I had IST in my planned OWE itinerary until this morning, when I came across this, almost by chance:

http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-c.../Advice/Turkey

Now, I know governments have to cover themselves by issuing this type of advisories, the moment a firecracker goes off somewhere, and don't lift the advisory for a long time after that, but still....

Play safe? Ignore?

The problem I see with ignoring this is what happens in the event of one actually needing help from the Consulate... I can just hear them saying "You were told, blah, blah...".

Is it not the case that there is also intelligence information saying that further attacks in major US and UK cities are also likely? Are you avoiding those cities too?

Australia does seem to be behind the times. The UK government advice is much more realistic in my view.
http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?...=1007029390590

No, but "further attacks are likely" is one thing, and "Australians are advised to defer non-essential travel to Turkey until further notice" quite another.

Thanks for the link, very interesting, I like the way the information is presented.

The consulate will always help you whenever it can, and usually you won't hear any comments (though they may think it). So that isn't the risk; however the warning may have been issued due to contingency plans being put into place to evacuate non-essential staff at the next crisis, in which case the consulate will be severely understaffed and wouldn't be able to help. The Australian gov't is more cautious now in its travel advisories than some other countries due to the Bali bombing (which it didn't warm about, despite having very specific information about the plot, which wasn't revealed or acted upon). They don't want to be blamed for withholding info again (as much politics as useful policy).

^^ Good point.

Don't worry about IST, it's fine-- and fantastically beautiful. Just go.

BTW, you list "Madrid" as one of your homes. I love Madrid, but haven't there have been far, far more terrorist-inflicted causalities there than in IST recently? I don't think one can or should plan their lives around terrorist's intentions, or predictions of same.

Comments no, at least not then, but the rest I'm not so sure. Yes, they will help, I have no doubt, but it wouldn't surprise me to be hit with an invoice in due course, and rightly so, IMO.

[I was evacuated by army truck from the IST Intercontinental direct to the airport, with half an hour to pack, many years ago during a coup. That time it was "on the house", but don't want to temp fate again. ]

If you don't want to "tempt fate"-- don't leave your house (but stay out of the kitchen!) And be sure to walk to the airport since the cab ride is by far the most dangerous part of the trip.

There have been two recent threads on whether we can safely travel to Istanbul. I took the time to find the one, as it is slightly more recent, and has many of the same posters as the initial one. You can find it here. jan_az and I spent the better part of a week in Istanbul in May and loved it. Our trip report is here.

We have a Turkish friend who will be a Fulbright scholar at the University of Chicago this fall. Frankly, I am more concerned for her safety there than I am in Turkey.

I'm not explaining myself well... I'm not worried about IST; I know it's fine; I have been there many, many times and I know it is fantastically beautiful, that's why I return time and time again and will continue to go; I agree with you. But, what I am talking about is going against a government travel advisory, and that's why I feel the US comment is *not* a good point, because there's no such travel advisory for the US, so the comparison is not relevant at all.

Of course, there have been hundreds and hundreds of people killed in Madrid over the years, I agree with the above, and practice it nearly every day, as I take a train going through the same station, on the very same route the ones involved in the recent tragedy did. But, if the Madrid authorities issued an advisory saying "don't go here or there" I would follow that advice, and that doesn't mean I let the authorities plan my life around anything.

All good and valid points. If you're not comfortable, don't go. I certainly don't think you'll get a bill from the Gov. under any circumstances-- I really don't.

I was making a joke about being evacuated "for free" that time, not about being scared, but something tells me you knew that.

You lost me. Happy travels. If you want safe, try Connecticut.

Yes, as much as possible. Unfortunately, however, I must take my chances once again in several days. NJ gives me survival training. After living there for two years, Al Qaida no longer scares me. At least I can relax in LA for a few days first. Needless to say, I tend to take things with a 2 pound grain of salt but others dont. You need to do what makes you feel comfortable. My worst fear about going to Istanbul would be getting some bad lamb or hit by a car. If yours is that you will be seriously hurt then it might be prudent to let it go for the moment.

Darren (writing from Medellin).

Spent Aug 8-10 in IST - no problems whatsoever. Not even a problem with pickpcokets. We found out from those in Aust once we arrived at IST airport on our way out that there had been bombings the night of 9th - but no indication at all walking around IST.

Frankly the greatest "annoynace" is the daily 5am prayers broadcast from mosks over loudspeakers across the city.

any recent updates on one's trips to IST?

I'm assuming still safe as a city can be.

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