Scams and safety in Istanbul: what you need to know

Street scams: shoe shiners, fake guides and carpet sellers

The shoe shiner who drops his brush

A shoe shiner walks past you and drops his brush. You pick it up, he thanks you warmly and offers to shine your shoes "for free" to thank you. Once the job is done, he demands a large sum, sometimes with a story about a sick child. The routine is played out mostly in Sultanahmet, on the Galata Bridge and around İstiklal. The simplest response: pick up the brush if you wish, but politely decline the shine and keep walking.

The fake guide and "the mosque is closed"

Near the Blue Mosque or Hagia Sophia, a very friendly man strikes up a conversation, tells you the mosque is closed for prayer and suggests waiting "at a cousin's place", which usually turns out to be a carpet or souvenir shop. Mosques do close to visitors during prayers, but only for a short time: check the schedule at the entrance rather than following a stranger. Official guides carry a card issued by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism; book them through an agency or your hotel, not in the street.

Carpets, leather and jewellery

The tea offered in a shop is part of Turkish hospitality and commits you to nothing. The pressure comes afterwards: a long presentation, an "exceptional" discount, a promise of free shipping to your home. Never pay for an item you are not taking with you unless you know the shop, ask for an invoice that describes the item precisely (material, origin, dimensions) and compare several stalls. At the Grand Bazaar, haggling is normal; set yourself a maximum price before going in.

Taksim bars: "shall we have a drink?"

This is the most expensive scam. On İstiklal Avenue or around Taksim Square, one or two men, often presenting themselves as tourists or businessmen, strike up a conversation and suggest a drink in a bar they "know". Women sit down at the table and order drinks, and the bill reaches several thousand lira, or even more. Bouncers block the way out and sometimes escort the customer to a cash machine.

• Turn down invitations from strangers to follow someone into a bar or nightclub.
• Choose the venue yourself and look at the price list before ordering.
• Never leave your drink unattended and do not accept drinks or food from strangers: the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the British Foreign Office report cases of spiked drinks.
• Buy alcohol from well-known shops and venues: the British Foreign Office reports fatal methanol poisonings linked to counterfeit spirits, notably in Istanbul.

If you are caught in the trap, stay calm, pay if your safety is at stake, then call 112 and file a complaint, keeping the bill and the name of the bar.

Taxis: meter, apps and swapped banknotes

Official Istanbul taxis have a number plate starting with 34 followed by the letter T. The meter is compulsory. The most common problems are refusing to switch on the meter, a flat fare announced at the start, a detour to lengthen the ride and refusing short trips.

The banknote trick is more subtle: you hand over a 200 TL note, the driver makes it disappear and shows you a 20 TL note, claiming you made a mistake. The same trick exists with 100 and 10 TL. Say the value of the note out loud as you hand it over and keep small notes ready. The largest banknote in circulation is 200 TL.

Booking apps such as BiTaksi or İTaksi (the municipality's app) record the trip and the vehicle, which limits abuse. The British Foreign Office advises against getting into an unofficial taxi. Note the plate before getting in. Bridge and tunnel tolls are paid by the passenger, only in the direction travelled.

Prices checked in October 2026, in force since July 2026. The minimum fare is 230 TL in a yellow taxi and 400 TL in a black taxi. Our guide to getting from Istanbul airport to the city centre covers the Havaist buses and the metro, often simpler than a taxi on arrival.

Restaurants, currency exchange and card payments

The bill without prices

Since 1 January 2024, Turkish regulations require restaurants, cafés and patisseries to display their prices at the entrance and on the tables; any service charge must appear on the menu. Be wary of places without prices, touts who usher you in, fish sold by weight with no announced weighing, and meze placed on the table without being ordered: ask whether everything is charged. In case of dispute, the Ministry of Trade's consumer line can be reached on 175.

Exchange and cash machines

Change money at exchange offices (döviz) that clearly display their buying and selling rates, and compare before deciding. Count your notes at the counter. At cash machines and card terminals, decline conversion into your own currency and always choose to pay in Turkish lira. Check the amount before paying contactless, as the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds travellers. Our guide to money, bank cards and tipping in Istanbul details fees and customs.

Pickpockets: T1 tram, İstiklal and the Grand Bazaar

The British Foreign Office points out that pickpocketing and street robbery are common in the main tourist areas. The places to watch are those where crowds squeeze together:

• T1 tram between Eminönü, Sultanahmet and the Grand Bazaar (Beyazıt-Kapalıçarşı and Çemberlitaş stops), especially at rush hour.
• İstiklal Avenue and Taksim Square, particularly in the evening and at weekends.
• Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar, in the narrow alleys.
• Eminönü and Karaköy piers when boarding the ferries.

Carry your bag in front of you, closed, keep your phone in an inside pocket and split money and cards between two places. Our guide to getting around Istanbul explains the Istanbulkart, which saves you taking out your wallet for every trip.

Emergencies: 112 and the tourist police

• 112: the single emergency number in Turkey (police, ambulance, fire brigade), free from a mobile phone.
• Tourist police (Turizm Şube): its office is on Yerebatan Caddesi, in Sultanahmet, a stone's throw from the Basilica Cistern. Officers there speak several languages and can record a complaint.
• Bank cards: have them blocked immediately by your bank.
• Lost or stolen passport: after filing the complaint, contact your country's consulate in Istanbul, which can issue an emergency travel document.

Keep a photo of your documents on your phone and a separate paper copy.

General safety: demonstrations, earthquakes, water and traffic

Demonstrations and vigilance

In September 2026, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls for heightened vigilance in Istanbul, because of a high terrorist risk across the country, and recommends avoiding crowds. It advises staying away from gatherings and demonstrations, which can turn violent; the Foreign Office reports regular demonstrations in Istanbul, sometimes dispersed with tear gas. Avoid Taksim Square on days when a demonstration is announced and do not post political messages on social media: according to the French ministry, they can lead to an entry ban or prosecution. Check your own government's travel advice before leaving.

Earthquakes

Istanbul lies in an active seismic zone: a magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck the Sea of Marmara in April 2025 and was strongly felt in the city. The French ministry advises downloading the AFAD Acil app, which shows emergency assembly points. During a tremor, take shelter under a sturdy piece of furniture and wait until the shaking stops before going outside.

Tap water

Istanbul's water authority (İSKİ) states that the water it supplies meets drinking-water standards, but points out that its quality at the tap depends on the condition of each building's tanks and pipes. Most residents drink bottled water; do the same, especially at your hotel.

Women travelling alone

Istanbul can be visited solo without any particular difficulty. The French ministry nonetheless recommends caution in tourist areas, hotels and nightclubs, discreet clothing and restraint in public displays of affection. Bring a scarf to enter mosques. In the evening, prefer a taxi booked through an app and do not give the address of your accommodation to strangers; our guide on where to stay in Istanbul compares the districts.

Traffic

Cars rarely give way to pedestrians, even on zebra crossings, and scooters and motorbikes sometimes ride through shopping streets. Look both ways, including in pedestrian streets crossed by a tram, such as Divanyolu or İstiklal.

Summary of scams in Istanbul

Prices checked in October 2026.

Further reading

To plan the rest of your trip, our guide to money in Istanbul: Turkish lira, bank cards and tipping helps you avoid hidden costs, our guide to getting around Istanbul helps you travel with the Istanbulkart, and Sultanahmet: what to see in the old city organises your visit to the busiest district.