Turkey Travel Guide - Explore & Plan Your Trip

Public Transport

The TCDD - Türkiye Devlet Demir Yolları (Turkish State Railways) provides rail services in the country, i.e, the most extensively used transport in the country. The city also has a well connected tram systems. Apart from Istanbul not many cities have public busses but this is compensated by dolmuşes, mini-vans that facilitate trips to the villages and private busses that connect various cities.

Taxi & Airport transfer

For airport transfers, getting a taxi from the airport rank is the most convenient option. A ride from the airport will cost you 890 INR till Sultanahmet and 1100 INR till Taksim. Other options include using the airport shuttle or a private shuttle which you can enquire about at the airport desk. You could also travel from the airport in public transport but that will require a couple of route changes which can be draining. You could alternatively travel in the metro, a train connects the airport to the city in every ten minutes between 6 AM and 11 PM. This will cost you 32 INR with a Instanbulkart.

Transport & city passes

Not all cities in Turkey have well established public transport or dedicated passes, but there are a few like IstanbulKart in Istanbul which can be purchased at the airport at your arrival. This card covers all kinds of travel within the city including metros, trams, ferries, funiculars and busses. These are prepaid cards that you'll have to purchase as they no longer accept cash. This pass gives you 40% discount over normal rates.

Driving & Car rental

Car rentals in Turkey are a good way to explore the non-busy, smaller cities as driving on these roads is an experience in itself. The bigger cities are busy and have drivers who might not follow road rules and thus lead to chaos. A car rental in Turkey will cost you around 3650 INR for each day.

Culture & Etiquette

People in Turkey are warm and welcoming but there are some etiquette rules to keep in mind if you look forward to a comfortable stay in the country. People in Turkey love to take their own time be it in conversations or during tasks, depending on the context they're either direct and straightforward or will beat around the bush during a conversation, so it's important to be patient. Pointing fingers at other people is rude but you'll see a lot of physical touch among people of the same sex in public, it could be a sign of acquaintance vs friendship but remains above the above the waist. Avoid smoking or drinking on the streets as a sign of respect to the locals observing Ramadan.

Major events & Public holidays

Turkey hosts a number of festivals like The Sarıgerme Kite Festival, where the locals get together at the Sarıgerme beach in indulge in Kite flying, Camel wrestling in the western part of the country that attracts a lot of tourists and Film Festivals that screen meaningful works of leading as well as upcoming directors.

Road rules and driving license

When in Turkey drive on the right side of the road. There are speed cameras installed on every road so make sure you abide by the speed limits and road rules. You can drive with your valid local drivers license for a period of thirty days in Turkey given you are carrying its authorized translation and a valid passport.

Know your Turkish

Turkish is the main language spoken in Turkey. The other common languages are Arabic and Zazaki.

Hello - Merhaba

How are you - Nalsilsin

Good morning - Gunaydyin

Good night - iyi geceler

Goodbye - gule gule

Turkish cuisine is very famous and diverse. So when in Turkey, try to explore the authentic Turkish cuisine. The food here is slightly different from other international cuisines. The food is mouth-watering and is a combination of Balkan, Middle Eastern and Central Asian cuisine. It also has the heritage of Ottoman cuisine.

Menemen: In this dish, the scrambled eggs are sauteed with vegetables and served with bread.

Baklava: This dish consists of layers of Flaky pastry along with chopped nuts  and complemented by sweet syrup.

Kumpir: A giant potato stuffed with kesar cheese and butter.

Mezze: This Turkish starter dish consists of yoghurt, meatballs, eggplant salad, herbs, hummus rice, white cheese and more.

Manti: Manti is Turkish ravioli. The handmade dumplings are filled with ground beef or lamb and then served with creamy yoghurt sauce.

Turkish Apple tea: Apple tea is famous in Turkey and plays an important part in Turkish hospitality.

Electricity

• The power sockets belong to the type F.
• The voltage here is 220 volts at 50 Hz and it is the same as that we have in India.
• The appliances used in India will require a power plug adapter for these socket types.
• You can get your universal adapters in any electrical appliances shop or can order it online.

Sim & Data Roaming

• Turkish Lira is the currency used in Turkey and in some places Euros are accepted.
• The average cost of one meal for a person in 20TL Turkey is close to 270 INR.
• The expenditure in Turkey for a day per person will be around 150 Turkish Lira's which is about Rs 1950 which includes your meal & other personal expenses.
• We'd recommend you to keep 30% as cash and 70% loaded in your multi-currency card.

Cash & Cards

• Insurance is mandatory to obtain a visa for your visit to the Turkey. Hence, it is required to carry one.
• The residents of Turkey can get free medical treatment if they are registered with Social Security Institution.
• The medical facilities in Turkey is good and many people visit Turkey to get medical treatment.

Health & Insurance

• When traveling to the Turkey, it is best suggested to bring an unlocked phone which is not bound to a single carrier.
• It is advisable for tourists to get a 3G SIM with 1000 texts and 500 mins calling for Rs 1454.
• The three main operates in Turkey are Vodafone, Turkcell and Turk Telecom.
• To be flexible with your plan and to stop it whenever you want, it is suggested to get a prepaid plan.

Emergency contacts

Embassy of India in Turkey

Harbiye Mahallesi, Cumhuriyet Cd. Dortler Apt. No:42 D:11-12, 34367 Şişli/İstanbul, Turkey.

Ph No: 2122962131 Email: info@cgiistanbul.org

Police: 112, Ambulance: 112, Fire department: 110