For anyone who is contemplating a vacation to Turkey, this handbook is a must-read. From Istanbul’s grand mosques and museums to the azure waves of Kaş, we bring you a first-hand account of our trip to Turkey. We’ve got all that you require to know about organizing a vacation to the nation we fell in love with, from 3- to 15-day itineraries.
Turkey Visas and Arrival Instructions
For inhabitants of most countries, Turkey provides e-visas for tourists. Turkish visa-free access is available to a limited number of countries.
As an alternative, you can apply for a visa directly through the Electronic Visa Application System (EVAS).
Many international airports connect to Turkey, making it easily accessible from major cities throughout the world. IST, the world’s largest airport, has just opened in Istanbul, the city in question. Two of Turkey’s busiest airports are Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) and Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
The New Istanbul Airport is a fantastic first impression of the city. We will also suggest you explore a couple of local airports. Turkish Airlines is by far the most popular airline in and out of Turkey.
Finding Your Way
It was a snap to get about the nation! Great highways, simple air connectivity, and a wide variety of public transportation alternatives are just a few of Turkey’s advantages.
Traveling about Istanbul (or any city) on foot and via public transportation is the best way to see the city unless you are in a large group or have mobility issues. It is difficult to get around in the city’s traffic, and finding a place to park is nearly impossible.
From Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport, board the Havabus shuttle to get into the heart of the city. You can use the Istanbulkart, a contactless card that can be used to pay for public transportation fares throughout the city. From the elevators in the arrivals area, you will be greeted with what looks to be an infinite bus bay. Recharging the Istanbulkart card and witnessing the city were on the cards.
Buses, ferries, and the metro are the most common types of public transportation in the city. Many people choose to use a taxi service.
In Turkey, it is pretty easy to get from one city to another. It would have taken us longer than 4-5 hours to drive the distances we flew. During peak season, there are numerous flights to and from major places, and the costs are reasonable.
Two days in Cappadocia and eight days along Turkey’s Turquoise Coast will require renting a self-driving vehicle.
Language
In Turkey and Cyprus, Turkish is the official language.In most areas, we did not encounter a significant language barrier, despite the fact that not everyone was fluent in English. Most people could converse with us in English and those who could not make up for it by trying harder. Hotels in Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and other neighboring countries employ workers from these nations, all of whom speak excellent English and are a pleasure to interact with at check-in or after a day of touring.
It was amazing how many terms in Turkish were close or even identical to two Indian languages— Hindi and Gujarati.
Because of their distinct language families, it is most likely that Persian and Arabic had an impact on Indo-Aryan languages. To the point of being mutually understandable, Hindi and Urdu are closely related. Urdu, on the other hand, utilizes the Perso-Arabic alphabet (like Ottoman Turkish) and Arabic and Persian loanwords, whereas Hindi uses the Devanagri script and Sanskrit loanwords.
In Hindi, Gujarati, and Turkish, the term for air is Hava. In Turkish, “Havalimani” is the word for an airport.
What to Consume
Turkish foods are world famous and you will find numerous options to relish your taste buds.
That said, if you’re traveling to Turkey, you won’t have any issues with eating. There are lots of alternatives for those who are vegetarian, non-vegetarian for that matter.
Here are some options that will make your tongue drool:
- Juices: At roadside, juice stands, we frequently purchased orange (portakal) or pomegranate (nar) juice for as cheap as 5TL per glass.
- Turkish Breakfast: Most restaurants and cafés provide a Turkish breakfast all day long, and it is easy to order one.
- Gozleme: This classic meat-and-vegetable-stuffed flatbread won us over! At the Kaş Friday farmer’s market, you will get the tastiest Gozlemes ever and can recommend them to everyone.
- Menemen: The pinnacle in Turkish comfort food is memento. It is basically egg curry with tomatoes, peppers, and other seasonings in it, which is what memento is all about! Bread is usually served as a companion to this dish.
- Manti: It is a traditional dish and is sure will make your taste buds go mad. There are several different types of Manti, which are little meat-stuffed dumplings that are served in yogurt with a dab of red pepper oil.
- Dolmas: Dolmas are grape leaves packed with meat and other fillings. The ones packed with rice and served cold are also an option. They have a distinct flavor that may or may not appeal to everyone’s palate.
- Doner Kebabs: Slow-cooked kebabs on a vertical rotisserie prepared with seasoned beef. Rolled into a flatbread, the bread is seasoned with spices and pickled vegetables.
- Pide: The Turkish version of pizza, will surely be another favorite food. You can get some at Müdavim Pide Salonu Alaçat!
- Testi Kebap: Traditional culinary methods employed to produce this dish might remind you of other childhood dishes. Testi Kebap is a slow-cooked, gently spiced beef curry served in a sealed clay pot.
Itinerary guide
Plan for 9-15 Days in this marvelous place and use the break up below to plan your stays:
- 3 days in Istanbul
- 2 days in Cappadocia
- 1 day in Ephesus
- 1 day in Pamukkale
- 3 days in Kaş
- 2 Days in Dalyan
- 2 days in Alaçatı
In what season should you go?
It’s impossible for me to think about Mediterranean nations and not think of summer! During the summer, Turkey remains a popular tourist destination, with July and August being the busiest months. On a typical day, the temperature may reach 35°C (95°F), which is pleasant for beachgoers but uncomfortable for those who want to go sightseeing on foot.
In Istanbul and along the southern shore, the weather is pleasantly warm from the final week of September through the second week of October. Summer light had warmed the ocean, but the swimming pools were too cold. You might encounter a few rainstorms, but the weather should still be ideal for seeing the county’s coastline attractions from mid-September to early October. It is also a perfect time to visit if you just want to see the sites. Choose April to June if you plan on heavy hiking.
Many businesses and restaurants begin to close for the winter in Turkey by mid-November, so it is important to do extensive research before visiting the country.
As for the average budget, $100 should suffice all the needs on a daily basis.