Turkiye

Government advisories

• ☐ United States: level 2/4 — Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
• ☐ Canada: level 2/4 — Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)

Entry requirements

☐ The visa policy of Turkey is the policy by which Turkish Government determines visa requirements for visitors to Turkey and those seeking to work, study or reside there.

Practical

• ☐ Plug type C/F, 230V — bring an adapter if yours differs
• ☐ Drives on the right
• ☐ Emergency (police): 112 or 911 or 153
• ☐ Emergency (ambulance): 112 or 911
• ☐ Emergency (fire): 112 or 911
• ☐ Money: Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted, American Express much less so. Most credit card users have to enter their PIN codes when using their cards if above a certain amount. Older, magnetic card holders are excepted from this, but remember that, unlike some other places in Europe, salespeople have the legal right to ask you to show a valid ID with a photo on to prove that you are the owner of the
• ☐ Tipping: In general, tipping is not considered obligatory. However, it is very common to leave a 10% tip in restaurants if you're satisfied with the service. It is NOT possible to add tip to the credit card bill. It is very common amongst Turkish people to pay the bill with a credit card and leave the tip in cash or coins. Most waiters will bring your cash back in coins as much as possible, that's because

Laws that could get a tourist arrested

• ☐ Mandatory Identification — You must carry your passport or identification at all times. Police or military may demand to see them during routine checks or at government buildings.
• ☐ Passport Retention — Hotels may request to hold your passport until the bill is paid. Mentioning the police to the staff typically results in the immediate return of your document.

Before you go

General trip-prep, not specific to Turkiye — the same short list applies anywhere.

• ☐ Register with your embassy's traveler program if one exists
• ☐ Check your passport's validity and blank-page requirements on your destination's official entry-rules page
• ☐ Photograph/screenshot your passport, visa, and travel insurance documents
• ☐ Download offline maps for your destination
• ☐ Confirm your bank/card issuer knows you're traveling
• ☐ Check whether your phone plan needs a travel add-on or a local SIM