Most first-time visitors to Turkey arrive with a picture already in their head: minarets against the sky, balloons over Cappadocia, a glass of tea on the Bosphorus. All of that is real. What nobody tells you is the small, practical stuff that decides whether your first few days feel easy or slightly stressful. Which money to carry. Why your taxi took the long way. Why the mosque you walked across the city to see is closed for the next forty minutes.
We're a licensed travel company based in Istanbul, and we answer these questions every week for guests from around the world. This is the list we wish every traveller read on the plane.
Before You Go
1. Check your entry rules early
Turkey's entry rules depend on your passport. Some nationalities can enter visa-free for short stays, others need an e-Visa, and a few need a visa from a consulate. If you need an e-Visa, apply only through the official government site, evisa.gov.tr, before you fly. Plenty of look-alike sites charge extra for the same document. Rules do change, so check a few weeks before departure rather than relying on what a friend did last year.
2. Your passport needs room to spare
As a general rule, your passport should be valid for well beyond your planned stay. Airlines check this at boarding, so don't leave it to chance. Confirm the exact requirement for your nationality when you check your entry rules.
3. Get travel insurance that covers activities
If a hot air balloon flight, paragliding over Ölüdeniz or a day on the ski slopes is on your list, make sure your policy actually covers it. Many basic policies don't.
4. "Turkey" and "Türkiye" are the same place
The country's official name in English is now Türkiye, and you'll see it on government sites, airline screens and signs. Both names are used and understood everywhere. Search for either when you're planning.
Money
5. The currency is the Turkish lira
Prices in shops, restaurants and transport are in Turkish lira (TRY). Some tourist businesses quote in euros or dollars, but paying in lira is almost always cheaper, because the exchange rate offered for foreign cash on the spot is rarely in your favour.
6. Cards work almost everywhere, but carry some cash
Contactless cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, shops and museums. Keep a small amount of lira for street food, small cafés, public toilets, tips and the occasional taxi driver whose card machine is "broken".
7. Use bank ATMs, and decline the conversion
Withdraw cash from ATMs attached to a bank branch. When the machine offers to charge you in your home currency, say no and choose lira. That "convenient" conversion usually comes with a poor rate.
8. Prices change fast, so budget with a margin
Turkey has seen high inflation in recent years, and prices for entrance tickets, taxis and meals can move noticeably within a single season. Treat any price you read online, including on blogs, as a rough guide and leave room in your budget.
Getting Around
9. In Istanbul, get an Istanbulkart
The Istanbulkart is a reloadable transit card that works on the metro, trams, buses, the Marmaray and the public ferries. You can buy and top it up at machines in stations. One card can be used for more than one person, which is handy for families.
10. Ferries are transport, not just a tour
The public ferries between Europe and Asia are part of daily life in Istanbul and cost a fraction of a cruise. Crossing from Eminönü or Karaköy to Kadıköy or Üsküdar at sunset is one of the best things you can do in the city. For a longer, guided route along the strait, our Bosphorus cruise guide explains the options.
11. Taxis: insist on the meter, or use an app
Most taxi rides are fine, but tourist areas have their share of drivers who "forget" the meter or take a scenic route. Ask for the meter before you set off, or use a taxi app so the route and fare are recorded. For airport arrivals with luggage and children, a pre-booked transfer removes the guesswork entirely.
12. Fly between regions
Turkey is big. Istanbul to Cappadocia is roughly a ten to twelve hour drive, but around an hour and a half by plane. Domestic flights are frequent and usually good value, which is why most multi-city trips fly between Istanbul, Cappadocia and the coast. Our Istanbul to Cappadocia guide compares every option.
13. Istanbul has two airports
Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side handles most international flights. Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) is on the Asian side and is popular with low-cost airlines. They are far apart, so always check which one your flight uses before booking a hotel or transfer.
Mosques and Local Customs
14. Mosques close to visitors during prayer times
Mosques are places of worship first. Visitors are welcome, but tourist entry pauses during each of the five daily prayers, and for longer on Friday around midday. Hagia Sophia works the same way. Plan your mosque visits for mid-morning or mid-afternoon and you'll rarely wait.
15. Dress modestly when you visit a mosque
Shoulders and knees covered for everyone. Women cover their hair. Shoes come off at the entrance. Most large mosques lend headscarves and wraps, but bringing a light scarf saves time.
16. Hagia Sophia has a separate visitor route
Since it became a mosque again, Hagia Sophia has a ticketed route for foreign visitors through the upper gallery, while the ground floor is kept for prayer. Read our Istanbul museum pass and entrance fees guide before you go, because what's included changes from time to time.
17. Check closing days before you plan the day
A few of Istanbul's big sights have a weekly closing day, and the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. It's an easy thing to miss. A guide or a quick check of the official site the day before saves a wasted trip across town.
18. Tea is an invitation, not a sales trick (mostly)
You'll be offered tea in carpet shops, at bazaar stalls and sometimes by people you've only just met. Usually it's simple hospitality. Accepting doesn't oblige you to buy anything, and a polite "no, thank you" is perfectly fine.
19. Bargain in bazaars, not in shops with price tags
Haggling is expected in the Grand Bazaar and at market stalls. It isn't expected in supermarkets, chain stores, restaurants or anywhere with fixed, printed prices. Keep it friendly; it's a conversation, not a fight.
20. Tipping is appreciated, not automatic
In restaurants, around 5 to 10 percent is common if service isn't already included. For taxis, rounding up is normal. Guides and drivers on private tours are usually tipped at the end of the day, depending on how happy you were.
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Food and Health
21. Eat beyond kebab
Turkish food is regional and far more varied than its reputation. Try a proper breakfast spread, meze, pide, lahmacun, mantı and whatever fish is in season. Our Istanbul street food guide is a good place to start.
22. Drink bottled or filtered water
Tap water in the big cities is treated, but most locals drink bottled or filtered water, and visitors are usually advised to do the same. Bottled water is cheap and sold everywhere.
23. Meat is halal almost everywhere
Turkey is a Muslim-majority country and the meat sold in restaurants is almost always halal. Alcohol is widely available, though, so travellers who prefer alcohol-free venues should ask. We cover this in detail in our Muslim-friendly Turkey guide.
Staying Connected and Safe
24. Use an eSIM or local SIM for data
Roaming can get expensive. An eSIM or a tourist SIM from a major Turkish operator gives you data for maps, translation and messaging. Phones brought in from abroad can generally be used with a Turkish SIM for a limited period, which is more than enough for a holiday.
25. Watch for the classic scams, then relax
Turkey is a welcoming country, and most visitors have no problems. The common tricks are the same as in any major tourist city: the shoeshine man who "drops" his brush, the friendly stranger who suggests a bar where the bill is shocking, the taxi without a meter. Know they exist, say no politely, and get on with enjoying your trip.
The Best Tip of All: Don't Try to See Everything
The biggest mistake we see is too much packed into too few days. Istanbul alone deserves three days at the very least. Cappadocia needs two nights. The Aegean coast needs time too. Pick fewer places and see them properly.
If you want a starting point, our 10-day Turkey itinerary shows how the main regions fit together, and the best time to visit Turkey guide helps you choose your month.
How we can help:
- Short on time? A 3-day Istanbul plan covers the essentials without rushing.
- Want Istanbul and Cappadocia? The 5-day Istanbul & Cappadocia tour includes domestic flights and guided touring in both.
- First big trip to Turkey? The 9-day Grand Turkey Heritage tour brings Istanbul, Cappadocia and the Aegean together, with transfers and flights arranged for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Turkey safe for tourists?
Millions of visitors travel to Turkey every year without problems, and the main tourist areas are busy and well policed. As in any big city, watch your belongings in crowds and be aware of common tourist scams. Check your own government's travel advice before you go, as it is updated regularly.
Do I need a visa for Turkey?
It depends on your nationality. Some passports are visa-free for short stays, while others need an e-Visa from the official site, evisa.gov.tr. Rules change, so check close to your travel date.
Is Turkey expensive?
Turkey can suit many budgets, but prices have risen quickly in recent years, especially in Istanbul and popular resorts. Food and transport are still reasonable compared with much of Western Europe, while entrance tickets to the top sights have become noticeably more expensive.
What should I wear in Turkey?
In cities and resorts, normal summer clothing is fine. For mosques, cover shoulders and knees, and women should bring a scarf for their hair. In more conservative areas, slightly more covered clothing is appreciated.
How many days do I need in Turkey?
For a first trip, 7 to 10 days lets you see Istanbul and one or two other regions, such as Cappadocia and Ephesus, without rushing. With less than a week, focus on Istanbul plus one region.
Planning your first trip to Turkey?
Tell us your dates and interests and our team will put together a plan that fits, with flights, hotels, guides and transfers arranged for you.
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