F.A.Qs
General Questions
Please ask your general practitioner or travel doctor. We cannot give medical advice about whether or not you require vaccinations. In general, people travelling to Turkey do not have vaccinations as there are no official requirements. Some doctors recommend typhoid vaccinations if you plan to visit the southeast of Turkey.
Most doctors also recommend vaccinations against hepatitis A and B wherever you travel in the world. Malaria is not a problem in Turkey but you should still carry mosquito repellents. If you would like vaccinations, visit your doctor one month prior to departure from your home country.
Australian passport holders should ensure their passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival into Turkey.
Visa requirements can change from time to time. We recommend checking the latest entry requirements before travel via the official Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs or eVisa website.
Most hotels, cafes and restaurants throughout Turkey offer complimentary Wi-Fi. Mobile data coverage is excellent in major cities and tourism regions, making it easy to stay connected during your travels.
Tourism in Turkey continues throughout public and religious holiday periods, and most travellers experience little disruption to their holiday plans. Hotels, restaurants, cafes, domestic flights, private transfers and tourism services generally operate as normal.
Turkey observes several national and religious holidays throughout the year. During these periods, banks, government offices, schools and some local businesses may close, while many attractions and tourism services remain open.
As holiday periods are popular times for domestic travel, roads, airports and transport networks can be busier than usual as Turkish families travel to visit relatives and holiday destinations. At Turkey Travel Centre, we take these periods into account when planning itineraries and transfers to help ensure a smooth travel experience.
Some museums, archaeological sites and attractions may operate reduced hours or open later on the first day of a religious holiday. Likewise, active places of worship such as the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia may experience temporary visitor restrictions around prayer times, particularly during important religious celebrations.
The Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar in Istanbul may close during certain public and religious holidays and can also operate reduced hours on some days of the week.
If you are visiting Turkey during Ramadan, you will find hotels, restaurants and tourism services operating as normal in most tourist areas. While visitors are not expected to fast, showing consideration for those observing Ramadan is appreciated, particularly in more traditional regions.
National celebrations can be a particularly enjoyable time to visit Turkey, with streets, public buildings and homes often decorated with Turkish flags, and many cities hosting cultural events, concerts and public festivities.
Our team monitors holiday schedules throughout the year and will advise you of any expected changes to attraction opening hours or sightseeing arrangements before and during your trip.
Turkey has a low crime rate and single women can feel relaxed about travel. You should take normal precautions like you would anywhere else in the world such as only using licensed taxis and not accepting drinks from strangers.
On all our tours, the comfort of our customers is of top importance and the guide can recommend establishments where a single female would feel comfortable.
Shop vendors may call out to you in the busy areas like the Grand bazaar of Istanbul but they only want you to come into their shop to buy something. You can ignore them or simply say no thank you and walk on.
Istanbul is a city operating all year round so any time is good to visit. If you like sunshine, come between April to October as winter in Istanbul can be cold and rainy with the occasional snowfall.
The tourism season on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts run from May to October but tourist sites like Ephesus are open all year round. Gulet cruises are generally best enjoyed between June and September.
Cappadocia is also a region operating all year round, although in the wintertime, snowfall is usual. The snow does provide a pretty landscape view and the hot air balloons rides will still operate as long as weather conditions are advisable.
If you travel between the months of December to March, bring an umbrella as this is when the country receives the most amount of rain.
Turkey is a popular destination that welcomes millions of international visitors each year. The vast majority of travellers enjoy a safe and trouble-free holiday, whether exploring Istanbul, Cappadocia, the Turquoise Coast, Ephesus or other regions of the country.
As with any destination, visitors should take sensible precautions against petty crime such as pickpocketing, particularly in crowded tourist areas, public transport hubs and busy markets. Violent crime against tourists is uncommon, and most visits are completed without incident.
Turkey is a large and diverse country, and the main tourism regions are located a considerable distance from areas that may occasionally experience security concerns. Popular destinations including Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya, Bodrum, Fethiye and Kusadasi continue to welcome visitors throughout the year.
Like many countries, Turkey's travel advice and security situation can change from time to time. We recommend checking the latest government travel advisories before departure and following any local guidance during your travels.
When travelling, it is advisable to carry identification, such as your passport or a copy of your passport, and keep original travel documents stored securely. Visitors may occasionally be asked to produce identification by authorities, although this is uncommon in most tourist areas.
Road conditions throughout much of Turkey are generally good, with an extensive network of modern highways connecting major cities and tourism regions. Visitors who choose to drive should remain alert and follow local traffic regulations. In larger cities such as Istanbul, traffic can be busy and driving may be challenging for those unfamiliar with urban conditions.
One of Turkey's greatest strengths is the warmth and hospitality of its people. Travellers are often surprised by the friendliness of locals and the genuine welcome they receive throughout their journey.
At Turkey Travel Centre, we continuously monitor travel conditions and government advisories to help ensure our clients enjoy a safe, enjoyable and well-planned holiday experience.
Mobile Phone Usage in Turkey
Staying connected in Turkey is easy, with a range of options available for travellers.
Many visitors now choose to purchase an eSIM before departure, allowing them to activate mobile data as soon as they arrive in Turkey. This is often the most convenient solution, particularly for newer smartphones that support eSIM technology.
Alternatively, prepaid local SIM cards can be purchased at major airports and mobile phone stores throughout Turkey. The main mobile operators are Turkcell, Vodafone Turkey and Turk Telekom. Your driver can usually wait while you purchase a SIM card upon arrival if required.
Before purchasing a local SIM card, ensure your phone is unlocked and not restricted to your home network provider.
Please note that Turkey has regulations regarding the use of foreign mobile phones with Turkish SIM cards. Visitors staying for a typical holiday will generally not encounter any issues. However, travellers intending to remain in Turkey for an extended period should be aware that additional registration requirements may apply to foreign devices used with local Turkish SIM cards.
For most visitors travelling to Turkey for a holiday, an eSIM or local prepaid SIM card provides a simple and reliable way to stay connected throughout their trip.
Round, two-pin plugs are used in Turkey, the same as those used on the European continent. You are advised to bring your own adapators with you, as hotels rarely have (enough) adaptors.
Most places in Turkey accept credit cards. As a security measure, some banks may block transactions made in a different country so please inform your credit card provider of your travel plans. Please be aware that Diners and American Express cards are accepted in far fewer places than Visa or Mastercard.
Tipping is appreciated but not compulsory in Turkey. In restaurants, 5-10% is customary if a service charge has not already been included. Guides and drivers are often tipped according to the level of service provided. Your tour documentation will provide suggested tipping guidelines where appropriate.
Turkey is a diverse country and dress standards can vary depending on where you are travelling. In major cities and coastal resort areas such as Istanbul, Bodrum, Kusadasi, Fethiye and Antalya, clothing styles are generally modern and similar to those found throughout Europe and Australia. During the warmer months, it is common to see both locals and visitors wearing shorts, summer dresses and swimwear at beach destinations.
When visiting mosques, both men and women are expected to dress respectfully. Women should cover their shoulders, chest and knees, and a headscarf is required when entering active places of worship. Many major mosques provide headscarves and cover-ups at the entrance if needed.
In more traditional towns and rural areas, particularly in parts of Central and Eastern Turkey, visitors may notice more conservative styles of dress. While there is no requirement for foreign visitors to dress differently, modest clothing is often appreciated and can help visitors feel more comfortable when exploring local communities.
Overall, Turkey is a welcoming and relaxed destination where visitors are free to dress as they normally would while showing appropriate respect when visiting religious sites and more traditional areas.