FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

We will endeavour to answer the questions we are most asked by people travelling to Turkey. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact us.

Are visas required to enter Turkey?

Tourists are able to obtain a 3 month (90 Days) Tourist Visa prior to leaving Australia. It is an easy 3 step process. You will need your passport and Visa/MasterCard or Debit Card with you to make payment. Once you complete the steps, all you do is print off your E-Visa.  The visa fee is $60 USD per person.  

The link is as follows: https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/

What’s the time difference between Sydney and Turkey?

Turkey is 2 hours ahead of GMT. Australia is 9 hours ahead of Turkey during summer in Australia and 8 hours in winter.

What is the voltage used in Turkey?

Turkey operates on 220 volts, 50 Hz, with round-prong European-style plugs that fit into recessed wall sockets /points. It would be best to bring a plug adapter that can plug into your own electrical cable and in to the European-style wall sockets. You are able to purchase the plug adapters at any department store, post office or at the airport.

Which language is spoken in Turkey?

Turkish is the official language which is written in the Latin alphabet. However English is spoken, especially in the main cities and touristic towns.

What currency is used in Turkey and are credit cards OK?

The Turkish Lira (TL) is the currency of Turkey; the bank notes are 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200. 1 TL equals to 100 Kurus (Kr) (coins). Kurus coinage is available in 5,10,25 and 50.  The exchange rates in foreign currencies are published daily. US dollars, EUR and major credit cards are widely accepted and there are ATM’s throughout the country.

What clothing is acceptable?

Casual is the general dress code. When visiting Mosques or other sacred sites it is appreciated if thongs or singlets are not worn. Women may be asked to wear a scarf in mosques. It is a good idea to take your own scarf. In Istanbul and along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts women can wear shorts, short sleeved t-shirts and skirts.

Men – trousers and coloured shirts are fine. Ties and jackets are not necessary. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Is tap water drinkable?

Tap water is NOT drinkable. Bottled water is readily available from hotels, petrol stations and convenient stores.

Is alcohol readily available in Turkey?
Although Turkey is a Muslim country, alcohol can be purchased everywhere. Turkey has some nice beer and wines. Obviously, the wines cannot be compared to those of Australia but are well worth a try! The local drink is ‘raki’, best consumed by mixing one third raki with two thirds cold water with ice. Raki is very similar to ‘arak’ and ‘ouzo’.

What vaccinations are required before travelling to Turkey?

Tourist’s travelling to Turkey do not require any injections or inoculations, however individuals should consult their family doctor for a second opinion.

What is the weather like during different times of the year?

April through to October is the best time to travel to Turkey.  November through to March are the colder months. Temperature varies between 12` C – 28` C during April – October & 0 ‘ C – 11’ C during November – March.

Can you provide any tips on shopping in Turkey?

This is one of the great joys of Turkey; good buys include leather, gold, silver, carpets, ceramic tiles and pottery.  Bargaining and shopping go hand in hand in Turkey, you can bargain in most stores especially in the Grand Bazaar (clossed on Sundays) in Istanbul.  When buying carpets you should always ask for a certificate of origin or value.

Is tipping customary in Turkey?

It is expected that tips will be given in restaurants, even if a service charge has been added. 5% of the bill should be left for the person who served you. If there is no service charge 10% is considered adequate.

Can I take and use my mobile phone?

You can use your mobile phone provided you have arranged ‘global roaming’ to be activated by your local mobile service provider before your departure. For further detailed information on call costs and retrieving voicemail messages, please contact your service provider before leaving Australia.

What is measurement system in Turkey?

Metric system.

Do the taxis have a meter?

All taxis in the city carry a meter. If the meter does not appear to be working, it is advisable to change taxis. The night fare commences after midnight and the only accepted payment is cash (TL).

When is the religious holiday in Turkey?

Friday is the Muslim principal day of worship although not usually a holiday. Religious festivals are celebrated accordingly to the Muslim lunar calendar each year will be different. European festive days, religious holidays are quiet frequent during the year, you may find during these times services may not run during this period but we will endeavour to inform you of this where we can.

What time do the museums open in Istanbul?

All the sights have their own closing days and slightly different operating hours.

Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı)
Open: daily from 09.00 – 17.30
Closed: until 13.00 on the first day of religious holidays

Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii)
Open: daily from 09.00 till dusk
Closed: 30 min before until 30 min after prayer time, 2 hours during Friday noon prayer.

Dolmabahçe Palace (Dolmabahçe Sarayı)
Open: daily from 09.00 – 16.00
Closed: Monday, Thursday, January 1st and the first days of religious holidays

Egyptian or Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı)
Open: daily from 08.00 – 19.00
Closed: Sunday, October 29th and the full duration of religious holidays

Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı)
Open: daily from 08.30 – 19.00
Closed: Sunday, October 29th and the full duration of religious holidays

Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya Müzesi)
Open: daily from 09.00 – 17.00
Closed: Monday, and until 13.00 on the first day of religious holidays

Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Sarayı)
Open: daily from 09.00 – 17.00
Closed: Tuesday, and until 12.00 on the first day of religious holidays

What are the useful Turkish words during my travel?