TURKEY

Information

The majority of passengers from European countries, including Germany, can enter Turkey without a visa. The same applies to nationals of Denmark, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland. In most cases, it is even possible to enter Turkey without using a passport – only an ID card is required.  The length of stay must not exceed 90 days.

It is important to ensure that your passport or ID card will remain valid for at least 3 months following your planned date of return from Turkey.  However, be careful not to transit through a country outside the EU if you do not have a valid passport.

Your ID card or passport must hold a minimum of 150 days’ validity from the date you enter Turkey. If you are travelling with an ID card, customs will issue you with a certificate specifying your arrival date. You must keep this safe until your return.

All other nationalities are advised to contact the Turkish consulate or embassy to ensure compliance with necessary formalities for entry into Turkey, as some nationalities, including European ones, require a visa.

Relevant contact details are as follows:

Turkish General Consulate – 20, Route de Pré-Bois 1215 Geneva

Tel. : + 41 22 710 9360 – Web site: http://geneva.cg.mfa.gov.tr/Mission

Turkish Embassy  – 16, avenue de Lamballe 75016 Paris

Tel. : + 33 (1) 53 92 71 11 – Web site: http://paris.emb.mfa.gov.tr/Mission

Any minor travelling without their parents or with only one parent, is subject to new legislation in accordance with specific formalities.

For French nationals, you can check on the website:

https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1922.

In all cases, we recommend that you carry a copy of the child’s birth certificate («livret de famille» for French nationals) and, if a child is travelling with only one parent, the second parent should provide formal written authorisation.  For more details, consult our customer service.

British Citizens travelling to Turkey for tourist purposes are able to travel without a visa for visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

If you’re entering Turkey via a land border crossing, make sure your passport has a dated entry stamp before you leave the border crossing area.

For further information, go to the UK government website:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey/entry-requirements

Passport validity

The Turkish government advise that your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the date you enter Turkey and that there is a full blank page for the entry and exit stamps. You can find more detail about the requirements for entry into Turkey on the website of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Local time: the time difference is plus one hour in summer and plus two hours in winter.  When it is noon in France, in Turkey, it is 1 pm in summer and 2 pm in winter.

Climate and clothing: in spring and autumn, average temperatures range between 16 and 25°C.  The risk of rain is quite low.  In Istanbul, in winter, the daytime temperatures vary on average between 8 and 10°C.  Bring warm and comfortable clothing as well as rain gear as a precaution.

Health: there is no compulsory vaccine when entering Turkey, however, it is advisable to be up to date with DT polio and hepatitis A vaccination reminders.  Pack a travel pharmacy kit with medicine for stomach upsets, antibiotic cream, insect cream, eye drops, wider use antibiotics, dressings, etc.  Also bring UV protective sun creams.

Currency exchange: the currency is the Turkish lira, 1 EUR = 8,5 TRY (February 2021).  Take a look at the following website:

https://www.xe.com/fr/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=1&From=EUR&To=TRY

There is no point in arriving in Turkey with Turkish liras purchased before you leave.  At all border crossings and airports currency exchange desks will offer you the best rates.  There is no limitation for bringing foreign currency into Turkey.  Visa, American Express and Mastercard credit cards are accepted almost everywhere to pay for purchases or withdraw cash.  In large cities, most banks have ATMs.  Travellers’ cheques are accepted in almost all tourist locations, however, they remain difficult to exchange and the formalities take time.

Conservation of sites: Turkey has started a program for the conservation and restoration of historical heritage in urban areas, particularly in Istanbul.  Therefore, if a site was to be closed unexpectedly, where possible, we would organise an alternative visit.

Traditions and customs: in general, it is best to ask for the consent of a person you wish to photograph.  If a person doesn’t want to be photographed, do not be offended, it may be due to religious beliefs.  On the other hand, when visiting mosques, take off your shoes when the guard asks you to.  In some places of worship, women will be asked to cover their heads with a scarf or shawl.

Tips: tips for drivers and local guides are not mandatory, but customary when happy with the service.  They remain at your discretion and are usually around 1€ per day per person for the drivers and 2€ per day for the local guides.

Electricity: 220 volts is used everywhere. Sockets are European type, however a flat plug adapter may be required.

Telephone: for example, to call Switzerland, dial +41, for France, dial +33 and for the UK, dial + 44 then the digits of your correspondent’s number (without the initial 0).

Weather forecast: we advise you to check the weather forecast the day before your departure.