Is it safe to travel to Turkey? Latest flight and holiday advice
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
TURKEY is a Brit-loved holiday destination, with sun-soaked beaches, rich culture and amazing food.
But as tensions escalate in the region between Israel and Iran, many holidaymakers heading to Turkey are asking themselves whether it is safe to go — here's what you need to know.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
3
4.4million British tourists visited Turkey last year
Credit: Getty
Is Turkey close to Iran?
Turkey shares part of its eastern border with Iran.
Iran is currently engaged in hostilities with Israel and both sides have launched missile strikes in the last few days.
Some of these have affected neighbouring countries such as Qatar, which despite not being actively involved in the conflict was the target of an attack on a US air base.
A ceasefire was announced yesterday morning (Tuesday June 24) but the deal was broken not long after.
Turkish tourist hotspots such as Bodrum, Istanbul and Cappadocia are not located near the country's border with Iran.
Is it safe to travel to Turkey?
Turkey was visited by 4.4million British tourists in 2024.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has not changed its travel advice for the country.
A statement — which predates the Israel-Iran unrest — reads: "FCDO advises against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism."
However, it does not advise against travel to any other part of Turkey, indicating that the majority of the country is safe to visit and holidays can go ahead.
Have flights to Turkey been affected?
Several countries in the Middle East closed their airspaces in recent days, with a number of airlines cancelling flights as a result.
3
Turkey shares part of its border with Iran
Credit: Getty
Many planes flying over the region were diverted to different airports, causing widespread chaos and severe delays including for travellers heading to Doha and Dubai.
Flights to Turkey are not currently affected by the volatile air traffic situation and package holidays to the country are continuing as normal.
Antalya, Dalaman, Istanbul and Bodrum Milas airports are all operating without delays, according to data on tracking site FlightRadar.
Can I cancel my holiday?
It is unlikely that you will be able to claim a refund from either a holiday provider or insurance company due to the FCDO having not advised against travel to Turkey.
If you wish to change the date or time of your trip, it is worth contacting the relevant airline or tour operator to see if they can offer any flexibility.
However, there is no guarantee that you will receive a refund for your booking.
3
The Foreign Office is not advising against travel to Turkey
Credit: Alamy
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
38 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
‘I live two different lives' – Rory McIlroy says he ‘needs a break mentally' just weeks before The Open
The Masters champion has experienced a dip in form over the last two months ROR EMOTION 'I live two different lives' – Rory McIlroy says he 'needs a break mentally' just weeks before The Open Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MASTERS champion Rory McIlroy has revealed that he plans to fly back to the UK for a break following a whirlwind few months in the States. The 36-year-old ended his 11-year wait for a Masters title earlier this year, beating Justin Rose to the green jacket in Augusta. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Rory McIlroy says he 'needs a break mentally' following a whirlwind few months Credit: Getty 3 McIlroy with wife Erica Stoll Credit: AFP In winning the prestigious tournament, he became just the sixth male golfer to achieve a career Grand Slam. But the Northern Irishman has experienced a dip in form over the last two months. He finished 19th at the US Open and sixth at the Travelers Championship on Sunday. Following a disappointing few weeks, McIlroy is now looking forward to returning home with his wife, Erica, and four-year-old daughter, Poppy, for a well-earned break. READ MORE ON GOLF OPEN GOALS Former Premier League bad boy, 43, plays in The Open qualifying He said: "I think more so than anything else it'll just be good for me mentally to take a little bit of a break and get back to my neck of the woods, get back to the UK for a little bit. "I'm excited for that and I've alluded to the fact I probably haven't taken enough time off or time to reflect after what happened in April. "So I'm excited to do a little bit of that over these next two weeks." He also said: "I feel like I live two different lives. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "I'm a dad and a husband when I'm away from here, and then I'm who I am when I'm here. "It's always nice to get away and feel a bit of normality." Eagle-eyed fans spot Rory McIlroy's 'unrepeatable' magic trick in furious fit of rage at US Open McIlroy's struggles come just three weeks before The Open at Royal Portrush. Heading to the home tournament will cap a rollercoaster 18 months for the Northern Irishman. Last May he and wife Erica were filing for a divorce after seven years of marriage. But just a month later, the couple revealed they had reconciled. As they embark on a new period in their relationship, it's understood Erica decided the McIlroy family - which includes daughter Poppy, 4, should leave America and return to live in the UK. 3 The couple are back on track - and planning to move to the UK Credit: Getty Open snub At the US Open earlier this month McIlroy snubbed the press after his first two rounds. He then didn't hold back when explaining the reason behind his hiatus. "It's just frustration with you guys [some sections of the media]," the golf ace said. "I have been totally available for the past number of years. "That [driver issue] was a part of it, but at Augusta, I skipped you guys on Thursday. "It's not out of the ordinary as I've done it before, but I am doing it a little more often. "I feel like I've earned the right to do whatever I want to do."
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
British mother, 66, says she is 'stranded' in Israel despite signing up for Government evacuation flights and forking out £100s
A British woman stranded in Israel said she has still not heard from the Government about chartered evacuation flights - despite registering and paying hundreds of pounds last week. The first RAF flight set off from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv on Monday afternoon carrying 63 British passengers, who landed in Cyprus and were then flown back to Birmingham Airport, where they arrived in the early hours of Tuesday. In the days since, more Britons have made the journey home as part of the Government's evacuation strategy. It comes as Israeli airspace reopened on Monday after being closed for 10 days following the start of the conflict between Israel and Iran on June 13. British-Israeli Mali Smith, 66, said she has not heard from the Foreign Office since registering for the repatriation flights on Wednesday June 18, leading her to book a flight home to London for 600 US dollars (£439) as she 'can't bear the stress anymore'. Mrs Smith, a solicitor born in Tel Aviv but who now lives in Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, with her husband, had arrived in Israel on June 11 to see her mother and friends. The mother-of-two has twice booked flights to Luton Airport, one with Wizz Air and one with Israir, which were both cancelled. She said: 'After my flights were cancelled, the Foreign Office sent many of us an email saying that they were planning on sending an RAF plane to rescue us and take us back to the UK. 'But it's been days now and I'm still waiting for a response - even though we had to pay them £350 for the pleasure. 'They have been in touch with some Brits but many of us are still waiting and I don't understand why they are sending such a small aeroplane with only 63 seats, while there are thousands who have applied for the flights. 'I sent them emails and I called them, but they couldn't give me an answer - I have been in touch with my MP and she has tried hard to help some of us here, but we've had no success. 'It's nerve-wracking and it's really hard to sit around and wait for them to do something. 'Now the war has a ceasefire, so I don't know what's going to happen - they might cancel it all even before they have rescued us.' Mrs Smith says that the lack of information about the flights has left those who remain in the country feeling stranded waiting for more support. She said she had also been told that British nationals have had phone calls from the Foreign Office as late as 3am in the morning, asking them to be at the airfield just six hours later at 9am, only for their flight to be delayed until 1pm. Mrs Smith said: 'The organisation of the evacuation has not been good enough. 'I'm in Tel Aviv, right next to the Iron Dome, and the noise is really loud and scary, and it means you can't sleep properly. 'The community has been great, they've been so supportive and there's a lot of warmth from everyone. 'But the UK Government has been so slow to respond and I'm just disappointed that it's taken them that long and that the communication is that bad. 'I don't know whether to book another flight and forget about the evacuation flight, and whether I can claim the money back. 'The situation has improved here with the ceasefire which seems like it's holding, but the Foreign Office needs to be so much better.'
Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Foreign Office travel warning: UAE, Qatar, Oman, Jordan
The changes affect parts of the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Oman and Jordan, and follow recent military activity in the region. Advisories were issued on Tuesday, 24 June, after missile attacks took place on 22 and 23 June. READ MORE: Glasgow travellers warned not to travel to Middle Eastern country The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) stated: "Hostilities in the region and between Israel and Iran have the potential to deteriorate further, quickly and without warning." The FCDO confirmed that the United States launched military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22, and that Iran responded with strikes on a US military base in Qatar the following day. Travellers have been warned of potential disruption, including sudden airspace closures and delayed or cancelled flights. The FCDO added: "There is a possibility of travel disruption, including short-notice airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights, and other unanticipated travel impacts." In light of the situation, the FCDO encourages UK nationals to remain vigilant, follow news updates, check flight information regularly, avoid military sites, and comply with any shelter-in-place instructions issued by local authorities. READ MORE: Glasgow travellers heading to four popular countries warned The FCDO advises that Iraqi airspace restrictions have been implemented: "Iraqi airspace restrictions have been implemented. Only a very limited number of international flights are still going ahead. "Given the rapidly changing context, it is unclear when flights transiting Iraqi airspace will resume as normal." Travellers to Jordan are urged to take extra precautions. The FCDO warns: "Jordanian airspace is open, but airports and airspace may close at short notice." Those currently in Jordan should contact their airline and follow instructions issued by local authorities. Travellers planning to enter the country are advised to check with their airline before departure. The FCDO also reminded travellers that land border crossings from Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories may close without notice, including at weekends.
