To make your holiday in Turkey interesting and hassle-free, we present you with useful tips that will come in handy when traveling around this country.
Social rules in Turkey
Filming is prohibited
Pay attention to signs prohibiting photography. They are usually located in temples, mosques, as well as in the territories of strategically important military installations.
No smoking
In Turkey, there is a ban on smoking in public places.
Penalty for smoking in prohibited areas is 1000 TYR.
For a cigarette butt thrown past the urn - from 2000 to 3000 TRY.
Restaurants and cafes are equipped with special rooms for smokers.
Beaches
It is recommended to be on the beaches before 12:00 and after 16:00. Always use sunscreen, as the sun is very active and you can get sunburned even on a cloudy day.
Financial issues in Turkey
Change money
The country pays in Turkish lira, but accepts dollars and euros. You can exchange currency in the following places:
Hotels. The exchange rate will not always be profitable here;
Exchange offices. Offices are open from Monday to Friday;
Bank. Working hours of banking institutions from 8:30 to 17:30.
It is unnecessary to change all the currencies at once since its exchange rate in Turkey changes very often. For large purchases, euros and dollars are better suited.
Use Tax-free
So that shopping does not affect your wallet too much, it is better to shop in stores with such signs:
Tax-Free Shopping.
Global Refund.
When you purchase from 120 TRY, excluding books, food products and tobacco products, you will be refunded VAT in the ratio of 15-18% of the amount. The seller must issue a check in three copies, where the following information must be indicated:
data about the store and the buyer;
list of goods and their cost;
tax amounts.
Receipts with goods are provided at the border. The customs officer puts a stamp, and then you need to proceed to the Cash Refund Office, where part of the money spent will be returned.
Getting Around the Country
City Transport
The country has a well-developed transportation network. In addition to buses and taxis, there is also a metro system.
Operating hours for city transport are from 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM.
Fare depends on the city and type of transport. For example, a metro ride in Ankara costs 18 TRY, and a bus ticket in Istanbul ranges from 27 to 40 TRY.
Tourists are advised to buy an IstanbulCard. The card can be purchased at kiosks or vending machines throughout the city: in airports, at stations, in the metro, and at public transport stops. The card costs 130 TRY. It can be topped up with any amount and offers considerable discounts on public transport fares.
Car Rental
To rent a car, you must be over 21 years old. Don't forget your driver’s license and a cash deposit. The car is provided with a full tank of fuel, which should be returned the same way.
Important: using a mobile phone without a hands-free device is prohibited. All passengers, including the driver, must wear seat belts.
Communication in Turkey
Getting to grips with the phone
Mobile coverage works throughout the territory, except for the eastern mountainous part. Among mobile operators in Turkey there are:
Turkcell;
Vodafone;
Avea.
Sim cards can be purchased at large supermarkets, specialized stores, and post offices. Their cost starts from 40 TRY.
Turkish cities are equipped with payphones. The cost of out-of-town calls is quite expensive. Telephone booths accept phone cards with a face value of 30, 60, 120 units, or you can pay with a bank card.
Wi-Fi
Free Internet connection is available in hotels and some catering establishments. To connect a high-quality connection - visit an Internet cafe.
What you need to know about hotels
Check-in to the room starts at 14:00 and must be vacated by 12:00. For an additional fee, you can arrange an early check-in or late check-out.
Water is better to buy bottled water, the quality of tap water is poor.
Cheap hotels or hostels often serve yesterday's meals for lunch or dinner.
All valuable items should be stored in safes, which are usually provided free of charge. Or ask for it at the reception.
Tipping
For the services of porters and cleaners, it is customary to pay from 1 to 5 USD.
Preferably in dollars.
Shopping in Turkey
Most stores are open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, except on Sundays. Lunch break starts at 1:30 PM.
Many pharmacies close at 6:00 PM, but there's always a duty pharmacy open all night.
There are plenty of street food stalls where you can try local cuisine at reasonable prices:
kebabs for 25–45 TRY;
fish lunch from 30 TRY;
shawarma and local pizza from 15–40 TRY;
stuffed pancakes with meat, cheese, and tomatoes from 30 TRY;
desserts from 10–15 TRY.
That’s pretty much all the main tips to make your holiday in Turkey truly memorable. Now all that’s left is to pack your suitcase and enjoy your trip.
