Visa
Most Western visitors — EU citizens, Americans, Canadians, Australians, and many others — can enter Turkey with an e-Visa, which you apply for online at evisa.gov.tr before you travel. The process takes about three minutes; the fee is around $50 USD and can be paid by card. Some nationalities (including most EU citizens) can enter visa-free without any advance application.
Turkey removed its old visa-on-arrival system, so if your nationality requires a visa, apply online before you arrive — you cannot get one at the border anymore. Check the official Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for your specific nationality, as rules change. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your entry date, and must have blank pages for stamps.
The standard tourist stay is 90 days within any 180-day period.
Currency
The currency is the Turkish Lira (TRY). The lira has lost significant value against the dollar and euro over the past several years, which means Turkey is currently very affordable for visitors arriving with hard currency. Prices can shift, so don't rely too heavily on printed figures.
ATMs are widely available in cities and tourist areas. Use ATMs at established banks rather than standalone machines in tourist spots, which often charge high fees and are targets for card skimming. Airport exchange counters offer poor rates — wait until you're in the city or use an ATM. Pay in Turkish lira wherever possible; if you pay in euros or dollars at a vendor who accepts them, they typically apply a 10-15% markup.
Cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops in cities. In smaller towns, villages, and markets, cash is essential.
Health & Safety
No vaccinations are required for Turkey, though the usual travel health precautions apply. Tap water is technically treated but locals mostly drink bottled water; bottled water is cheap and available everywhere. Pharmacies are well-stocked and pharmacists often speak English — in Turkey, a pharmacist is a good first stop for minor ailments.
Turkey is generally safe for travelers. Petty theft occurs in crowded tourist areas (Sultanahmet in Istanbul, Kapalicarsi/Grand Bazaar); use common sense with valuables. Be alert to the "shoe-shine brush drop" and other tourist scams in Istanbul. Demonstrations occasionally occur in major cities — avoid them and be aware of the political sensitivity around discussing Kurdish issues or criticism of the government.
The southeast (particularly Diyarbakir province and areas near the Syrian border) has seen security issues; check current government travel advisories before visiting that region.
Etiquette
Turkey is a secular Muslim-majority country, which means the culture varies considerably by region. Istanbul, Izmir, and the coastal resorts are relaxed and cosmopolitan. The further east and inland you go, the more conservative customs become.
Dress modestly when visiting mosques — shoulders and knees covered, shoes removed, women cover their heads (scarves are provided if you don't have one). Beach clothing stays at the beach. Remove shoes before entering someone's home.
Turks are warm hosts and hospitality is important. Refusing tea when offered is considered rude; accepting it is the right move. If invited into someone's home, expect to be fed generously.
Language
Turkish is the official language. Kurdish (primarily in the southeast) and Arabic (southern border regions) are also spoken by significant minorities. In Istanbul, Ankara, and tourist areas, English is widely understood. Away from tourist areas, basic Turkish phrases go a long way and are genuinely appreciated.
A few useful words: merhaba (hello), tesekkurler (thank you), evet (yes), hayir (no), tamam (okay/fine), ne kadar? (how much?).
Communications
Turkey uses GSM; coverage is good in cities and along the coasts, patchier in remote east. SIM cards are available from three operators (Turkcell, Vodafone, Turk Telekom) at airports and phone shops. Foreign SIMs work but can be expensive for data — a local SIM for a stay of more than a few days is worth it. Note that foreign-registered smartphones may need to be registered with the Turkish telecommunications authority for a fee if used with a Turkish SIM for more than 30 days.
Some social media platforms have been intermittently blocked in Turkey; a VPN is useful.
Opening Hours
Shops typically open 9-10am and close 7-9pm, with some closing briefly for Friday prayers in more conservative areas. Mosques are open to visitors outside prayer times. Most museums are closed on Mondays. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is closed on Sundays.
Ramadan affects restaurant hours in some areas — during the holy month, many traditional establishments don't serve food during daylight hours, though tourist restaurants generally remain open.