Safety at night in Istanbul: neighbourhoods, transport and habits

Istanbul stays up late: the terraces of Beyoğlu, Kadıköy or Karaköy are full well after midnight, and the vast majority of evenings pass without incident. The real risks are mostly pickpocketing in crowds, bar scams and badly planned journeys home. This guide helps you choose where to go out, how to get back and which habits to adopt. It complements scams and safety in Istanbul and the guide to nightlife. Also check your country's travel advice before leaving: it changes with current events.

Where to go out: lively and quiet neighbourhoods

Busy neighbourhoods

Beyoğlu, İstiklal and Taksim: lively until late, with many people, police and open shops. It is also the territory of scam bars and pickpockets; see Beyoğlu and Taksim.
Galata and Karaköy: bars, restaurants and cafés frequented in the evening by locals and visitors; the atmosphere is relaxed (Galata and Karaköy district).
Kadıköy and Moda: nightlife is very local, with many bars and concert venues. The ferry home ends earlier than the metro; see Kadıköy and the Asian side.
Beşiktaş and Ortaköy: bars, restaurants and terraces on the Bosphorus, very busy at weekends.

The nostalgic tram on İstiklal

Neighbourhoods that empty out

Sultanahmet: very safe by day, it becomes silent in the evening, with few people in the alleys; stick to main streets and stay near your hotel. Restaurant and bar touts are insistent there.
Tarlabaşı and some alleys behind İstiklal, at night: visitors are often advised not to wander there alone. Prefer lit main roads.
Deserted seafront streets, parks and quays after closing: do not linger alone.

Getting home: taxi, metro, ferry and walking

Taxi: the most practical late at night. Use a taxi app or hail an official taxi (plate 34 T), insist on the meter and note the plate. Details in taxis in Istanbul. Be dropped at your door.
Metro, tram and Marmaray: last departure times vary by line; some lines have run all night at weekends, which may change. Check the last service in a transport app before leaving. See transport in Istanbul and the Istanbulkart.
Ferry: the last crossings between Kabataş, Karaköy and Kadıköy leave fairly early in the evening; do not count on them for a late night out.
On foot: walk on lit, busy streets, keep your phone out of sight, and do not follow a stranger who offers help.

Habits for going out

Do not follow a stranger who invites you for a drink in "his" bar: it is the costliest scam, described in our guide to scams.
Choose the venue yourself and check the price list before ordering.
Watch your drink, do not accept drinks from strangers: cases of spiked drinks are reported by the authorities of several countries. Alcohol purchase rules are in alcohol in Istanbul.
Pickpockets: bag closed in front of you, phone and wallet in an inside pocket, especially on the T1 tram and on İstiklal.
Money and papers: carry little cash, one card, a photo of your passport. Tell someone where you are.
Battery: keep enough to call a taxi or the emergency services.

Solo women and LGBT travellers

Many women travel alone in Istanbul without difficulty. The usual advice applies: dress suited to the neighbourhood, return by app-booked taxi rather than on foot late, do not give out the address of your accommodation. For LGBT travellers, see our guide Istanbul LGBT.

Emergency numbers

112: police, ambulance and fire, free from a mobile.
Tourist police: office in Sultanahmet, on Yerebatan Caddesi, near the Basilica Cistern.
On-duty pharmacies (nöbetçi eczane): posted on each pharmacy's window; see health, pharmacies and emergencies.
For a stolen bank card: block it immediately with your bank; for a lost passport: your country's consulate.