Turkey travel tipsYour holiday travel tickets through Turkey should include a visit to the Cappadocia district where tens of thousands of people used to live in underground cities they had tunnelled deep into the Anatolian plateau. Travel east from Istanbul to the area about 50 kilometres south of the town of Goreme. |
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CLICK ON THE PICTURE above for more world photos with travel tips about cheap holiday spots and travel agency links for airline tickets, hotel reservations and car rentals. What's on the next page? Cheap Holidays to Turkey If you're looking for discount flights to Turkey, hotel rooms, travel accessories, books, car rentals, maps, etc, visit our Travel Shop Explore our global directory of vacation rental homes, condos, cottages and villas available for rent by owner. Thumbnail Picture Index Last Minute Travel Tips Useful Turkey Links Maps of Turkey |
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Turkey travel tips
The democratic Republic of Turkey covers 779,452 square kilometres and is bordered by Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia, Armenia, the Black Sea, Iran, Iraq, Syria, the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Turkey is home to 66 million people, most of whom are effusively friendly and generous when they meet foreign tourists, and the country is hard to match for its diversity of fascinating historic, religious and natural sites through which you can travel. There are fantastic beaches along a thousand kilometres of Turkish coastline, untouched forests and mountains for climbers and skiers. The Turks are invariably polite and hospitable to visitors but take note that most men smoke cigarettes and there are no such things as no-smoking areas. Poverty is widespread but Turks are nonetheless one of the most hospitable people on earth, their generosity at times overwhelming. If you try to hitch a lift in Turkey, don't be surprised if there's a queue of drivers also offering a room and a meal.
Turkey lies at the juncture of Europe and Asia, the dividing line being the Bosphorus, and this country's culture is the classic result of East meets West, Islam meets Christianity. Turkey has one of the most colourful histories on earth, beginning with cave dwellers about 10,000 years ago and progressing through often violent episodes of war and mighty empires. The country has a stunning array of Greek and Italian ruins and Turkey is regarded by historians as the cradle of civilisation. Even Noah's Ark is believed to be fossilised on Mt Ararat in the east of Turkey. Turkey has taken somewhat of a battering over the past few years, tragically including two major earthquakes which rocked the north-west of the country in 1999, claiming 18,000 lives. Terrorism fears have worsened with suicide bombers killing dozens and injuring hundreds of people in Istanbul in late 2003, fatal bomb blasts in Istanbul and Ankara in July 2004 and further incidents in 2005. The Kurdish rebel group PKK is believed to have launched a campaign targetting Turkey's multi-billion dollar tourism industry. Tourists should note that it's worth getting embassy or consular advice before you travel to south-east and eastern parts of the country, particularly the provinces of Sirnak, Hakkari, Tunceli and Diyarbakir. Tourists, particularly Americans, should be vigilant if they travel in the mountainous eastern provinces of Turkey and if their flight is to the south-east of the country. Put simply, this eastern region should be avoided during your holiday in Turkey unless you enjoy risk. There is friction but Turkey is modernising rapidly and hopes to be a member of the European Union within a few years. Turkey straddles Europe and Asia and is a modern secular Muslim state offering a relatively safe travel environment for tourists, the main holiday risk being occasional pickpockets and thieves. Turkey is usually a safe country with little more risk than in many popular western cities. Robbery and assault of tourists is a problem mostly if you travel in major cities such as Istanbul and Izmir. If you're in Istanbul (population between 12-14 million), avoid the city's notorious traffic jams if possible. To avoid traffic, it's a good idea to catch one of the dirt-cheap trams that runs through Istanbul, many providing swift and comparatively comfortable transport to most of the prime tourist spots. Work has begun on a 13.7km tunnel to create a third link across the Bosphorus between Asia and Europe. About 1.4km of the tunnel will be underwater and construction is due to be complete in 2008, when it will link with an expanding Istanbul subway and train system. Public commuter ferries are also a very cheap way to get around and to enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorus, which is effectively a 32 kilometre long freeway. Ferry fares on the Bosphorus start from 1.3 Turkish lire (about US$1)in 2007. Local ferries continually depart from Galata Bridge and it's wonderful to cruise cheaply to places such as Ortakoy, Kandilli or Rumeli Kavagi. A recommended ferry destination is the Prince's Islands, a group of nine islands some nine kilometres from Istanbul in the Sea of Marmara. Buyukada is the largest and most beautiful of this island group, having no cars, and is about an hour by ferry from Istanbul (most accommodation is booked out in the high summer months of July and August). The old city of Istanbul on the west of the Bosphorus is a tourist holiday mecca. The Grand Bazaar in the old city has more than 4,000 shops in 118 ancient colonnaded alleys selling an amazing range of goods and is one of the oldest shopping centres in the world. Typical produces in the Grand Bazaar are leather, ceramics, jewellery, carpets and glass lamps. Beware of touts. In central Istanbul is the famous Blue Mosque, the biggest of Istanbul's Ottoman mosques with six towering minarets. Tourists can expect queues to enter the Blue Mosque, which was built by Sultan Ahmet I (1603-1617). They must remove their shoes and should dress conservatively. Surrounding the Blue Mosque is the area known as Sultanahmet, dense with carpet shops, cafes, bazaars, tourist coaches, upmarket hotels and even a pair of 4000 year old Egyptian obelisks. Nearby is the stunning Haghia Sophia (Church of the Holy Wisdom), a former 6th century church which was converted into a mosque in the 15th century. Hagia Sophia is now a World Heritage listed museum. Restoration work continues on the Haghia Sophia, which is said to have 30 million gold mosaic tiles in its 32 metre diameter dome. Also near the centre of Sultanahmet is the Hippodrome, a huge amphitheatre now in ruins that was once used for chariot races, circuses and public executions. Istanbul's economy has been strong since the turn of the century and this is reflected in the construction of new cultural attractions such as the Istanbul Modern museum of contemporary art on the banks of the Bosphorus. Sultanahmet is the city's main tourist district but more realistic adventures can be enjoyed in areas such as Taksim, Beyoglu and Pera, which are vast warrens of art galleries, cafes, restaurants, antique stores and clubs. Istanbul has a fantastic nightlife and holidays in this city are much cheaper than in western Europe. US$9 will buy you a good meal in 2007. Don't travel to Istanbul without visiting the Grand Bazaar, first built by the Ottomans in 1461 and now housing more than 4,000 shops - making it the world's biggest covered market. The Grand Bazaar is divided into districts, each with its own character, and the complex has been described as the most beautiful shopping experience in the world. Bargains can be had but the shopowners can quickly spot sucker tourists who haven't checked the local market before trying to barter for an item. Most Turks live on the east or Asian side of the Bosphorus, which is a giant suburbia but still worth touring. The city of Istanbul was founded by the Greeks well before the birth of Christ. Roman emperor Constantine converted Byzantium to Christianity in AD325 and renamed the city Constantinople in AD330. Turks converted the land to Islam in 1453 and the city was made the seat of the Ottoman Empire. In 1930, the name was officially changed to Istanbul. The food can be superb, historic sites pepper the countryside and cities, and the immense geography of Turkey offers every climate, altitude and landscape imaginable. Turkish is the mother tongue but English and German are widely spoken in tourist areas and cities. Take note that Turkey's national road toll is very high. Be aware that the Kurban Bayrami religious public holiday in March/April can make travel difficult for foreign tourists in Turkey as banks close and accommodation is scarce. If you have air tickets to travel to Turkey for your next holiday, be aware of health precautions and get immunised against cholera, hepatitis A and tetanus. It's sometimes best to avoid tap water in Turkey so consider taking iodine tablets or a portable water filter, or prepare to carry plenty of bottled water during your holiday travels. Beware that in some areas of Turkey, mosquitoes come out in plague proportions from about mid-June. Travel tip ... If you're planning on travel in Turkey, make sure when you buy your airline tickets that your travel insurance provides adequate medical cover. People with pre-existing medical conditions should be cautious about the quality of Turkey's health facilities during their Turkish holiday travel, particularly outside Ankara and Istanbul, and you should make sure your travel insurance will cover a medical crisis. There are modern private hospitals in Ankara and Istanbul but facilities in other areas are often either rudimentary or not quite up to western standards. If you get into trouble, a medical evacuation from Turkey to your home country may be necessary and that could cost you tens of thousands of dollars without insurance. Turkish doctors and hospitals might also expect cash before they treat non-residents. Pharmacies in Turkey are usually open from 9am to 6pm with a rotating 24 hour roster, and the available drugs are mostly of a western level of quality - although it might be worth checking the expiry dates in some of the more obscure locations. Speaking of which, it may be worth taking anti-diarrhea medication to some areas, particularly in the east of Turkey. It's also advisable to take chloroquine for protection against a low risk of malaria if your holiday travel includes swampy areas with mosquito infestations. Generally, it's worth making sure you receive immunisation shots before your Turkish holiday and liberally use insect repellant as there are various odd diseases found in different parts of the country. Tourists in Turkey should drink bottled water and make sure fruits are thoroughly washed, even though the local water is fairly good quality and Turks are conspicuously hygienic. Bottled water is cheap. Visitors to the Black Sea or Marmara should take anti-malaria pills. Be vigilant with food hygiene. The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have long, very hot summers and mostly wet, mild winters. Afternoon siestas are common when the heat is extreme in Turkey. Most settlements along the Aegean coast have been modernised but you can still find some antiquated towns such as Ayvalik (January average 11 degrees, August average 34 degrees Celsius), where colourful horse-drawn carts still trot through narrow, cobbled streets lined by thick stone walls and the ancient homes of merchants. Ayvalik was built in prehistoric times but rose to prominence in the 16th Century under the Ottoman Greeks. Western tourists mostly head further south to fine sand beaches and tourist hotspots such as Bodrum, but native Istanbul residents often prefer Ayvalik - which is renowned for its yoghurt, cheeses and olive oil. The best seasons for holiday travel in Turkey are from April to June or September to November. However, if you plan on visiting eastern Turkey it might be best to make your trip from late June to September as roads and mountain passes can be cut off by snow in this region during the colder months. Also be aware that travel through central Turkey can be very cold in winter, starting about mid-October, so take appropriate clothing on your holiday. It snows in central and eastern Turkey. Shops and banks in Turkey have fairly liberal opening hours but some close their doors around midday for lunch. If you have a car accident or suffer a crime during your holiday, the phone number for police is 155. Internet access is cheap at cafes and pensions but slow data transfer rates can be frustrating. Telephones in Turkey use prepaid phone cards, or jetsons, which can be purchased at the post office (PTT). Public telephones are limited and overseas calls aren't cheap. Travel tip ... Tipping is endemic in Turkey and travellers should carry a plentiful supply of small notes so they can give a cheap tip for even minor services. The constant expectation of a tip can become annoying if you don't simply accept that it's a part of life in Turkey, where most people struggle to support their families. Another part of life, particularly if you travel outside tourist areas, is the frequent use of Turkish toilets in which you basically squat above a porcelain hole in the floor. It's a good idea to always carry some tissues in case nature calls. Alcohol is widely available despite the predominant Muslim faith and bars usually stay open till the last customers have gone. There is usually plenty of nightlife on the streets of Istanbul and Turks tend to party late into the night. The potent anise liqueur of Raki is Turkey's national drink and, yes, you can easily find plenty of Turkish baths in all cities and towns if you want to enjoy a soothing holiday rub-down. Con men are rife in Turkey's nightlife. Travellers should keep a constant eye on all their valuables and consider the threat to be as serious as a night on the New York subway. Value Added Taxes are levied at different rates to most things you buy and it's important to get a VAT Refund Invoice from the shop if you want Customs Office validation at the airport when you fly out of Turkey. If you're heading out of Istanbul, be aware that Turkey has one of the worst road tolls in the world and it's worth ensuring that you choose a reputable bus company to minimise the danger. All the bus fares are cheap by western standards. Be careful about perishable goods as some regional vendors have inadequate refrigeration. It's illegal to show disrespect for the name or image of the Turkish State or its founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, and you can be arrested for trying to travel out of the country taking an antiquity without the correct paperwork. Despite these travel warnings, your holiday in Turkey will probably be the most enjoyable and memorable in your life, thanks to the stunning archaeology and geology of Turkey and the generous friendliness of the Turks. Furthermore, holiday travel in Turkey is cheap. There is a strong mix of different nationalities in the streets of Istanbul but Turks predominate elsewhere. English, French and German are common second languages but don't always rely on convenient translation during your travel in Turkey, particularly outside tourist areas. Before your Turkish holiday travel begins, recognise that Turkey is a devoutly Muslim country and religion permeates many aspects of life. Just about everybody in Turkey is Muslim, predominantly Sunni. Travel tip ... Women outside tourist areas should cover their head, arms and shoulders, and wear moderate dresses reaching to their knees. Women should be cautious, particularly in eastern parts of Turkey, and it's safer to travel with a partner. If you enter a mosque, remember to take your shoes off. Women should cover their heads if they enter any mosque and not sit with men inside the building. Women are sometimes sexually harassed if they appear to be western tourists or flaunt their beauty. It's worth dressing down and possibly wearing trousers during your Turkish holiday to turn men off. Shaking hands is the normal way to greet people in Turkey and a service charge is included in hotel and restaurant bills. Non-smokers can have a hard time in Turkey as the locals love their fags and mostly ignore non-smoking laws in restaurants, buses, cafes, etc. Local buses usually don't have non-smoking sections and you shouldn't rely on their frequency or regularity. Smoking is prohibited in Turkish cinemas, theatres, city buses and dolmuses (collective taxis). A dolmus is the cheapest way to get around Turkey and meet the locals face-to-face, although normal taxi fares are usually reasonable. Major sitesThere are countless natural and historic archeological sites worth visiting while travelling through Turkey. The most notable include:
The Lonely Planet Turkey Travel page provides a wealth of background information, as does Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism. To book discount travel tickets, flights, hotels, car rentals, etc. for cities around the world, visit our Travel Shop. |
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