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Turkey Travel Guide
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Turkey Climate and Weather
The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have very hot and dry summers, and wet, mild winters when the coastal towns more or less shut down between October and April. Winter in Istanbul and Cappadocia can be very cold with a dusting of snow. The peak tourist season is during high summer, roughly between July and September. From June the mosquitoes can be a problem. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, as the climate is still hot, but not unbearable. Eastern Turkey should be visited during summer as roads and mountain passes may close due to winter ice and snow.Turkey Currency
Money: The official currency is the New Turkish Lira (TRY), which was introduced on 1 January 2005, whereby six zeros were dropped from the TL and the sub-unit New Kurush was created. Currency can be exchanged at banks, exchange booths, post offices, airports and ferry ports; banks have the worst rates and highest commissions, but will exchange lesser known foreign currencies. Banks open mainly Monday to Friday, but some are open daily in tourist areas. ATMs are widely available in major cities and tourist areas, but Turkish ATM keypads usually do not have letters of the alphabet on their keys. Most bank branches have ATMs which accept Cirrus and Plus. Major credit cards are widely accepted; the most popular are Visa or MasterCard, but American Express is accepted in many of the more expensive places. Travellers cheques can be exchanged at some banks and currency exchange offices, but are not as welcome as cash or credit cards. US dollars or Euros are preferred. Some pensions and hotels in the most popular destinations accept US dollars as payment.Currency Exchange Rates | |||||||
| TRY 1 = | US$ 0.85 | £ 0.41 | C$ 0.80 | A$ 0.92 | R 5.56 | EUR 0.59 | NZ$ 1.11 |
Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.
Turkey Health Overview
Numerous cases of bird flu have been reported in northern, eastern and central Turkey, but there is no evidence of the virus passing between humans; the people who died had close contact with poultry. Authorities are taking stringent measures to contain the outbreaks. Visitors are unlikely to be at risk, but are advised to avoid close exposure to caged, domestic or wild birds, and to ensure that poultry and egg dishes are cooked thoroughly. There are no vaccination requirements, although a typhoid vaccine is recommended for all travellers, unless coming for a short period and only eating in major hotels and restaurants (e.g. business travellers or cruise ship passengers). There is a risk of malaria in the south-eastern part of the country, but not in the main tourist areas in the west and south-west of the country, although mosquitoes can still be an irritation in summer. Most tap water in the larger towns and cities has been chlorinated, but bottled water is still recommended for drinking. Food from street vendors should be treated with caution. Medical facilities and standard of health care are not high in state hospitals and private health insurance is recommended. Modern facilities exist in private hospitals in Ankara and Istanbul.Turkey Passport & Visa Requirements
Entry requirements for Americans: US passport holders must have a valid passport. A visa is required, which is valid for up to three months, and can be obtained from the point of entry.Entry requirements for UK nationals:UK passport holders must have a valid passport. British Citizens and British National (Overseas) residing in Hong Kong can obtain a multiple-entry visa on arrival for three months, but other passport holders must obtain a visa from an overseas Turkish mission prior to arrival.
Entry requirements for Canadians:Canadian passport holders must have a valid passport. A visa is required, which is valid for up to three months (multiple entry), and can be obtained from the point of entry.
Entry requirements for Australians:Australian passport holders must have a valid passport. A visa is required, which is valid for up to three months (multiple entry), and can be obtained from the point of entry.
Entry requirements for South Africans:South Africans must hold a valid passport. A visa is also required and must be obtained in advance.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals:Irish nationals require a valid passport. A visa is required which can be obtained on arrival for a period of three months (multiple entry).
Entry requirements for New Zealanders:New Zealand nationals require a valid passport, but no visa is necessary for a stay of up to three months.
Passport/Visa Note:All passports must be valid for at least the period of stay. All travellers to Turkey are required to hold documents for onward or return travel, and sufficient funds for the period of their stay. Entry may be refused to those of unkempt appearance.
Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.
Turkey Basics
Time: Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. The European two-pin plug is standard.
Language: Turkish is the official language, but English is widely understood in the main tourist areas.
Health: Numerous cases of bird flu have been reported in northern, eastern and central Turkey, but there is no evidence of the virus passing between humans; the people who died had close contact with poultry. Authorities are taking stringent measures to contain the outbreaks. Visitors are unlikely to be at risk, but are advised to avoid close exposure to caged, domestic or wild birds, and to ensure that poultry and egg dishes are cooked thoroughly. There are no vaccination requirements, although a typhoid vaccine is recommended for all travellers, unless coming for a short period and only eating in major hotels and restaurants (e.g. business travellers or cruise ship passengers). There is a risk of malaria in the south-eastern part of the country, but not in the main tourist areas in the west and south-west of the country, although mosquitoes can still be an irritation in summer. Most tap water in the larger towns and cities has been chlorinated, but bottled water is still recommended for drinking. Food from street vendors should be treated with caution. Medical facilities and standard of health care are not high in state hospitals and private health insurance is recommended. Modern facilities exist in private hospitals in Ankara and Istanbul.
Tipping: Tipping is a way of life in Turkey and it is customary to give some small change for most services, or a small percent of the bill. In bigger hotels and restaurants if a service charge is not added to the bill, it is customary to tip between 10 and 15%. For taxi fares it is enough to round up the bill. Attendants at Turkish baths expect to share about 15% of the total bill if service has been good.
Safety: Due to the current situation in neighbouring Iraq, travellers are advised to be cautious and check with their embassy before departure for a current update on the situation. There is a significant threat from terrorism in Turkey and there have been a number of terrorist incidents, including small explosions, around the country, including in Istanbul and the capital, Ankara. Explosions on the Aegean Coast and the Mediterranean have killed and injured many people, including foreign tourists. Kurdish militant groups, as well as international terrorist groups, are currently active in Turkey and further attacks against the tourism industry in particular are likely. The Turkish economy is heavily reliant on tourism, which Kurdish separatists have repeatedly threatened to target. There are continuing incidents of local terrorism in Eastern Turkey, particularly the south east. Visitors should avoid any public demonstrations. Street crime is relatively low although visitors should guard their valuables at all times. A number of sexual assaults have been reported in coastal tourist areas. Many parts of Turkey lie on a major seismic fault line and are subject to earthquakes and tremors; several fairly recent earthquakes have shaken eastern Turkey, the southwest and southeast.
Customs: Religious customs should be respected, particularly during the month of Ramadan when eating, drinking and smoking during daylight hours should be discreet as it is forbidden by the Muslim culture. Dress modestly when visiting mosques or religious shrines. Do not take photographs of or near military and official institutions and always ask permission when taking photographs of people.
Business: In Turkey, business associates are addressed by their first names. If the associate is male, then his name is followed by 'bey', and 'hanim' is used for females. A formal, conservative dress code is observed in Turkey, and women should be careful to dress particularly conservatively. Gifts are common and are usually something the associate would use in business such as a pen or other office stationary. Business hours throughout Turkey are generally 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday with an hour taken over lunch.
Communications: The international country dialling code for Turkey is +90. The outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use, e.g. Istanbul Asya (Asia side) is (0)216 and Istanbul Avrupa (Europe side) is (0)212. GSM 900 and 1800 networks cover most of the country. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts.
Duty Free: Travellers to Turkey do not have to pay duty on the following items: 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 200g tobacco, and 200 cigarette papers, or 50g chewing tobacco, or 200g pipe tobacco, or 200g snuff tobacco. Alcohol allowance includes 1 litre or 700ml bottle of wine or spirits. Other allowances include 5 bottles perfume up to 120ml each; gifts to the value of EUR255.65; electronic articles to the value of EUR255.65; tea and coffee for personal consumption; jewellery and guns for sporting purposes permitted by foreign travellers. Tape recorders, record players and transistor radios have to be declared on arrival. Restricted items include playing cards limited to one pack.
Turkey Airports
Istanbul Ataturk International Airport
Location: The airport is situated 15 miles (23km) west of Istanbul.Time: GMT +2 (GMT +3 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).
Contacts: Tel: +90 212 465 5555.
Transfer between terminals: Walking through the metro access tunnel only takes 10 minutes. Shuttle buses and taxis are also available.
Transfer to the city: The Istanbul Metro system provides quick and easy access to the city, including the intercity bus terminal. Tickets cost around TRY 1.30. Use metro station Zeytinburnu and transfer to a tram to reach the Eminonu ferry or Sea Bus docks. The airport Havas Bus leaves from terminal gate of departures and connects to Taksim Square or Kozyatagi. Taxis are also available.
Car rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz, Alamo, National and Sixt.
Facilities: Banks, ATMs and bureaux de change are available. A pharmacy, children's playroom, hairdresser, florist, newsstand and medical services are available. Facilities for the disabled are good, but those with special needs should make prior arrangements with their airline. Other facilities include tourist information and hotel reservations, bars, restaurants, duty-free shopping, a conference centre, post office and 24-hour left luggage.
Departure tax: None.
Antalya International Airport
Location: The airport is situated six miles (10km) from Antalya.Time: GMT +2 (GMT +3 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).
Contacts: Tel: +90 (0)242 330 3600.
Transfer to the city: Taxis are available from outside Arrivals for around YTL 12 and there is a bus service to Antalya from the Domestic and International terminals for YTL 3.
Car rental: Car rental companies include Hertz, Avis, Europcar and Budget.
Facilities: Bureaux de change and ATMs are available in Arrivals and Departures. Cafes, a variety of take-aways and a pub offer snacks, meals and drinks. Other facilities include duty-free shopping, a business lounge, public telephones, baby care facilities, medical facilities, travel agencies and a post office. There are also good facilities available for those with special needs.
Departure tax: None.
Izmir Adnan Menderes International Airport
Location: The airport is located 11 miles (18km) from Izmir.Time: GMT +2 (GMT +3 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).
Contacts: Tel: +90 (0)232 274 2626.
Transfer to the city: The Havas airport shuttle bus to the centre of Izmir can be caught from the domestic terminal. Travel time is 50 minutes. Trains also service the airport and leave from the International terminal to the Basmane train station in the city, but these are usually only in the afternoons. Taxis are also available for around YTL 20-30.
Car rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Hertz, National, Europcar and Sixt, as well as other local car hire companies.
Facilities: Foreign exchange can be found in both Arrivals and Departures. Shops are available, including duty free, and cafes, restaurants and bars exist throughout the terminal building. Other facilities include public telephones, a post office, ATM, hairdresser, tourist information and hotel reservations. Facilities for those with special needs are good.
Departure tax: None.
ATM Dalaman Airport
Location: The airport is situated about four miles (6km) from Dalaman.Time: GMT +2 (GMT +3 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).
Contacts: Tel: +90 (0)252 792 5555.
Transfer to the city: Taxis are available outside the terminal, and there are bus services to Dalaman via Marmaris and Fethiye, which leave from the domestic terminal. Dalaman airport taxis connect passengers to the Otogar bus terminal.
Car rental: Avis, Hertz and Europcar have rental companies at the airport.
Facilities: Banks and exchange bureaux are available. There are a variety of duty-free shops in arrivals and departures, as well as food court, which offers a variety of takeaways, restaurants and bars. Other facilities include places of worship, baby care rooms, a post office, Internet access and public telephones.
Departure tax: None.
Esenboga International Airport
Location: The airport is located northeast of Ankara, 17 miles (28km) from the city centre.Time: GMT +2 (GMT +3 from March to October).
Contacts: Tel: +90 (0)312 590 4000.
Transfer to the city: The Havas bus service operates between the airport and a central city terminal, stopping at various points en route. The fare for a one-way journey is 9.50 YTL. Metered taxis are also available, and various private companies run shuttles.
Car rental: Several car rental companies are represented at the airport, including Budget, Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Thrifty, Avis and Alamo.
Facilities: There are banks with exchange facilities in both arrivals and departures, three duty free shops, pubs, restaurants, cafes and snack kiosks. In addition there is a hairdresser, shoe-shine kiosk, a florist and bookstores. Public telephones are freely available. The airport is accessible for the disabled.
Departure tax: None.
