Turkey Travel Tips

Occupying a landmass of 780,580 square kilometers. Turkey borders the Black Sea to the north. The Aegean Sea, Greece and Bulgaria to the west . Georgia, Armenia and Iran to the east, and the Mediterranean Sea, Iraq and Syria to the south. Historically a very volatile region of the world. Turkey straddles the Orient (the east) and the Occident (the west) bridging the two continents of Asia and Europe. Because of its strategic location, Turkey has for centuries been central to important trade routes between east and west and continues to be today an important cultural bridge between "the east" and "the west".

Comprising the 7 geographic regions of Marmara, Aegean , Mediterranean, Black Sea and South-eastern, Eastern and Central Anatolia. Turkey is predominantly a mountainous country with over half of it's land-mass above 1000 meters. The highest mountain in the country is Mt.Ararat in the east of the country. Important rivers such as the Tigris and the Euphrates have their sources in Turkey. Turkey is a land of diverse landscapes : beautiful beaches, rugged mountains, lush forests, arid regions and endless plains.

Turkey's capital city, Ankara, is the political centre of the country. The Turkish Grand National Assembly consists of 550 democratically elected members sitting for a term of 5 years. From the National Assembly, the Prime Minister and President are elected and share executive powers. The National Security Council, made up of high-level government and military officials, is also an important and powerful part of the Government.

Turkey's economy relies primarily on agricultural exports such as cotton, tobacco, fruit and vegetables, mining and the manufacturing industries. Tourism is also important, especially as a source of foreign exchange revenue. Turkey is a candidate for membership of the European Union and is undergoing many social and economic reforms to bring the country into alignment with European standards.

Government Offices
Monday - Friday (8:30 - 12:30) , (13:30 - 17:30)
Saturday - Sunday (closed)

Banks
Monday - Friday (8:30 - 17:00)
Saturday - Sunday (closed)

Shops
Monday - Saturday (9:30-19:00)
Sunday (closed)
Grand Bazaar: Monday-Saturday (8:00 - 19:00)
Sunday (closed)

During summer, government offices and many other establishments on the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts operate under summer hours and are closed in the afternoon.

It's important that you have all relevant visas for entry into Turkey. Check well in advance with your travel agent or the relevant authority for entry requirements, rules and regulations concerning the issuing of visas for your particular nationality. Visit the Turkish government website at www.mfa.gov.tr for additional information.

Most Nationalities require a visa for Turkey which can be purchased upon arrival at Ataturk International Airport or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, (or if you arrive overland from Syria , Greece or Bulgaria or with a cruise, at the border or port customs).

Two types of visa are available : A single-entry visa which can be used only once (another visa must be purchased if you leave the country and want to re-enter Turkey again), and a multiple-entry visa which allows you to enter and leave Turkey multiple times within it's period of validity (30, 60, or 90 days) at no extra charge.

Make sure you have cash (U.S Dollars, Euros, or Pounds Sterling) to pay for your visa upon arrival. Traveller's Cheques or Credit Cards are not accepted, cash only!

Turkey is generally a safe country in which to travel, however it is important to take precautions with your valuables, passports, airline tickets and money. Use safety deposit facilities , if provided, at your accommodation. Carry your money in a money belt worn under your clothes. All your baggage should be clearly marked with your name and address and use small padlocks to secure them. When shopping, be discreet when making purchases - don't flash your money around. If using a credit card, always keep the card in your sight and check the balance before finalising the purchase.

There are no compulsory vaccinations for Turkey , however it is advisable to consult your doctor before travel for further advice .

The currency of Turkey is the New Turkish Lira (YTL) and comes in denominations of : 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 YTL, (the YTL is further divided into 100 Kuros (YKR). Foreign currency can be exchanged at airports, banks and Foreign Exchange booths. Traveller's Cheques and Credit Cards are widely accepted. ATM's are very common and accept Cirrus, Plus and most Credit Cards.

Turkey's telecommunication infrastructure is generally good, with access to international and internal dialling, most phone coverage and internet and email across most of the country. Calls can be made from Hotels, PTT telephone booths and offices, and Internet Cafe's. Telephone cards and tokens for use in PTT public telephone booths are widely available. The international dialling code for Turkey is +90. The outgoing international code is 00.

There are 17 international and 47 domestic airports in Turkey of which Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul is the main one. Ataturk Ineternational Airport in Istanbul is located 24 km (15 miles ) west of Istanbul and is connected to the city by a light rail metro system(to Esenier), Taxis and Dolmus (shared taxis) and Havas airport buses (to Taksim square and the bus terminal www.havas.com.tr/en/). Airport facilities include banks, ATM's , Exchange Bureaus, 24hr shopping including duty free, 24hr left-luggage, and porter services.

Turkey has a good long - distance bus network with air - conditioned buses, reserved seats and good service with free drinks and snacks and regular rest stops. A few operators offer luxurious services with 1st class seats and service. There are regular services to all areas of the country.

Airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Onur Air, Fly Air, Pegasus Airlines and Atlas Jet offer regular flights to all major cities within Turkey. Turkey is a large country so domestic air travel is a much faster and comfortable way to travel within Turkey. Contact us for help in purchasing airline tickets.

The food is a major delight in traveling to Turkey. Originating with the nomadic lifestyle of the people of this region of the sultans. The meal consists of mezze, or "starters" and a main course. A huge range of tasty dishes comprising vegetables, meats, chicken and seafood, prepared in a variety of unique ways, are served in the centre of the table and enjoyed communally. Fellowing the mezzes comes the main course, skewers of succulent lamb or chicken, tasty rice dishes, delicious breads are traditionally enjoyed slowly because the meal is, afterall, part of the evenings entertainment ! It is custom to finish the meal with (very) sweet deserts and a tea or strong black coffee. The food will truly be one of the many unforgettable experiences you have in Turkey... Enjoy!

Whether in a modern shopping mall or a traditional Turkish Bazaar, shopping is one of the great pleasures of a trip to Turkey. There is a mind - blowing array of gift and souvenir options on display : carpets, miniature paintings, leather and suede goods, copper and bronze wares, sliver, ceramics, jewelery, traditional handicrafts, embroidery and the famous Turkish meerschaum and onyx . Searching out that special something in The Grand Bazaar, amongst the colorful sights and sounds and tantalizing aromas is an unforgettable experience.