Foreign and Commonwealth Office Notes on Travel in Turkey

These travel notes have been edited down from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office website where you can read the full story.

Edited by Barry and Margaret Williamson

July 2008

TRAVEL SUMMARY

There is a high threat from terrorism in Turkey. We believe that international terrorist groups, as well as indigenous ones, are currently active in Turkey. Targets have included Mediterranean and Aegean tourist areas, Istanbul and Turkey's South East. Attacks have taken place against government and security targets, and also in restaurants, public transport and other public places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Turkey have led to a small number of human fatalities. The last fatality was in 2006. See the Health (Avian Influenza) section of this advice and Avian and Pandemic Flu for more details.

On 9 July 2008 three German Nationals were kidnapped whilst climbing Mount Ararat in the Agri province in eastern Turkey. They were subsequently released unharmed on 20 July, but we still advise against all but essential travel to Mount Ararat at this time. Terrorist activity continues on a frequent basis in the south east and public protests sometimes become violent. Travellers to the south & eastern provinces of Siirt, Sirnak, Hakkari, Agri, Van, Diyarbakir, Bingol, Batman, Tunceli and Mardin should be particularly vigilant when travelling in rural areas.

Around 1,920,000 British tourists visited Turkey in 2007 (Source: Ministry of Tourism). Most visits are trouble-free. The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Turkey in 2007 were: for replacing lost or stolen passports (over 340 cases); dealing with hospitalisations or death, the latter mostly from natural causes (over 150 cases).

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to Turkey. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

There is a high threat from terrorism in Turkey. We believe that international terrorist groups, as well as indigenous ones, are currently active in Turkey. Attacks have taken place against government and security targets, and also in restaurants, public transport and other public places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

Following Turkish military action against terrorist camps in Northern Iraq reprisal attacks in Turkey by Kurdish separatist groups are likely. In recent years some of these groups have targeted tourist areas. You should remain vigilant in all public places.

On 20 November 2003, terrorist attacks (believed to have been committed by individuals associated with Al-Qaida) against the British Consulate-General and the headquarters of HSBC in Istanbul caused 33 deaths and injured hundreds. On 15 November 2003, bomb attacks on two synagogues in Istanbul killed 23 people and wounded more than 300.

Since the November 2003 attacks, other terrorist groups have been responsible for a number of explosions in locations across Turkey including in Istanbul, Izmir, Mersin, Cesme, Antalya, Kusadasi, Marmaris and Ankara. Whilst many were small scale in nature, some incidents resulted in fatalities. Targets included buses and mini-buses (dolmuş) and sites, such as banks, restaurants and hotels, linked to Western interests as well as to the Turkish State. You should remain vigilant in public places in tourist areas, major cities and elsewhere.

Examples of incidents include:

On 9 July 2008, an attack on the US Consulate in Istanbul killed three Turkish police officers. Three assailants were also killed. No foreign nationals were involved.

On 2 October 2007, two explosions in Izmir killed one person and injured five others and a further explosive device was found. No foreign nationals were involved.

On 11 September 2007, Police defused a large vehicle bomb in the Kurtulus district in Ankara.

On 11 July 2007, an explosion occurred outside the District Governor's office in the Bahçelievler district of Istanbul injuring two. No Foreign Nationals were involved.

On 10 June 2007, an explosion occurred in a shopping district in the Bakirkoy district of Istanbul injuring 14 people. No British Nationals were involved.

On 22 May 2007, a suicide bombing in the Ulus district of Ankara killed nine people and wounded 121.

Terrorist incidents in the south east of Turkey perpetrated by the PKK/Kongra-Gel, a Kurdish separatist terrorist organisation, have increased in recent years. There have been frequent bombings and hit and run attacks on military personnel and convoys. This resulted in a rise in military activity in the region. There is a need for increased vigilance in this area. Security forces, who actively pursue the terrorists, operate restrictions on movement in areas bordering Iraq. You risk arrest if you fail to comply with these restrictions.

On 9 July 2008 three German Nationals were kidnapped whilst climbing Mount Ararat in the Agri province in eastern Turkey. They were subsequently released unharmed on 20 July, but we still advise against all but essential travel to Mount Ararat at this time. Terrorist activity continues on a frequent basis in the south east and public protests sometimes become violent. Travellers to the south & eastern provinces of Siirt, Sirnak, Hakkari, Agri, Van, Diyarbakir, Bingol, Batman, Tunceli and Mardin should be particularly vigilant when travelling in rural areas.

You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

On 18 April 2007 three people, including one foreign national were murdered in a Christian publishing house in Malatya.

Generally crime is low, but street robbery and pickpocketing are common in the major tourist areas of Istanbul. You should be wary of approaches from strangers offering to change money or offering food and drink, which may be drugged.

In 2007 a high number sexual assaults, including rape, were reported to our Consular staff in Turkey. The majority of these cases occurred in coastal tourist areas visited by British nationals in South Western Turkey.

You are therefore advised to maintain at least the same level of personal security awareness as in the UK. Be aware that alcohol and drugs can lead to you being less alert, less in control and less aware of your environment. If you are going to drink, know your limit. Remember that drinks served in bars overseas are often stronger than those in the UK. We advise lone visitors, in particular, never to accept lifts from strangers or passing acquaintances at any time.

Turkey is a stable democracy. Demonstrations occur regularly in major cities. You are advised to avoid any areas where demonstrations are taking place.

Security Forces continue to enforce restrictions upon movement in areas bordering Iraq. You risk arrest if you fail to comply with these restrictions.

You should take particular care when travelling by road throughout Turkey, as road conditions can be poor. Road traffic accidents are common and are mainly due to either poor or reckless driving, particularly at night. According to the Turkish General Directorate of Security there were over 585,000 road traffic accidents in 2006 which resulted in 3,365 deaths at the scene and over 135,000 injuries.

If you wish to drive in Turkey, you are required to carry either an International Driving License issued in the UK or a notarised copy, in Turkish, of your Driving License. Please note provisional driving licences are not recognised. An 'A' category standard motorcycle licence is required to hire motorcycles over 50cc in Turkey. An 'A1' category 'light motorcycle' driving licence is only suitable for motorcycles below 50cc. It is against the law not to wear a helmet.

Contravention of the above could result in a heavy fine.

Do not drink and drive. The Police will breathalyse drunk drivers, fine them on the spot (currently 448 YTL) and immediately confiscate their licence for six months.

The vast majority of train journeys in Turkey are trouble free. However, there have been accidents. On 22 July 2004, 38 people were killed and over 80 were injured when a high-speed train derailed on the line between Istanbul and Ankara. On 27 January 2007 nine people were killed and over 50 injured when a train derailed on the Istanbul to Denizli line near Kutahya.

There is now a smoking ban on all forms of public transport (trains, ferries and taxis) and in outdoor venues (including stadiums and playgrounds). Transitional arrangements are in place for cafes, bars and restaurants; they too will come under the smoking ban in July 2009. You risk being fined 62 YLT if you are caught smoking in a designated smoke-free area.

Turkey has strict laws against the use, possession or trafficking of illegal drugs. If you are convicted of any of these offences, you can expect to receive a heavy fine or a prison sentence of four to 24 years.

The export of antiquities is prohibited and carries a prison sentence from five to ten years.

The use of metal detectors is against the law.

Dress modestly if visiting a mosque or a religious shrine.

It is illegal not to carry some form of photographic ID in Turkey. It is therefore advisable to carry a photocopy of your passport with you at all times.

Do not take photographs near military or official installations. You should seek permission before photographing individuals.

Homosexuality is not illegal but is not widely tolerated: public displays of affection could result in prosecution for public order offences.

It is an offence to insult the Turkish nation or the national flag, or to deface or tear up currency.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

A visa is required for British nationals to enter Turkey. British citizens may obtain a multiple entry visitor's visa valid for 90 days at the port of entry on payment of ten pounds sterling in cash (Scottish currency is not accepted). If you are a BN(O) passport holder and you arrive at Istanbul airport without a visa obtained from a Turkish mission abroad, you may be refused entry to Turkey.

If you take employment without the appropriate permission, you may be escorted from the country by the police authorities or, in some cases, deported.

If you stay in Turkey longer than your visa allows, you will be liable to pay a substantial fine upon departure. This varies according to how long you have overstayed. From the moment you have overstayed your visa the minimum fine is 98.40 YLT, rising incrementally each day to 193.20 YTL for an overstay of one month. If you stay longer than one month the fine increases substantially.

Your passport should be valid for at least six months on entry into Turkey and have at least three months' validity on the date you are exiting Turkey. If you hold a Travel Document it must be valid for at least one year on entry into Turkey.

If a parent travels on his/her own with a dual national Turkish child, written permission from the Turkish parent, certified by a notary, must be shown to the immigration authorities if requested upon departure, otherwise the child will not be permitted to leave Turkey.

Please refer to the British Embassy, Turkey website for details of English speaking hospitals and doctors.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which concerns free medical treatment in EU countries, is not valid in Turkey.

Turkey can be very hot, especially in summer when temperatures can reach 30-40C. To avoid heat-related illness drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, use a high-factor sunscreen and avoid direct sunshine. Older, very young and some other travellers may be particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses and should take extra care.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Turkey and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

In January and February 2008, Turkish Authorities have confirmed a number of outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in the Zonguldak, Samsum and Sakarya provinces in Northern Turkey. In February 2007, Turkish Authorities confirmed a number of outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in the Batman and Diyarbakir provinces, South East Turkey. In January 2006 outbreaks of Avian Influenza in Turkey resulted in four deaths in eastern Turkey, believed to have arisen through close contact with infected poultry. Since the end of 2003, a number of human deaths have also occurred in Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Laos, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam.

The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be low. However, as a precaution you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of the possibility that the Avian Influenza outbreaks could lead at some point to a human flu pandemic, if the virus mutates to a form, which is easily transmittable between people.

British nationals living longer term in Turkey should take personal responsibility for their own safety in the event of a future pandemic, including considering their access to adequate healthcare and ensuring travel documents are up to date.

 Many parts of Turkey lie on a major seismic fault line and are subject to earthquakes and tremors. In August 1999 an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter Scale resulted in over 17,000 deaths when it struck Izmit, a town 55 miles south of Istanbul.

GENERAL

ATMs are widely available in major cities and tourist areas. Local currency can also be obtained from banks and exchange bureaux, known as DOVIZ in Turkish.

Do not travel without comprehensive medical insurance (including cover for medical repatriation), as private medical treatment is very expensive. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see: {InternalLink:4}. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which concerns free medical treatment in EU countries, is not valid in Turkey.

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

In addition to the Embassy in Ankara there are; the Consulate-General in Istanbul, a Consulate in Izmir a Vice Consulate in Antalya and Honorary Consulates in Adana, Bodrum, Fethiye, and Marmaris. Full contact details are on the Embassy website.

The British Embassy in Ankara, the Consulates in Istanbul, Izmir and Antalya and Honorary Consulates in Bodrum, Marmaris and Fethiye can provide Emergency Passport services. Full passport services are available at the British Consulate in Istanbul. Applications may be lodged, however, at the British Embassy in Ankara, the Consulates in Izmir, and Antalya, or the Honorary Consulates in Bodrum, Marmaris and Fethiye.

British Embassy Address:  

British Embassy
Şehit Ersan Caddesi 46/A
Çankaya

Telephone: (90) (312) 455 3344

Website: http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/turkey

Office hours:

GMT:  Mon-Fri: 0645-1530

Local Time:  Mon-Fri: 0845-1730