Istanbul scores 4.8/10 on overall safety. The Georgetown WPS Index rates Turkey at 66/100 for women's safety. Here's what the data and real reviews say.
Istanbul scores 4.8/10, in the moderate range. Signals are mixed: choosing your neighborhood and timing carefully makes a real difference.
The Georgetown WPS Index (2025) rates Turkey at 66/100, in the mid range. Many women travel solo in Istanbul without trouble; neighborhood choice and how you get around after dark are worth planning.
Stick to well-lit, busy streets after dark, keep your phone charged with a transport app installed, and trust your instincts about areas that feel off. The reviews below come from women who share their own experience of Istanbul.
Every score on this page comes from official indicators and the safety model, not from AI-generated text. Where travelers who share your profile have reviewed Istanbul, you'll find their words below. Last reviewed 2026.
Sources: Georgetown WPS Index, Equaldex, UNESCO, World Bank, OpenStreetMap (ODbL), Wikidata (CC0) and MapSur community reviews. How we score
2 reviews from women who visited Istanbul.
Istanbul is absolutly stunning. The Hagia Sophia left me speechless. As an Indian woman traveling solo I got a LOT of attention from men which was uncomfortable at times. The carpet sellers are relent…
Istanbul est une ville fascinante, à cheval entre deux continents. En tant que femme voilée, le côté asiatique (Kadıköy, Üsküdar) est très confortable. Le côté européen (Beyoğlu, Taksim) est plus libé…
Find a hotel near the neighborhoods mentioned in reviews.
Istanbul scores 4.8/10. Experiences vary for solo female travelers depending on area and timing. Read the indicators and reviews above.
Turkey scores 66/100 on the Georgetown WPS Index (2025). As anywhere, stick to busy, well-lit areas after dark in Istanbul and plan your transport ahead. The reviews above add ground-level detail.
