Turkey

Key things to know before your trip

Last update October 30, 2023

Visa exemption for many nationalities from 30 to 90 days of staying
Citizens of some countries need to apply for a visa at the embassy/consulate or obtain an e-visa (depending on citizenship)

Check whether you need a visa here

Taxi

Use taxi app BiTaxi, Uber or InDrive

Navigation on-site

Install the Maps Me app in advance and download the offline map of Turkey for the specific region you'll be visiting

Mobile operators TurkCell, Vodafone, Türk Telekom
You can buy it at the airport or official communication store, but for tourists, the price is quite high; you can only purchase a tourist package for a short stay. You can do without a SIM card and use WiFi, ask along the way in any cafe/hotel/shopping center.
E-sim (if your phone supports this function)
Install the WiFi Map app - the map with WiFi hotspots and passwords, and get a 10% discount on purchasing an e-sim (use promo code 7ECF3FK for SIM card purchase)

Currency exchange

Istanbul:

Shuttle - Bus Havaist, official website
City bus
Transfers: included if you have a tour package. Alternatively, pre-arrange through your hotel or third-party services
Taxi: available through apps

Same for other cities, just different companies for shuttles: Antalya/Bodrum - Havaş; Ankara - Belkoair/Havaş

Where to stay

Hotels, apartments
Use booking system websites
Walk into properties with rental signs or hotels directly
If you're staying at a hotel for an extended period, don't hesitate to negotiate the price!

Food

The Turkish cuisine offers a wide variety of meat and vegetable dishes.
One must-try experience is the Turkish breakfast (Türk kahvaltısı). It consists of a dozen small dishes with appetizers, bread, eggs, and, of course, tea
There are also many restaurants serving European cuisine
When choosing places to eat, consider checking Google Maps reviews. Don't hesitate to venture a bit further from the tourist center; the food there is often not only more affordable but also tastier

Public transportation

Buses, minibuses, subways, trams, and taxis are available transportation options, depending on the specific city. In general, public transportation is well-developed, making it easy to get around within cities
For traveling across the country, you can use intercity buses and airplanes