Capital – Ankara

Time Zone:

GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 during the summer)

 

Telephone Services:

Country Code: 90

IDD: International Direct Dialling is available Outgoing Code: 00

 

Emergency Telephone Numbers:

Ambulance - 112, Fire - 111, Police - 155.

 

Tourist Information:

Ministry of Tourism, Ismet Inönü Bulvar 5, Bahçelievler, Ankara, Turkey.
Tel: (312) 212 5070 Fax: (312) 212 8391.

 

Passport Information:

Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the relevant authority before travelling.

 

Visa Information:

Visa required by all except: Nationals of Barbados, Belize, Chile, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Iceland, Iran; Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Morocco, New Zealand, Northern Cyprus, Norway, Oman, Qatar, St Lucia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay and Vatican City for stay of up to 3 months.

 

Nationals of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Slovenia for stays of up to 2 months. Nationals of Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and South Africa for stays up to 1 month.

 

Tourists from the following countries can obtain their visas on arrival for a fee, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, Hong Kong and the USA for visits not exceeding 3 months. CIS, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovak Republic and Taiwan (China) for visits not exceeding 1 month. Albania, Guatemala, and Georgia, for visits not exceeding 15 days.

 

Health Information:

 

Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.

Malaria : Potential risk in the vivax form exists during period throughout the year in various areas.Other Health Risks: Cholera incidents have not been evident over recent years but simple precautions when eating and drinking are advised. Rabies is present.

 

Food & Drink:

 

Water is untreated and not safe to drink.

 

Currency - Turkish Lira (TL).

Exchange: Certificates of exchange must be retained to prove that legally exchanged currency was used. Money can be exchanged at all PTT branches.  Major credit cards are accepted.  Travellers cheques in US dollars can be easily exchanged.  ATM availability: Over 5000 locations.

 

Cost of Living:

 

Relatively inexpensive. The Ministry of Tourists advised tourists to stay in approved guest houses (Cost US$20+).

 

Languages:

 

Turkish, Kurdish. French, German and English are also spoken.

 

Weather:

 

The coasts have a hot Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters.

 

Electricity:

 

220 volts AC, 50 Hz.

 

Post:

 

Airmail to Europe takes 3 days.

 

Transport :

 

ROAD:

There is an extensive road development and maintenance programme. Care must be taken if driving as accidents can lead to serious complications and delay your travel.
RAIL:

Fares are comparatively cheap.
COACH:

Many companies provide services between major cities.
CAR HIRE:

Available in all main towns.
DOCUMENTATION:

IDP is required for visits over 3 months.

 

Special Information:

Do not deface or tear up currency it is an offence. It is also an offence to insult the Turkish nation or the national flag. There are risks of terrorism. The PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) has warned tourists against visiting Turkey but have kept a low profile recently - this may alter at any time. Avoid all travel to Eastern Turkey and do not attempt to climb Mount Ararat in Eastern Turkey.

Respect the Islamic customs.Particular care should be taken while the tensions in the Middle East are hightened. Women should dress modestly and cover shoulders and arms. Informal wear is accepted but beach-wear should be confined to the beach or pool.

Drunkenness is not really tolerated.

PHOTOGRAPHY:

Do not take photographs of anything connected with the military.  Always ask permission before taking photo's of individuals.