Turkey - security question
Feb 19, 2015 | 8:04 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PHL - NYC - PSA/BLQ/MIL
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott/Hilton Gold, AMX-Plat, Global Entry
Posts: 3,270
Turkey - security question
Anybody been in Istanbul in the last few weeks? If so, any feeling of insecurity, etc. there as a westerner?
Have a business trip there in the first week of March and my wife will be joining me. My wife has some concerns (and I don't want to make the mistake of assuming things are static) so I thought I would ask on FT to get a perspective.
Thanks
Have a business trip there in the first week of March and my wife will be joining me. My wife has some concerns (and I don't want to make the mistake of assuming things are static) so I thought I would ask on FT to get a perspective.
Thanks
Feb 22, 2015 | 2:33 am
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,077
Anybody been in Istanbul in the last few weeks? If so, any feeling of insecurity, etc. there as a westerner?
Have a business trip there in the first week of March and my wife will be joining me. My wife has some concerns (and I don't want to make the mistake of assuming things are static) so I thought I would ask on FT to get a perspective.
Thanks
Have a business trip there in the first week of March and my wife will be joining me. My wife has some concerns (and I don't want to make the mistake of assuming things are static) so I thought I would ask on FT to get a perspective.
Thanks
Feb 22, 2015 | 9:39 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PHL - NYC - PSA/BLQ/MIL
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott/Hilton Gold, AMX-Plat, Global Entry
Posts: 3,270
Routine big city type crime, followed by a somewhat increased risk of terrorist attacks, have been causing some sense of insecurity; but most of the tourists coming from OECD countries to visit Istanbul have no problem while there, and there is a greater risk of getting killed or injured by a car accident closer to home than by some possible incident in Istanbul.
Feb 22, 2015 | 11:54 am
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,077
J
The significance of a lot of the impact is barely more than a product of media and politics stirring up an audience inclined to be stirred up even when the actual number harmed/killed and the risk of injury or death are substantially lower from the cause that stirs more worry.
The marginal risks of some risks can be marginalized further by staying in rented apartments, not doing the usual tourist things, avoiding crowded or popular sites and some other such approaches. But then there goes some of the fun of being a tourist.
The marginal risks of some risks can be marginalized further by staying in rented apartments, not doing the usual tourist things, avoiding crowded or popular sites and some other such approaches. But then there goes some of the fun of being a tourist.
Last edited by GUWonder; Feb 22, 2015 at 11:59 am
Feb 23, 2015 | 12:16 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 102,617
This might be a time when it's worth the effort to register with the USA Department of State (website now, so you apparently don't have to contact the local consulate any more). It might make you and wife feel better. If you're concerned, either stay in a low key and more local hotel or stay in a top place with good security. [I've been impressed by the security at the Cirigan (spelling?) Palace, but I haven't been in Istanbul for a while.]
I would say the biggest risk is people (especially kids) asking for money around the tourist sites.
I would say the biggest risk is people (especially kids) asking for money around the tourist sites.
Feb 23, 2015 | 12:57 pm
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,077
This might be a time when it's worth the effort to register with the USA Department of State (website now, so you apparently don't have to contact the local consulate any more). It might make you and wife feel better. If you're concerned, either stay in a low key and more local hotel or stay in a top place with good security. [I've been impressed by the security at the Cirigan (spelling?) Palace, but I haven't been in Istanbul for a while.]
I would say the biggest risk is people (especially kids) asking for money around the tourist sites.
I would say the biggest risk is people (especially kids) asking for money around the tourist sites.
Feb 27, 2015 | 2:30 am
#9
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: UK - the nearest airport is named after a motorway !
Posts: 4,275
I was there last month... as safe as it's always been.
Feb 27, 2015 | 3:12 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PHL - NYC - PSA/BLQ/MIL
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott/Hilton Gold, AMX-Plat, Global Entry
Posts: 3,270
Thanks. We're leaving tomorrow and pretty comfortable with going. Only asked the question as more info is better than less. Thanks everyone for input. I'll update with my impressions when I get there or back.
Mar 1, 2015 | 12:56 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Belgium
Programs: Miles&More IHG
Posts: 148
Good idea.. if you were visiting Kabul or Erbil.. but Istanbul.. come on.. Do not exaggerate! It's a modern western city.
Mar 1, 2015 | 1:52 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: HA, UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,809
Quote:
Originally Posted by 747FC
OP: To increase security, have your wife be escorted by a reputable guide. He/She will know where to go and what to avoid. I used Arif Yasa, and was very pleased.
Good idea.. if you were visiting Kabul or Erbil.. but Istanbul.. come on.. Do not exaggerate! It's a modern western city.
Originally Posted by 747FC
OP: To increase security, have your wife be escorted by a reputable guide. He/She will know where to go and what to avoid. I used Arif Yasa, and was very pleased.
Good idea.. if you were visiting Kabul or Erbil.. but Istanbul.. come on.. Do not exaggerate! It's a modern western city.
Mar 1, 2015 | 6:55 am
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,077
I see lots of female tourists wandering around Istanbul by themselves, in pairs or small groups. It's not that dangerous, at least compared to US metro areas; it's also not as safe as Singapore.