Turkiye offers a unique experience that is both European and Asian at the same time. Major destinations in Turkiye include Istanbul, the cave cities of the Cappadocia region, the ruins of Ephesus, and Antalya on the Turquoise Riviera. The local food is exceptional, and shopping at the Grand Bazaar is a delightful experience. We recommend respecting the local culture and customs when planning your trip, and you can explore the beauty of Turkestan while enjoying a variety of attractions and activities.
1. Turkiye Quick Facts
Language Turkish
Religion Islam
Currency Turkish Lira (TRY/TL/₺)
Visa eVisa or visa free access for most nationalities
Power Plugs 230 V 50 Hz (C/F Type)
Capital Ankara
ATM ATM are also readily available, allowing you to withdraw local currency using your credit or debit card.
Use card
When using a card, it’s often cheaper to pay in local currency rather than your home currency or dollars. You can pay with credit cards from most card companies, including Visa and Mastercard..
Useful APP
Google Maps
2. Packing for your trip
Air plain Ticket
Dollar Flight Club has made it easier and cheaper to buy flights to the Airport.
SIM card
Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving you access to 200+ eSIMs (digital SIM cards) globally at affordable prices.
New member one-time use 15% discount coupon
10% discount coupon for multiple use by all members.
Pacsafe Pro safe 800 Luggage Lock
Good protection against snatchers or impulse thieves.
Universal Power Adapter
One of the most essential but most forgotten items in your travel gear? A power adapter!
Travel insurance
Prepare for risky situations Travel insurance can be a big help in the event of an emergency
GoPro HERO11
If you want to capture your own memories of your travels, GoPro is the way to go. It’s small, has great image quality, and is easy to carry around
3. Transportation
Istanbul
Airport – Istanbul Havaists Airport Bus ₺136
Transportation Bus, metro, tram, water ferry
Istanbul kart transportation card Istanbul kart (card ₺ 70 /non-refundable) can be purchased with credit card or cash at the issuing machines at the airport. There is no fee to load cash, but ₺5.95 fee to load a card. There are no free transfers, and you only need to swipe the card once to get on.
Bus, tram, and subway fares are 15 lira.
Transfers within 2 hours cost ₺12 for one transfer,₺ 10 lira for two transfers, and ₺ 8.5 for three transfers.
*Airport buses are not available for Havaists.
Marmaray A subway that runs through an undersea tunnel under the Bosphorus.
Marmaray metro fare ₺ 33
Metro bus fare ₺ 22
Taxis
Not recommended for foreigners as they charge a lot of extra even if you call them with an app.
4. Safety
Istanbul’s main tourist attractions are well populated in the evenings, so it’s safe to wander around at night, but there are some red-light districts, such as Tarlabaşı, where you need to be careful.
Cappadocia, which is famous for its hot air balloons, is also a popular destination for travelers, so it’s safe to wander around late at night.
Useful phone numbers for tourists
Fire departments, emergency vehicles:
Police Call:
Local police:
5. Climate
Turkiye is a large country, so the weather varies.
Turkiye is split into 7 different regions- Marmara, Black sea Coast, Eastern Anatolian, Southeastern Anatolia, Central Anatolia, Mediterranean and Aegean. Each region has a vastly different climate which is primarily affected by its proximity to mountain ranges and different seas and oceans. On the whole, the Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have typical Mediterranean climates with hot summers and mild, wet winters. The east of the country is mountainous with warm summers and very cold, snowy winters. Central Turkiye, located on an interior plateau has low rainfall and cold or very cold winters.
6. price
The overall cost of living is low, but prices are high in major tourist destinations.
Due to the war in Ukraine, energy and food prices have increased by more than 70%.
McDonald’s Combo Meal: ₺ 180.00
Water (1.5 liter): ₺ 7.70
Milk (regular 1 liter) ₺ 25.19
Gasoline (1 liter) ₺ 36.79
7. Travel precautions
Almost all toilets in Turkiye are paid. 5 lira per person
Pickpockets have recently been reported in popular tourist areas, often demanding money for favors.
8. Etiquette & Service Tip
Always ask permission before taking a picture of someone. It is considered rude to chew gum or mimic other people’s behavior when talking to them.
Tip
There is generally no tipping culture, but you can expect to pay a 5-10% tip at upscale restaurants and hotels that are frequented by foreigners.
9. Holidays
The public holidays in Turkiye in 2024
1 Jan Mon New Year’s Day
10 Apr to 12 Apr Wed to Fri Ramazan Bayramı Holiday
23 Apr Tue Children’s Day
1 May Wed Labour Day
19 May Sun Youth and Sports Day
16 Jun to 19 Jun Sun to Wed Kurban Bayramı Holiday
15 Jul Mon Democracy and National Solidarity Day
30 Aug Fri Victory Day
29 Oct Tue Republic Day
2025 National Public Holidays:
Wednesday, 1 January : New Year’s Day
Sunday to Tuesday, 30 March to 1 April : Ramazan Bayramı Holiday
Wednesday, 23 April : Children’s Day
Thursday, 1 May : Labour Day
Monday, 19 May : Youth and Sports Day
Friday to Monday, 6 to 9 June : Kurban Bayramı Holiday
Tuesday, 15 July: Democracy and National Solidarity Day
Saturday, 30 August : Victory Day
Wednesday, 29 October : Republic Day