Tourist complaints and safety center

Check before you book, pay or go.

Review tourist complaints, common travel problems and practical precautions before making a decision in Türkiye.

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Reviewed reports

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Ordered by reviewed severity and date

Critical · 5/5✓ Reviewed

He Agreed to €50 for a 5 km Taxi Ride — Then 7,300 TL Was Charged to His Card

📍 Karaköy → Taksim, Istanbul

Radar decision

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Critical · 5/5✓ Reviewed

A 4-Minute Taxi Ride Cost €15 — Then the Driver Said He Had No Change for €50

📍 ANTALYA

Radar decision

Avoid immediate payment

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Critical · 5/5✓ Reviewed

They Demanded 70 Euros at the Airport; When the Taximeter Was Turned On, It Cost 14 Euros

📍 Antalya Airport

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Avoid immediate payment

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Learn what to check before using taxis, restaurants, hotels, tours, shops or card payments.

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Tourist complaints and warnings

Reviewed Radar reports

57 results

✓ ReviewedCritical · 5/5Taxi & Transportation

He Agreed to €50 for a 5 km Taxi Ride — Then 7,300 TL Was Charged to His Card

Imagine leaving an event in Istanbul after a long day. Your hotel is only about 5 kilometers away. It's not a long journey. Under normal conditions, you're looking at roughly 10 minutes i...

Location

Karaköy → Taksim, Istanbul

Reviewed

25/09/2026

What should I do?

Avoid immediate payment

Confirm the driver, destination and total price before entering the vehicle. Do not pay twice.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedCritical · 5/5Taxi & Transportation

A 4-Minute Taxi Ride Cost €15 — Then the Driver Said He Had No Change for €50

Two British tourists on holiday in Antalya wanted to travel from their hotel to a nearby amusement park. The distance? Less than 2 kilometers. The journey? Around 4 minutes. Basically, th...

Location

ANTALYA

Reviewed

25/09/2026

What should I do?

Avoid immediate payment

Confirm the driver, destination and total price before entering the vehicle. Do not pay twice.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedCritical · 5/5Taxi & Transportation

They Demanded 70 Euros at the Airport; When the Taximeter Was Turned On, It Cost 14 Euros

You have just landed in Antalya.You have stepped off the plane, luggage in hand. Your destination is Kaleiçi.You walk out of the airport, head toward a taxi, and ask how much it will cost...

Location

Antalya Airport

Reviewed

25/09/2026

What should I do?

Avoid immediate payment

Confirm the driver, destination and total price before entering the vehicle. Do not pay twice.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedCritical · 5/5Taxi & Transportation

Paid 1,698 TL from the Airport to the Hotel, the Return on the Same Route Cost 700 TL

Imagine you are on an 11-day vacation in Türkiye.Istanbul, Antalya, Cappadocia...The itinerary looks great. You fly into Antalya, grab your luggage, and now all you want to do is get to y...

Location

Antalya Airport

Reviewed

25/09/2026

What should I do?

Avoid immediate payment

Confirm the driver, destination and total price before entering the vehicle. Do not pay twice.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedCritical · 5/5Shopping

Certificate" Illusion: The Fake Antique and Replica Jewelry Trap in the Grand Bazaar

I was shopping for a vintage Ottoman-style silver ring and a traditional carpet in the Grand Bazaar. The shopkeeper was extremely charismatic, offered me apple tea, and showed me a beauti...

Location

Grand Bazaar

Reviewed

19/09/2026

What should I do?

Avoid immediate payment

Confirm what is included, cancellation terms and the final price before paying the operator.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedCritical · 5/5Overcharging

The Tourist SIM Card Rip-off at Istanbul Airports (IST & SAW)

As soon as I landed at Istanbul Airport, I went straight to the official telecom booths (Turkcell/Vodafone) in the arrivals hall to get a local SIM card. They offered me a 'Tourist Welcom...

Location

Istanbul Airports

Reviewed

18/09/2026

What should I do?

Avoid immediate payment

Confirm what is included, cancellation terms and the final price before paying the operator.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedCritical · 5/5Taxi & Transportation

The Switcheroo: How my 500 TL note became a 50 TL note in a Sultanahmet Taxi

I took a taxi from Taksim to Sultanahmet. The meter showed around 320 TL. I handed the driver a 500 TL note. He took it, dropped it on the floor for a split second, and then showed me a 5...

Location

Location not specified

Reviewed

18/09/2026

What should I do?

Avoid immediate payment

Confirm the driver, destination and total price before entering the vehicle. Do not pay twice.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedCritical · 5/5Other

The 'Dropped Shoe Brush' Scam near Galata Bridge – Don't pick it up!

Yesterday, while walking near the Galata Bridge towards Eminönü, a shoe shiner walked past me and 'accidentally' dropped his brush. Being polite, I called out and handed it back to him. H...

Location

galata / istanbul

Reviewed

18/09/2026

What should I do?

Avoid immediate payment

Read the full report, confirm the price and conditions in writing, and keep your receipt.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedCritical · 5/5Other

Card Acceptance

"Contactless credit cards are accepted almost everywhere in Istanbul and Antalya (including small kiosks). Cash is only needed for taxis and street vendors. There is no need to carry thou...

Location

Location not specified

Reviewed

17/09/2026

What should I do?

Avoid immediate payment

Confirm the driver, destination and total price before entering the vehicle. Do not pay twice.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedHigh · 4/5Taxi & Transportation

Istanbul Taxi Report: A Traveler’s Claim of a €33 Price Difference

What happened? Imagine trying to get a taxi from Hagia Sophia to Taksim after a long day in Istanbul. The journey is only about 5 kilometers. Under normal conditions, it's not a long ride...

Location

Hagia Sophia (Sultanahmet)

Reviewed

04/10/2026

What should I do?

Use extra caution

Confirm the driver, destination and total price before entering the vehicle. Do not pay twice.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedHigh · 4/5ATM & Card Fraud

A Coffee at Istanbul Airport Almost Cost €550 — Then His Wife's Bank Alert Dropped

What happened? Imagine your spouse passing through the bustling transit halls of Istanbul Airport. She is travelling alone, exhausted, rushing to catch a connecting flight, and managing a...

Location

Istanbul Airport (IST)

Reviewed

30/09/2026

What should I do?

Use extra caution

Check the currency and final amount on the payment screen. Keep the receipt and decline unwanted conversion.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedHigh · 4/5Accommodation

They Paid 100,000 TL for a Hotel Stay — The Reservation Was Cancelled, but the Refund Never Came

ommodation business. But the customers said the money they had already paid was not refunded. A cancelled holiday had become a dispute over 100,000 TL. This was more than an online compla...

Location

ANTALYA

Reviewed

26/09/2026

What should I do?

Use extra caution

Confirm the driver, destination and total price before entering the vehicle. Do not pay twice.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedHigh · 4/5Taxi & Transportation

He Asked the Driver to Turn On the Meter — The Driver Demanded $30 Instead

What happened? Imagine arriving at Antalya Airport. You collect your luggage, leave the terminal and get into a taxi. Normally, what happens next is simple: you tell the driver where you...

Location

Antalya havalimanı

Reviewed

26/09/2026

What should I do?

Use extra caution

Confirm the driver, destination and total price before entering the vehicle. Do not pay twice.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedHigh · 4/5Taxi & Transportation

Sultanahmet to Galata — Tourist Paid $63 for a Short Taxi Ride

In February 2026, a tourist visiting Istanbul hailed a taxi on the street to travel from Sultanahmet Square to Galata Tower. The estimated fare shown on the traveler's phone for the same...

Location

SULTANAHMET , İSTANBUL

Reviewed

25/09/2026

What should I do?

Use extra caution

Confirm the driver, destination and total price before entering the vehicle. Do not pay twice.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedHigh · 4/5Theft & Safety

They Were Walking and Shopping in Istanbul — Then They Realized Their Wallets Were Gone

You're in Istanbul. You're walking along Ordu Caddesi in Fatih. There are shops everywhere, people moving in every direction, and the constant flow of a busy Istanbul street. On July 21,...

Location

istanbul

Reviewed

25/09/2026

What should I do?

Use extra caution

Confirm what is included, cancellation terms and the final price before paying the operator.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedHigh · 4/5Taxi & Transportation

The Taxi Meter Wasn't Running — Then the Tourist Was Asked for 4,300 TL

You're in Istanbul. You get into a taxi for a journey from Arnavutköy to Fatih. The car starts moving. But something you'd normally expect to see at the beginning of a taxi journey is mis...

Location

Arnavutköy → Fatih, Istanbul

Reviewed

25/09/2026

What should I do?

Use extra caution

Confirm the driver, destination and total price before entering the vehicle. Do not pay twice.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedHigh · 4/5Theft & Safety

Several People Suddenly Crowded Around You — Then You Realized Your Phone Was Gone

You're using public transport in Istanbul. The metro, tram or bus is crowded. Several people suddenly try to enter through the same door. Someone slows down directly in front of you. Anot...

Location

Fatih, Beyoğlu, Beşiktaş, Zeytinburnu & Eyüpsultan — Istanbul Public Transport

Reviewed

25/09/2026

What should I do?

Use extra caution

Confirm what is included, cancellation terms and the final price before paying the operator.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedHigh · 4/5Restaurants & Bars

A 96,200 TL Restaurant Bill Dropped to 52,000 TL After the Tourist Objected

Imagine going out for dinner with friends in Istanbul. You're in Etiler. You sit down, order food and drinks, and enjoy the evening. Everything seems normal. Until the bill arrives. Accor...

Location

Etiler, Istanbul

Reviewed

25/09/2026

What should I do?

Use extra caution

Request a priced menu and confirm weight, extras and service charges before ordering.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedHigh · 4/5Restaurants & Bars

They Claimed to See 900 TL on the Menu; at Check Time, the Price Was 1,400 TL

After a beautiful day in Antalya, you sit down at a restaurant with your partner.The menu arrives, and you look over the dishes. You check the prices and place your order. Everything is n...

Location

Antalya / Kaleiçi

Reviewed

25/09/2026

What should I do?

Use extra caution

Request a priced menu and confirm weight, extras and service charges before ordering.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedHigh · 4/5Restaurants & Bars

The "Will the Real Waiter Please Stand Up" Scam: How a Random Guy in an Apron Ate My Wallet in Sultanahmet

So, there I was, romantic candlelit dinner in Sultanahmet, feeling like an absolute travel queen. The restaurant was pure chaos—waiters flying around like they were running a marathon. Su...

Location

istanbul

Reviewed

19/09/2026

What should I do?

Use extra caution

Request a priced menu and confirm weight, extras and service charges before ordering.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedHigh · 4/5Rental Scams

The "Cash Cleaning" Extortion: How Shady Short-Term Apartment Hosts Scam Tourists at Check-in

I booked a cozy apartment in Kadıköy for 5 nights through a popular global accommodation app. The total price online was $350, which I paid in full digitally. However, when I arrived at t...

Location

istanbul

Reviewed

19/09/2026

What should I do?

Use extra caution

Keep your booking confirmation and contact the original platform before making another payment.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedHigh · 4/5Tours & Activities

The Paragliding "Photo Blackmail" Trap: How Flying Agencies Hide Media Costs in Ölüdeniz

I booked a tandem paragliding flight over the beautiful Ölüdeniz beach through a prominent street agency in Fethiye. The ticket cost me €90, and I explicitly asked the agent if photos and...

Location

fethiye

Reviewed

19/09/2026

What should I do?

Use extra caution

Confirm what is included, cancellation terms and the final price before paying the operator.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedHigh · 4/5Tours & Activities

The "VIP Boat Tour" Illusion: How Ticket Tout Agents Bait-and-Switch Tourists at Eminönü

"I was walking near the Eminönü pier looking for a Bosphorus cruise. A well-dressed agent with an official-looking badge approached me and offered a 'Luxury VIP Yacht Tour with live music...

Location

Eminönü

Reviewed

19/09/2026

What should I do?

Use extra caution

Confirm what is included, cancellation terms and the final price before paying the operator.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedHigh · 4/5Accommodation

The Fake "Cave Room" Scam: How Shady Agencies Downgrade Your Cappadocia Hotel

I booked a 3-day package tour to Cappadocia through a local agency website that promised a 'luxury authentic cave hotel' experience in Göreme. They showed me beautiful photos of a room ca...

Location

CAPPADOCİA KAPADOKYA

Reviewed

18/09/2026

What should I do?

Use extra caution

Confirm the driver, destination and total price before entering the vehicle. Do not pay twice.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedHigh · 4/5Restaurants & Bars

The Fish Weight Trap: How Seafood Restaurants in Kumkapı & Galata Double Your Bill

Last night, my friends and I went to a seafood restaurant near the Galata Bridge. We picked a fresh Sea Bass (Levrek) from the ice display. The waiter told us the price was 600 TL. We tho...

Location

galata istanbul

Reviewed

18/09/2026

What should I do?

Use extra caution

Request a priced menu and confirm weight, extras and service charges before ordering.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedHigh · 4/5Restaurants & Bars

The 'Service Charge' vs. 'Tipping' Confusion in Taksim Restaurants

We had dinner at a nice rooftop restaurant near Taksim Square. The food was great, and when the bill came, the waiter explicitly told us, 'Tip is not included, sir.' So we left a generous...

Location

Taksim

Reviewed

18/09/2026

What should I do?

Use extra caution

Request a priced menu and confirm weight, extras and service charges before ordering.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedHigh · 4/5Tours & Activities

The ATV Sunset Tour 'Insurance' Trap in Cappadocia

We booked a popular ATV sunset tour in Göreme through an Instagram ad for €25. It seemed like a great deal. However, when we arrived at the starting point, the operator forced us to sign...

Location

CAPPADOCİA KAPADOKYA

Reviewed

18/09/2026

What should I do?

Use extra caution

Confirm what is included, cancellation terms and the final price before paying the operator.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedHigh · 4/5Tours & Activities

The 'Cheap' Balloon Tour Scam in Göreme – Read the fine print!

We found a local agency in Göreme offering a hot air balloon ride for €60 cheaper than online prices. We were thrilled and booked it. On the morning of the flight, the minibus picked us u...

Location

CAPPADOCİA KAPADOKYA

Reviewed

18/09/2026

What should I do?

Use extra caution

Keep your booking confirmation and contact the original platform before making another payment.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedMedium · 3/5Overcharging

Tourists Report Unexpected Charges at Galata Tower

A visit to Galata Tower is supposed to be about the views over Istanbul. But for one tourist, a ticket purchase reportedly turned into an unexpected payment dispute. In a post shared onli...

Location

GALATA KULESİ

Reviewed

14/10/2026

What should I do?

Check before proceeding

Confirm what is included, cancellation terms and the final price before paying the operator.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedMedium · 3/5Overcharging

Galata Kulesi'nde Bilet Alırken Beklenmedik Ücretle Karşılaşan Turistler

İstanbul'dasınız. Galata Kulesi'nin önüne gelmişsiniz. Şehrin en tanınmış tarihî yapılarından birini görmek istiyorsunuz. Sıraya giriyor, biletinizi alıyor ve yukarı çıkmaya hazırlanıyors...

Location

GALATA KULESİ

Reviewed

14/10/2026

What should I do?

Check before proceeding

Read the full report, confirm the price and conditions in writing, and keep your receipt.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedMedium · 3/5Other

Topkapı Sarayı'nda Turistlerin Şikâyet Ettiği Deneyimler

# Radar Raporu: Topkapı Sarayı'nda Turistlerin Şikâyet Ettiği Deneyimler ## Ne oldu? İstanbul'a ilk kez geldiğinizi düşünün. Yüzyıllar boyunca Osmanlı İmparatorluğu'na ev sahipliği yapmış...

Location

TOPKAPI SARAYI

Reviewed

14/10/2026

What should I do?

Check before proceeding

Read the full report, confirm the price and conditions in writing, and keep your receipt.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedMedium · 3/5Restaurants & Bars

You Paid for Your Meal — Then a “Service Charge” Appeared on the Bill

You sit down at a restaurant in Istanbul. You enjoy your meal and ask for the bill. Food? Correct. Drinks? Correct. Then you notice a small line near the bottom: “Service Charge.” As an i...

Location

Beyoğlu, Istanbul

Reviewed

25/09/2026

What should I do?

Check before proceeding

Request a priced menu and confirm weight, extras and service charges before ordering.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedMedium · 3/5Taxi & Transportation

He Was Asked for an Extra 1,000 TL in “Tunnel and Highway Fees” — and Says He Paid 3,000 TL in Total

It's around 4:00 AM. Your Istanbul trip is over. Your bags are packed, you've checked out, and there's only one mission left: Get to the airport without missing your flight. At that hour,...

Location

istanbul

Reviewed

25/09/2026

What should I do?

Check before proceeding

Confirm the driver, destination and total price before entering the vehicle. Do not pay twice.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedMedium · 3/5Restaurants & Bars

The Printed Bill Was Crossed Out — and a New Total of 4,980 TL Was Written by Hand

Imagine you've just finished a nice meal with friends in Antalya. The food was good, the conversation was flowing, and there's only one thing left to do before heading back to your hotel:...

Location

Antalya

Reviewed

25/09/2026

What should I do?

Check before proceeding

Request a priced menu and confirm weight, extras and service charges before ordering.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedMedium · 3/5Shopping

The Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) Scam in Antalya Souvenirs

I was buying some Turkish delights and souvenirs in the Antalya Old Town (Kaleiçi). The price was 600 TL. I paid with my international Visa card. The shopkeeper asked, 'Do you want to pay...

Location

ANTALYA

Reviewed

18/09/2026

What should I do?

Check before proceeding

Check the currency and final amount on the payment screen. Keep the receipt and decline unwanted conversion.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Other

Radar Report: Being a Tourist in Sultanahmet and the Endless Shop Invitations

Walking through Istanbul’s Sultanahmet district, you may notice something within just a few steps: someone calls out to you. Sometimes it’s from a restaurant entrance, sometimes from a ca...

Location

Sultanahmet

Reviewed

14/10/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Request a priced menu and confirm weight, extras and service charges before ordering.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Other

Sultanahmet’te Turist Olmak ve Bitmeyen Dükkân Davetleri

İstanbul’un Sultanahmet bölgesinde yürürken bir şey dikkatinizi çekebilir: Daha birkaç adım atmışken biri size seslenir. Bazen bir restoranın önünden, bazen bir halı dükkânından… Kimi ner...

Location

Sultanahmet

Reviewed

14/10/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Read the full report, confirm the price and conditions in writing, and keep your receipt.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Overcharging

Visitors Question the Cost of Visiting the Maiden’s Tower

Seeing the Maiden’s Tower rising from the middle of the Bosphorus is one thing. Taking a boat out to visit it is another. But for some visitors, the biggest surprise isn’t the view. It’s...

Location

Maiden’s Tower

Reviewed

14/10/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Confirm the driver, destination and total price before entering the vehicle. Do not pay twice.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Overcharging

Kız Kulesi'nde Turistlerin Tepkisi Fiyata ve Tekne Ücretine

İstanbul Boğazı’nın ortasında duran Kız Kulesi’ni uzaktan görmek başka, tekneye binip adaya çıkmak başka. Ancak bazı ziyaretçiler için asıl sürpriz manzara değil, ziyaretin toplam maliyet...

Location

kız kulesi

Reviewed

14/10/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Read the full report, confirm the price and conditions in writing, and keep your receipt.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Other

Challenges Tourists May Encounter When Visiting the Basilica Cistern

Entrance Fees and Visiting Time: Is It Worth It? One of Istanbul’s most extraordinary historical landmarks, the Basilica Cistern offers an experience unlike almost anywhere else in the ci...

Location

Basilica Cistern

Reviewed

14/10/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Confirm what is included, cancellation terms and the final price before paying the operator.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Other

Yerebatan Sarnıcı Ziyaretinde Turistlerin Karşılaştığı Sorunlar

stanbul’un kalbinin altında, yüzyıllardır ayakta duran sütunların arasında yürümek ve suyun üzerindeki yansımaları izlemek… Yerebatan Sarnıcı, ziyaretçilerine sıradan bir tarihi mekândan...

Location

YEREBATAN SARNICI

Reviewed

14/10/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Read the full report, confirm the price and conditions in writing, and keep your receipt.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Other

Problems Tourists May Encounter When Visiting Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

Located in Istanbul’s historic peninsula, Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is one of the city’s most remarkable landmarks, famous for its enormous dome, Byzantine mosaics and centuries of histor...

Location

AYA

Reviewed

14/10/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Confirm what is included, cancellation terms and the final price before paying the operator.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Other

Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi Ziyaretinde Turistlerin Karşılaştığı Sorunlar

İstanbul’un tarihi yarımadasında bulunan Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi; büyük kubbesi, Bizans mozaikleri ve yüzyıllara yayılan tarihiyle şehrin en önemli simgelerinden biri. Ancak ziyare...

Location

AYASOFYA CAMİİ

Reviewed

14/10/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Read the full report, confirm the price and conditions in writing, and keep your receipt.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Other

Visitor Complaints About Topkapi Palace

Imagine visiting Istanbul for the first time. You want to explore Topkapi Palace, the historic residence of Ottoman sultans for centuries. You plan to discover its courtyards, visit the H...

Location

TOPKAPI SARAYI

Reviewed

14/10/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Keep your booking confirmation and contact the original platform before making another payment.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Shopping

He Wanted to Buy One Pack of Peanuts — The Shop Asked Him to Spend More to Pay by Card

In September 2026, a foreign tourist walked into a small shop in Beyoğlu, Istanbul. He wanted something very simple: One pack of peanuts. The tourist picked up the product and tried to pa...

Location

Beyoğlu, Istanbul

Reviewed

25/09/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Confirm what is included, cancellation terms and the final price before paying the operator.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Other

He Dropped a Shoe-Shine Brush in Front of You — You Helped, Then He Asked for Money

You're walking through Istanbul. You're in Beyoğlu. A shoe shiner walking ahead of you suddenly drops his brush. He appears not to notice and keeps walking. You naturally pick it up and c...

Location

Beyoğlu, Istanbul

Reviewed

25/09/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Confirm what is included, cancellation terms and the final price before paying the operator.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Restaurants & Bars

The Price on the Menu Wasn't the Price on the Bill

Imagine sitting down at a restaurant after a long day exploring Istanbul. You've been walking for hours, taking photos, and your phone battery is probably more exhausted than you are. Now...

Location

Istanbul

Reviewed

25/09/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Request a priced menu and confirm weight, extras and service charges before ordering.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5ATM & Card Fraud

Paid 890 TL for Shopping, Claimed Around 25 Dollars Was Charged to Their Card

You are on vacation in Antalya.You buy a few things, come to the register, and the total is:890 TL.You hand over your card.The device beeps.Payment completed.At this point, one usually pu...

Location

antalya

Reviewed

25/09/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Confirm the driver, destination and total price before entering the vehicle. Do not pay twice.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Other

Turkey in Late April & Early May: What to Expect From the Weather

# Turkey in Late April & Early May: What to Expect From the Weather **Travel dates:** Late April – Early May **Route:** Istanbul → Cappadocia → Ephesus & Pamukkale → Antalya If you’re wor...

Location

Türkiye

Reviewed

24/09/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Keep your booking confirmation and contact the original platform before making another payment.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Other

The "Mandatory Scarf" Shop Trap: How Street Vendors Scam Female Tourists Outside Istanbul Mosques

I was walking towards the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque) yesterday. Right before the main courtyard entrance, a street vendor approached me urgently. He pointed at my jeans and short-sl...

Location

Sultanahmet

Reviewed

19/09/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Confirm what is included, cancellation terms and the final price before paying the operator.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Restaurants & Bars

The Unasked Appetizers (Meze) at Fish Restaurants in Kumkapı

We sat down at a fish restaurant in Kumkapı. Before we even ordered, the waiter brought a large tray of beautiful mezes (appetizers) and started putting 4-5 plates on our table. We assume...

Location

kUMKAPI

Reviewed

18/09/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Request a priced menu and confirm weight, extras and service charges before ordering.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Restaurants & Bars

The 'Free Shot' Trap in Antalya Kaleiçi

A promoter outside a bar in Kaleiçi invited my friend and me inside, promising a 'free welcome shot.' We went in, had the shots, and ordered two local beers. When the bill came, we were s...

Location

Antalya KaleICI

Reviewed

18/09/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Request a priced menu and confirm weight, extras and service charges before ordering.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Overcharging

📍 Airport Tourist SIM

"At airport phone shops, they sell SIM cards under the name 'Tourist Welcome Pack' at exorbitant prices (around 40-50 Dollars). Wait until you get to the city and buy them from official s...

Location

Location not specified

Reviewed

17/09/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Confirm what is included, cancellation terms and the final price before paying the operator.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5ATM & Card Fraud

📍 ATM Fee Alert

"Some private banks' ATMs charge massive commissions between 7% and 10% on foreign cards (especially Euronet ATMs). Use state banks' (Ziraat, Halkbank, Vakıfbank) ATMs; their commission r...

Location

Location not specified

Reviewed

17/09/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Check the currency and final amount on the payment screen. Keep the receipt and decline unwanted conversion.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedLow · 1/5Overcharging

Toilet Charges at Süleymaniye Mosque: Paid Public Toilets Are Also Found Across Europe

A visitor to Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul shared an experience involving the mosque’s toilet facilities on Tripadvisor. In a review published in May 2026, the visitor said they were ask...

Location

Süleymaniye Mosque

Reviewed

14/10/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Read the full report, confirm the price and conditions in writing, and keep your receipt.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedLow · 1/5Overcharging

Süleymaniye Camii’nde Tuvalet Ücreti Tartışması: Avrupa’da da Ücretli Tuvaletler Var

İstanbul’daki Süleymaniye Camii’ni ziyaret eden bir kişi, tuvalet kullanımıyla ilgili deneyimini Tripadvisor’da paylaştı. Mayıs 2026’da yayımlanan yorumda ziyaretçi, tuvaleti kullanmak iç...

Location

süleymaniye

Reviewed

14/10/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Read the full report, confirm the price and conditions in writing, and keep your receipt.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedLow · 1/5Other

Bitter-sweet experiences from my first solo trip to Istanbul (Sultanahmet)

Hi everyone! I'm James from London. I’ve wanted to see Istanbul my entire life, and last month I finally made it happen with a 5-day solo trip. I stayed in the Sultanahmet area. The city...

Location

Hagia Sophia

Reviewed

11/09/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Request a priced menu and confirm weight, extras and service charges before ordering.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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