Boasting an outstanding combination of magnificent mountain ranges, alluring plains, shimmering beaches, and expansive deserts, Turkey is a magical destination which attracts tourists from all over the world. In addition to natural beauty, Turkey incorporates world famous marvels like Hagia Sophia Museum and Blue Mosque and has beautiful towns like Istanbul and Antalya that leave people in awe. Pulsating with elegance and beauty, this paradise will have you hooked with balloon packed skies, paragliding on turquoise coasts, tasty kebabs, lovely beaches, salt pools, and wonderful historical sites. But before you plan your vacation, take a look at these few useful Turkey travel tips to make sure your journey is as comfortable and hassle-free as it can be.
10 Best Turkey Travel Tips
Make sure you follow these handy tips for visiting Turkey so that you can enjoy a comfortable vacation without landing into an unpleasant situation.
1. Research Well Before You Make Your Itinerary
Before heading to Turkey, make sure you make a checklist of all the places to visit. Proper research will help you to list the most popular and noteworthy places in Turkey. To travel around Turkey without proper knowledge is like driving around without GPS. This is one of the best Turkey travel tips to start your journey to your dream destination.
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2. Learn Few Common Turkish Words
In the exteriors of the cities, not many people are familiar with the English language. Learning a little Turkish language is like among the best tips for traveling to Turkey for the first time and will will get you a long way. In fact, Turkish language is not that difficult, as the letters are similar to Roman alphabet and words are spelled as per the pronunciation.
If you learn a few phrases in Turkish then you can have a decent conversation with the locals. Even at the bookstores, you are likely to find books for Turkish-to-English translation. This is one of the essential Turkey travel advice that we can give you. Below are some common Turkish phrases that will help you on your tour.
Good morning – Günaydın
No – Hayir
Yes – Evet
Thank you – Tesekkür ederim
Goodbye – Hoşçakal! (HOSH-CHA-KAL)
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3. Pick An Appropriate Accommodation
From budgeted hotels to luxurious apartments, everything is available in Turkey. You can choose a suitable accommodation as per your convenience and budget. Choose a place that doesn’t burn a hole in your wallet. Travelling within Turkey is as expensive as a Euro trip, unless you plan a proper budget. One of the most important tips for traveling in Turkey for the first time is that you opt for apartments to stay like a local. There are quaint houses available for a comfortable stay offering good value for money.
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4. Dress Decently
Being most liberal of West Asian countries, the women in Turkey dress in an elegant and fashionable manner. As Turkey gives you the freedom of dressing as per you desire, you can see both women dressed in Burqas as well as western attires. However, you must make sure to dress decently and not enrage the social customs regarding clothing.
If you happen to visit a conservative area or a mosque, then you need to cover your head. Hence, it highly recommended keeping a scarf or shawl in your bag at all times. Other than this, you’ll find most travel guides asking you to wear hats and sunscreen at all times to avoid getting tanned, which are also some of the best tips for visiting Turkey.
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5. Respect The Culture
Turkey is a secular state where people are open minded and have the freedom to practice Islam the way they wish to. You are bound to have a terrific experience during your tour as people here are quite welcoming, especially to new people from different parts of the world. However, you need to do your bit by respecting the Turkish culture, traditions, customs, and religious practices at all times. Make sure of how you conduct yourself in public areas and how you treat the locals, which is one of the foremost Turkey travel tips to keep in mind.
Also, be careful when you are debating on matters regarding the politics with the locals, as one wrong word may land you in trouble. People here have great respect for the Founding Father of the Turkish Republic, so one is not allowed to speak ill or crack jokes on any matter concerning him, either intentionally or unintentionally. Keeping this essential Turkey travel advice may save you from a lot of embarrassment on your trip to Turkey.
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6. Carry An International Adapter
Imagine yourself stuck in the city with your mobile phone alerting low battery. This is one of the worst things that can happen to any tourist. Make sure you carry the international charger adaptor so that you can plug it anywhere in your hotel and charge your mobile phones before leaving. While many safety tips for Turkey tour will suggest you to buy one from Turkey itself, we’d suggest you carry one from your home country.
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7. Get Vaccinated Before Travelling
One of the most common one safety tips for Turkey tour include vaccination and proper medication. Before initiating your tour, it is highly recommended to vaccinate yourself as a precautionary step. Consult your family doctor to be more precise and take vaccinations under his/her guidance. Most general vaccinations include tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis A, polio, typhoid and diphtheria. Also, make sure you’re carrying the proper medications on your tour with their prescriptions.
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8. Use Public Transport
Hassle-free commuting is possible as Istanbul is well connected by train, bus, and metro to other cities. If there is no public transport during midnight, then cabs are available. Ulusoy and Safran are the best bus services and are equipped with Wi-Fi facility. During long journeys, passengers are treated to snacks and beverages onboard. You can book these buses online. When traveling by cabs, always make sure to check the logo at the taxi stand so that you do not fall in the trap of money scamming taxi drivers. This is one of the important Turkey travel tips to be considered when commuting within Turkey.
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9. Carry Cash
Of all the Turkey travel tips, this is the most important and essential suggestion. You should have cash with you all the time as you cannot rely on cards. One of the prime reasons for carrying cash is that ATM centers are not available in rural towns. So to avoid any complications, it is highly advised to have local currency of Turkey. Although credit cards are accepted, most service providers and vendors prefer paper money over cards. In addition, Turkish ATM machines are unpredictable and may reject your card without any valid reason.
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Planning to take a trip to Turkey anytime soon? Don’t forget to consider these Turkey travel tips before your book a vacation. And if you know of anymore travel tips, hacks, and suggestions for visiting Turkey the right way, let us know in the comments below.
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Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Turkey Travel Tips
How should a woman tourist dress in Turkey?
You can wear shorts, crop tops, short skirts, and summer dresses in all places except mosques and other religious places. The Turks are known for wearing smart casuals. Men should also avoid wearing shorts in such places. They can wear long trousers and short-sleeved shirts.
Is it safe to travel around in Turkey?
Yes, it is absolutely safe to travel around in Turkey. Istanbul and Ankara are considered to be the most secure cities of Turkey.
Is it safe to walk in Istanbul at night?
Yes, it is completely safe to stroll around the streets of Istanbul at night. However, avoid narrow lanes and stay on well lit lanes as much as possible.
Is there Uber in Istanbul?
Uber is the most downloaded app in Turkey and it widely operates in Istanbul and towns of Cesme and Bodrum. To locate the customers, drivers of turquoise and yellow cabs also use Uber app.
What should I avoid in Istanbul?
Revealing clothes or short dresses should be completely avoided in the holy places of Istanbul. Eating close to touristic places, shopping without bargaining, wearing shoes in places of worship and ill-talking about the culture is not encouraged. Don’t book logo-less cabs to avoid getting scammed.
What do you wear in Turkey in the winter?
If you are travelling to Turkey in winter, you must carry the following clothes: 1. Light waterproof rain jacket 2. Winter coat or outdoor jacket 3. Long sleeved shirts 4. Skirts paired with thick stockings 5. Leggings or trousers 6. Ankle boots
Is Turkey safe for female Travelers?
Unlike many other countries, Turkey is safe for females. All the solo female travelers out there need not be afraid to explore this place.
Is tap water drinkable in Turkey?
Yes, tap water is completely safe to drink here. But in many places the water does not taste good, especially in the European part of Istanbul, so one is recommended to drink bottled water.
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A keen observer, an avid reader, a complete foodie, a pet lover and a curious entrepreneur with a vision to empower women. Penning down thoughts and musings come naturally, so, what better way to make a living than do what you love the most. Sujata started off as a content writer and today spearheads a content agency with an all-women team, where each day is about exploring the strength within, overcoming challenges and aiming to scale new heights. Her idea of a holiday well spent is visiting beautiful destinations, experimenting with food and trying out adventure activities.
