Emergency Numbers
| Service | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General Emergency | 112 | Police, ambulance, fire — English-speaking operators available |
| Police | 155 | Including tourist police |
| Fire | 110 | |
| Ambulance | 112 | |
| Coastguard | 158 | For maritime emergencies |
| Gendarmerie | 156 | Rural/highway police |
Tourist Police
Major tourist cities (Istanbul, Antalya, etc.) have dedicated tourist police units. They are trained to handle tourist-related issues and can communicate in English.
Istanbul Tourist Police: Located near Sultanahmet. They handle theft reports, scam complaints, and lost passport issues.
Medical Emergencies
- Private hospitals are modern and well-equipped in major cities (Acıbadem, Memorial, Florence Nightingale in Istanbul)
- State hospitals provide emergency care to everyone
- Pharmacies (Eczane): Can handle minor issues, dispense many medications without prescription
Travel insurance is essential. Medical care is good quality but can be expensive for foreigners at private hospitals.
Lost/Stolen Passport
- File a police report (155 or tourist police)
- Contact your embassy/consulate
- Apply for an emergency travel document
- Keep digital copies of your passport stored separately
Save Before You Travel
Save these in your phone contacts:
- 112 (emergency)
- 155 (police)
- Your embassy's emergency number in Turkey
- Your travel insurance emergency line
- Your hotel's address and phone number (in Turkish for taxis)
