In general
Currency
Turkish lira (TRY): 1 euro is worth about 53 lira (June 2026), but the rate moves fast: check it close to departure. Cards are accepted almost everywhere in cities; keep cash for bazaars, taxis and small places. ATMs beat airport exchange counters.
Language
Turkish. In the tourist areas of Istanbul, Cappadocia and the coast English is widespread; off the beaten track a few Turkish words or a translation app help. 'Teşekkürler' (thank you) opens many doors.
Documents / Visa
Citizens of the EU and many other countries need no visa for tourist stays up to 90 days; some nationalities need an e-Visa, obtainable online in minutes. Passports generally need several months' validity and must be in perfect condition (a damaged document risks refusal at the border). Always check the official rules for your nationality before leaving.
Health / Vaccines
No mandatory vaccines. EU health cards are NOT valid (Turkey is outside the EU): take out travel health insurance, as private hospitals charge. Drink bottled water, and beware of ticks in rural central-eastern Anatolia.
e-SIM / Connectivity
EU roaming does NOT cover Turkey, and other visitors should also expect high roaming rates: the easiest fix is an international e-SIM (Airalo, Holafly) activated before departure, or a local Turkcell / Vodafone TR SIM at the airport. 4G/5G is excellent almost everywhere.
Electricity
230V, 50Hz, type C and F (Schuko) sockets as in most of Europe: two-pin European plugs fit without an adapter. Travellers from the UK, US and elsewhere need a plug adapter.
Time zone
UTC+3 all year round, with no daylight saving.
Climate
Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) are the best times: bearable heat and beautiful light. In high summer Istanbul is muggy and Anatolia scorching; in winter Cappadocia drops below zero (but is magical in the snow).
Payments
Cards and contactless are widespread; in bazaars and markets cash is still king — and haggling is part of the game, always with a smile. Keep small notes for public toilets and tips.
Good to know
Visiting mosques
Entry is free but outside the five daily prayer times: shoulders and knees covered for everyone, headscarf for women (often lent at the entrance), shoes in hand. On Fridays around midday the main mosques stay closed to visitors for longer.
Cappadocia balloons
Flights leave only at dawn and only in the right wind: schedule yours for the FIRST possible morning of your stay, so a cancellation can be retried the next day. Book certified operators well ahead, especially April to October.
Driving and transport
Your national licence is enough to rent and drive as a tourist (an IDP is a useful backup); main roads are in great shape and quiet in Anatolia. Tolls (bridges and motorways) use the electronic HGS system: check your rental car has it. In cities use trams, ferries and the Istanbulkart; domestic flights are cheap and save hours.
Safety
The tourist areas (Istanbul, Cappadocia, the Aegean coast) are safe and welcoming; usual pickpocket precautions apply in crowds and on trams. Only the provinces bordering Syria and Iraq are to be avoided — far from the classic route. Typical scams: taxis without the meter and 'friends' inviting you into bars — decline politely.
Tipping and haggling
In restaurants leave 5-10% if service isn't included; small change for porters and guides. In bazaars haggling is expected: start from half the asking price and settle at 60-70% — always as a game, never as a fight.
Ramadan and holidays
During Ramadan tourist life continues normally (restaurants open in tourist areas), but local rhythms change and everything pauses at sunset for iftar. On Bayram holidays (end of Ramadan and the feast of sacrifice) museums get crowded and transport fills up: book ahead.
Useful numbers
- 112 — Single emergency number (ambulance, police, fire brigade)
- 155 — Police (direct line)
- +90 312 457 42 00 — Your country's embassy in Ankara (number shown: Italian embassy)
💡 Book your balloon for the first morning in Cappadocia (so a cancellation can be retried) and carry a passport with months of validity left and in perfect condition: Turkish border officers are strict about damaged documents.