ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
U.S. citizens need a valid passport and visa to travel to Turkey. Passports should be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Turkey and must have enough blank space to allow for Turkish entry and exit stamps. You will be denied entry into Turkey if there is not enough space for entry and exit stamps in your passport. U.S. Citizens are exempted from visa up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Make sure that you have enough space for entry and exit stamps in your passport to ensure your entry and exit. Travelers should be careful not to stay beyond the date permitted on their visas in order to avoid difficulties when departing the country.
Get entry and exit stamps. You must have a Turkish entry stamp to fly domestically. Get an exit stamp in your passport when leaving the country, or you may face difficulties re-entering Turkey in the future and a fine.
For more updated information, please visit http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/turkey.html.
Please note: Each traveler is fully responsible for bringing and acquiring travel documents (e-tickets, hotel and travel vouchers, etc.) necessary for their itinerary. Suppose you are not a citizen of the United States. In that case, your entry requirements may vary. Please get in touch with the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited and obtain the specific requirements for entry.
ARRIVAL INFORMATION
Please refer to the instructions given in your itinerary confirmation.
Country Information
Capital: Ankara
Population: 83,047,706 (2022 est.)
Location: Southeastern Europe and Southwestern Asia
Largest Cities: Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya
Religion: Muslim, 99%
System of Government: Republican parliamentary democracy
Map of Turkey
Time Zone
Turkey operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), plus 2 hours.
At 9:00 am in Istanbul, it is:
• 2:00 am same day in New York – Eastern Standard Time (EST)
• 1:00 am same day in Chicago – Central Standard Time (CST)
• 11:00 pm the previous day in San Francisco – Pacific Standard Time (PST)
• 8:00 pm the previous day in Hawaii – Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HAST)
*Note: Add one hour to local time during Daylight Savings Time.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website is a good source of health information for travelers.
You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Sightseeing may require, at minimum, the ability to walk at a moderate pace for a mile or two and the balance and agility necessary to climb stairs, enter and exit buses and boats, and navigate uneven or cobble-stoned streets. Some sightseeing stops do not have elevators or wheelchair access. Bring medications in their original, clearly labeled containers. A signed and dated letter from your physician describing your medical conditions and medications, including generic names, is also a good idea. If carrying syringes or needles, have a physician’s letter documenting their medical necessity. When on vacation, it is always wise to watch what you eat and drink and avoid drinking tap water while traveling. Most hotels will provide complimentary bottled water. You can purchase additional bottled water throughout your trip.
Turkey’s currency unit is the Turkish Lira (TL), available in the following denominations: Banknotes: 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 TL; Coins: 10, 25, 50 kurus, and 1 TL. You can exchange foreign currency at authorized agencies such as banks, exchange offices, and hotels. ATMs dispense new Turkish Lira to Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus, and Maestro card holders. The exchange rate constantly fluctuates. The current exchange rate is 1 USD = 1.8 TRY. For the most updated exchange rate, please check http://www.xe.com.
The standard electrical voltage in Turkey is 220-240 volts/50 hertz. Bringing an adaptor is a good idea if you plan to use electronics (i.e., cell phones, laptops, cameras, etc.) during your trip.
Turkish cuisine combines Mediterranean, Central Asian, Caucasian, and Arabic influences and is extremely rich. Beef is the most important meat (lamb is also common, but pork is tough to find although not illegal), eggplant (aubergine), onion, lentil, bean, tomato, garlic, and cucumber are the primary vegetables. An abundance of spices is also used. The main staples are rice (pilav), bulgur wheat, and bread, and dishes are typically cooked in vegetable oil or sometimes butter.
Turkey is famous for its Turkish coffee and Turkish tea. Ayran is a popular drink of water and yogurt, unlike the Finnish/Russian buttermilk or Indian lassi, but always served without sugar (and, in fact, typically with a bit of salt added). A version loved by the locals, köpüklü ayran, is a delicacy if you’re traveling by bus over the Toros (Taurus) Mountains. Ask for yayık ayranı or köpüklü ayran. Turkish coffee (kahve), served in tiny cups, is strong and tasty; be careful not to drink the sludgy grounds at the bottom of the cup. It is much different than the so-called Turkish coffees sold abroad. Sade kahve is served black, while as şekerli, orta şekerli, and çok şekerli will get you a little, some, or a lot of sugar in your cup. Don’t forget to try some Turkish delights or baklava—things Turkey is also famous for!
Turkish is the national language of Turkey. Turkey has a high literacy rate, and many study English or a European language in school. English is Turkey’s second most spoken language, and English speakers are easy to find in major cities and hotels/resorts.
WEATHER
Turkey is situated in a geographical location where climatic conditions are relatively temperate. However, the diverse nature of the landscape, particularly the mountains that run parallel to the coasts, results in significant differences in climactic conditions from one region to another. Humidity is high throughout Turkey during the summer season, with July and August being the hottest. Parts of the country located along the Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean coasts have mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. The Black Sea Region has similar temperatures but witnesses the heaviest rainfall out of all the other regions. The weather in the Eastern parts of the country and central and eastern Anatolia is quite different than in other areas because of the higher altitude. Here, they have hot, dry summers and freezing snowy winters.
Average Temperatures
All temperatures in Fahrenheit (°F)
| Month/City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alanya | 50 - 61 | 51 - 63 | 54 - 67 | 59 - 72 | 66 - 80 | 73 - 87 | 79 - 92 | 80 - 93 | 75 - 88 | 67 - 81 | 59 - 72 | 52 - 64 |
| Antalya | 47 - 59 | 49 - 61 | 52 - 64 | 59 - 69 | 65 - 75 | 73 - 84 | 79 - 90 | 80 - 91 | 73 - 86 | 65 - 78 | 57 - 70 | 50 - 61 |
| Ankara | 29 - 42 | 31 - 47 | 36 - 55 | 43 - 65 | 51 - 73 | 58 - 82 | 64 - 89 | 64 - 89 | 56 - 80 | 46 - 68 | 34 - 56 | 31 - 44 |
| Bodrum | 46 - 59 | 47 - 60 | 50 - 64 | 55 - 71 | 62 - 81 | 70 - 89 | 75 - 95 | 75 - 94 | 69 - 87 | 62 - 79 | 55 - 69 | 49 - 62 |
| Cappadocia | 22 - 40 | 24 - 46 | 27 - 51 | 33 - 58 | 40 - 67 | 47 - 73 | 50 - 78 | 49 - 78 | 43 - 70 | 36 - 61 | 29 - 49 | 24 - 41 |
| Edirne | 30 - 44 | 32 - 50 | 37 - 57 | 45 - 67 | 53 - 77 | 60 - 85 | 64 - 90 | 63 - 90 | 56 - 82 | 48 - 69 | 40 - 58 | 33 - 47 |
| Istanbul | 37 - 48 | 38 - 49 | 41 - 54 | 47 - 62 | 56 - 71 | 64 - 80 | 69 - 85 | 69 - 84 | 62 - 77 | 55 - 68 | 47 - 59 | 41 - 51 |
| Izmir | 43 - 54 | 45 - 58 | 49 - 64 | 54 - 72 | 61 - 80 | 70 - 89 | 76 - 93 | 76 - 92 | 68 - 85 | 59 - 76 | 52 - 66 | 45 - 57 |
| Kayseri | 20 - 39 | 23 - 44 | 30 - 54 | 38 - 64 | 45 - 72 | 50 - 80 | 55 - 87 | 54 - 87 | 46 - 80 | 39 - 69 | 29 - 54 | 23 - 44 |
| Kusadasi | 45 - 56 | 45 - 58 | 48 - 61 | 53 - 68 | 60 - 77 | 68 - 86 | 74 - 92 | 74 - 91 | 67 - 84 | 60 - 74 | 53 - 65 | 48 - 59 |
OTHER INFORMATION
This will depend on your preference and the time of year you travel. Generally, we suggest that travelers pack lightly and bring comfortable, casual clothes in natural, “breathable” fabrics because of the humidity. Choose versatile styles that can be layered. A lightweight (preferably non-plastic) raincoat or poncho is a good idea, as well as a sweater or lightweight jacket for early morning/evenings and air-conditioned buildings. A sturdy pair of walking shoes is a must, as sandals may not be comfortable for some sightseeing activities. Some hotels have pools, so you may want to pack your swimming suit. Do not forget to bring sunblock, sunglasses, insect repellent, pocket packs of tissues, a sunhat, an umbrella (for both the sun and rain), and any medications you may need. Most hotels offer reliable laundry and dry cleaning services.
In most areas in Turkey, you will generally find that most people dress similarly to those in other European countries. For sightseeing, wear casual clothes except when visiting mosques.
When visiting a mosque, wear modest, conservative clothing. Plan to cover most of your body, including your shoulders, upper arms, and legs. No shorts or sleeveless shirts on either men or women.
Women: Women should have all skin covered; ankle-length skirts or pants are required. Pants or skirts that are too revealing, clingy, or tight should not be worn. Sleeves should reach each wrist, and a headscarf should cover the hair.
Men should wear long pants and plain shirts without messages or slogans when visiting mosques. Short-sleeved shirts are acceptable if the sleeves are not shorter than average. If in doubt, wear long sleeves.
Socks are also a good idea since you must remove your shoes before entering as part of the Muslim tradition. Usually, a robe or shawl will be provided for those with inappropriate clothing attire, but it may be a good idea to bring your own as they are constantly being reused.
Hotels may impose a hefty charge on international calls. Check your hotel’s policy before placing any calls. You can use a calling card from your local, long-distance carrier to avoid hotel markups. Several United States cell phones manufactured today can operate overseas on the GSM (Global System for Mobile) standard. We recommend contacting your cell phone service provider to determine if your phone runs on the GSM and what activation may be required. In Indonesia, reception on any cell phone can be unreliable and unpredictable. In some locations, transmission is not possible at all. If access to e-mail is critical during your trip, please check availability in advance. Most hotels have business centers or in-room WI-FI service, and surcharges may apply.
The nationwide emergency phone numbers are:
Ambulance: 112 (all over Turkey)
Fire: 110 (all over Turkey)
Police: 155 (all over Turkey)
- Rick Steves Istanbul by Lale Surmen Aran
- Lonely Planet Turkey (Travel Guide)
- DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Turkey, by Suzanne Swan
- Istanbul: City of Majesty at the Crossroads of the World by Thomas F. Madden
- Splendors of Istanbul: Houses and Palaces Along the Bosporus by Chris Hellier
- Living in Istanbul by Kenize Mourad