Does Booking.com work if you are in Turkey or Northern Cyprus

If you are in Turkey, Booking.com does not work for booking hotels within the country: the service has been blocked by court order since 2017. If you are in Northern Cyprus, the Booking.com website opens, but the list of available hotels in Northern Cyprus is limited. Booking hotels in other countries remains available.

• If you are in Turkey
• If you are in Northern Cyprus
• Booking.com Alternatives
• Payments and Cards
• Frequently Asked Questions

If you are in Turkey

In Turkey, Booking.com has been blocked for booking accommodation within the country since 2017 by court decision.

• The website and app open, but searching and booking hotels in Turkey is unavailable;
• Booking Turkish hotels from a Turkish IP address is impossible;
• Hotels outside of Turkey may be displayed, but functionality is limited.

Reasons for the block

• Lawsuit by the Turkish Association of Travel Agencies (TURSAB);
• Allegations of unfair competition;
• Violation of antitrust legislation.

If you are in Northern Cyprus

In Northern Cyprus, Booking.com is not blocked:

• The website and app open without a VPN;
• Hotels in Turkey and other countries are available for booking;
• Some Northern Cyprus hotels are missing from the listings due to platform policy.

The absence of a specific hotel in the search is not related to your IP address but is determined by Booking.com rules.

Booking.com Alternatives

If you are in Turkey or cannot find the desired hotel, use alternative services:

• Trip.com — often supports payment with Russian cards;
• Ostrovok! — can be paid with Russian cards;
• Agoda — widely used in the region;
• Airbnb — available in Turkey;
• Otelz and Setur — Turkish booking platforms;
• Official hotel websites.

Payments and Bank Cards

• “Mir”, Visa, and Mastercard cards issued in Russia are generally not accepted for hotel payments in Turkey;
• Payment is possible via alternative aggregators or foreign cards;
• Bookings made before the block remain valid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Booking.com in Turkey via VPN?

Yes, using a VPN allows you to bypass the block and book hotels as if you were in another country.

Does Booking.com work in Northern Cyprus without a VPN?

Yes, the site opens without a VPN, but the selection of hotels in Northern Cyprus is limited.

Can I book a hotel in Turkey while being in Northern Cyprus?

Yes, if access is not from a Turkish IP address.

Which services are best to use instead of Booking.com in Turkey?

The most commonly used are Trip.com, Ostrovok!, Agoda, Airbnb, and local Turkish websites.

Which eSIM service is convenient for use abroad?

Many travelers enjoy using the convenient eSIM Airalo