Go with a plan.
No major changes since yesterday.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Turkiye
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Go with a plan.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't fall for it
Scams to know
Nightclub Overcharging
Clubs in Aksaray, Beyazit, and Taksim present fake menus or upside-down pricing to generate massive bills for a few drinks. Avoid establishments that do not display prices clearly.
The Friendly Stranger Lure
Strangers strike up conversations or offer dinner to build trust before inviting you to a specific nightclub. Decline invitations to venues recommended by people you just met on the street.
Unlisted Price Gouging
Restaurants and sweet shops often overcharge tourists when prices are not displayed. Always ask for the price of items like tea before ordering.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Mandatory Identification
You must carry your passport or identification at all times. Police or military may demand to see them during routine checks or at government buildings.
Passport Retention
Hotels may request to hold your passport until the bill is paid. Mentioning the police to the staff typically results in the immediate return of your document.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
No active CDC travel health notices right now.
Tap water safe to drink: Yes
Vaccines
Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles, Rabies, Typhoid
Source: CDC Travelers' Health →Getting in
What you'll need at the border
The visa policy of Turkey is the policy by which Turkish Government determines visa requirements for visitors to Turkey and those seeking to work, study or reside there.
Source: Wikipedia →Right now
In the news the last few days
- Beyond the Battlefield : How India Armed Forces became a First Responder to the world2026-08-15
- Mecca Joint Deterrence Agreement : Implications for India2026-08-14
- What does Turkey new legislation for amnesty to Kurdish people propose | Explained2026-08-14
- Turkiye PKK peace law brings hope to mothers , anguish to veterans2026-08-12
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
C / F · 230V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 112 or 911 or 153 / ambulance: 112 or 911 / fire: 112 or 911
Tipping
In general, tipping is not considered obligatory. However, it is very common to leave a 10% tip in restaurants if you're satisfied with the service. It is NOT possible to add tip to the credit card bill. It is very common amongst Turkish people to pay the bill with a credit card and leave the tip in cash or coins. Most waiters will bring your cash back in coins as much as possible, that's because
Cash vs. Card
Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted, American Express much less so. Most credit card users have to enter their PIN codes when using their cards if above a certain amount. Older, magnetic card holders are excepted from this, but remember that, unlike some other places in Europe, salespeople have the legal right to ask you to show a valid ID with a photo on to prove that you are the owner of the
Zoom in
6 Turkiye cities on SKETCH.WORLD
Real, resident-submitted Numbeo crime data at the city level — the same national picture above, with crime swapped for what people who actually live there report.
Show the receipts (5 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-09-09
- ca-gac — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-09-09
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-09-09