Did you know that Turkey is one of the most visited countries in the world? In a survey done in 2017, the country was ranked 8th in a top 10 list of the World’s most traveled to countries with 37.6 million tourists!
Its seaside resorts on the Mediterranean Sea, historical sites, world-renowned museums, rich culture, delicious food, and welcoming people are some of the things that attract millions of tourists to the country annually!
If you’re thinking about going, check out this list of Turkey travel tips you should know before your trip. These tips will help you plan better, feel confident about being prepared, and make the best out of your trip.
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1. Apply Online for the Turkey eVisa
You’ll need to apply for a visa to gain entry into Turkey. You can easily Travel to Turkey with the eVisa and if your details check out, your visa will be sent to your inbox in just 24 hours! The Turkish e-Visa given will be valid for six months, but you can only stay in Turkey for 90 day periods within that time.
Ensure your passport is valid for more than 60 days when you travel to Turkey. If it’s not you’ll be denied entry!
2. The Best Time to Visit Turkey
Turkey is an all year round travel destination, but I recommend traveling in summer, which is June, July, and August. The weather then is good for spending time at the beach and sailing in the sea. If you’re a foodie you can travel to Turkey during winter to enjoy its unique winter cuisine!
Spring and autumn which fall between the months of April, May, September, and October are also good times to visit. Temperatures then are mild and skies are clear.
3. Turkey Travel Tips for Safety
Your safety when traveling is important and I’m sure a key question you might ask as you plan your trip is how safe is Turkey? You will be happy to know that the level of crime in Turkey is low. However, you have to take precautions to ensure nothing happens to you while there.
For example:
- Let people know where you are all the time.
- If you go to a bar don’t drink beyond your limit and don’t leave your drink unattended.
- Use licensed taxis, avoid dingy places and take care of your belongings.
Terrorism may be a concern for you, but this is a concern you might have regardless of where you travel in the world these days. The Turkish government has put in place major security measures, especially in major cities to avert any terror attacks. So you can move around without any worries.
4. Learn Some Turkish
In cities like Istanbul and Ankara, people speak English but if you venture outside these Turkish cities it will be difficult to communicate with the locals. Locals will communicate to you in Turkish, which is the national language and it would be nice if you learn a few Turkish words.
For Example:
- Evet = Yes
- Hayir = No
- Tesekkür ederim = Thank you
5. Turkish Currency
The Turkish Lira is the currency used in Turkey. The currency is available in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 notes. When traveling around Turkey always carry cash with you because using credit cards may not be acceptable when making payments in smaller towns or simple establishment in the larger cities.
The cash will also come in handy as you tip waiters, use taxis, and buy souvenirs from markets.
You can convert your US dollars or Euros into Turkish Lira at currency shops or banks, these offer the best rates. ATMs are also available across Turkey but don’t rely solely on them as you may go to areas that have cash machines that don’t accept your card.
6. Street Cats and Dogs
Be prepared to see a lot of street cats and dogs. You’ll see this at the entrance of your hotel, as you stroll on the Turkish streets, at the beach, basically everywhere. The locals help take care of these animals and you will see them with tags showing they have been vaccinated. Istanbul has a statue of Tombili, a famous street cat which died in 2016.
7. How to Dress
Turkey is a Muslim country but unlike other Muslim nations, they are more relaxed on how one dresses. They don’t require women to cover-up unless they are visiting rural towns or religious sites. If you dress modestly you won’t attract unwarranted attention during your trip.
8. Turkish Food
One of the pleasures of traveling is that you get to taste different food from what you’re used to. Be sure to try some Turkish cuisine which is meat heavy but there are some good vegetarian options. I recommend trying dishes like lahmacun and gozleme.
Be prepared to drink a lot of Turkish tea also. Turks take a lot of teas and don’t be surprised if a shopkeeper offers you tea as you shop. If you’re invited to a Turkish home you’ll be offered a freshly brewed tea. Tea is offered as a sign of friendship and if you refuse to drink it the host may be offended.
9. NO Drugs Are Allowed in Turkey
Possession of drugs is illegal in Turkey. I know the legalization of marijuana is now happening in states around the US and in places all over the world, but if you’re found with this drug you will be in serious trouble. Carrying or buying any drugs in the country will land you in jail.
10. Traditional Turkish Toilets
When was the last time you had to squat to use the loo? Be prepared to do that when in Turkey. You’ll find western toilets in hotels, restaurants, museums, etc but outside of these places, squatting toilets are commonly used.
If you encounter a squatting toilet take out your phone, wallet or any other valuables you have in your pocket before you squat. If you don’t, good luck retrieving them if they fail into the toilet. You will also need some money and toilet paper to use public toilets.
Final Words
I hope these tips help you while in Turkey. A trip to the country shouldn’t cost you much. How much you spend will depend on the places you visit, but I believe you can experience Turkey even on a tight budget. Meals, for example, cost about $1 to $40. If you plan to buy souvenirs for your trip at the market you should pay almost the same amount.
Enjoy your trip to Turkey and let us know how much fun you had when your back.
Disclaimer: This post is in collaboration with and contributed by ViasasTurkey.com, however all content and information has been edited and approved by Alyssa Ramos (founder and Editor in Chief MyLifesAMovie.com).
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