Turkey is a magical country with beautiful scenery, a fantastic climate and friendly local people.
Turkey is also one of the world’s most visited countries with a record 45.1 million visitors recorded in 2019.
It’s a country that people choose to revisit year after year, with many making it their permanent home after many visits. Many people choose Turkey for spending their retirement years due to the warmer climate, healthy lifestyle and its affordability.
If you are planning a trip to Turkey, chances are you will want to be as prepared as possible. Be it your first time in Turkey or your tenth, I’m sure you will find a tip that you didn’t know before.
Will you need a visa?
First and most importantly, you must check if you need a visa for entry into Turkey.
Turkey does have quite a relaxed visa policy for many countries and getting one is not a difficult process.
European Union countries do not need a visa and visitors can stay in Turkey for up to 90 days in a 180 day period.
United States and Canada will need an E visa which can be obtained online. This E visa is valid for up to 90 days.
UK citizens can stay in Turkey for up to 90 days without the need for a visa.
Other countries citizens should learn if they require a visa before travel.
Some websites are banned in Turkey
Booking.com unfortunately doesn’t allow you to book your stay in Turkey if you’re in Turkey.
PayPal is inaccessible from Turkey. This can be frustrating if you need to do certain transactions through the PayPal account. Luckily, if you have the PayPal mobile application, you can access your account through that.
Language and communicating
Unless you are visiting a tourist destination English is not widely spoken.
It’s best to try and learn the very basic words in Turkish to get by, especially if you have a disability or food allergy, it’s a good idea to learn how to ask certain questions regarding these situations.
The German language is quite popular in certain areas of Turkey.
The weather in Turkey
Like most countries, the weather will depend on the time of year and which part of Turkey you will be visiting. Turkey is a huge country spanning across two continents with a diverse topography. The weather can range from dry and sizzling hot summers to cold and snowy winters.
The Northeast is generally colder with the Mediterranean area, including Istanbul, having hot summers and milder winters.
The best time to visit Turkey
Summertime can be extremely hot and easily hit 40F, but is still gorgeous, so long as you prepare and drink plenty of water.
Winter can be cold with snow in certain locations and from November through till March, the tourist season is low.
Spring is beautiful in Turkey. The flowers are in full bloom with mild temperatures and without being unbearably hot.
Autumn is another great time to visit. The daytime temperatures are still very warm but it tends to get much cooler in the evenings after sunset.
Get a travel adaptor for Turkey
Turkey uses the F type plug which is the basic European outlet with the standard voltage being 220V.
You can buy adaptors in Turkey but they are not the best quality. It’s best to purchase one in your home country before travelling.
Currency in Turkey
The currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira, and in the last few years there have been a lot of changes to its value.
Currently in Turkey you can get huge value for your British Pounds or American Dollars, much more than in previous years.
Shopping and Haggling
It’s always best to have an extra empty bag, just for shopping when visiting Turkey.
You can always find a bargain whilst travelling round the abundance of markets, bazaars and boutique shops in Turkey.
You can discover very low priced items to shop for including rugs, jewelry, ceramics, linen items, gorgeous and unique souvenirs and clothing. It is a good idea to barter or haggle with the price though, as foreigners can often be given higher prices than the local people.
Travelling by Taxi
When getting a cab it is best to either fix the price before the journey or make sure that the meter is turned on.
Taxis in Turkey are notorious for cheating and scamming if you’re not careful.
In Istanbul, you can use the Uber app on your phone.
Also in Turkey you will see yellow boxes with a button saying ‘Taksi’ on lamp posts dotted around. These buttons call a taxi and the driver will pick you up from the yellow button location.
Accommodation
From budgeted hotels to luxurious apartments and villas, everything is available in Turkey. According to your budget and conveniences you can choose any type of accommodation that best suits you. Shop around to find the best deals either online or through word of mouth from other foreigners.
Dress accordingly
In tourist destinations and big cities the dress in Turkey is very westernized. You can of course see ladies dressed in Burqas as well as western attire.
If visiting the East of Turkey or remote villages, it’s best to be respectful and wear slightly more covered clothing as to avoid unwanted attention.
If you visit a Mosque, you absolutely must cover your head, so keep a scarf or shawl with you just in case.
Respect the culture
When travelling around Turkey you must respect the Turkish culture, traditions, customs and religious practices at all times.
Also, regarding debates on politics. Be careful because one wrong word can land you in trouble.
People in turkey have a great respect for the Founding Father of the Turkish Republic. You must not speak ill or crack jokes on any matter concerning him either intentionally or unintentionally.