11 Things to Know Before Traveling to Turkey

U.S. citizens can visit Turkey for up to 90 days within 180 days without a visa. Others need to apply for an e-visa online in advance through the official Turkish Government website. It’s straightforward, and your visa should be processed in a couple of hours. Keep a physical copy on you in addition to a screenshot.

Before booking a flight, make sure you have at least 150 days left on your passport starting from the date you plan to enter Turkey and at least one blank page for entry and exit stamps. Citizens of some European countries can enter on their national ID cards.

It’s common to see immigration police checking people at train stations or ferry wharves, and on long-distance bus routes. Everyone must carry their official ID document on them by law, including tourists. Photocopies aren’t OK, and you can be fined if you’re unable to produce the original.

Overstaying your tourist visa also results in fines. You’ll need to pay them in cash at the airport before you exit immigration otherwise, officials might stamp your passport with a re-entry ban lasting from months to years.

The last few years have seen high inflation in Turkey combined with the devaluation of the lira. Consequently, accommodation prices have risen along with entrance fees to archaeological and other sites. That said, seeing UNESCO World Heritage sites like Göbeklitepe and the Hagia Sophia in person is priceless.  

Turkish lira comes in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 notes. There’s also a new 5 lira coin, around the size of the existing 1 lira coin, so they’re easy to confuse. One Turkish lira equals 100 kuruş, and kuruş coins come in denominations of 5, 10, and 25.

Intercity bus travel in Turkey is great. The buses are clean, stop regularly for comfort breaks and you even get free drinks and snacks on board. Tickets are available at bus terminals or through Obilet. Flying is another option, but make sure to factor in enough time to get through to boarding, especially on public and school holidays when the whole country is on the move. Most major airports are connected to city centers by trains, shuttles, and taxis.

Istanbul has a well-developed public transport system comprising buses, trains, trams, metros, and ferries, and a single card lets you use them all. Traffic’s always heavy in the former Ottoman capital so avoid catching buses where possible.

Turkish food runs the full culinary gamut from hearty homemade lentil soup served with fluffy white bread right through to award-winning fine dining. There’s something for everyone–traditional grills, specialty Turkish savory pastries, breakfast offerings of eggs, wild greens, half a dozen different cheeses, honey on the comb, and more. The milk puddings, Turkish delight, and ice cream you eat with a knife and fork are hard to resist so expect to put on weight. Vegetarians are spoiled for choice with dishes made from farm fresh eggplant, legumes, and pulses galore, while vegan takes on traditional dishes, although less varied, are now more readily available.

Tea is more than a beverage. It’s a necessary accompaniment to most social interactions, and saying no is not an option.

Insurance is essential because, let’s face it, accidents do happen. The emergency departments in Turkish public hospitals are the most cost-effective but generally very crowded. Private ones charge more but are still less expensive than those in the U.S.; however, they’re not all equipped to handle every situation. Wherever you go, check with your insurance company before handing over any cash; otherwise, you could end up out of pocket. Many hospitals in Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, and Anatalya will have some English-speaking staff or translators on hand.

Head to a drugstore for that sore throat, niggling ache, or other minor ailment. Most pharmaceutical products are readily available in Turkey but often sold under different brand names.

Turkey covers over 302,500 square miles with around 5,000 miles of coastline so there are as many weather variations as there are different landscapes. Istanbul and the Mediterranean coast wilt from high humidity in July and August and although Aegean coastal towns are hotter during the same period, the air is drier. Over in the east and southeast of the country, scorching heat lasts from June through mid to late September. The Anatolian heartland is very hot, too, but tree-lined valleys make temperatures more bearable.

Winter brings torrential rain to many Mediterranean towns. In Cappadocia, the mercury drops dramatically come October, and snow is common over winter. February is the greyest month in Istanbul, and it is particularly cold, although it usually only gets a smattering of snow. Parts of northeast Turkey, like Kars, are under snow for up to eight months of the year.

No matter what time of year you go to Turkey, visiting a mosque or three will be on the itinerary. Women need to cover their hair before entering, and men have to ensure their shoulders and upper legs are covered. Having a light throw or shawl in your daypack or bag means you’ll always be prepared. Depending on the size it can also double as sun protection when you’re at the beach or an extra layer if you’re out later than planned.

Although sanitary products are available to purchase at drugstores and supermarkets in Turkey, the range is limited. If you prefer a particular brand or need a specific size, thickness or type of tampon or pad, it’s advisable to bring your own from home. Menstrual cups are a very recent addition to the market and are not widely available. 

Turkey has a population of more than 85 million people, mostly honest people who are happy to help visitors to their country. However, crime does exist, and the best way to avoid falling victim is to be alert to your surroundings. Pickpockets operate on the trams in Sultanahmet, Istanbul, and other tourist centers, so pay attention to the people around you, particularly in crowded places. If someone stands too close to you, keep an eye on them and be obvious about it.

Whether you’re a solo traveler or not, whatever your gender, avoid dark, empty streets, don’t accept drinks from strangers and guys, going off with that friendly fellow who knows a bar will likely see you landed with an enormous check at the end of the night. Although Turkish men are physically affectionate with each other, Turkey is a very patriarchal hetero-normative society. Turkish LGBTQ +individuals generally try to fly under the radar, and you’ll have an easier and safer time if you do, too.

Many foreign women, especially fans of Turkish soap operas, are ready to be charmed by handsome local men. Flirt if you like, but remember, some Turkish men see foreign women as easy targets for anything from no strings attached sex to the chance of a new life overseas. Take everything, especially promises of love everlasting, with a grain of salt, and if your gut tells you something’s not right, listen.

Hello: Merhaba

I thank you: Teşekkür ederim

Thanks: Sağol (pronounced sa-ol) 

Where is…?: Nerede…?

Where is the toilet?: Tuvalet nerede?

Where is the bus terminal?: Otogar nerede?

How much?: Ne kadar/Kaç para?

Very beautiful: Çok güzel

Drugstore: Eczane (pronounced ejzane)

Hospital: Hastane

Turks love technology so almost every hotel, restaurant, and café has wi-fi, even in the smallest village. Don’t be shy about plugging in your phone to recharge while you have a coffee or a meal. Just ask. If you’re out and about when your battery runs low, look for coin-operated charging stations in phone shops and shopping malls. Free wi-fi is even available in some municipal parks and on certain metro and bus lines in Istanbul. You can also buy an e-sim in advance or purchase a tourist sim from any of the major Turkish telecom providers once you’re in the country. 

Turkey uses the Type F plug, and the standard voltage is 220V. Forgot to bring an adaptor for your phone? Don’t worry; if your hotel doesn’t have one, you can easily and cheaply buy one at any electronics store. However, you will need to use a converter with other appliances like hair straighteners and so on, otherwise, they’ll be fried.

Despite the best efforts of the Turkish authorities, scams involving taxis in Istanbul continue to be a problem. When there’s no other option available, follow these tips for a smoother ride.

Ask your hotel for an approximate cost and let them arrange a taxi for you. If you’re on the go and need a ride, use local app Bitaksi. It lets you see how much a ride will cost and then provides you with a record of the driver, license plate, and the route you took. However, if you call a taxi, make sure the driver puts the meter on. It’s located in the rearview mirror and has two rates, 1 for daytime and 2 for night. If the driver refuses to turn it on, get out and wait for another taxi.

Most drivers know the English words for money. When it’s time to pay, say the amount aloud as you hand over the notes. Drivers have been known to claim passengers handed over a 5 lira note rather than a 50. Always pay in lira, not foreign currency, as you’ll end up paying more.