Turkey has an e-visa system that eliminates waiting in long queues at the airport. The process is simple. The fee is $20. Complete the application, pay using Visa or Mastercard and submit. You will receive your e-visa via e-mail within 48 hours. Your passport must be valid for six months from the date of your application. Here’s a link to the e-visa website: https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/

Bring several photocopies of all important documents in case anything goes missing, including extra passport photos for Visas and border crossings.

Also, copies of credit cards, passports, bank numbers, important phone numbers etc. should be written down and stored in a safe location. Preferably in more than one location in your luggage.

Extra copies of prescription medications and eye prescriptions are also advised. If you wear glasses, pack an extra pair.

Are vaccinations required?

There are no official requirements for specific vaccinations to enter Turkey.

As to whether you need or require vaccinations based on your personal medical history, please consult your general practitioner. You should start any vaccination regimen at least one month before your travel date.

Some doctors recommend a typhoid vaccination if you plan to visit Southeastern Turkey. And most doctors recommend a Hepatitis A and B vaccination wherever you plan to travel. Malaria is not a problem in Turkey, but carrying mosquito repellent is advised.

For complete information, check the travel destination section of the CDC Website. http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/turkey?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001

This depends on the region you plan to visit. In the summer along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, women wear bikinis on the beach. The southeast of Turkey is more conservative so your clothing should reflect that: long sleeves, high necks, long skirts or pants, no exposed midriffs. In Istanbul, clothing standards are more relaxed for women, more modern and European. However, to prevent unwanted attention, cover your cleavage and legs. If your travel plans include visiting a mosque, you should ensure that your cleavage, midriff, knees, and shoulders are covered. You will also need a headscarf.

This depends on where you are planning to travel. Spring and Fall are the best times for most of the country, although it’s off season for the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. Spring and Fall are high seasons in Istanbul.

Tourism in Turkey does not stop for religious or public holidays. Banks, schools and offices may close, but restaurants, hotels and bars will be open for business.

The timing of two religious holidays, Seker Bayram and Kurban Bayram, changes every year according to the Islamic calendar. You should avoid road trips during these periods as traffic will be heavy because many Turks will be traveling to visit their families in their hometowns. Banks and offices usually close for the duration of these two holidays. Tourist attractions and historical sites may close for the morning of the first day and open for normal business in the afternoon. The two holidays are:

 

Ramadan

Ramadan is a 30-day holy month in Islam. It is a time of fasting — letting nothing (food, gum, tobacco) pass your lips from sunrise to sunset, prayer and celebration. The end of each day’s fast is celebrated with Iftar, a ceremonial meal to ‘break the fast’. Most Turks, whether strictly observant or not, fast during Ramadan. It’s polite to refrain from eating and drinking in public during daylight hours during Ramadan. Especially in small towns and in Central and Eastern Turkey, restaurants may be closed until Iftar, when they may offer a special Ramadan meal. And tea may be less ubiquitous.

Restaurant and cafe staff, who may be fasting themselves, will understand if you are non-Muslim and will be happy to serve you.

Ramazan (Ramadan): Islamic holy month

• 2016: 6 June – 4 July
• 2017: 26 May – 25 June
• 2018: 15 May – 14 June

Seker Bayram (Eid – al – Fitr): A 3 and ½ day festival marking the end of Ramadan

• 2016: 4-7 of July
• 2017: 26-29 June
• 2018: 15-18 June

Kurban Bayram (Sacrifice Holiday): Known as the Sacrifice feast, this is a four-day festival honouring the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his youngest son to Allah. Families buy sheep to be sacrificed with the meat to be given to the poor.

• 2016: 11 September
• 2017: 31 August
• 2018: 20 August

The Blue Mosque remains open during religious holidays but with greater attendance at prayer times because of the holiday, re-opening to visitors may be delayed.

Both the Grand and Spice bazaars of Istanbul are closed for the duration of Seker and Kurban Bayram.

Unrelated to holidays, Friday mid-day is the main prayer time, so some mosques are closed too during that time.

 

Will public holidays affect travel in Turkey? If so, which ones?

Banks and offices are closed for the following public holidays. Tourist attractions usually remain open. Note that May 1^st is a popular day for demonstrations, particularly in the Taksim area of Istanbul. Thus, you should probably avoid the Taxim area on May 1, despite a heavy police presence.

• January 1: New Year’s Day
• April 23: Sovereignty and Children’s Day
• May 1: May Day
• May the 19: Youth and Sports Day
• August the 30: Victory Day
• October the 29: Republic Day

Both the Grand and Spice bazaars of Istanbul are closed on Republic Day, October 29. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sunday. The Spice Bazaar is now open on Sunday, as is Hagia Sofia.

Many museums around the country are closed on Mondays. In addition, they may close for half a day during religious holidays. This can limit the amount of time left to visit these attractions, so plan accordingly.

If you are traveling in Turkey on voting day for a general election, most tourist attractions will be open but it is against the law for restaurants and bars to serve alcohol, until voting has officially ended.

On October 29, Independence Day, the Turkish flag is hung from balconies, windows, doors, etc. There may also be music festivals and marches organized.

Air

THY, Pegasus and Atlas Jet have inexpensive and frequent flights to and from all the major tourist destinations in Turkey. As a rule, Pegasus and Atlas flights are less expensive than THY’s. Note that all flights originate in Ankara or Istanbul. E.G. you cannot fly directly from Antalya to Goreme (Cappadocia). You have to fly from Antalya to Ankara or Istanbul and then from there to Goreme. For specific flight information click here: Add Link to baris@BarefootPlusTravel.com.

 

Train

Trains in Turkey are excellent – clean, convenient, on-time – usually. The train stations are in the center of the city so easy and inexpensive to get to. Plus, you get an unparelled view of the Turkish countryside on a train. The Turkish State Railroad website, TCDD.gov.tr is only marginally helpful. It’s English pages are still under construction. But you can get an idea of the train schedule from city to city.

The high speed train between Istanbul, Eskisehir, Ankara and Konya is up and running, if not fully high speed yet. Plus, to board it in Istanbul requires a long Metro ride from Kadikoy to Kartal and then a public bus, 17B, or a taxi to the train station in Pendik. It is an adventure, but the train itself, with spacious seating, free wifi, a snack cart and a cafeteria car, plus the ride through the Anatolian countryside is lovely. There is no smoking on the train. For further information or to ask a specific question about a route or schedule, click here. Add Link to baris@barefootplustravel.com.

 

Bus

Traveling from city to city by bus in Turkey is also an excellent choice. There are many bus companies, large and small, Kamil Koc, Metro, Varan, just to name a few. Bus travel is usually the cheapest, with low to moderate fares and frequent departures. The buses are modern, comfortable, air conditioned, with on board entertainment, and even a steward who serves snacks and drinks from a little cart. Some buses have free WiFi. Not all buses have on-board toilets. However, on long-distance routes (over three hours), there are frequent rest stops (every two – to two and a half hours), with toilets, drinks and food available. No smoking is allowed on public buses. With so many bus companies, departures are frequent. A reservation is a good idea, but not necessary, except around Turkish holidays.

Buses run cross-country. However, with a long trip, breaking it into short legs, taking a plane or a train with a sleeping car, is recommended.

 

Around Istanbul

Istanbul has four main forms of public transportation: the Tram, public buses, the Metro, the Marmaray, and Ferries. There is also the Funikuler and the Tunel.

The Tram connects the main areas of Istanbul from Bahceliver to Kabatas. It is frequent, easy to use and inexpensive. You can buy ‘jetons’ from the machines at the Tram stops. However, it is a better idea to buy an Akbil, or fare card because you can use the Akbil on the public buses, the Mamaray and most ferries. So, with the Akbil you can get almost anywhere in Istanbul. The card costs 5TL (about $1.72) and you load TL on it. Once you have the Akbil, you can add TL to it at many newspaper kiosks or at the fare machines at the Tram stations.

NOTE: Istanbulkart is about to supersede the Akbil as a transit pass. The IstanbulKart works just like the Akbil but is an RFID “electronic wallet” card. The plan is for it to be used to pay parking fees, taxi fares, admissions to museums, cinemas, theaters and other cultural venues, and even for personal identification. There may be other ways to use it for small payments to other vendors. (Thank you to Tom Brosnahan for the IstanbulKart information.)

The IETT Public Buses are omni-present, frequent, go everywhere, and are well-labeled. They are easy to use, but tend to be slow (they have to contend with Istanbul’s traffic, after all) and are usually crowded. The IETT has a website, but it is marginally useful. It is a better idea to consult the bus transportation section and maps of your guidebook and/or find a bus that has the name of the area you want to go to and ask the driver by just saying the name of the area.

Istanbul’s Metro is a system of underground and surface rapid-transit trains. Its routes cover much more of the city than the Tram does. Here’s a map of both systems. Link to map of the Metro/Tram System. https://www.metro.istanbul/Content/assets/uploaded/A%C4%9F%20Haritas%C4%B1.pdf

The Marmaray is a train that connects European and Asian Istanbul via a tunnel under the Bosphorus. Sirkeci and YeniKapi are the stations on the European side and Uskudar, Ayrilik Cesmesi are the stations on the Asian side. There are easy connections from all the Marmaray stations to the Tram, Metro, public buses and ferryboats.

 

Funiculer

The Funiculer connects Taksim Square and Kabatas on the Bosphorus shore. Kabatas is a major connecting point for ferries, the Tram and public buses.

The Tunel is a two-station underground train. It is the second oldest in the world. It connects Karakoy (Galata) on the Golden Horn with the southwestern end of Istiklal Caddesi. It is a fast and convenient way to get from Karakoy to the lower end of Istiklal Caddesi.

 

The Ferries

You can’t come to Istanbul and not take a ferryboat. In fact, the best and most enjoyable way to travel within Istanbul is by ferryboat. In addition, to the traditional ferries that crisscross the Bosphorus, there are the Bosphorus cruise ferries and ferries to the Prince’s Islands. The major ferry docks in the central area of Istanbul are Eminonu, Karakoy, Kabatas, Besiktas, plus Uskudar and Kadikoy on the Asian side. Not all ferries go to all docks and it can be confusing to figure out from which dock ferries go to where. Here is some basic, but far from inclusive, information about Istanbul ferries.

From EMINONU, ferries go to: Bebek, Besiktas, Bosphorus Cruises, Hydarpasa, Kadikoy, Up the Golden Horn, Uskudar

From KABATAS, ferries go to: Bosphorus Cruises, Bursa, Kadikoy, Prince’s Islands, Uskudar

From BESIKTAS, ferries go to: Bebek, Bosphorus Cruises, Eminonu, Uskudar

From KADIKOY, ferries go to: Besiktas, Eminonu, Kabatas, Karakoy, Prince’s Islands

There is a fast ferry terminal at Yenikapi. Ferries from Yenikapi cross the Sea of Marmara to Yalova (Bursa), Mudanye (Bursa), and Bandirma.

Finally, there are the International Cruise Ships which dock in Karakoy or Salipazar, near the northern terminus of Galata Bridge.

However, when all is said and done, walking is frequently the best, fastest and most efficient way to get around Istanbul’s central area and old city. With traffic almost constantly gridlocked, you can often walk somewhere faster than with either public transportation or taxi.

Turkey does not have the infrastructure to support disabilities that many countries do.

The hearing impaired should employ a professional sign language interpreter for guided tours. Those with mobility issues should be aware of challenges ranging from uneven pavement, lack of railings, no elevators, no curb cuts and no wheel chair ramps.

Airports in larger cities are usually navigable. In small cities deplaning is usually by staircases rolled up to the door of the plane.

 

Hotels

Newer, better hotels are usually equipped to handle travelers with physical disabilities. Not so older, smaller, less expensive hotels.

 

Local Transportation (Istanbul)

• The Metro, Tram, Marmaray and Catamaran ferries are designed to European standards of accessibility. Some city buses provide wheelchair access and seats for ‘handicapped’ passengers.
• Ferryboats are not adapted for wheelchair access, although access may be possible with assistance.
• City Streets are a nightmare, even for the physically able. Sidewalks tend to be narrow and provide parking spaces for automobiles, display space for shops and outdoor dining for restaurants. The pedestrian gets short shrift.
• Buildings and Museums – Accessibility is spotty at best. Check before you go.

The Internet is widely available in Turkey. Most hotels offer free WiFi to guests. But be sure to check. You get the pass code from Reception. Sometimes there is an information card in the room with the pass code. Most major cities have internet cafes.

 

Mobile Phones

Unlocking your cell phone will allow you to purchase local Sim cards. However, not all companies will unlock your phone for international travel. So be sure to check with your carrier before you leave.

Local Sim cards are surprisingly cheap with no monthly contract and include plenty of data usage. You can buy prepaid SIM cards at Istanbul Ataturk airport – after you pass through the arrival doors. There are many, many usage plans. The three mobile companies, Turkcell, VodaPhone and Avea, all offer a variety of starter packs, the description of which can be complicated and obtuse.

Turkish authorities want foreign phones in Turkey to be ‘registered’, even those with a local Sim card. You can have an unregistered phone for up to 60 days. After that, they are likely to discontinue your service, whether or not you have any minutes left. You can register your phone at the Turkcell counter at the airport or at a Turkcell shop anywhere in Turkey. You will need your passport with the arrival stamp and your local address. At the airport, depending on what time you arrive, and who is on the counter, the clerks may feign no knowledge of the issue, in which case there is not much you can do. The level of English at Turkcell shops in Istanbul or elsewhere in Turkey may not be as high as at the airport.

A Juice Pack will extend the charge of your I-Phone. The Mophie Juice Pack is just one of many that are available. However, the Mophie attaches directly to the I-Phone eliminating the need to carry extra charging gear.

You can also buy a camera lens for your I-Phone that will allow you to take better quality photos with your I-Phone. If you decide to buy one, and also have a Juice Pack, be sure to buy a camera lens that works with both.

You can also purchase a Turkish cell phone. This is a good idea if you are planning to stay a long time (more than two weeks), or to make lots or long calls. Turkish cell phones are already registered so you won’t have to register it. Basic cell phones are not inexpensive. Prices start at about 100TL. A Smart Phone is very expensive.

Turkey has three purveyors of cell phones: Turkcell, VodaPhone and Avea. Turkcell has the best coverage. Voda phone has good coverage in areas of over 10,000 people. And it has a good ‘Holiday Plan’ for foreign tourists. Avea has the least expensive roaming plans for foreign tourists. Figure out what you need (voice minutes, texts, Internet) before you shop so you can buy the package that best fills your needs.

 

Computers

The Mac 13″ or 15” Retina Pro is an excellent laptop for travel. You may also want to bring a Mouse. A silicone keyboard cover is also recommended. For some travelers, an external hard drive is also a must, depending on what you plan to do during your trip – work, blog, download, save and send photos, etc. An extra USB cable or two is also a good idea.

 

Programs

Skype: A Skype account or the What’s App both facilitate staying in touch back home.

VPN: A VPN is a Virtual Private Network. It helps protect you against hackers when you connect to the Internet when traveling abroad. You register with a VPN company, download its app and arrange for payment. Basic services are usually free. Connection may be slower than via regular WiFi, so you may want to use your VPN connection only when transmitting personal or sensitive information, i.e. passwords, credit cards, bank info. There are many good VPNs. Hotspot Shield, Safer VPN are just two.