Tips for Visitors

• Consult your local Turkish consulate for visa purposes. Visa requirements vary depending on your country of residence.
• Almost 90% of shops and restaurants accept major credit cards like Visa or Mastercard. However be sure to carry a small amount of cash with you. You can exchange your money to YTL at banks or at foreign exchange offices. You can also convert your travellers' cheques at banks.
• Public telephones have 3 different payment methods, tokens (jeton in Turkish), phone cards and credit cards. Phone cards and tokens can be bought from the PTT Offices.

• When visiting a mosque, be sure to respect the traditions, dress modestly and take off your shoes before entering.
• The famous alholic drink of Turkey, raki, can be found almost everywhere. Remember that raki has 45% alcohol and don't drink raki as you drink beer.
• Antique pieces are not allowed out of Turkey, this is a crime.
• Smoking is not permitted in flights and all public places.
• Hospitality is a tradition of Turks, don't be surprised...
• If you are visiting Turkey in summer be sure to bring sunglasses, hats, sun cremes, etc.
• Although tap water is safe to drink, prefer bottled water.
• All the sanitation issues are strictly controlled at touristic places but be sure not to buy any food from street peddlers.
• Be aware of the traffic in Turkey especially in big cities. Do not cross the street before being sure of a safe pass. Turkish people are Mediterrenean and traffic rules are not strictly obeyed here.
• Bargaining is part of the Turkish culture, a reduction of 10-20% is always possible especially in local shops...