June FCDO advice keeps holidays operating, with border-zone restrictions still in place
18 June 2026Source: The Independent TravelOriginally: "Is it safe to travel to Turkey? Latest Foreign Office advice after ‘do not travel’ warnings lifted for neighbouring countries"
What Changed
On 2026-06-18, Turkey remains open to international travellers and package holidays are continuing as normal to major tourism areas including Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman, Izmir, Cappadocia and Istanbul. The key point for visitors is that the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has not issued a blanket warning against travel to Turkey, although it continues to advise against travel to specific areas near the Syrian border and parts of the south-east. The advice is being watched closely after recent changes to warnings for nearby countries, but Turkey’s mainstream holiday routes and airport operations have not been suspended. Travellers should still factor in terrorism risk, demonstrations, regional tensions, earthquake preparedness and the limits of travel insurance if they enter areas covered by FCDO warnings.
Who It Affects
International travellers planning holidays, city breaks, cruises, business trips or family visits to Turkey, especially UK holidaymakers flying to Antalya, Dalaman, Bodrum, Izmir or Istanbul, plus anyone considering independent travel close to Turkey’s borders with Syria, Iraq or Iran.
Turkey holidays are operating as normal, but travellers should check FCDO advice before visiting border areas or joining large public gatherings.
Turkey holidays are operating as normal on 2026-06-18, with no blanket UK Foreign Office warning against travel to the country. Flights, package holidays and resort stays continue to run to major destinations including Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman, Izmir, Cappadocia and Istanbul. The practical message for travellers is reassuring but not risk-free: mainstream tourism areas remain open, while specific border regions and security-sensitive areas require much closer attention.
What the Latest Advice Means
The current UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office position distinguishes between Turkey’s popular holiday regions and higher-risk areas near conflict zones. That means a family package holiday to a Mediterranean resort is treated very differently from independent travel near the Syrian border or parts of the south-east. Travellers should not rely on general headlines about the wider region, because travel advice is country-specific and often region-specific within the same country. Before departure, check the exact province, town and route you plan to use rather than simply searching whether Turkey is open.
Where Holidays Are Continuing
Turkey’s main tourism infrastructure remains geared up for international visitors, particularly the beach resorts served by Antalya, Dalaman, Bodrum-Milas and Izmir airports. Istanbul also continues to function as a major city-break destination and global aviation hub, with many travellers using it for connections between Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Tour operators typically continue holidays unless they receive official advice against travel or face a direct operational problem such as airport closures or cancelled flights. If your airline or package provider has not contacted you, your trip is likely still scheduled to operate.
Areas Requiring Extra Caution
The most important distinction is around Turkey’s border regions, especially areas close to Syria and parts of the south-east where the security environment can differ significantly from coastal resort areas. Travelling against official advice may mean your insurer refuses claims and your tour operator is not obliged to provide normal holiday alternatives. Even if a location is not covered by a formal no-travel warning, travellers should consider whether their route passes near military zones, border crossings, protest sites or areas affected by regional instability. Independent travellers planning road trips should map their route carefully and avoid relying solely on the shortest driving option.
Practical Tips
Check the latest FCDO Turkey page before booking and again within 24 hours of departure, because travel insurance and package-holiday protections can be affected if official advice changes for your destination.
If you are visiting resort areas such as Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman, Marmaris or Fethiye, confirm your flight, airport transfer and hotel arrangements directly with your airline or tour operator, but do not assume mainstream holidays are cancelled unless your provider says so.
Avoid travel to areas covered by FCDO warnings, particularly border zones near Syria, unless your journey is essential and you understand the insurance, security and consular-support implications.
Keep a low profile around demonstrations, government buildings, military sites and large public gatherings, and leave the area quickly if crowds, police activity or political rallies develop nearby.
Mistakes to Avoid
✕Ignoring regional distinctions: Turkey is not under a blanket no-travel warning, but specific border areas may carry serious FCDO restrictions that can invalidate insurance.
✕Assuming a news headline automatically cancels your holiday: airlines and package providers usually operate unless official advice or operational conditions require changes.
✕Travelling without checking insurance wording: many policies exclude claims linked to terrorism, civil unrest, war, or travel against FCDO advice.
✕Posting or photographing sensitive sites: taking photos near military areas, police operations or border infrastructure can cause serious problems with local authorities.
Quick Checklist
Read the latest FCDO Turkey travel advice
Confirm flights, transfers and hotel booking before departure
Check your travel insurance covers Turkey and your planned activities
Avoid FCDO-restricted border areas and large demonstrations
Save emergency contacts, passport copies and booking references offline
Turkey is a hugely popular destination, but visitors should still take normal security precautions. The FCDO continues to highlight the risk of terrorism, which can affect public places, transport hubs, tourist areas, religious sites and major events. Demonstrations can also occur with little warning, particularly in large cities, and foreign visitors should avoid crowds or political gatherings even if they appear peaceful. Local laws and sensitivities also matter: photographing military sites, border areas or police activity can attract attention from authorities and should be avoided.
Flights, Packages and Your Rights
If your flight is operating and your destination is not subject to official advice against travel, cancelling because you feel uncomfortable may be treated as a voluntary cancellation. In that case, normal fare rules, package terms or insurance conditions will apply, and you may not receive a full refund. If a tour operator cancels a package holiday, you should usually be offered a refund or alternative arrangements under package travel rules. If an airline cancels a flight, you should be offered rerouting or a refund, though additional compensation depends on the reason for cancellation and the applicable passenger-rights regime.
Insurance Checks Before You Go
Travel insurance is one of the most important checks for Turkey trips right now, particularly for anyone going beyond mainstream tourist areas. Read your policy wording for exclusions linked to terrorism, civil unrest, war, natural disasters and travel against government advice. If your itinerary includes hiking, ballooning, diving, quad biking or medical treatment, make sure those activities are specifically covered. Keep a copy of your policy number and emergency assistance line offline, because mobile data or email access may not always be reliable in an emergency.
Practical Steps for Resort Holidays
For resort travellers, the best approach is to keep arrangements simple and well documented. Use official transfers where possible, keep hotel details saved on your phone and on paper, and follow advice from your tour representative or accommodation provider if local conditions change. Carry your passport or a copy when required, but store the original securely when you do not need it. If you plan excursions, book with reputable operators and ask where the trip goes, how long the transfer takes and whether it passes through remote or sensitive areas.
Advice for Istanbul and City Breaks
Istanbul remains one of Turkey’s busiest visitor destinations, but city travellers should be more alert to crowds, transport disruption and demonstrations than those staying inside resort complexes. Avoid protest areas, do not linger around police operations and allow extra time for airport transfers, particularly during major events or security checks. Use licensed taxis, hotel-arranged transport or well-reviewed ride options, and be cautious around common tourist scams in nightlife districts or busy sightseeing areas. As in any major city, keep valuables secure in crowded places such as bazaars, ferry terminals, metro stations and major squares.
Bottom Line for Travellers
Turkey is not closed to tourists on 2026-06-18, and mainstream holidays are continuing. The key is to separate popular holiday regions from higher-risk border areas and to make decisions based on official travel advice rather than social media or regional headlines. If your trip is to a major resort or established city destination, check your provider’s updates, review insurance and follow sensible safety precautions. If your itinerary involves the south-east, border regions or independent overland travel, take a more cautious approach and reassess whether the journey is necessary.
Build a backup plan for disruption: save airline, tour operator, hotel and insurer contact details offline, carry a payment card with spare funds, and know alternative airports such as Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya or Dalaman depending on your itinerary.
