Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Turkey
 |  | Fact File : Turkey |
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| | | Turkey | | Did you know?
In the capital, Istanbul, the shop where Turkish delight was invented in the 18th century is still in business.
Language
Turkish.
Visas
You will need to buy a visa sticker on arrival in Turkey. At time of writing, visas cost £10 for up to three months.
Getting there
Most package holiday flights go into Dalaman or Bodrun airports. Trains also go to Istanbul from London Victoria.
Flying time from London
Three and a half hours.
Getting around
Buses are a good way of getting around the country. Car travel is inadvisable if you are a timid driver, but can get you to some great out-of-the-way places.
Currency
Turkish lira.
Costs
Prices vary greatly, but as a very rough guide: a bottle of beer in a bar £1.50; moderate restaurant meal £20 for two people; a bottle of wine in a restaurant £8-9, a bottle of wine from a supermarket £4-5, 24-exposure camera film £2.50; four-mile taxi ride £8-£15, litre of petrol 75p.
Weather
Turkey has several climatic regions but most tourists hit the Aegean or Mediterranean coasts. April to June and September to October are perfect months to visit these areas. Winter (December to February), drops to around 40F (4C), while July and August can hit 104F (40C).
Time difference
Two hours ahead of the UK.
International dialling code from the UK
00 90.
Voltage
220 volts but you'll need an adaptor for the mostly two round-prong plugs.
Opening hours
Major post offices open 8am-midnight Monday-Saturday, 9am-7pm Sunday. Banks, 8.30am-noon, then 1.30-5pm on weekdays. Shops, 9.30am-1pm, then 2-7pm (closed Sundays). Museums close on Mondays.
Health — before you go
No jabs required but hepatitis A, polio and typhoid are recommended. The UK has no reciprocal health arrangements with Turkey, so take out adequate health insurance.
Health — when you are there
Tap water is safe to drink as all towns have chlorinated supplies, but bottled may taste better. Avoid milk products, as electricity is expensive and some places will scrimp on fridge temperatures — though you should have no problems in major tourist areas.
Warnings
If you're offended by cigarette smoke you will have some unpleasant moments. This is the land of aromatic Turkish tobacco.
Emergency
Police, tel 155. British Consulate: Ingiliz Baskonsoloslugu, Mesrutiyet Caddesi 34, Tepebasi Beyoglu, Istanbul.
Customs
Turks view foreigners as cultured, educated and wealthy, so expect to be made to feel special. Women should cover heads and arms and not wear short skirts when visiting mosques. Men should not wear shorts in mosques.
Pets
The UK has no arrangements with Turkey regarding pets so normal quarantine rules apply.
Tipping
Some places automatically add 10%-15%, though a small tip is expected.
Tourist office
Turkish Tourism and Information, 1st floor, 170 -173 Piccadilly, London, W1V 9DD, tel 020 7629 7771. Brochure request line: 09001 887755 (calls cost 60p a minute).
Did you know?
Hisaronu sits at the base of a once-fortified hill. Its name means "in front of the fortress".
Language
Turkish.
Visas
UK nationals may enter Turkey after obtaining a multiple-entry sticker visa at the border or airport. You don't need to apply in advance, but at time of writing, you'll need £10 sterling to pay for it.
Getting there
Fly directly to Dalaman from the UK. Dalaman is the nearest airport.
Flying time from London
Four hours.
Getting around
Dolmuses — Turkish mini-buses — are cheap and run frequently to and from the town.
Currency
Turkish lira.
Costs
Prices vary greatly but as a rough guide, expect to pay: moderate restaurant meal £10 with wine; bottle of beer £1; 24-exposure camera film £2.50; four-mile taxi ride £6.
Weather
Summer 30-37C (86-97F), winter 15-21C (59-69F).
Time difference
Two hours ahead of the UK.
International dialling code from the UK
00 90 252.
Voltage
220V; plugs are two-pronged, so UK appliances will need an adapter.
Opening hours
Banks open from 8.30am-noon and from 1.30pm-5pm Monday to Friday. Shops open from 9am-noon and 2pm-7pm Monday to Saturday.
Health — before you go
No jabs are required but protection against hepatitis A, polio and typhoid is recommended. Make sure you have health insurance.
Health — when you are there
Don't drink tap water and take the usual precautions in the sun.
Warnings
On day trips to local ruins and sights, women wishing to avoid attracting unwanted attention may want to dress like the locals, keeping torso, legs and upper arms covered.
Emergency
The emergency number is 155 for police, 112 for an ambulance. The nearest British Consulate is in the Yesil Marmaris Travel Agency and Yacht Management building at Barbaros Caddesi 249, No 118 Marina, 48700 Marmaris. Tel 252 412 6486.
Customs
Unrelated men and women must not sit next to each other on public transport. Shaking your head from side to side means "I don't understand".
Pets
You can take animals into Turkey with the correct paperwork but they would have to go into quarantine on return to the UK.
Tipping
In the cheapest restaurants, tipping is not necessary. In more upmarket eateries a 10-15% charge is normally added to your bill, but this goes to the owner, so most people choose to leave another 5% for the waiting staff. In taxis, just round up the metered fare.
Tourist office
Turkish Tourist Office, 170-173 Piccadilly, 1st Floor, London, W1V 9DD.Tel 020 7355 4207
Did you know?
Altinkum means "golden sands". Herodotus, the Greek academic dubbed "Father of History", was born in nearby Bodrum around 485BC, when it was known as Halicarnassus.
Language
Turkish.
Visas
A 90-day tourist visa costs £10 and is obtainable on arrival in Turkey.
Getting there
Direct charter flights from the UK to Bodrum International Airport near Milas, then coach transfer to the resort if travelling with a package.
Flying time from London
About three and a half hours.
Getting around
Buses depart frequently from the resort for many places, near and far. Istanbul is 14 hours away and there are hourly services in summer, for example. Dolmuses (minibuses) connect Altinkum with bigger resorts along the Aegean coast and there's a ferry to nearby Bodrum. The main intercity bus station is at Didim.
Currency
Turkish lira.
Costs
These vary greatly, but as a rough guide: bottle of beer £1, glass of local beer 50p, bottle of local wine £2, moderate restaurant meal with wine £10, 24-exposure camera film £2.50, four-mile taxi ride £6.50.
Weather
Turkey can get scorching hot in July and August, when daytime temperatures regularly top 35C/95F. May and September are fresher, and winter months are generally wet and cool, with some days of blue sky. Temperatures in January and February range from 15-21C/59-69F.
Time difference
Two hours ahead of the UK.
International dialling code from the UK
(00 90) 252.
Voltage
220V, but take an adaptor for two round-prong plugs.
Opening hours
Banks: 8.30am-midday, 1.30pm-5pm, open daily in tourist areas. Shops: 9.30am – 7pm, although in tourist areas some close around midnight.
Health – before you go
No vaccinations are required but you may want to consider polio, hepatitis A and B and typhoid jabs as a precaution. Make sure you have health insurance.
Health – when you are there
Tap water is safe to drink in Altinkum but drink bottled water to be on the safe side. Avoid eating dishes that are not piping hot and milky desserts that are not prepared fresh.
Warnings
There are laws against insulting, defaming or making fun of the Turkish flag, the Turkish people and Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic. Theft and muggings are rare but take the usual safety precautions.
Emergency
Police 155, emergency services 112.
Customs
Smoking and enjoying nightlife are national pastimes in Turkey. Altinkum has a few bars, music venues and clubs but isn't as rowdy as Bodrum nearby. On the whole, foreigners are treated with respect and generosity.
Pets
Normal quarantine rules apply because Turkey is not part of the Pet Travel Scheme.
Tipping
Some restaurants add 10-15% to the bill. A small tip is expected otherwise.
Tourist office
Turkish Tourist Office, 170-17- Piccadilly, London, W1V 9DD. Tel 020 7629 7771. Brochures: 09001 887755 (60p/min).
Did you know?
In the capital, Istanbul, the shop where Turkish delight was invented in the 18th century is still in business.
Language
Turkish.
Visas
You will need to buy a visa sticker on arrival in Turkey. At time of writing, visas cost £10 for up to three months.
Getting there
Most package holiday flights go into Dalaman or Bodrun airports. Trains also go to Istanbul from London Victoria.
Flying time from London
Three and a half hours.
Getting around
Buses are a good way of getting around the country. Car travel is inadvisable if you are a timid driver, but can get you to some great out-of-the-way places.
Currency
Turkish lira.
Costs
Prices vary greatly, but as a very rough guide: a bottle of beer in a bar £1.50; moderate restaurant meal £20 for two people; a bottle of wine in a restaurant £8-9, a bottle of wine from a supermarket £4-5, 24-exposure camera film £2.50; four-mile taxi ride £8-£15, litre of petrol 75p.
Weather
Turkey has several climatic regions but most tourists hit the Aegean or Mediterranean coasts. April to June and September to October are perfect months to visit these areas. Winter (December to February), drops to around 40F (4C), while July and August can hit 104F (40C).
Time difference
Two hours ahead of the UK.
International dialling code from the UK
00 90.
Voltage
220 volts but you'll need an adaptor for the mostly two round-prong plugs.
Opening hours
Major post offices open 8am-midnight Monday-Saturday, 9am-7pm Sunday. Banks, 8.30am-noon, then 1.30-5pm on weekdays. Shops, 9.30am-1pm, then 2-7pm (closed Sundays). Museums close on Mondays.
Health — before you go
No jabs required but hepatitis A, polio and typhoid are recommended. The UK has no reciprocal health arrangements with Turkey, so take out adequate health insurance.
Health — when you are there
Tap water is safe to drink as all towns have chlorinated supplies, but bottled may taste better. Avoid milk products, as electricity is expensive and some places will scrimp on fridge temperatures — though you should have no problems in major tourist areas.
Warnings
If you're offended by cigarette smoke you will have some unpleasant moments. This is the land of aromatic Turkish tobacco.
Emergency
Police, tel 155. British Consulate: Ingiliz Baskonsoloslugu, Mesrutiyet Caddesi 34, Tepebasi Beyoglu, Istanbul.
Customs
Turks view foreigners as cultured, educated and wealthy, so expect to be made to feel special. Women should cover heads and arms and not wear short skirts when visiting mosques. Men should not wear shorts in mosques.
Pets
The UK has no arrangements with Turkey regarding pets so normal quarantine rules apply.
Tipping
Some places automatically add 10%-15%, though a small tip is expected.
Tourist office
Turkish Tourism and Information, 1st floor, 170 -173 Piccadilly, London, W1V 9DD, tel 020 7629 7771. Brochure request line: 09001 887755 (calls cost 60p a minute).
Did you know?
In the capital, Istanbul, the shop where Turkish delight was invented in the 18th century is still in business.
Language
Turkish.
Visas
You will need to buy a visa sticker on arrival in Turkey. At time of writing, visas cost £10 for up to three months.
Getting there
Flights to Antalya, though most package holiday flights go into Dalaman or Bodrun airports. Trains also go to Istanbul from London Victoria.
Flying time from London
Three and a half hours.
Getting around
Buses are a good way of getting around the country. Car travel is inadvisable if you are a timid driver, but can get you to some great out-of-the-way places.
Currency
Turkish lira.
Costs
Prices vary greatly, but as a very rough guide: a bottle of beer in a bar £1.50; moderate restaurant meal £20 for two people; a bottle of wine in a restaurant £8-9, a bottle of wine from a supermarket £4-5, 24-exposure camera film £2.50; four-mile taxi ride £8-£15, litre of petrol 75p.
Weather
Turkey has several climatic regions but most tourists hit the Aegean or Mediterranean coasts. April to June and September to October are perfect months to visit these areas. Winter (December to February), drops to around 40F (4C), while July and August can hit 104F (40C).
Time difference
Two hours ahead of the UK.
International dialling code from the UK
00 90.
Voltage
220 volts but you'll need an adaptor for the mostly two round-prong plugs.
Opening hours
Major post offices open 8am-midnight Monday-Saturday, 9am-7pm Sunday. Banks, 8.30am-noon, then 1.30-5pm on weekdays. Shops, 9.30am-1pm, then 2-7pm (closed Sundays). Museums close on Mondays.
Health — before you go
No jabs required but hepatitis A, polio and typhoid are recommended. The UK has no reciprocal health arrangements with Turkey, so take out adequate health insurance.
Health — when you are there
Tap water is safe to drink as all towns have chlorinated supplies, but bottled may taste better. Avoid milk products, as electricity is expensive and some places will scrimp on fridge temperatures — though you should have no problems in major tourist areas.
Warnings
If you're offended by cigarette smoke you will have some unpleasant moments. This is the land of aromatic Turkish tobacco.
Emergency
Police, tel 155. British Consulate: Ingiliz Baskonsoloslugu, Mesrutiyet Caddesi 34, Tepebasi Beyoglu, Istanbul.
Customs
Turks view foreigners as cultured, educated and wealthy, so expect to be made to feel special. Women should cover heads and arms and not wear short skirts when visiting mosques. Men should not wear shorts in mosques.
Pets
The UK has no arrangements with Turkey regarding pets so normal quarantine rules apply.
Tipping
Some places automatically add 10%-15%, though a small tip is expected.
Tourist office
Turkish Tourism and Information, 1st floor, 170 -173 Piccadilly, London, W1V 9DD, tel 020 7629 7771. Brochure request line: 09001 887755 (calls cost 60p a minute).
Did you know?
In Istanbul, the shop where Turkish delight was invented in the 18th century is still in business.
Language
Turkish.
Visas
You will need to buy a visa sticker on arrival in Turkey. At time of writing, visas cost £10 for up to three months.
Getting there
Flights to Istanbul's busy Ataturk airport. Most package holiday flights go into Dalaman or Bodrun airports. Trains also go to Istanbul from London Victoria.
Flying time from London
Three and a half hours.
Getting around
Buses are a good way of getting around the country. Car travel is inadvisable if you are a timid driver, but can get you to some great out-of-the-way places.
Currency
Turkish lira.
Costs
Prices vary greatly, but as a very rough guide: a bottle of beer in a bar £1.50; moderate restaurant meal £20 for two people; a bottle of wine in a restaurant £8-9, a bottle of wine from a supermarket £4-5, 24-exposure camera film £2.50; four-mile taxi ride £8-£15, litre of petrol 75p.
Weather
Turkey has several climatic regions but most tourists hit the Aegean or Mediterranean coasts. April to June and September to October are perfect months to visit these areas. Winter (December to February), drops to around 40F (4C), while July and August can hit 104F (40C).
Time difference
Two hours ahead of the UK.
International dialling code from the UK
00 90.
Voltage
220 volts but you'll need an adaptor for the mostly two round-prong plugs.
Opening hours
Major post offices open 8am-midnight Monday-Saturday, 9am-7pm Sunday. Banks, 8.30am-noon, then 1.30-5pm on weekdays. Shops, 9.30am-1pm, then 2-7pm (closed Sundays). Museums close on Mondays.
Health — before you go
No jabs required but hepatitis A, polio and typhoid are recommended. The UK has no reciprocal health arrangements with Turkey, so take out adequate health insurance.
Health — when you are there
Tap water is safe to drink as all towns have chlorinated supplies, but bottled may taste better. Avoid milk products, as electricity is expensive and some places will scrimp on fridge temperatures — though you should have no problems in major tourist areas.
Warnings
If you're offended by cigarette smoke you will have some unpleasant moments. This is the land of aromatic Turkish tobacco.
Emergency
Police, tel 155. British Consulate: Ingiliz Baskonsoloslugu, Mesrutiyet Caddesi 34, Tepebasi Beyoglu, Istanbul.
Customs
Turks view foreigners as cultured, educated and wealthy, so expect to be made to feel special. Women should cover heads and arms and not wear short skirts when visiting mosques. Men should not wear shorts in mosques.
Pets
The UK has no arrangements with Turkey regarding pets so normal quarantine rules apply.
Tipping
Some places automatically add 10%-15%, though a small tip is expected.
Tourist office
Turkish Tourism and Information, 1st floor, 170 -173 Piccadilly, London, W1V 9DD, tel 020 7629 7771. Brochure request line: 09001 887755 (calls cost 60p a minute).
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