Last reviewed on 2 May 2026.
⚠️ Important Notice
Visa requirements and entry procedures change. This guide gives general information reviewed on 2 May 2026. Always verify current requirements with official Turkish diplomatic missions or the e-Visa portal at evisa.gov.tr before booking, and check your own government's travel advisory.
Visa Requirements
Türkiye offers different visa options depending on your nationality and purpose of visit. As of 2026, citizens of 78 countries can enter visa-free, while many others can obtain an e-Visa online.
Visa-Free Entry
90 Days within 180 Days
Major visa-free countries:
- Germany, France, Italy, Spain
- Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland
- United Kingdom (90 days)
- Japan, South Korea, Malaysia
- Argentina, Brazil, Chile
- Most EU/Schengen countries
30-60 Days
Select countries with shorter stays:
- Russia (60 days)
- Thailand (30 days)
- Philippines (30 days)
- Hong Kong (90 days)
- Kazakhstan (30 days)
- Lebanon (90 days)
e-Visa Required
Apply online before travel:
- United States
- Canada
- Australia
- China
- India
- Mexico
- South Africa
- Pakistan
e-Visa System
The Turkish e-Visa is an electronic travel authorization that can be obtained online in minutes. Processing typically takes 5-10 minutes with immediate approval.
e-Visa Requirements
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Return/onward ticket
- Hotel reservation or accommodation proof
- Credit/debit card for payment
- Email address for delivery
e-Visa Details
- Cost: $50-60 USD (varies by nationality)
- Validity: 180 days from issue
- Stay: Up to 90 days within 180 days
- Multiple entry allowed
- Tourism and business purposes
Sticker Visa Countries
Citizens of these countries must apply at Turkish consulates:
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Nigeria (conditions apply)
- Some African nations
Entry Requirements & Procedures
Required Documents
Entry Checklist
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond stay
- Visa or e-Visa (if required)
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking/invitation)
- Return or onward ticket
- Sufficient funds ($50 USD per day recommended)
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- HES code (if health requirements active)
Major Entry Points
| Airport |
City |
Code |
International Flights |
| Istanbul Airport |
Istanbul |
IST |
Main international hub - 300+ destinations |
| Sabiha Gökçen |
Istanbul |
SAW |
Secondary hub - budget airlines |
| Esenboğa |
Ankara |
ESB |
Capital city airport |
| Antalya |
Antalya |
AYT |
Major tourist gateway |
| İzmir Adnan Menderes |
İzmir |
ADB |
Aegean region hub |
| Dalaman |
Muğla |
DLM |
Southwest coast access |
| Bodrum-Milas |
Bodrum |
BJV |
Resort destination |
ℹ️ Border Crossings
Türkiye has land borders with 8 countries. Major crossings include:
- Bulgaria: Kapıkule/Kapitan Andreevo
- Greece: Pazarkule/Kastanies, İpsala/Kipi
- Georgia: Sarp/Sarpi, Türkgözü/Vale
- Iran: Gürbulak/Bazargan
- Iraq: Habur/Ibrahim Khalil
Transportation
Domestic Travel
✈️ Domestic Flights
- Turkish Airlines - extensive network
- Pegasus Airlines - budget option
- AnadoluJet - THY subsidiary
- Prices: $30-150 USD typically
- Book early for best rates
🚌 Intercity Buses
- Extensive network covering all cities
- Modern, comfortable coaches
- Major companies: Metro, Kamil Koç, Pamukkale
- Prices: $10-50 USD for most routes
- Free snacks and drinks included
🚊 Trains
- High-speed trains: Ankara-Istanbul (4.5 hours)
- Ankara-Konya (2 hours)
- Istanbul-Eskişehir (3 hours)
- Eastern Express: Ankara-Kars scenic route
- Marmaray: Under-Bosphorus connection
Urban Transportation
| City |
Metro |
Tram |
Bus |
Transport Card |
| Istanbul |
9 lines |
Yes |
Extensive |
Istanbulkart |
| Ankara |
5 lines |
No |
Extensive |
Ankarakart |
| İzmir |
2 lines |
Yes |
Extensive |
İzmirim Kart |
| Bursa |
2 lines |
Yes |
Extensive |
Bursakart |
| Antalya |
1 line |
Yes |
Extensive |
Antalyakart |
Money & Banking
💳 Currency & Cards
- Currency: Turkish Lira (₺/TRY)
- ATMs widely available
- Credit cards accepted in cities
- Visa/Mastercard most common
- Contactless payments widespread
- Keep cash for small vendors
💵 Exchange
- Airport rates less favorable
- Exchange offices (Döviz) in cities
- Banks offer secure exchange
- USD and EUR widely accepted
- Avoid street exchangers
- Check daily rates online
💰 Costs (Daily Budget)
- Budget: $25-40 USD
- Mid-range: $50-100 USD
- Luxury: $150+ USD
- Meal: $3-15 USD
- Local transport: $0.50-2 USD
- Museum entry: $5-15 USD
Health & Medical
ℹ️ Healthcare System
Türkiye has modern healthcare facilities in major cities. Private hospitals often have English-speaking staff. EU citizens can use EHIC cards for emergency treatment.
🏥 Medical Preparation
- No mandatory vaccinations
- Routine vaccines recommended
- Travel insurance essential
- Prescription medications allowed with doctor's note
- Pharmacies (Eczane) widely available
- Emergency number: 112
💊 Common Health Tips
- Tap water safe in cities
- Bottled water recommended in rural areas
- Sun protection essential in summer
- Food hygiene generally good
- Altitude sickness possible in eastern regions
- Air quality varies in large cities
Safety & Security
✓ General Safety
Türkiye is generally safe for tourists. Millions visit annually without incident. Exercise normal precautions as in any destination.
🚨 Emergency Contacts
- All emergencies: 112
- Police: 155
- Fire: 110
- Medical emergency: 112
- Tourist Police: 159 (English)
- Coast Guard: 158
⚠️ Safety Tips
- Keep copies of documents
- Register with your embassy
- Respect local customs
- Dress modestly at religious sites
- Avoid political demonstrations
- Use licensed taxis or apps
🎒 Tourist Areas
- Tourist police in major destinations
- CCTV in public areas
- Hotel safes recommended
- Beware of overcharging
- Check bills carefully
- Avoid isolated areas at night
Climate & Best Time to Visit
Türkiye's diverse geography creates distinct climate zones. Coastal areas enjoy Mediterranean weather, while the interior has continental extremes.
Monthly Weather Guide
January-February
Coast: 10-15°C | Interior: -5-5°C
Winter sports season. Quiet tourism period.
March-April
Coast: 15-20°C | Interior: 10-15°C
Spring blooms. Ideal for cultural sites.
May-June
Coast: 20-28°C | Interior: 15-25°C
Perfect weather. Peak season begins.
July-August
Coast: 28-35°C | Interior: 25-35°C
Hot summer. Beach season. Crowded.
September-October
Coast: 20-28°C | Interior: 15-25°C
Ideal weather returns. Harvest season.
November-December
Coast: 12-18°C | Interior: 5-10°C
Cooler weather. Low season prices.
Packing Essentials
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
- Modest clothing for mosques
- Light jacket for evenings
- Universal adapter (Type C/F plugs)
- Reusable water bottle
- Small daypack for excursions
- Copies of important documents
Cultural Etiquette
🕌 Religious Sites
- Remove shoes before entering mosques
- Women should cover hair in mosques
- Modest dress required
- No photos during prayer times
- Silence phones
- Respect worshippers
🤝 Social Customs
- Handshakes common in business
- Cheek kisses among friends
- Use right hand for eating/greeting
- Tea (çay) offered frequently
- Refusing hospitality can offend
- Tipping: 10-15% in restaurants
📸 Photography
- Ask permission for portraits
- No photos at military sites
- Some museums prohibit photos
- Drone permits required
- Respect privacy
- Commercial use needs permits
Holidays and dates worth planning around
Two religious holidays — Ramazan Bayramı and Kurban Bayramı — follow the Islamic lunar calendar and shift earlier by about eleven days each Gregorian year. Both are extended public holidays for banks, schools and government offices, and the busiest domestic travel periods of the year. National holidays such as Republic Day (29 October) bring decorations and large public ceremonies. Ramadan itself is not a public holiday but changes daytime rhythms in many cities.
For the full reference, see Public Holidays and Festivals in Türkiye.
Where to look next
If your itinerary takes you beyond Istanbul, the Cappadocia guide covers the country's most distinctive central Anatolian landscape — fairy chimneys, underground cities and balloon flights. The regions section places each part of the country in geographic and cultural context. The Turkish language guide covers the alphabet and a list of phrases that travellers actually use.
⚠️ Final Reminder
This guide provides general information. Requirements and conditions can change. Always verify current information with official sources before traveling. Check your government's travel advisories and register your trip with your embassy or consulate.