Currency Regulation
There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency that may be brought into Turkey, but not more than 5 5,000 worth of Turkish currency may be brought into or taken out of the country. Exchange slips: The exchange slips for the conversion of foreign currency into Turkish lira should be kept, since you may be required to show these when reconverting your Turkish lira back into foreign currency, and when taking souvenirs out of the country (to prove that they have been purchased with legally exchanged foreign currency).
Customs Regulations
On Enter
The following items may be brought into the country duty free
On exit
Tax Refund
You Can Receive a Tax Refund for the Goods You Purchased In Turkey!
Electricity
Main electricity is 220 volt and 50 (Hz) AC, the same as in most of Europe. Plugs and sockets are the same as in the Continental countries of the European Union. British and American visitors need plug adapters for electrical appliances.
Insurance
For your own safety we advise you to take out traveller’s insurance to cover accidents, illness, baggage and liability
Important numbers
Motorist Rules
General: Those who wish to enter the country with their vans, minibuses, automobiles, station wagons, bicycles, motorcycles, motorbikes, sidecars, buses, motor coaches, trailers, caravans or other transport vehicles, will have to provide the following documentations:
● Passport.The vehicle can be brought into Turkey for up to 6 Months. The owner should declare on the opposite form, the date of departure at the border gate and should absolutely leave the country at the date declared. If for any important reason the staying period has to be ended, it is necessary to apply to;
The accident should be reported to the police or gendarme. That report has to be certified by the nearest local authority. The owner should apply to the customs authority with his passport and report.
If the vehicle can be repaired, it is necessary to inform the customs authority first and take the vehicle to a garage. If the vehicle is not repairable and if the owner wishes to leave the country without his vehicle, he has to deliver it to the nearest customs office, and the registration of his vehicle on his passport will be cancelled. (Only after the cancellation can the owner of the vehicle leave the country.)
Following an accident, you can telephone:
Pets
For those who wish to bring domestic animals into the country the following are required:
If you have an official certificate, you may bring one cat, one bird, one dog and 10 aquarium fish into the country. To get information for the importation of pets, please see the Consular Services.
Tipping
At various establishments like hotels, restaurants, Turkish baths, barbers and hairdressers, tipping at a rate of 5%-15% of the total is common. Taxi and "dolmus" drivers on the other hand, do not expect tips or even rounded fares.
Post, Telegraph, Telephone
Turkish post-offices are easily recognized by their black PTT letters on a yellow background. Major post offices are open from 8:00 a.m. till 12:00 p.m., Monday/Saturday, and 9:00 a.m. till 7:00 p.m., Sunday. Small post-offices have the same hours as the government offices.
Postal charges vary for different services depending on destination. Post restante letters should be addressed "postrestant" to the central post-office Merkez Postanesi, in the town of your choice. You have to show your identification card to collect your letters.
All PTT branches have the facilities to exchange money at the current international exchange rates, as well as international postal orders and travellers' cheques. There is also an express postal service (APS) operating to 90 countries for letters, documents and small packages. A wide variety of special stamps are available in all PTT centres for philatelists.
To phone from PTT telephone booths, which are extensively found in all areas; telephone cards, and tokens ("; jeton") in three sizes are used. Local, inter-city and international calls can be made from all PTT offices. Besides these main offices there are also mobile PTT services in the tourist areas.
To make a long distance local call, dial zero first, the area code second and the phone number third. When making an international call, dial zero first, dial zero again after the odd dial tone, and follow by the country and area codes and then your number.
Pharmacie
Domestic and foreign medicaments are sold in pharmacy (Eczane in Turkish); there also have a large range of non-prescription medicines. Personnel are often able to speak English. Some pharmacies are on- duty at nights.
Safety
Turkey is one of the safest countries in the world in which to travel, and its crime rate is low in comparison to many Western European countries. Interpol ranked Turkey as the safest holiday destination in Europe for travellers.
Shopping
Shopping is one of the great pleasures of a trip to Turkey and the rich variety of Turkish crafts makes it impossible to resist buying something. Fine apparel of silk, cotton, leather and wool; artful jewellery; leather accessories; brilliant faience (colored tiles); vessels of copper, brass, marble, meerschaum and alabaster worked by master artisans; and of course heirloom-quality Turkish carpets and kilims, are among the most popular purchases. Great value and an enjoyable shopping experience can be found everywhere, from small towns to big cities.
Unique regional handicrafts make shopping that much more enjoyable. Traditional Turkish handicrafts crafts including carpets, ceramics and pottery, tiles, copper items, woodcarvings, decorative glass, and embroidery are a major component of Turkish culture. They are a stunning reflection of Turkey's diverse cultural heritage and thousands of years of history.
Time
GMT+3 hours (April-September) GMT+2 hours (October-March)
Time Differences:
Argentina -5, France -1, Netherlands -1, Australia +8, Germany -1, Saudi Arabia+1, Austria -1, Greece 0, Sweden -1, Egypt 0, Italy -1, Switzerland -1, England -2, Japan +7, Spain -1, USA -7 (EST) -10 (WEST)
* These time differences are for the period October-March; however, they may show variances according to each country's own time-saving adjustments.
Transportation
TAXI
Taxis are numerous in every town and recognizable by their yellow colour. The meter shown on the meter reads according to the distance travelled. Pay the fare shown on the meter in TL.
DOLMUS
The Dolmuş is a special service fount only in Turkey, which is a collective taxi following specific routes. Each passenger pays according to distance traveled and can get off at specific stop. This is a very practical means of transport and much cheaper than a taxi
BUS (INTER - CITY COACHES)
Busses are an efficient and affordable way to travel in Turkey . Many private - conditioned bus companies provide frequent day and night services between all Turkish cities. Coaches depart from the bus stations (Otogar). The major bus lines have spacious, comfortable coaches, and offer coffee, tea and snacks.
TRAIN
The extensive Turkish State Railways network connects most major cities. On some trains, sleeping compartments are available. Detailed train schedules and prices as well as reservation telephone numbers and authorized ticket agents are listed on their web site at www.tcdd.gov.tr.
Visiting a mosque
Five times a day, the "müezzin" calls the faithful to prayer in this mosque. Before entering a mosque, Muslims wash themselves and remove their shoes. Foreign visitors should also remove their shoes and show the respect they would any other house of worship and avoid visiting the mosque during prayer time. Women should cover their heads and arms, and not wear miniskirts. Men should not wear shorts. (In certain famous mosques, overalls are provided for those not suitably dressed.)
Water
Turkey practices safe sanitation standards, and tap water is suitable for bathing and regular tasks such as brushing teeth. However, as is customary in most Mediterranean countries, the majority of locals and visitors drink bottled water. We recommend that visitors follow local custom and drink bottled water, which is routinely served with any meal.
Weights and Measures
1 inch = 2.54 centimetres , 1 centimetre = 0.3937 inches
1 yard = 0,9144 meters, 1 meter = 1.0936 yards
1 mile = 1,6093 kilometres, 1 kilometre = 0.6214 miles
1 pound = 0,4536 kilograms, 1 kilogram = 2.2046 pounds
1 acres = 0,4047 Hectares, 1 hectare = 2.471 acres
1 UK gallon = 4.546 litres, 1 litre = 0.2199 UK gallons
1 US gallon = 3.7831 litres, 1 litre = 0.2643 US gallons
Working Hours
Government Offices
Monday-Friday (8:30-12:30), (13:30-17:30)
Saturday-Sunday (closed)
Banks
Monday-Friday (8:30-12-00), (13:30-17:00)
Saturday-Sunday (closed)
Shops
Monday-Saturday (9:30-13:00), (14:00-19:00)
Sunday (closed)
In the summer months the most shops in the tourist regions are opened till ten or eleven o’clock in the evening.
