Turkey travel FAQs

Time: Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. The European two-pin plug is standard.

Language: Turkish is the official language, but English is widely understood in the main tourist areas.

Communications: The international country dialling code for Turkey is +90. The outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use, e.g. Istanbul Asya (Asia side) is (0)216 and Istanbul Avrupa (Europe side) is (0)212. GSM 900 and 1800 networks cover most of the country. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts.

Travel Health: There are no vaccination requirements, although a typhoid vaccine is recommended for all travellers, unless coming for a short period and only eating in major hotels and restaurants (e.g. business travellers or cruise ship passengers). There is a risk of malaria in the south-eastern part of the country, but not in the main tourist areas in the west and south-west of the country, although mosquitoes can still be an irritation in summer. Most tap water in the larger towns and cities has been chlorinated, but bottled water is still recommended for drinking. Food from street vendors should be treated with caution. Medical facilities and standard of health care are not high in state hospitals and private health insurance is recommended. Modern facilities exist in private hospitals in Ankara and Istanbul.

Local Customs: Religious customs should be respected, particularly during the month of Ramadan when eating, drinking and smoking during daylight hours should be discreet as it is forbidden by the Muslim culture. Dress modestly when visiting mosques or religious shrines. Do not take photographs of or near military and official institutions and always ask permission when taking photographs of people. There is a smoking ban on all forms of public transport and in outdoor venues (including stadiums and playgrounds). By July 2009 this will include cafes, bars and restaurants as well.

Business: In Turkey, business associates are addressed by their first names. If the associate is male, then his name is followed by 'bey', and 'hanim' is used for females. A formal, conservative dress code is observed in Turkey, and women should be careful to dress particularly conservatively. Gifts are common and are usually something the associate would use in business such as a pen or other office stationary. Business hours throughout Turkey are generally 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday with an hour taken over lunch.

Duty Free: Travellers to Turkey do not have to pay duty on the following items: 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 200g tobacco. Alcohol allowance includes 1 litre or 700ml bottle of wine or spirits. Other allowances include 5 bottles perfume up to 120ml each; gifts to the value of dm500, tea and coffee for personal consumption, jewellery and guns for sporting purposes. Tape recorders, record players and transistor radios have to be declared on arrival. Restricted items include playing cards limited to one pack.

Top Ten Survival Phrases in Turkish Language

1 - Merhaba (Mer-ha-ba) - Hello

2 - Evet (Eh-vet) - Yes , Hayır (H-eye-uhr) - No

3 - Lütfen (Lewt-fen) - Please

4 - Tamam (Ta-mam) - OK

5 - Bira lütfen, (Bee-ra Lewt-fen) Beer please

6 - Su (Soo) - Water

7 - Çok ucuz (Chok oo-juz) - Very cheap

8 - Çok pahalı (Chok pa-ha-luh) - Very expensive

9 - Teşekkür ederim (Teh-shek-kewr-eh-deh-reem) - Thank you !

10 - Anlamıyorum (An-la-muh-yo-room) - I don't understand

11 - Bu kaç Lira ? (Boo-kach-lee-ra) - How much is it ?

What's the food like in Turkey?

Turkish food is famous throughout the world. Look forward to meze comprising houmous and other dips, dolma (stuffed vine leaves), cheese cigars, the ubiquitous doner kebab and pide - a kind of pizza. Exotic freshly squeezed juices, nuts and fruit are available everywhere. If you feel like a java jolt, try Turkish coffee - rich, dark and often laced with cardamom.

Breakfast in Turkey usually consists of a range of different cheeses along with olives, bread, different jams and honey and, occasionally, a special kind of spicy sausage called sucuk, which is eaten with eggs. Menemen is also a popular morning dish and is made up of scrambled eggs cooked up with sautéed vegetables.

For those with a more carnivorous inclination, you’re in luck. Turkish food caters perfectly for meat lovers with dishes like kofte (Turkish meatballs) and kuzu tandir (slow cooked lamb with rice) making regular appearances. Lahmacun, flatbread topped with minced meat, lemon and yoghurt, is a popular snack and can be found at street food stalls throughout the country. For dessert, sink your teeth into the sticky, nutty, syrupy delight that is baklava or feast on a cube or two of Turkish delight.

Safe eating while travelling in Turkey

Travellers to Turkey will rarely have any issues with food. Street food is not a big part of culture here so visitors need not worry about food being left out in the sun for too long. Tap water is also not an issue in Turkey so ice in drinks and food that has been washed should not cause any problems. As with anywhere in the world, if a restaurant looks run down or your food (especially meat and fish) looks undercooked then it is best to avoid it.

What is good to shop for in Turkey?

Turkish Carpet and Rugs
Turkish Delight
Turkish Tea and Glasses
Nargile Pipes
The Blue Evil Eye of Turkey
Turkish Mosaic Lamps
Ceramic Souvenir Ideas
Turkish Spices
Turkish Coffee
Souvenir Onyx Ideas
Leather
Lemon Cologne

Turkey Emergency Numbers : Emergencies: 112 (Police), 110 (Ambulance), 115 (Fire)