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As tensions between Israel and Iran reached a dangerous peak this month, travelers planning summer holidays in Türkiye have started asking a crucial question: is it safe to go?
Türkiye shares a border with Iran and lies near the epicenter of a regional crisis that recently involved missile strikes, closed airspace, and military escalations.
Despite growing concerns across the region, current assessments by official sources and sector experts suggest that most of Türkiye remains open and safe for tourism. However, ongoing developments have affected some travel patterns, flight routes, and visitor confidence.
The U.K. Foreign Office has not issued any new travel warning for Türkiye since the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Iran on June 13.
In its latest guidance, the agency states that “tourist resorts and cities in Türkiye, including Antalya, Bodrum and Cappadocia, are generally considered safe to travel to.”
The only official restriction remains the long-standing advisory against all travel to within 10 kilometers (6.21 miles) of the Syrian border. This area includes parts of Hatay and Hakkari provinces. Travelers require special permission from local governors to enter certain zones near the Iranian and Iraqi borders.
Tourists are also advised to avoid all demonstrations in major cities, particularly near Israeli diplomatic missions in Istanbul and Ankara, due to the risk of unrest linked to international protests.
Airports in Türkiye’s main cities remain operational. Istanbul and Antalya airports have maintained regular traffic as of June 23.
However, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has disrupted regional airspace, leading to the cancellation of several routes.
According to Türkiye's Ministry of Transport, flights to and from Iran and Israel remain suspended due to airspace closures.
Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said that safety measures are in place and travelers should check their flight status before departure.
In total, airlines have canceled or rerouted flights to multiple destinations.
While flights to Gulf countries have mostly resumed, connections to Iran, Iraq, and Syria remain restricted. Some long-haul flights, such as those from Jakarta, were rerouted through Baku for refueling due to airspace closures.
Serdar Ali Abet, the head of Karnak Travel, explained to Turkish newspaper Oksijen how these closures affected bookings from the Middle East: “From June 14 until the end of the month, my agency lost about 2,000 reservations. That’s 2 million euros ($2.32 million) in business gone.”
Türkiye's tourism sector depends heavily on international visitors, with the government targeting 65 million arrivals and $64 billion in tourism revenue this year. However, the recent military escalation has already led to a decline in reservations, particularly from the Middle East.
Antalya, Bodrum, and Dalaman rely partly on Gulf and Arab tourism. Agencies that work with clients from Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon report a sharp fall in reservations. According to Abet, “the real blow came to Istanbul. This city relies heavily on visitors from the Middle East and North Africa, and those flows have dropped to nearly zero”.
Elite World Hotels CEO Orkun Petekci confirmed the situation. “We saw a serious decline in the Iranian market, which is one of our top five sources. All reservations from Jordan have been canceled,” he said.
While Middle Eastern travel slowed down, some hoteliers are more concerned about the ripple effect in Europe. Kasim Zoto, who heads a hotel chain in Istanbul’s old city, noted that “these types of problems don’t only affect tourists from the Middle East. Bookings from Western Europe have also slowed, especially for July and August”.
Türkiye has not taken a military stance in the Israel–Iran conflict and continues to pursue a diplomatic role. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that “the only solution to nuclear disputes is diplomacy,” emphasizing Türkiye’s willingness to act as a facilitator.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held phone calls with U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Mesud Pezeshkian, urging both sides to end the hostilities. Türkiye also engaged with other regional leaders, including those from Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
Ankara has walked a careful line. It condemned Israeli airstrikes while refraining from direct involvement. At the same time, security officials in Türkiye held a high-level meeting to evaluate the risks.
This included potential migration from Iran and renewed activity by separatist groups. The conflict “raises concerns of instability near Türkiye’s border,” noted DW’s report.
Although Türkiye shares a 535-kilometer border with Iran, no missiles or military operations have affected Turkish territory.
The closest escalation occurred when Iran launched missiles at the U.S. airbase in Qatar. According to multiple sources, the attack was limited and caused no casualties. U.S. President Trump even thanked Iran for warning allies in advance.
Analysts told Forbes that Iran deliberately kept its response controlled to avoid full-scale war. Out of 14 missiles, 13 were intercepted, and the remaining one caused minor damage. Trump’s administration then announced a cease-fire between Israel and Iran. Both sides confirmed agreement within hours, although Israel later accused Iran of violating the terms.
Despite these developments, there have been no signs that Türkiye is at risk of becoming a direct party in the conflict.
According to the 2024 travel risk map published by International SOS, Türkiye falls into the orange category, indicating a moderate risk level. It remains far safer than countries classified under red or dark red, such as Syria, Libya, or Iraq.
Risk factors considered in this ranking include:
Türkiye scores better than most of its regional neighbors and is not among the top-tier danger zones.
The map helps travelers and corporate planners evaluate relative security concerns. While Türkiye does not rank among the safest countries like Iceland or Switzerland, it is widely seen as secure for tourism outside of its border areas with Syria and Iraq.
For those considering canceling their holidays to Türkiye due to concerns about war, travel insurance and refund rules may offer little flexibility.
The U.K. Foreign Office has not advised against visiting Türkiye. As a result, travel providers are not obligated to issue refunds, and insurance companies will not cover cancellations due to personal concern alone.
Grant Winter, compliance officer at Goodtogo insurance, confirmed this stance. “No airline is obligated to refund you for a flight you choose not to take,” he told Metro. This means travelers who cancel voluntarily will likely lose part or all of their payment.
The same policy applies to package tours. Unless the Foreign Office issues an official warning, tour operators are not required to issue reimbursements.
While most of Türkiye is open for tourism, travelers should monitor local news and remain cautious, especially in public spaces. The Foreign Office recommends staying away from demonstrations, avoiding crowded places when possible, and following the instructions of local authorities.
Cultural sites such as Hagia Sophia, Ephesus, and Pamukkale remain accessible and continue to attract international visitors. Domestic tourism within Türkiye has not faced significant disruption. However, hotel chains and agencies are adjusting their forecasts and considering cost-cutting measures in response to slower bookings.
Istanbul hotels have revised their summer expectations. “We were aiming for over 70% occupancy, but now there’s a drop. We are reviewing our budgets,” said Robert Varon, head of Mar Yapi, which owns several hotels across the city, as reported by newspaper Oksijen.
Despite the proximity to a tense conflict and some impact on bookings and air travel, Türkiye remains open, functional, and safe in its main tourist regions. Official advisories support continued travel, though travelers should remain alert and stay informed.
For those visiting Türkiye this summer, planning ahead, checking flight schedules, and keeping up with official updates remain the best strategies.
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