Safety
Istanbul is a generally safe city for tourists. Violent crime against visitors is rare. The main risks are petty crime and scams — both avoidable with common sense.
What to watch out for
- Pickpocketing: On tram line T1 (Sultanahmet line), in the Grand Bazaar, and on İstiklal Street. Keep valuables close to your body.
- Taxi scams: Manipulated meters, detours, fake bills (the driver swaps your 200-note for a 20-note). Use the BiTaksi app.
- Shoe shine trick: A shoe shiner "drops" his brush, you pick it up, he thanks you and shines your shoes — then demands an inflated price.
- Friendly strangers: "Hey my friend, where are you from?" — men who lead you to bars or restaurants where you receive inflated bills. Politely decline.
- Counterfeit goods: Fakes (bags, watches, perfumes) are openly sold in the bazaars. Quality varies — customs at the German border can confiscate counterfeits.
| Risk | Rating | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Pickpocketing | Medium | Usual caution on trams and at tourist spots |
| Violent crime | Low | Rare against tourists |
| Scams | Medium | Taxis, bazaars, friendly strangers |
| Traffic | High | Istanbul's traffic is chaotic — be cautious as a pedestrian! |
Achtung
Emergency numbers: 112 (general), 155 (police), 110 (fire department), 112 (ambulance). Tourist police in Sultanahmet: speaks English and assists with theft/scams. Important: In case of taxi scams, note the license plate number and report it to the city administration (İBB).