Is Ankara safe?
One of Turkey's safer big cities. Violent crime against visitors is rare; watch pickpockets in crowds and avoid protests and demonstrations.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2026-06-08.
- Homicide rate in Turkey: 3.2 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Turkey: 6.7 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Ankara at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Occasional pickpocketing on buses and in Ulus and Kızılay crowds; taxi overcharging at the airport and bus terminal. |
| At night | Kızılay, Tunalı Hilmi and Kavaklıdere stay lively and fine late. Outside them, the metro stops around midnight, so book a taxi. |
| Solo women | Usually comfortable alone, more so than in many Turkish cities. Expect some staring; dress modestly in Ulus and avoid empty streets late. |
| Other risks | Aggressive drivers and few pedestrian crossings; Earthquakes: check a building's age before renting; Icy pavements and winter heating smog |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Taxis from the airport or AŞTİ bus station skip the meter
- Friendly strangers invite you to a bar, then present a huge bill
- Street sellers swap banknotes when giving change
Take care
- Demonstrations in Kızılay and Güvenpark: leave if police gather
- Poorly lit backstreets of Ulus late at night
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Insulting Atatürk, the Turkish nation or the president is a crime.
- Taking antiquities, old coins or even stones from ancient sites can mean arrest.
- Don't photograph military zones; flying drones requires registration.
How Ankara compares in Turkey
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Kaş | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Istanbul | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Antalya | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cappadocia | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bodrum | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Fethiye | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Alanya | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Izmir | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ölüdeniz | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Marmaris | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Pamukkale | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ankara | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kuşadası | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Side | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Çeşme | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kemer | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kalkan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Dalyan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Trabzon | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bursa | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Belek | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Didim | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Selçuk | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Gaziantep | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
Quick answers
Is Ankara safe for solo female travelers?
Usually comfortable alone, more so than in many Turkish cities. Expect some staring; dress modestly in Ulus and avoid empty streets late.
Is Ankara safe at night?
Kızılay, Tunalı Hilmi and Kavaklıdere stay lively and fine late. Outside them, the metro stops around midnight, so book a taxi.
What is the crime rate in Ankara?
Occasional pickpocketing on buses and in Ulus and Kızılay crowds; taxi overcharging at the airport and bus terminal. Nationally, Turkey records 3.2 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Ankara?
Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112.
More about Ankara
Going to Ankara solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- EGO Genel Müdürlüğü (Ankara transit)
- Esenboğa Airport (DHMI)
- TCDD Taşımacılık
- Go Türkiye
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.