Frequently asked questions
General questions
Cash machines (ATMs) are available throughout Turkey, taking major European credit and bank cards, and places are often possible in English. It is prudent to inform your bank in advance that you are traveling to Turkey as some will automatically put a stand on cards after the first use in an try to contend fraud.
Global credit and debit cards are taken in shops and restaurants throughout Turkey. However, it is prudent also to carry cash for the smaller shops and cafes, especially in more rural areas.
The local money in Turkey is the Turkish Lira (TL) possible in the following sections: banknotes: 5, 10, 20, 50,100 and 200 TL; coins: 10, 25 & 50 kurus and 1 TL. Cash can regularly exchange without commission at a bureau de changes (döviz), banks and hotels. Change rates are written daily in Turkish newspapers and can also be found in the website of Turkish Central Bank at http://www.tcmb.gov.tr (please click “bugün” under “TCMB Döviz Kurları” on the left column).
There are no complicated and fast rules, but it is best to use common sense when deciding what to wear. If visiting at a beach resort, it is fine to wear as you feel happy. For city opportunities, comfortable clothing is the most fitting for comfortable shoes and relaxed trousers and a dress if you think to do lots of walkings. When attending mosques you should take off your shoes at the door and ladies should hide their hair; often shawls are given on the way. Both sexes should dress only in no shorts and arms and shoulders surfaced during visits to mosques.
Riding in Turkey is on the right-hand side as in continental Europe and guests may drive with an international driving license. You should have your driving license, your passport and security documents of the vehicle with you. All of the main global car rental companies, as well as some local ones, have offices at airports and all the main centres.
The mains voltage for electricity is 220V and 50Hz. Central European standard wall socket (two-pin plugs) is regular in Turkey.
English is Turkey's second universal spoken language, and you will easily find English speakers in the main cities and vacation resorts. Restaurant menus and other news for foreigners are often printed in English.
More questions
The leading GSM operators in Turkey are Turkcell, Vodafone, and Turk Telekom. You can use your mobile telephone in Turkey if your provider has enabled global roaming. However, if you plan to stay for a long time in the country or make several calls, it may be better to buy a local prepaid SIM card. Take your mobile phone and pass to a Turkish cell phone store 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 systems so you shouldn’t have any problems in the central cities and tourist resorts.
Museums: 9 AM to 17 PM, Tuesday to Sunday. Drugstores: 9 AM to 19 PM, Monday to Saturday. 24-Hour duty pharmacies are available on a rota basis that the names and locations can found in any pharmacy.) Banks: 9 AM to 17 PM, Monday to Friday. (Some close for lunch break.) Post Offices: 9 AM to 17 PM, Monday to Friday. (Extended hours applied for peak periods at major Holiday Destinations). Shopping Centres are open seven days a week and stay open until late.
Turkey is GMT+2; that is to say, two hours ahead of the UK and one hour of the Central Europe.
Traveler’s cheques can be exchanged at banks, some large hotels, and bureau de changes (döviz).
There are no required shots for visitors entering Turkey though it is a good idea to be up-to-date with polio, tetanus, typhoid and if you are traveling to the east of the country.
While thinking your trip to Turkey do not forget to tell your passport if it is valid for at least 90 days. Depending on your nationality, most probably your stay as a tourist is limited up to 3 months (for one entrance).For tourist visas for many countries, there is no need to apply in advance or to fill in any forms. However, please check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website http://www.mfa.gov.tr for updated information and information on which passport holders may require a visa before leaving their country. You may also check with the Turkish Embassy in your country for the latest visa updates. The visa for UK passport holders currently costs £10 and must be paid for with a Sterling note. The permit fee for the USA and Australian passport holders is $20/€15. Canadian passport holders need to pay $60/€45. The permit fee for New Zealand passport holders is gratis. The visa for some EU state passport holders currently costs € 10 and must be paid for with a Euro note.Visas are multiple entries and are valid for three months. Each passport-holder, including infants, must purchase a permit. With tourist visas, you will not have the right to take up paid or unpaid employment or to reside or to study (including student exchange program) or to establish yourself a business in Turkey.