Turkey is a country that offers everything from rich culture, modern traditions, stunning beach towns and incredible food. There are a thousand different reasons to visit this captivating country, which is why millions of people flood there each year, making it one of the world's most visited countries.
As you plan your trip, you’ll want to know what to expect when you arrive. This guide includes everything you’ll want to know before your next trip. When is the best time to go?, How safe is Turkey to travel to? And even how to get to your destination from the airport when you arrive? Everything has been composed into this easy-to-read guide to get you prepared.
Best Time To Visit
Turkey has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters, with the hottest month of the year being July, with an average daily maximum of 35°C (95°F) and an average low of 25°C (77°F).
Turkey is a large country and experiences diverse climates, so pinpointing the right time to go depends on where you are going and what you want to do. For instance, if you’re going for a city break, you might not want to go in the summer when temperatures reach 35°C (95°F).
For this reason, we will give you a breakdown of the seasons so that you can find your ideal time.
Spring (April to June) - During spring, the weather is mild and pleasant when flowers bloom, and you can find vast green landscapes. This is one of the best times for exploring historic sites and walking around cities like Istanbul and Cappadocia, with daily average temperatures between 16°C (61°F) and 25°C (77°F). However, this is also one of the most popular times for prime tourist destinations, which can lead to places being very busy.
Summer (July to September) - Summer is Turkey's hottest and driest period, especially in the coastal regions. This is the perfect time to enjoy beach holidays if you can stand the heat. Temperatures average around 25°C (77°F) and 28°C (82°F) during this time, reaching up to 35°C (95°F) on hotter days. Crowds will be abundant, and prices may also be higher.
Autumn (September to November) - The days are starting to cool down around this time of year, and it is another excellent time to explore cultural sites, enjoy outdoor activities and wonder about the cities. Tourist crowds begin to dissipate, giving you a more relaxing holiday.
Winter (December to February) - Winter in Turkey varies across the different regions. Coastal areas, such as Istanbul and the Aegean coast, experience mild and wet winters, with temperatures dropping to around 11°C (52°F) and rainfall at its peak in December. This is a good time for indoor activities or winter sports in regions such as Uludağ and Palandöken.
Money
The main currency in Turkey is the Turkish New Lira (TRY). The exchange rate fluctuates considerably, but as of March 2023, 10 USD will get you 190 TRY. Cash (TRY) is accepted everywhere, with shops and restaurants accepting Euros and US Dollars. Where Euros and USD are accepted, prices will be listed.
You can also use credit/debit cards in popular destinations like Istanbul, Marmaris, Antalya, and Bodrum. But do contact your bank before travelling to check for any international transaction fees, as you may get charged a small fee for every transaction you make.
Languages
Turkish is the official language of Turkey, with English being widely spoken and understood in major tourist destinations. However, having a translation app such as Google Translate on hand is a good idea.
Main Airports
In total, there are 57 airports in Turkey, with 33 offering both domestic and international flights. The main airport is Istanbul Airport.
Find Flights to Istanbul
Getting to/from Istanbul Airport
Metro (see note below) - You can get the metro into the city using the new metro line. However, the journey isn’t direct. First, head to the IST airport subway station outside Exit 11 and take the M11 line to Gayrettepe Station, then change to the M2 line to reach Taksim Metro Station. The journey takes around 40 minutes, costing 17 TRY (0.85 USD) per person.
Note: As of writing 05th April 2023, the M11 line does not go all the way to Gayrettepe Station, which is still in development. We have added this option here as it is due to be complete by mid-2023.
Taxi (most convenient) - You will find official taxi ranks on all levels outside the airport. Taxis in Istanbul are metered, so there is no set pricing. Expect a ride from Istanbul Airport to Taksim Square to take around 50 minutes, depending on traffic, and cost, on average, 400 TRY (21 USD).
BiTaksi (safest) - BiTaksi is an app that operates in Istanbul and Izmir that works similarly to Uber but allows you to book official metered taxis. You can travel without worrying about giving directions as this is already input into the app when booking, and you also get a fare estimate upfront. Setting up your payment details beforehand means you don’t need to worry about handling cash. A trip from Istanbul Airport to Taksim Square will cost around 400 TRY (20 USD).
Shuttle Bus (cheapest) - A shuttle bus service operated by “Havaist” can take you from the airport to Taksim. Buses depart every 15-20 minutes during the day and every 30-60 minutes at night. At the time of writing, a one-way ticket cost 67 TRY (3.37 USD). Buses can be found just outside arrivals, and a ticket must be purchased at one of the counters before you board the bus. Whilst this is a cost-effective option, the bus stops at many stops, so it can take around 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach Taksim.
Be aware: There will be taxi drivers waiting at each dropoff spot in the city to pick up tourists. They can be persistent, especially for people travelling solo, and, from our experience, are not the most polite people to deal with. I suggest you politely decline and walk up the road a bit to find a metered taxi or book one through BiTaksi. One driver quoted me three times the prices. I eventually paid for a metered taxi from the bus stop to my hotel.
Vaccinations
There are no required vaccinations when travelling to Turkey, but you should consider Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Tetanus.
Rabid dogs can be found in Turkey. If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal, there may be limited or no rabies treatment available. Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.
Internet and Mobile
You can pick up a sim card at the airport as you exit customs. A few different providers will be available, but we recommend Turkcell. It is the most popular network for a tourist sim in Turkey and is hassle-free to set up. As you exit customs, turn right, and you will immediately see the Vodafone stand. You’ll find the Turkcell store just past this on the left. They will have a list of prices that offer mobile data plus minutes, and as of March 2023, these started at 1100 TRY (55 USD). They also provide a data-only sim, which they will offer you upon request, which at the time cost 855 TRY (43 USD) with 12GB. However, prices in Turkey fluctuate rapidly, so these prices may not be the same when you visit. For instance, the same data-only sim only cost 480 TRY (24 USD) six months earlier!
Buying a SIM card at the airport is convenient, but you are paying a premium for this, and the same SIM card in the city will be around 50% cheaper.
Drinking Water
Whilst drinking tap water in Turkey's major cities, such as Istanbul, is safe, most establishments will recommend that foreigners stick to bottled water for their stay.
Is Turkey Safe?
Turkey is a relatively safe country to visit, with a few exceptions.
Do Not Travel within 10 km of the border with Syria due to the serious threat of terrorism, violence and acts of war in this area.
Reconsider Travel: As of March 2023, the provinces of Adana, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, Şanlıurfa should still be avoided due to damage caused by the earthquakes in February 2023. Check your local government's website for updates before travelling.
Be Aware: Petty crimes such as pickpocketing and scams can occur in tourist areas. These crimes can be more common at night or in tourist areas such as Taksim Square, Sultanahmet, the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar in Istanbul. As always, take the usual cautions that you would anywhere in the world.
Plug Type
Turkey uses the same Type C and Type F rounded two-pin style sockets found throughout Europe with a standard voltage of 230v and a frequency of 50 Hz. If you need a travel adaptor, one with surge protection is recommended.
Getting Around
Uber - Available in Turkey but only in a few locations, including Istanbul, Izmir, and Ankara.
BiTaksi - BiTaksi is an app that operates in Istanbul and Izmir that works similarly to Uber but allows you to book official metered taxis. It is Turkey's most used taxi booking app and is available for iOS and Android. It gives you the convenience of inputting your destination upfront and gives you a fare estimate before your trip.
Android App - BiTaksi
iPhone App - BiTaksi
Bus (or dolmuş) - Public bus routes can be found all over Turkey in major cities and smaller towns. While this is one of the cheapest ways to get around, it can be pretty tricky in smaller towns due to the lack of route maps and poor signage.
Metro - Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, Bursa, Antalya, Konya and Gaziantep all have some kind of metro or light rail system. These are relatively inexpensive and rely on a travel card which you can prepay with credit for getting around. In Istanbul, this is called The Istanbul Kart (transport card) and can be picked up at small kiosks near all metro stations, piers, and bus stations. This can also be used on boats, subways, and buses.
Tram - On the Eastern side of Istanbul, you can get around on The Istanbul Tram. Even though the modern yet, old-fashioned trams were extremely packed every time we boarded, it was a great way to explore the city in a jump-on-jump-off fashion. You can travel on these using The Istanbul Kart.
Visa Information
Anyone visiting Turkey must have a valid visa to enter. You can apply for an e-visa at evisa.gov.tr/en/; if you are from one of twenty select countries, you can get a visa on arrival (VOA). Prices for VOA vary for each country ranging from 25-70 USD.
See the image below for the list of countries and their prices as of March 2023.
Find out more about visas at mfa.gov.tr.