
Instagram: @ausembturkiye
Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
Süzer Plaza (Ritz Carlton Hotel)
Askerocaĝı Caddesi No. 15, Elmadağ 34367
İstanbul
Phone: +90 212 393 3300
Email: consular.istanbul@dfat.gov.au
Kolin Hotel
Kepez 17100
Çanakkale
Phone: +90 286 218 1721
Email: canakkale.consulate@dfat.gov.au
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
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