How to stay safe driving and traveling in Turkey

Turkey is generally safe to visit and its public transport is reliable, but a few sensible precautions — around alcohol, driving, borders, and crowded spaces — make the difference between a smooth trip and an avoidable problem. Most visitors need only follow standard entry rules and basic caution to have a trouble-free trip.

What documents and entry rules do I need to know?

Your passport must be valid for at least 150 days after arrival and have at least one blank page. British citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for business or tourism. If driving, a valid driver's license is accepted for stays up to 90 days; for stays up to a year, you'll need a notarized Turkish translation. Note that using a cellphone while driving is illegal and can result in a fine.

Is it safe to travel around Turkey?

Turkey is generally considered safe, and its public transportation network is good — though you should watch your belongings closely on buses, trams, and metros, as you would anywhere crowded. Exercise increased caution in crowded public spaces such as transport hubs, markets, malls, and major events. One firm rule: do not travel within 10 km (6 miles) of Turkey's borders with Syria or Iraq, due to the risk of terrorism and armed conflict. Temporary police checkpoints are common elsewhere in the country — obey instructions and keep your ID and car papers ready.

What should I know about driving?

Road quality is generally good on highways in the western, southwestern, and coastal tourist regions, but conditions vary elsewhere, so check locally before heading off the beaten path. Local driving habits can be alarming: drivers routinely run red lights and turn left from the far-right lane, and some drive at night without lights or with very low lights, so extra caution after dark is essential. Carry spare tires, tools, and emergency triangles or cones, and use winter tires in winter. If you're in an accident, don't move the vehicles until police arrive and instruct you. Emergency roadside assistance is generally available through private insurance companies.

What about alcohol, money, and health?

Some tourists have died after drinking counterfeit alcohol, so only buy from licensed stores, bars, hotels, and restaurants, and check that bottle seals are intact. Most cities ban drinking on the street outside registered cafes and bars. On money: you may bring in or take out a maximum of 25,000 Turkish lira, 10,000 euros, or the equivalent in foreign currency, and you can't take more than 5,000 US dollars' worth of Turkish lira out of the country — these limits can change, so verify before you travel. For health, make sure routine UK vaccinations (polio, diphtheria, tetanus, MMR) are current, and ask about additional travel vaccines like hepatitis A. Carry a basic first aid kit and get comprehensive travel health insurance covering your activities and any pre-existing conditions — keep the documents on you.

FAQ

Do I need a visa as a British citizen? No visa is needed for tourism or business trips up to 90 days within any 180-day period, provided your passport meets the 150-day validity and blank-page rule.

Is it safe to drive at night in Turkey? Exercise extra caution — some local drivers use no lights or very dim lights at night, on top of generally erratic habits like ignoring red lights.

Can I drink alcohol anywhere? Only buy alcohol from licensed venues and check seals are unbroken; most cities restrict street drinking to registered cafes and bars.

Sources

• https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/turkey.html
• https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey/entry-requirements
• https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/news/912/country-focus-turkey