Booking.com Not Working in Turkey? Here’s a Quick Fix (2024)

Sayb Saad
Last Updated by Sayb Saad on November 29, 2023

With reports of leaked customer data and unfair trade practices, Booking.com has had its share of controversies. In response to its issues, the Turkish government has taken the drastic step of banning the site from operating in the country without a tourism license.

Thank you for providing this information about your experience with VPNs and browsing Booking.com in Turkey. This helps me understand the context better. If you have any specific content you’d like me to paraphrase using the style and tone you’ve described, please feel free to share it.

After rigorous testing, I found that ExpressVPN is the best for Booking.com in Turkey with powerful privacy and security features that keep you anonymous. You can also try ExpressVPN risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee that I personally tested.

Short on Time? Here Are the Best VPNs for Using Booking.com in Turkey

  1. ExpressVPNExpressVPN is my top pick for using Booking.com in Turkey because it has a fully-audited RAM-based TrustedServer network that never logs your data.
  2. CyberGhost — Uses Perfect Forward Secrecy to protect your data, but its speeds can be slightly slower on distant servers.
  3. Private Internet Access — Its extensive network offers plenty of server choices in other countries like Greece, but it’s based in a Five Eyes Alliance country.

Quick Guide: 3 Easy Steps to Use Booking.com in Turkey

  1. Get a reliable VPN. ExpressVPN is my #1 pick because it has fully-audited security features to keep your booking and payment data anonymous in Turkey.
  2. Connect to a server. Scroll through the list to find an option located near Turkey, and click “Connect.”
  3. Use Booking.com. The VPN will unblock the site from anywhere for booking hotels, flights, and more.

Browse Booking.com safely with ExpressVPN

Best VPNs for Booking.com in Turkey

1. ExpressVPN — TrustedServer Technology Hides Your Data in Turkey to Book Trips 100% Safely and Privately

Key Features:

  • 3,000+ servers in more than 105 countries to seamlessly access Booking.com within Turkey
  • Blazing-fast speeds for a seamless booking process with no stuck payment screens
  • Use Booking.com on 8 devices at once
  • Compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and more
  • 30-day money-back guarantee policy

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for anonymously accessing Booking.com in Turkey as it uses TrustedServer technology to keep data completely private. This RAM-based network of over 3,000 servers in more than 105 countries was audited by multiple firms including PwC, KPMG, and Cure53, ensuring zero information is ever recorded while you’re connected to the VPN.

I found no IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks during my ExpressVPN tests on multiple servers. My tests covered networks in 28 locations including in the UK, Japan, and Washington, DC. The results showed ExpressVPN’s IP address instead of my real one, proving my real location and other data weren’t being exposed.

Screenshot of ExpressVPN's US server passing a leak test

Multiple ExpressVPN servers passed my extensive DNS, IP, and WebRTC leak tests

In addition to its leak protection, ExpressVPN includes advanced features that secure your connection and prevent your data from falling into the wrong hands. These include:

  • Military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, a cipher used by government agencies to protect confidential data
  • An automatic kill switch that disconnects you from the internet if your device goes to sleep, preventing your IP address from being exposed
  • Multiple security tunnels, including ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol for ultra-fast speed and military-grade encryption and security
  • Split tunneling lets you choose the apps you want to protect while keeping your other traffic unencrypted to seamlessly use local websites

While most VPNs slow down your internet due to the distance your data has to travel, I was impressed that my connection speeds only dropped by 5% when I used a distant ExpressVPN server in Australia. Whether you’re booking flights or browsing hotel rooms on Booking.com, you’re unlikely to notice any change in your performance that could cause you to miss a deal or get a frozen payment screen.

You can connect to ExpressVPN on up to 8 devices simultaneously to book trips without connection errors. Its apps are compatible with all the major platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. It only took 3 minutes to install during my tests, except for Linux which was slightly more technical since I had to use console commands to set it up.

One small drawback of this VPN is that it doesn’t include an ad and malware blocker despite its premium price. This would make your experience even safer and more private, in case any of Booking.com’s ads contain trackers or you get a phishing email impersonating Booking.com’s mailing list. However, not having this feature isn’t a big deal as I use a free standalone ad blocker in my web browser.

Of the monthly, biannual, and 1-year + 3 months plans, I suggest getting the 1-year + 3 months subscription. It offers the best discount of 49% at $6.67 per month, so it’s a great deal for its fully-audited TrustedServer Technology and ultra-fast Lightway security protocol.

What’s more, you can buy ExpressVPN in confidence as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. In case you’re not satisfied, you can easily get a refund. I tested its refund policy first-hand and it was easy to submit my request via its 24/7 live chat. I got my money back in just 4 days.

ExpressVPN works on: Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, Linux, Chromebook, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Kindle, routers, and more.

2024 Update! ExpressVPN has dropped prices for a limited time to a crazy $6.67 per month for the 1-year plan + 3 months free (you can save up to 49%)! This is a limited offer so be sure to grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.

2. CyberGhost — Perfect Forward Secrecy Keeps Your Payment Information Secure on Booking.com

Key Features:

  • Extensive server network of over 11,780 servers in more than 100 countries, with thousands of IP addresses that unblock Booking.com from anywhere
  • Military-grade 256-bit encryption protects your itinerary and other trip data from third parties while you use Booking.com in Turkey
  • 24/7 live chat, email, and a knowledge base for customer support
  • Allows 7 simultaneous device connections
  • 45-day money-back guarantee

CyberGhost’s Perfect Forward Secrecy keeps your payment information secure by constantly changing your encryption keys on Booking.com in Turkey. Any time you click anything on the site or app, any hacker trying to compromise your connection would have to start completely over. This makes it impossible for cybercriminals to see your itineraries, payment details, or other data.

On top of that, CyberGhost has a solid list of security features I tested for safe and anonymous online booking:

  • 256-bit military-grade encryption hides your internet traffic and payment details while you plan and book trips
  • The Smart Rules WiFi protection turns on CyberGhost automatically whenever you book via unsecured wireless networks
  • Reliable leak prevention ensures that IP, DNS, and WebRTC data never reveal your real location when you’re connected
  • A kill switch keeps your IP address from getting exposed if your network is unsteady

With a network of more than 11,780 options spread across 100 countries, there are more than enough servers to consistently access Booking.com seamlessly from Turkey. Even if one gets crowded or its IP address gets banned (which never happened to me), there are always lots of alternatives to use instead.

Another plus is that you also won’t be logged off from too many connections since CyberGhost allows up to 7 devices at once without signing you out or slowing down your speeds. This limit gave me more than enough since I never use Booking.com on more than a few platforms at once.

When I tested CyberGhost servers in the US, UK, and other nearby countries, I was impressed that speeds were similar to my usual internet performance without a VPN. The one con was that long-distance locations weren’t as fast, but I could still watch 4K YouTube hotel tours with no lag when I connected to a used one nearby.

Screenshot of CyberGhost speed tests showing servers in the US, UK, Australia, and Germany
Your payments on Booking.com won’t get stuck as CyberGhost provides excellent speeds

I recommend its 2-year + 4 months plan because it has the lowest monthly price of $2.03 and the highest discount of 84%. If you want to try CyberGhost for free before committing, you can use its 45-day money-back guarantee. Getting a refund is really easy — just reach out to customer support via live chat. My request was approved in 2 minutes and I had my money back within 5 days.

CyberGhost works on: Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, Linux, Firefox, Safari, routers, and more.

3. PIA — Largest Server Network to Seamlessly Access Booking.com From Turkey

Key Features:

  • 35,000+ servers in more than 91 countries for easy access to Booking.com from Turkey
  • 256-bit encryption and solid prevention keep your data safe on Booking.com
  • Automatic kill switch prevents your IP address from being exposed
  • unlimited simultaneous device connections
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

PIA’s enormous network can access Booking.com from Turkey reliably with over 35,000 servers in more than 91 countries. Having so many options in countries neighboring Turkey gives seamless access to Booking.com without unreliable connections due to server overcrowding.

Network congestion can also give you slower speeds, but PIA’s huge network avoided any unexpected performance drops. Nearby server locations were super-fast during my tests and faraway servers had more significant reductions, but it was still plenty of speed for booking trips.

You can use PIA on up to unlimited devices simultaneously without any problems. It works on all major operating systems such as Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. If you want to avoid setting it up on each device, I recommend you set it up on your router to protect your whole home network.

There’s also an ad blocker called MACE to protect you from trackers used on Booking.com that violate your right to privacy while you plan trips.

Screenshot of PIA's MACE ad blocker under the

Make sure you turn on MACE to block Booking.com’s ads and trackers since it’s off by default

This VPN includes a range of other security features to bolster your security on Booking.com and other travel sites, such as:

  • Flexible encryption options let you choose between 128-bit and 256-bit protocols. While the former is faster as it takes less time to encrypt data, I recommend using 256-bit because it provides the highest level of security for safely paying for trips online, and it still has solid speeds.
  • Proven leak protection that I tested myself to be sure your IPv4, IPv6, and DNS data won’t be exposed.

While PIA offers excellent security, it’s based in the US, a 5 Eyes Alliance country. However, after some research, I found that PIA’s no-logs policy was fully audited by Deloitte. This confirmed that even if someone demanded your data, PIA wouldn’t have anything to share.

I recommend PIA’s 2-year + 4 months plan because it has the highest discount of 83%. It’s just $2.03 per month — but even the short-term option is affordable, making it one of the best monthly VPN subscriptions.

If you’d prefer to test it, you can try PIA risk-free to book your vacation with its 30-day money-back guarantee. I submitted a support ticket and got my money back 7 days after getting an email confirmation.

PIA works on: Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, and more.

Comparison Table: 2024’s Best VPNs for Using Booking.com in Turkey

Fast servers near Turkey Server Countries Max % speed drops Device Limits Money-back Guarantee
ExpressVPN 105 5% 8 30
CyberGhost 100 15% 7 45
PIA 91 26% unlimited 30

Book safely with ExpressVPN

How I Tested and Ranked the Best VPNs for Booking.com

I considered the following when picking out the industry’s best VPNs to access Booking.com safely and anonymously in Turkey:

  • Unblocking ability — I picked VPNs with an extensive server network with powerful enough servers to unblock Booking.com.
  • Strong security and privacy features — I chose VPNs that use 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy so your information stays safe from third parties while you pay for trips on Booking.com.
  • Reliable connections — The VPNs on my list allow multiple simultaneous device connections on a single subscription.
  • Fast speeds — I ran tests for each VPN and checked the percentage drops on nearby and distant servers compared to my baseline connection speeds.
  • Customer support — All the top VPNs for Booking.com have multiple support options including a live chat, email, and a knowledge base.
  • Money-back guarantee — I tested each VPN provider’s return policy and picked the ones with a long money-back guarantee and a painless refund process.

FAQs About Booking.com in Turkey

Is Booking.com safe to use in Turkey?

Yes, it’s safe — but it won’t let you book properties in Turkey from within the country unless you connect via a VPN with servers that can access Booking.com without restrictions. A VPN hides your IP address by sending your data through an encrypted server in another country. For example, someone in Turkey can connect to a server in the UK (where Booking.com works normally), and then they’ll be able to book Turkish properties without any problems.

Where is Booking.com banned?

Booking.com is banned in Russia and restricted in Turkey. However, you can still get full access to the site using a good VPN. I’ve picked out the top VPNs that can access Booking.com from Russia, Turkey, or any other country where it’s blocked or somehow restricted.

Before connecting, it’s essential to conduct thorough research, as I strongly advocate for complying with censorship laws and regulations in Turkey or any other location. Please refrain from utilizing a VPN to engage in illegal activities or access restricted content. Remember, even if you use a VPN, you remain accountable for any unlawful actions.

Can I use a free VPN to unblock Booking.com?

Yes, it’s possible. While there are some reliable free VPNs out there, most of them lack the budgets to invest in the latest security features or they collect and sell your data for profit. There are even scam VPNs with hundreds of thousands of downloads that put malware on your devices to track you or steal your app logins.

Instead of risking your online safety and privacy, you can use a premium VPN like CyberGhost free for 45 days using its money-back guarantee. This lets you browse Booking.com anonymously with Perfect Forward Secrecy, which prevents your data from being hacked while you browse the site and book your trip. Just get your money back when you’re done using it like I did via 24/7 live chat.

Screenshot of a user successfully requesting a refund from CyberGhost over live chat with the 30-day money-back guarantee
I got my refund processed in seconds after testing CyberGhost to plan trips on Booking.com

Conclusion

Due to the restriction on accessing Booking.com in Turkey, individuals within the country will encounter difficulties when attempting to reserve flights or accommodations without utilizing a VPN. The issue lies in the fact that the majority of VPNs do not possess servers capable of reaching the website, or they may lack the necessary security measures for secure payment transactions when booking flights and hotels through Booking.com.

After testing dozens of VPNs, I picked the 3 best for accessing Booking.com in Turkey. ExpressVPN topped the list because of its state-of-the-art security features. Its TrustedServer technology and data leak protection keep you anonymous while browsing for flights, rooms, and rental cars. You can even try ExpressVPN out risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If it doesn’t meet your expectations, you can easily get a refund.


Summary: Best VPNs for Booking.com in Turkey in 2024

Top Ranked Top Choice
ExpressVPN
$6.67 / month Save 49%
CyberGhost VPN
$2.03 / month Save 84%
Private Internet Access
$2.03 / month Save 83%
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