Frequently Asked Questions for Turkey...
Do I need a visa to visit Turkey?
Most nationalities require a visa for Turkey which can be purchased upon arrival at Ataturk Airport. There are normally two types of tourist visas. A single-entry visa allows you to enter Turkey once. After you leave, no matter how long you've stayed in Turkey, you must pay for another visa to enter Turkey again. A multiple-entry visa allows you to enter & leave Turkey multiple times within its period of validity (normally 30, 60 or 90 days) at no additional charge. Make sure you have cash (US dollars, Euros, or pounds sterling) to pay for your visa when you enter Turkey as no travellers cheques or credit cards are accepted, cash only!
If you are arriving overland from Syria, Greece, Bulgaria or with a cruise, most nationalities will be able obtain a Turkish visa at the border or port customs. Visas for longer stays & for study, research or employment must be obtained in advance. Passengers in transit through Turkey who do not leave their port of transit do not require visas. Please ensure that you have all required visas for your trip. Rules & regulations governing the issuance of visas are constantly changing & vary for different nationalities therefore you should check visa requirements with relevant consular authority well before travel. Turkish missions abroad are listed at www.mfa.gov.tr
Is it safe to travel in Turkey?
Turkey is one of the safest countries in the world in which to travel & its crime rate is low in comparison to many Western European countries. Interpol ranked Turkey as the safest holiday destination in Europe for travelers. Naturally, we recommend that travelers to Turkey exercise the same precautions they would elsewhere & be aware of security concerns that affect all international travelers. The Turkish Government takes air safety very seriously & maintains strict oversight, particularly on international flights. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has placed Turkey's civil aviation authority in Category 1, in full compliance with international aviation safety standards in overseeing Turkey's air carrier operations.
Will I be able to use my mobile phone in Turkey?
The major GSM operators in Turkey are Turkcell, Vodafone and Avea. You can use your mobile phone in Turkey if your provider has enabled international roaming. However if you intend to stay for a long time in the country or make several calls, it may be preferable to buy a local prepaid SIM card. Take your mobile phone and passport to a Turkish mobile phone shop where your new SIM will be registered along with your handset's IMEI number and your personal information. (Unregistered phones will be blocked and unable to receive or make calls.) Turkey has very wide mobile coverage networks so you shouldn’t have any problems in the main cities and tourist resorts.
What is the local currency?
The local currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira (TL) available in the following denominations: banknotes: 5, 10, 20, 50 &100 TL; coins: 10, 25 & 50 kuruş and 1 TL.
Cash can usually be exchanged without commission at bureau de changes (döviz), banks and hotels.
Can I use the local cash machines?
Cash machines (ATMs) are available throughout Turkey, accepting major European credit and bank cards and instructions are often available in English. It is advisable to inform your bank in advance that you are travelling to Turkey as some will automatically put a stop on cards after the first use in an attempt to combat fraud.
Can I use my credit card?
International credit and debit cards are widely accepted in shops and restaurants throughout Turkey. However it is advisable also to carry cash for the smaller shops and cafes, particularly in more rural areas.
What is the mains supply voltage, will I need an adaptor?
The mains voltage for electricity is 220V and 50Hz, meaning that wall sockets in Turkey take two-pin plugs. You will need an adaptor if your appliances use three-pin plugs.
Do I need to know Turkish in order to communicate?
English is Turkey's second widest spoken language and you will easily find English speakers in the major cities and holiday resorts. Restaurant menus and other information for foreigners are often printed in English.
How should visitors dress in Turkey?
There are no hard and fast rules but it is best to use common sense when deciding what to wear. If staying on a beach resort it is fine to dress as you feel comfortable (i.e. bikini, shorts and short dresses) though when going into town to shop or eat it may be an idea to change into a dress or trousers. For city breaks relaxed clothing is the most suitable with comfortable shoes and casual trousers and/or a dress if you intend to do lots of walking. When visiting mosques you should take off your shoes at the entrance and ladies should cover their hair; often scarves are provided on the way in. Both sexes should dress modestly with no shorts and arms and shoulders covered during visits to mosques.
Is it better to travel independently or go to Turkey as a part of a group tour?
The best way to see & experience Turkey depends on one's knowledge, experience & personal preferences. Turkey is a country of diverse scenery, climate & historical monuments, so travelers are often overwhelmed by the number of places to visit. We often customize individual itineraries in which air transportation, hotels, local day tours & other services are privately arranged to match the specifications of our guests, wether this be for a study group, leisure group, family, couple or individual. Our loyalty to our service suppliers such as hotels, airlines, local tours has given us leverage to negotiate the best deals which we can not advertise as part of our deal. When in the process of writing itineraries, we use these promotions & bundle other promotional rates to offer you the best holiday deal. Meaning that you can still determine the pace, comfort zone, activities & places visited & save money or get more value for your intended budget.
How big are the groups?
Each group is limited to 16-20 participants. Small groups are an important factor in our travel concept. They allow for more interaction & more personalized service throughout the itinerary.
Can I travel to eastern or southeastern Turkey?
It is generally recommended that visitors travel to these regions as part of an organized tour during the summer.
Where should I stay in Turkey?
Turkey offers a wide array of comfortable & modern lodgings to fit any budget. Larger cities such as Istanbul, Ankara & Izmir, offer a range of international chain hotels, as well as many charming locally run Turkish properties. Seaside resorts on the Aegean & Mediterranean coasts & other popular tourism destinations abound with hotels, pensions & holiday villages. Many of the Turkey tour specialists listed in our guide can make hotel reservations. The Ministry of Tourism licenses a number of hotels throughout the country. Rated from one to five stars, they must meet standards set forth by the Ministry. Renovated & refurbished Ottoman mansions, 19th century wooden houses & other historic buildings now operate as special licensed hotels.
Are any vaccinations required for tourists entering Turkey?
There are no vaccination requirements for any international traveler. The World Health Organization web site, www.who.org, provides vaccination certificate requirements by country, geographic distributions of potential health hazards to travelers & information on health risks & their avoidance.
Is it safe to drink tap water in Turkey?
Turkey practices safe sanitation standards & tap water is suitable for bathing & regular tasks such as brushing teeth. However, as is customary in most Mediterranean countries, the majority of locals & visitors drink bottled water. We recommend that visitors follow local custom & drink bottled water, which is routinely served with any meal.
What is a Turkish bath (Hamam)?
Communal baths were used in Roman & Byzantine times, but as the name "Turkish Bath" suggests, they played a significant role in Ottoman culture. At a time when the concept of cleanliness was not yet accepted in Europe, the Turks were very fastidious due to Islam's emphasis on cleanliness. Countless baths were built in the typical Ottoman architectural style throughout the empire. Unfortunately, few have survived to the present. Cagaloglu Hamami & Cemberlitas Hamami, both in Istanbul, are very popular with tourists. A classic bath usually has three sections: changing rooms, a hot room & a cold room. After entering the hamam & exchanging one's clothes for a "pestamal" or towel, you then proceed to the "gobek tasi", a large heated stone where you perspire & are rubbed down by a bath attendant. If the heat proves too much, you can retire to a cooler room. This method of bathing is the most refreshing.
What to buy in Turkey & where to buy it?
Shopping is one of the great pleasures of a trip to Turkey & the rich variety of Turkish crafts makes it impossible to resist buying something. Fine apparel of silk, cotton, leather & wool; artful jewelry; leather accessories; brilliant faience (coloured tiles); vessels of copper, brass, marble, meerschaum & alabaster worked by master artisans; & of course heirloom-quality Turkish carpets & kilims, are among the most popular purchases. Great value & an enjoyable shopping experience can be found everywhere, from small towns to big cities. Unique regional handicrafts make shopping that much more enjoyable. Traditional Turkish handicrafts crafts including carpets, ceramics & pottery, tiles, copper items, woodcarvings, decorative glass & embroidery are a major component of Turkish culture. They are a stunning reflection of Turkey's diverse cultural heritage & thousands of years of history.
