Common travel scams in Turkey and how to avoid them

A holiday in Turkey is all about the sea, sun, great food, and an unmistakable eastern flavor. Yet alongside the pleasures, travelers keep bumping into familiar traps. Over the past year, reports have piled up about the many ways visitors are coaxed into parting with their cash. Here are the most common tricks—and how to avoid becoming the next target.

Street snares: small moments that spoil the day

Shoe-shiner’s brush. You’re walking along when someone drops a brush. You pick it up, they insist on cleaning your shoes for free, and moments later demand payment—often persistently.

“Gifts” and animal photos. A bracelet or a snapshot with a parrot may be presented as a freebie. Soon after comes the request for money; refuse, and you might face pressure or even talk of involving the police.

Taxis: no meter, no scruples

Rides without a meter. You get in, the driver doesn’t switch the meter on, and the fare ends up several times higher than usual. Sometimes no price is mentioned up front, and a hefty bill appears at the end.

Banknote switch. You hand over, say, 100 lira. The driver quietly swaps it for a 10 and claims you underpaid. Caught off guard, many people simply pay again.

Use ride-hailing apps where the price is shown in advance, and always count your change.

Restaurants: pricey, without warning

Unpriced dishes. A server suggests a special salad or fish without stating the cost. The total arrives, and it’s sky-high.

Menu swap. You order from one menu, but at payment time a different one appears—with entirely different prices.

Ask the price first and take a photo of the menu, especially if it’s in English or Russian. A minute spent up front saves a headache later.

Shopping and currency exchange: scams in plain sight

Private exchange at a “special” rate. A local offers currency exchange at what sounds like a bargain. In reality, you can lose tens of dollars.

Fake brands. Markets may sell knockoffs as originals—at authentic price tags.

Exchange money only at licensed bureaus and skip “branded” buys outside proper stores. A friendly offer on the street often turns into a transaction in disguise.

Excursions: cheap doesn’t mean good

Counterfeit tours. The excursion is sold for next to nothing, but you end up paying extra for entry fees, meals, and transport. Sometimes no one takes you anywhere at all.

Unlicensed “guides.” Someone introduces themselves as a guide, collects cash, and disappears.

Book tours through reputable agencies or your hotel. The pattern is familiar: a low price up front, hidden costs after.

Hotels and rentals: surprises after you book

Charging for what should be included. Internet, air conditioning, even towels suddenly cost extra—details that were never mentioned earlier.

Fake booking sites. You reserve an apartment, pay a deposit, arrive, and find nothing at the address. The money is gone for good.

Stick to well-known platforms with reviews and avoid paying the full amount in advance. Transparency at the booking stage is your best safety net.

Banking tricks: not only cash is at risk

Compromised ATMs. Some machines can skim your card data, and later the money disappears.

Card swap. In a store, the card handed back isn’t yours—and you realize only when it’s too late.

Pay by phone where possible or ask for the terminal to be brought to your table. Keeping the card in sight reduces the risks.

Thefts in hotels: don’t relax completely

Even in expensive hotels, items sometimes go missing from rooms. It can be someone on staff—or thieves from outside if a window or door is left insecure.

Keep valuables in a safe or on you. Don’t leave electronics and cash in plain view. Basic precautions go a long way.

What if you’ve been scammed?

If something serious happens, go to the police. In tourist districts, officers often speak English or Russian. You can also contact your country’s consulate.

Turkey remains one of the warmest and most welcoming destinations. Still, it pays to keep your eyes open. Scammers are inventive. Enjoy the trip—just don’t switch off your common sense.