7 Things to Know Before You Travel to Turkey
Hello, fellow journeyers! Here are some crucial travel suggestions and guidance on the most vital things to know before visiting the stunning nation of Turkey, should you be considering a trip there! 38 million people travelled to Turkey in 2018, making it one of the most visited countries in the world. And for good reason—traveling to Turkey is inexpensive, enjoyable, safe, and simple. Owing to the dearth of current information available online, I decided to assist other travelers to Turkey by compiling this travel blog guide. Happy travels and I hope you enjoy it.
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Table of Contents
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE TRAVELING TO TURKEY
- Yes, even Americans probably need to apply for a visa in order to enter Turkey.
To find out the specific procedures for entering Turkey from your country, see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs page in Turkey. After submitting an online application and paying $20, Americans can obtain a visa with ease in only five minutes. I applied for and obtained my Turkey visa while standing in line to meet the immigration officer because my first trip to Turkey was unplanned (I missed my connecting connection).
As it will be an online link, don’t forget to print or take a screenshot of the bar code, approval page, and number. The approval details won’t be sent to you via email.
The duration of the multiple entry visa is ninety days.
You can contact Luxury Vacations and Holidays Pvt Ltd for Visa assistance from any country.
- Foreigners May Experience Spotty & Limited WiFi
For access to the free wifi, most wifi hotspots demand a European or Turkish phone number to obtain the passcode. This also applies to the airport in Istanbul, which is important to know because you might need to obtain your online visa upon arrival. Having an international phone plan, getting a Turkish SIM card, or having a buddy with a Turkish phone number who can help you figure out the passcodes to access online are the best ways to get around this.
In the event that you decide to purchase a Turkish SIM card, remember to have a SIM card ejector tool so you may take out your SIM card tray and insert the SIM card. You can choose to acquire a Turkish eSim card instead of a physical sim card, which makes things much easier, if your phone is modern (about 2020 onwards) and supports eSims. You won’t need to replace your current sim card because eSim cards are downloaded onto your phone.
Renting a portable WiFi is an additional choice; they can be bought online and picked up at your hotel or place of lodging (someone needs to be accessible to handle the delivery).
I discovered that the wifi would frequently go out at motels and Airbnbs. When I had work to complete and had to take my laptop with me to several restaurants to find a solid connection, it was annoying. Therefore, even though wifi and the internet function in most Turkish locations, they frequently run too slowly and, around 15% of the time, they just stop operating altogether.
- Turkey has banned certain websites
- If you are in Turkey, Booking.com does not let you reserve your stay. For someone like me who was traveling at the last minute and couldn’t book her stay through the platform, this made things very difficult.
- In Turkey, Wikipedia is prohibited. This is the reason.
- PayPal is inaccessible from Turkey, so do all of your research before you travel there, or use Google’s “cache” function if it is available for your specific search listing. In certain cases, it was difficult for me to conduct business without access to my PayPal account. I was determined not to utilize a proxy in order to access PayPal from Turkey. The good news is that I discovered you may access your PayPal account through the PayPal mobile application if you have it.
Click To get Travel Insurance for Turkey
- Expenses of Living and Travel to Turkey
Street food costs $1, whereas a meal in a cute restaurant costs $5. At a very nice restaurant, $20 gets you a cocktail, appetizer, dessert, and main course. In comparison to “western” prices, this is EXCELLENT.
- Domestic flights cost $20–60 per person each way.
- Bla Bla Car: Roughly $1 per hour.
- Public transport: 15 cents (1 lira) to start. Almost seldom more than $1 (4 lira) per trip.
- Museum admission fees for foreigners range from $5 to $10 USD (30 to 60 lira).
- Planned Day Tours: $30 USD and upwards gets you a full day of entertainment plus lunch.
- Lodging: Naturally, this relies on the region of Turkey. However, hostels charge $10 per night, Airbnbs $20 per night, and hotels $30 per night.
From The historic center to the IST airport costs $15–20 USD (about 130 lira). An Istanbul Welcome Card, priced at $75 USD, is another option. Access to numerous well-known museums, such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and a Bosphorus Cruise, is included with the welcome card. Additionally, you’ll receive ten tickets good for the metro, buses, trams, and ferries. For easy traveling in Turkey You can contact best travel agency.
- The Turkish Lira
The Turkish Lira is the country’s currency, and throughout the last few years, its value has fluctuated significantly. Following significant political and economic upheaval, the government removed the zeros for inflation and fixed it at a 1:1 ratio to the US dollar. But this was short-lived. And the exchange rate is now 18 liras to $1 US! Howdy! You get a lot of value for your money here in America, Europe, or Britain.
- Turkey’s Food and Turkish Cuisine
Ottoman cuisine, which originated in Central Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe, as well as the numerous civilisations and invaders who travelled through its territories and the Silk Road, had a significant influence on Turkish cuisine. These days, yoghurt, cumin, mint, paprika, black pepper, red chilli pepper, and olive oil are the main flavours and components. Taking a cooking class is one of the finest methods to learn about Turkish cuisine.
I completed one in Istanbul with Cookistan, and it was an incredible experience (seen above). I went shopping in a local Turkish neighbourhood, learned about the historical roots of Turkish cuisine, and then we created some of the most epically wonderful Turkish dishes. dishes that are typically prepared at home because they call for more attention to detail and time. I put flavours and spices together that I never would have thought would result in such delectable dinners.
A Turkish cooking class is a MUST for anyone interested in cuisine and culture. If cooking isn’t your thing, you can always join a private guided culinary tour of Istanbul, where you’ll spend hours discovering some of the city’s greatest restaurants and sampling a variety of regional cuisine. You will also go to one of Istanbul’s biggest spice marketplaces, Misir Carsisi, where the residents have been buying spices for centuries. These are a few Turkish foods that you really must taste. Put them in writing! Turkish coffee, kunefe, baklava, dolma, kum (Turkish Delight), kebap, and mercimek koftesi.
Also, read: 10 Best Places to Visit in January from India
- Where to Go in Turkey? Top Places to Visit
Check out this useful itinerary for visitors to Turkey for first-time travelers while you’re organizing your vacation. It lists the best locations to go, places to stay, and things to do in each location. The following are the top tourist destinations in Turkey:
- Istanbul
- For visitors to Turkey for the first time, Cappadocia is a must-see. Take advantage of this legendary hot air balloon experience!
- Izmir (which offers day excursions to Pamukkale, Cesme/Alacati, and Ephesus)
- Antalya (includes excursions to coastal villages such as Fethiye). This cable car, boat ride, and waterfall tour is a fantastic way to see Antalya.
- Fethiye/Marmaris. How about visiting Turtle Beach, having a mud bath, and taking a boat ride down the Dalyan Canal?
Also, Check: Places to see in Japan, What Singapore is famous for – Things to do in Singapore Our Packages: Turkey Tour Packages, Istanbul Tour Packages, Australia Tour Packages
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Turkey is generally safe for travelers, but there are some risks to be aware of. The Global Peace Index ranks Turkey 145 out of 163 countries, while the USA ranks 129. The biggest threats to safety in Turkey come from terrorism, earthquakes, and the conflicts in the Middle East. The US State Department advises travelers to exercise increased caution due to terrorism and arbitrary detentions, and to avoid certain areas near the Syrian border. Crime is not a major concern, but women traveling alone should take precautions. Overall, travelers should do their research and stay aware of local news and events.
Antalya, Turkey, is generally considered safe for travelers. The city boasts a low crime rate, a strong police presence, and numerous security measures in place to ensure safety. While the region has not been directly affected by recent conflicts and natural disasters, it’s always advisable to take common-sense precautions, such as staying aware of your surroundings and not leaving valuables unattended. As with any travel, it’s essential to stay informed about local news and events and to be cautious, especially when traveling alone or at night. Overall, Antalya is a very safe place to visit, offering a welcoming and enjoyable experience for tourists.
Travel insurance is mandatory for visitors who apply for a visa to Turkey. The policy must cover the entire trip from start to finish and include at least $50,000 in emergency medical coverage and $100,000 in medical evacuation coverage. However, if you are not applying for a visa, travel insurance is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended. Medical costs for treating visitors have increased in Turkey, and it is advisable to purchase travel insurance to prepare for unexpected medical or travel expenses from emergencies, flight delays, and more. It is always a good idea to purchase travel insurance when traveling to a foreign country, even if it’s not mandatory.
To travel to Turkey, visitors need a valid passport and a visa, which can be obtained online or on arrival for some nationalities. Visitors who apply for a visa to Turkey must have travel insurance that covers the entire trip from start to finish and includes at least $50,000 in emergency medical coverage and $100,000 in medical evacuation coverage. However, if you are not applying for a visa, travel insurance is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended. Visitors should also be aware of the potential risks of terrorism, political instability, and natural disasters, and take necessary precautions. It is also advisable to carry a green card when driving in Turkey and to be cautious when traveling alone or at night.
Yes, Indian citizens need a visa to travel to Turkey. They can obtain an electronic visa (e-visa) online, which is valid for 180 days from the date of issue and allows a stay of up to 30 days in Turkey. The e-visa requires a passport with at least six months of validity from the time of entry and one blank page. The application process is entirely online, and the e-visa is sent to the applicant via email. Indian citizens can also obtain a sticker visa issued by a Turkish diplomatic or consular mission abroad.