The First Guide
to Türkiye

Visa & Entry

Most Western passport holders enter visa-free for 90 days. Citizens who need an e-visa apply online for $31-60 and receive approval within 24 hours.

Who needs a visa

Citizens of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and most EU countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Belgium, Austria, Greece, Ireland, and others) enter Türkiye visa-free for tourism stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. No application needed, just present your passport at immigration.

Two recent additions worth knowing: Australian citizens became visa-free as of April 17, 2026, and Chinese citizens as of January 2, 2026. Both can now enter on an ordinary passport for tourism or transit, up to 90 days. If you booked an Australian e-visa before the change, refunds are not automatic, but you don't need to use it.

Citizens of Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, the UAE, Vietnam, the Philippines, and around 40 other countries still need an e-visa before traveling. Visa-on-arrival no longer exists. You either qualify for visa-free entry, or you apply online before boarding your flight.

How to apply for the e-visa

The only legitimate portal is evisa.gov.tr. Avoid third-party sites that charge service fees and sometimes fail to deliver. The official application takes about three minutes:

• Enter your nationality, passport details, and travel dates
• Pay the fee online by credit card (varies by nationality, typically $31-60)
• Receive the approved e-visa by email, usually within 24 hours, sometimes minutes
• Print or save it on your phone. Border officers may ask to see it.

Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, and a few other nationalities are eligible for the e-visa only if they hold a valid Schengen, US, UK, or Irish visa or residence permit. e-visas from those countries don't qualify as supporting documents.

Passport rules

Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry into Türkiye. This is enforced strictly. Travelers with passports closer to expiry have been turned away at the gate.

Overstays

Overstaying the 90-day limit triggers fines, deportation, and entry bans ranging from one to five years. Track your days carefully. The 180-day window rolls continuously, not by calendar year. If you spend 90 days, leave, and try to re-enter within a few weeks, you may be refused.

Best Time to Visit

April to May and September to October are the sweet spots for most of the country. Coastal regions extend into early November.

Türkiye spans climate zones from Mediterranean coast to continental highland. The best window depends on where you go.

Spring (April-May)

The best season overall. Temperatures sit between 15-25°C across most of the country. Wildflowers cover Cappadocia. Istanbul's Judas trees bloom purple along the Bosphorus. Rain is occasional but rarely heavy. Crowds are lighter than summer, prices lower, and outdoor walking is genuinely pleasant.

Summer (June-August)

Coastal Türkiye is at full speed. Mediterranean and Aegean beach towns (Antalya, Bodrum, Çeşme, Fethiye) hit 30-35°C with reliable sunshine. Inland it gets hotter. Cappadocia can reach 38°C in July, making midday hot air balloon flights uncomfortable. Istanbul becomes humid and crowded. Prices double in resort areas. Book hotels and flights months ahead.

Autumn (September-October)

The second sweet spot. Coastal water stays warm enough for swimming through October. Inland temperatures drop to comfortable 18-25°C. Light is golden and photographs better. Hot air balloons fly almost every morning in Cappadocia.

Winter (November-March)

Eastern Anatolia gets serious snow. Most of the coast is mild but rainy. Istanbul averages around 8°C with grey skies. The upside: Cappadocia under snow is genuinely otherworldly, hotels are at their lowest prices, and Türkiye's ski scene is busy. The country has a real ski culture, mostly invisible to summer travelers.

Ski resorts worth knowing

Türkiye has 25+ ski centers. Four are worth flying for:

• Erciyes (Kayseri): the most developed and largest. Built on a 3,917m volcano, with over 100 km of slopes, modern gondolas, and snow guaranteed by 150+ artificial snow machines. Season runs December to April. The killer feature: it's an hour from Cappadocia, so you can ski in the morning and watch hot air balloons over fairy chimneys the next.
• Palandöken (Erzurum): serious-skier territory. Altitude 2,200-3,271m, the longest piste in Turkey (12 km uninterrupted), and a season stretching November to May. The Turkish national alpine team trains here. Night skiing on lit pistes is a draw. Less après-ski than Uludağ but Erzurum itself, a 1,500-year-old city, is worth the trip.
• Uludağ (Bursa): the oldest and most popular, particularly with families and beginners. 28 km of mostly easy and intermediate slopes, lots of hotel infrastructure right on the mountain. Season mid-December to late March. Easiest to combine with Istanbul: ferry to Bursa, then cable car up.
• Sarıkamış (Kars): the connoisseur's pick. Famous for "crystal snow", exceptionally dry, powdery flakes that fall through pine forests. Quieter than the big three. Pair it with a visit to the medieval ruins of Ani on the Armenian border, one of Türkiye's most photogenic archaeological sites.

Other smaller resorts: Kartalkaya (Bolu, easy from Istanbul), Kartepe (Sapanca lake views), Ilgaz (Kastamonu), Saklıkent (a curiosity, 50 km from Antalya, the only place you can ski in the morning and swim in the Mediterranean by afternoon).

Regional timing

• Istanbul: April-May, September-October
• Cappadocia: April-May, September-October (avoid July-August midday heat)
• Mediterranean coast (Antalya, Kaş, Fethiye): May, June, September, October
• Aegean coast (Çeşme, Bodrum, Datça): May, June, September
• Black Sea (Trabzon, Rize, Artvin): June-September (wet outside this window)
• Eastern Anatolia (Van, Hakkari, Doğubayazıt): late June to early September only
• Southeast (Mardin, Şanlıurfa, Gaziantep): April-May, October (summer hits 45°C)

Holidays to factor in

Ramadan (February 16 to March 17 in 2026) doesn't shut anything down for tourists. Cafes and restaurants stay open in cities and tourist areas. Eating in public is socially acceptable. The shift is subtle: bus stations are quieter mid-day, and iftar time (sunset) brings a cheerful rush of families to restaurants. Eid al-Fitr (Ramadan Bayram, March 19-22) and Eid al-Adha (Kurban Bayram, May 26-30) cause genuine disruption. Domestic flights and intercity buses fill up weeks ahead, hotel prices rise, and many small businesses close for several days.

Money & Currency

Currency is the Turkish lira (TL or ₺). Use ATMs from major Turkish banks for the best rate. Carry cash for taxis and small vendors. Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory.

Today's exchange rate

Where to change money

The Turkish lira has been on a long downward slide, which is great news for visitors with foreign currency. A few rules to get the most out of it:

• ATMs from major Turkish banks (İş Bankası, Garanti BBVA, Akbank, Yapı Kredi) give the best effective rate. Foreign card fees usually run $3-5 per withdrawal, so pull out larger amounts less often rather than small amounts every day.
• Authorized exchange offices (look for "döviz bürosu" signs) in city centers usually beat ATM rates if you walk in with cash. Buy/sell rates are posted on a board outside. Compare two or three before committing.
• Skip the airport counters. They have the worst rates in the country. Change just enough to get to your hotel, then find a real exchange office in town.
• Never change money on the street. If someone approaches you with an offer, it's a scam. Always.

Cards or cash?

Both. Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere in cities, including small cafes, corner shops, and Istanbul public transport (where contactless cards charge the maximum fare per ride). American Express acceptance drops off quickly outside major hotels. Carry some cash for taxis, neighborhood markets, small lokantas in smaller towns, and tips. A few hundred lira at any given time covers most situations.

Tipping

One useful 2026 update: the government banned the practice of automatically adding "servis ücreti" or "kuver" charges to restaurant bills. So when you tip now, it actually goes to the waiter. Cash on the table is the cleanest way.

• Restaurants: 5-10% at casual spots, 10-15% at sit-down dinners with proper service
• Hotels: 100-200 TL per night for housekeeping, similar for porters
• Taxis: round up to the next 50 or 100 TL
• Tour guides: 100-200 TL per person for a full day
• Hammam attendants: 50-100 TL after the service

Tipping by card is technically possible but it often doesn't reach the right person. If you appreciated the service, hand cash directly.

Transport

Domestic flights are cheap and fast for long distances. Buses are excellent. The Istanbul transit card works on every form of public transport in the city. For route-by-route advice and airport connections, read our full guide to getting around Türkiye.

Domestic flights

Türkiye has one of the densest domestic flight networks in Europe and prices are usually reasonable if you book a couple of weeks ahead. Four carriers cover most routes:

• Turkish Airlines (thy.com): full-service, generous baggage, slightly higher fares
• Pegasus (flypgs.com): low-cost, charges for cabin baggage, often the cheapest option
• AJet and SunExpress also cover popular routes at competitive prices

Booked two to three weeks out, you'll typically pay $30-60 one way for long routes. Last-minute can climb to $100-150. Typical flight times: Istanbul to Cappadocia (Kayseri or Nevşehir) 1h20, Istanbul to Antalya 1h10, Istanbul to Trabzon 1h30, Istanbul to Gaziantep 1h40. Popular routes between major cities have multiple daily flights across these carriers, so rebooking is usually easy if plans change.

Intercity buses

Türkiye's bus culture is genuinely one of the best in the world. Modern coaches have reclining seats, individual screens, free wifi, and a steward who serves tea, coffee, and a small cake. Major operators include Kâmil Koç, Pamukkale Turizm, Metro Turizm, and Nilüfer. Compare prices on obilet.com.

Sample fares: Istanbul-Ankara (8 hours) around $25-35, Istanbul-Cappadocia overnight around $35-50. For routes under six hours, buses can actually beat flying once you factor in airport time.

Trains

The high-speed train (YHT) connects Istanbul, Ankara, Eskişehir, and Konya. Istanbul-Ankara takes 4.5 hours and costs $15-30 depending on class. Book on tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr. The Eastern Express (Doğu Ekspresi) from Ankara to Kars is a 24-hour scenic journey worth doing once if you have time. Tickets usually go on sale 15 to 30 days before departure, and winter dates sell out quickly once they open.

Renting a car

Driving in Türkiye is pretty straightforward outside Istanbul. The road network is good, signage is in Turkish and English, and most rental cars come with basic GPS. You'll need a license valid in your country (an International Driving Permit is recommended but not strictly enforced for short rentals), a credit card for the deposit, and to be at least 21. Toll roads use HGS, an electronic system the rental company handles automatically. Fuel is similar to Western European prices. One firm rule: don't drive in central Istanbul. Parking is impossible and traffic is consistently among the worst in the world.

Istanbul public transport

One card, the Istanbulkart, works on metro, tram, bus, ferry, Marmaray (the cross-Bosphorus underwater train), and funicular. The card itself costs 165 TL (about $4, non-refundable) and you load credit on top. Buy from yellow Biletmatik machines at every metro and tram station, including both airports. Standard fare is 35 TL (about $0.80) per ride for non-residents. Marmaray is more expensive (up to 75 TL for long crossings). The card is shareable, which is useful for couples and small groups.

Taxis

Yellow taxis (sarı taksi) are everywhere in Istanbul and other cities. Always insist the driver runs the meter (taksimetre). The starting fare and per-kilometer rate vary by city and change frequently, so don't rely on fixed numbers. Apps like BiTaksi and Uber (which operates as a taxi-hailing app in Istanbul) book licensed taxis through your phone, which removes the meter argument entirely and gives you a fare estimate upfront.

Ferries

Public ferries (vapur) cross the Bosphorus and connect Istanbul's European and Asian sides for a standard Istanbulkart fare. The Eminönü-Kadıköy and Karaköy-Kadıköy crossings are still among the best ways to see the city, especially around sunset. Inter-island ferries also connect Bodrum and Marmaris to the Greek Dodecanese (Kos, Rhodes), which is useful if you want to combine countries.

Where to Stay

Türkiye covers every accommodation tier well. Booking platforms work normally for foreign visitors. Cave hotels in Cappadocia and design hotels in Istanbul are worth booking weeks ahead in high season.

What you'll find

Türkiye covers the full range, from family-run pansiyon at $30-40 a night to international five-star hotels in the hundreds. Cappadocia has its specialty: cave hotels carved into volcanic rock, which range from a no-frills $30-50 a night to elaborate suites with private terraces. For most travelers, the sweet spot is somewhere in the $60-150 range, where you get genuine character without paying for a brand name.

Booking platforms

Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and Airbnb all work for visitors. Local platforms like etstur.com and tatilbudur.com sometimes show 15-25% lower rates for the same property, particularly for resort hotels along the coast. Worth a quick comparison if you're booking a longer stay.

Approximate nightly rates (per double room)

Prices fluctuate 30-50% between low season (November-March) and high season (April-October). Holidays and festivals push them higher.

A few practical notes

• Book Cappadocia early. The 30-40 best cave hotels fill up three to six months ahead in spring and autumn. The really iconic ones (Museum Hotel, Argos in Cappadocia, Kayakapı) want six months.
• Airbnb works but Türkiye introduced licensing rules in 2024, and some unlicensed listings get cancelled with little notice. Stick to hosts with reviews and a "professional host" tag.
• Location matters in Istanbul. Sultanahmet is convenient for the historic sights but quieter at night. Karaköy, Galata, and Cihangir are better for food and bars. Kadıköy on the Asian side has the best neighborhood feel and is increasingly where I send people who've already done the touristy version.

Food & Water

Türkiye is one of the great food cultures of the world. Tap water is generally not drunk. Bottled water is universal and cheap.

Restaurant types worth knowing

• Lokanta: home-style Turkish cooking served from steam tables. The cheapest sit-down meal, often the most authentic. Open at lunch, point at what looks good.
• Meyhane: long evening drinking-and-eating sessions built around small mezze plates and rakı. The genre is closer to Spanish tapas than to a steakhouse.
• Ocakbaşı: "by the fire", grilled meat at long counters facing an open coal fire. Best for kebab and köfte.
• Pideci / lahmacuncu: flatbread bakeries serving Turkish-style flatbreads with cheese, ground meat, or vegetables.
• Balıkçı: fish restaurants, often serving a full spread of mezze alongside the catch of the day. Rakı and fish is a classic Turkish combination. Always check the catch of the day and ask the price per kilo before ordering.

Street food worth trying

Simit (sesame ring), balık-ekmek (grilled fish sandwich at Eminönü), midye dolma (stuffed mussels), kokoreç (lamb intestine sandwich, an acquired taste), Turkish ice cream (maraş dondurması), kestane (chestnuts roasted on the street in winter). Stick to busy stalls with high turnover. Quiet stalls usually mean food has been sitting.

Water

Turkish municipal water is treated and meets safety standards but most locals don't drink it. Mineral content varies by region and the taste is inconsistent. Bottled water (su) is cheap and available everywhere: every market, restaurant, and cafe stocks it. Restaurants automatically bring sealed bottles. Cafes serve filtered or bottled by default.

Coffee and tea

Turkish coffee is small, strong, served with grounds settled at the bottom. Don't drink the last sip. Specialty coffee culture is strong in Istanbul (Kronotrop, Petra, MOC, Federal). Tea (çay) is the daily fuel of the country: served in small tulip glasses, often free as a gesture in shops, carpet stores, and after meals. Black tea is standard. Fruit teas (meyve çayları) like apple or pomegranate exist mostly in tourist areas.

Alcohol

Legal and available. Beer (Efes is the dominant brand), wine (decent local production from Cappadocia, Thrace, and the Aegean), and rakı (anise spirit, the national drink, served with mezze). Heavy alcohol taxes make drinking noticeably more expensive than most of Europe. Liquor stores ("tekel") are common and often stay open late, but alcohol sales are legally prohibited after 10 PM. You can still sit in the shop, but they cannot sell you a bottle after that hour. Some conservative neighborhoods and most religious holidays restrict sales further.

Vegetarian and vegan

Workable. Turkish mezze culture is vegetable-forward: stuffed grape leaves (yaprak sarma), fava bean puree (fava), cracked wheat salads (kısır), grilled vegetables, lentil soup (mercimek çorbası), and dozens of variations on tomato and pepper. Cheese-based dishes are everywhere. Dedicated vegan restaurants exist in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. Outside major cities, "et yemiyorum" (I don't eat meat) gets the message across.

Language

English is reasonably spoken in tourist zones. Outside them it drops off fast. A few Turkish phrases go a long way.

Turkish is a phonetic language (you pronounce what you read once you know the alphabet) with grammar that is genuinely different from European languages. Locals do not expect tourists to attempt it. The handful of phrases below are the ones that consistently change how you're treated.

SIM cards and connectivity

Three operators cover Türkiye: Turkcell, Vodafone, Türk Telekom. Tourist SIMs ("turist hattı") are sold at airports and operator stores: typically $30-50 USD for 15-30 days with 20-50 GB of data. You'll need your passport, and the staff will register the SIM to your phone's IMEI. Airport kiosks charge a significant premium over city center stores, so if you can manage without data for the first hour, buying from an official operator store in town will save you money.

About eSIMs (important update)

This changed in 2025 and most travel guides haven't caught up. Since July 2025, Turkey's BTK regulator has blocked access to Airalo, Holafly, Saily, Nomad, Mobimatter, Instabridge, and over 20 other international eSIM providers from Turkish networks. As of May 2026, the blocked list has grown further. The block applies to their websites and apps, not to the eSIM technology itself.

What this means in practice:

• If you buy and activate an eSIM before arriving in Turkey, it usually keeps working until your data runs out.
• If you try to buy or top up a plan once you're in the country, the website or app won't load.
• Once your data runs out, you're stuck unless you have a backup or use a VPN to access the provider site.

Two eSIM providers that still work reliably from inside Turkey due to local compliance: Simbye and eSIM Prime. Both can be purchased and activated inside the country without issues. Alternatively, buy a physical Turkcell or Vodafone SIM at the airport when you land. For pre-trip activation, any major eSIM works on day one, just don't count on being able to top it up mid-trip.

The 120-day phone rule

Worth knowing for longer stays: foreign phones used with a Turkish SIM are blocked from Turkish networks after 120 days unless you pay an IMEI registration fee of around 54,258 TL (about $1,200 in 2026). For trips under four months this is irrelevant. You can only register one phone per passport every three calendar years, and the registration is tied to your passport. If you're staying longer than four months, factor this into your plans.

Wi-Fi

Free in nearly every cafe, hotel, and restaurant. Coverage is good even in small towns. Public wifi at metro stations and squares (TK-Wi-Fi, IBB-Wi-Fi) is widely available but slow.

Cultural Etiquette

Türkiye is a Muslim-majority secular country. Cities are liberal. Conservative areas exist. Common sense covers nearly everything.

Visiting mosques

Removing shoes is required at every mosque. Bins or shelves at the entrance hold them. Women cover their hair (most mosques provide loaner scarves at the entrance). Both sexes cover shoulders and knees. Loaner robes are available at major sites like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Stay quiet, avoid walking in front of people who are praying, and don't photograph faces during prayer time.

Dress

In Istanbul, Izmir, Bodrum, Antalya, and similar cities, dress is essentially European. Anything goes within reason. Eastern and southeastern Türkiye (Mardin, Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, Van) is more conservative. Long pants or skirts and covered shoulders are courteous in those regions, particularly outside hotels. Beach towns: swimwear at the beach and pool only, not in the town center.

Greetings

Handshakes are standard. Close friends and family kiss on both cheeks. With strangers of the opposite sex, follow their lead: some women, especially in conservative regions, may not extend a hand to men they don't know.

Hospitality and meals

Turkish hospitality is real and sometimes overwhelming. Saying "no thank you" once isn't usually enough. The host will offer again. A polite refusal goes "çok teşekkürler, doydum" (thank you very much, I'm full). Tea offered in shops and carpet stores is complimentary and a gesture of courtesy. It's also part of the sales ritual: it keeps you around longer, gives the seller time to make their case. That said, it's harmless. You can drink the tea, enjoy the conversation, and still leave without buying anything. A polite "teşekkürler, sadece bakıyorum" (thanks, just looking) works fine.

Bargaining

Expected at the Grand Bazaar, the Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar, and most carpet, leather, and antique shops. Not done at supermarkets, restaurants, museums, or modern boutiques. The bazaar tactic is to start at 40-50% of the asked price and meet somewhere around 60-70%. Walk away if the seller won't move. They often call you back.

Photography

Ask before photographing people, especially women and children, and especially in conservative regions. A small smile and gesture toward the camera works. Military installations, police stations, and some government buildings are off-limits even for incidental photographs. Many museums charge a small fee for camera use; tripods often need separate permission.

Ramadan

Cafes and restaurants in cities and tourist areas operate normally during Ramadan. Eating, drinking, and smoking in public during fasting hours is not illegal but can feel awkward in conservative neighborhoods. Iftar (sunset breaking of the fast) is one of the warmest cultural moments to witness. Many restaurants offer special iftar menus and the streets fill with families.

Safety

Türkiye is safe for travelers. Common sense covers nearly everything. The main thing to watch out for is the occasional taxi or restaurant scam in tourist-heavy parts of Istanbul.

The honest picture

Türkiye welcomes around 50 million tourists a year. The vast majority of them, including solo travelers and families with kids, have an entirely uneventful trip. Crime rates in tourist areas are lower than most major Western cities. The streets in Istanbul, Cappadocia, the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, and the major Black Sea cities are safe to walk in day and evening. Locals are generally helpful, often to a degree that surprises first-time visitors.

That said, like any major travel destination, a few neighborhoods and a few classic scams are worth knowing about.

Border regions to skip

The 10 km strip along the Syrian border (parts of Hatay, Kilis, far southern Şanlıurfa, far southern Mardin) is off-limits for tourism per most foreign government advisories. The cities themselves (Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Antakya) are fine and many travelers visit them happily. The far southeast corner (Hakkari, Şırnak) sees occasional security operations and is worth checking current advisories before going. Outside these specific zones, the rest of the country is open and welcoming.

Common Istanbul scams

Most of these target tourists in Sultanahmet and around Istiklal Caddesi. None of them are dangerous, just annoying:

• The shoe shiner drop: a man drops his brush near you, you pick it up, he insists on cleaning your shoes "for free," then demands payment. Just keep walking.
• The friendly local at the bar: someone strikes up a chat in Sultanahmet or Taksim, invites you for a drink at a "great place he knows," and the bill arrives at thousands of lira. The bar splits the take with him. If a stranger is unusually keen to take you somewhere specific, that's the warning sign.
• The taxi meter: drivers occasionally claim the meter is broken or quote a flat "tourist price." Always insist on the meter, or just use BiTaksi and skip the conversation.
• The carpet shop pull: someone strikes up a conversation, walks with you, eventually steers you toward "their cousin's shop." The carpets may be perfectly fine, but you'll pay tourist markup. Buy carpets only when you actively want one, in a shop you chose.

Emergency numbers

112 is the universal emergency number across Türkiye, covering ambulance, police, fire, coast guard, and gendarmerie. Operators can connect you to the relevant service and English-speaking staff are usually available. Older individual numbers (155 for police, 110 for fire, 156 for jandarma) still work, but 112 is the only one you need to remember.

Solo female travel

Türkiye is one of the more comfortable Muslim-majority countries for solo female travel, especially in Istanbul, Cappadocia, the Aegean, and the Mediterranean coast. Plenty of women travel alone here without issues. The usual rules apply: avoid walking alone on empty streets late at night (which is just good advice anywhere in the world), use BiTaksi rather than hailing taxis after dark, and dress more conservatively in eastern and southeastern regions out of basic respect for the local culture rather than safety.

Health & Medicine

Healthcare quality is high in private hospitals. Travel insurance is recommended. Pharmacies are dense and helpful.

Pharmacies

Pharmacies (eczane) are everywhere, marked with a red E sign. Pharmacists in cities often speak some English and are trained to handle minor complaints. Many medications that require a prescription elsewhere are available over the counter (within reason). Each district has at least one nöbetçi eczane (duty pharmacy) that stays open overnight; the address is posted on every other pharmacy's door.

Hospitals

Private hospital chains like Memorial, Acıbadem, Medical Park, and Liv Hospital have international patient desks with multilingual staff. Quality is comparable to Western European private healthcare. State hospitals are free or very cheap but waiting times are long and English is less reliable.

Insurance

Travel insurance with medical coverage is strongly recommended. Even routine visits at private hospitals cost 1,500-3,500 TL upfront, and serious treatment can run into many thousands of dollars. Most travel insurance policies include a 24-hour emergency line that handles direct hospital billing.

Common issues

• Stomach upset: usually from drinking unfamiliar tap water or eating unwashed produce. Stick to bottled water for a few days while your gut adjusts.
• Heat: midday temperatures from mid-July to mid-August can be punishing, especially in southeast Türkiye. Hat, water, and shade.
• Insect bites: mosquitoes are present in coastal and lake regions. Repellent is sold at every pharmacy.
• Seasickness: gulet boat tours along the Mediterranean coast can be rough. Pharmacies sell motion-sickness tablets cheaply.

Medical and dental tourism

Türkiye is a major destination for hair transplants, dental work, cosmetic surgery, and laser eye treatment. Quality varies enormously. If you're going for a procedure, research the specific clinic, check the doctor's credentials, read recent traveler reports, and budget for at least one extra night in case of complications.

Practical Information

Daylight saving was abolished in 2016. Türkiye is GMT+3 year-round. Sockets are European Type C/F.

Public holidays in 2026

*Religious holidays follow the lunar calendar and shift each year. Dates above are for 2026 based on the Diyanet (Presidency of Religious Affairs) calendar.

Operating hours

• Banks: 9:00-17:00, Monday to Friday. Closed weekends.
• Government offices: 9:00-12:30, 13:30-17:30, Monday to Friday.
• Shops: 10:00-19:00 typically, longer in tourist areas.
• Museums: 9:00-17:00, often closed Mondays. Major sites stay open later in summer.
• Restaurants: lunch 12:00-15:00, dinner 19:00-23:00. Tourist areas serve continuously.

Toilets

Most public toilets are Western-style. Some older establishments still have squat toilets ("alaturka"). Toilet paper is generally available. Many bathrooms also have a small handheld bidet sprayer ("taharet musluğu") next to the toilet, which is the preferred local method. Public toilets at mosques, metro stations, and parks usually charge a small fee.

Daily budget guide

Rough per-person daily costs, all in. The lower end assumes you're traveling smart, not suffering.

Tax-Free Shopping

Foreign visitors can claim back the 20% VAT on purchases over 100 TL from participating shops. Process the refund at the airport before checking in.

How it works

Türkiye's standard VAT rate (KDV, Katma Değer Vergisi) is 20% as of 2026. Reduced rates of 10% and 1% apply to specific categories. Foreign tourists who don't reside in Türkiye can claim the VAT back on purchases that meet the rules.

Eligibility

• You're a non-resident foreign passport holder
• The shop participates in the tax-free system (look for Global Blue, Premier Tax Free, or similar logos)
• The single receipt is over 100 TL
• You take the goods out of Türkiye within three months

The process

1. At the shop, ask for a tax-free form ("KDV iadesi"). Bring your passport.
2. Keep the form and original receipt with the goods.
3. At the airport, before check-in, find the customs (Gümrük) desk. Show the goods, the form, and your passport. They stamp the form.
4. Take the stamped form to a Global Blue or Premier Tax Free counter (after security at IST and SAW). Choose cash refund (immediate, in TL or major foreign currency) or credit card refund (4-6 weeks).

The actual refund is typically 12-15% of the purchase price, not the full 20%, after processing fees. Do this only for substantial purchases. For a 1,000 TL souvenir, the queue isn't worth it.