Turkey holiday travel tips in 2013

Your holiday travel tickets through Turkey should include a visit to the Cappadocia district where tens of thousands of people used to live in underground cities they had tunnelled deep into the Anatolian plateau.

Travel east from Istanbul to the area about 50 kilometres south of the town of Goreme .

Turkey travel tip: The streets of Istanbul, Ankara and other major Turkish cities have been rocked by at-times violent mass protests with hundreds of injuries during May and June 2013, mostly in revolt against increasingly Islamist public policies. These include a law passed by the Turkish Parliament in May 2013 that restricts the sale and consumption of alcohol (sales banned from 10pm to 6am), including drink-driving penalties of six months license cancellation for 0.05+ BAC and up to two years imprisonment for 0.1+ BAC. Tourists should avoid public protests, many centred in Istanbul’s Taksim Square, and be mindful of changing rules and regulations that demand more pious behaviour.

Turkey holiday travel tips

The democratic Republic of Turkey covers 779,452 square kilometres and is bordered by Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia, Armenia, the Black Sea, Iran, Iraq, Syria, the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

Turkey was home to 79 million people in 2011, most of whom are effusively friendly and generous when they meet foreign tourists and the country is hard to match for its diversity of fascinating historic, religious and natural sites through which you can enjoy holiday travel.

An estimated 30 million tourists visited Turkey in 2010, and there’s a reason.

There are fantastic beaches along a thousand kilometres of Turkish coastline, untouched forests and mountains for climbers and skiers.

Poverty is widespread but Turks are nonetheless one of the most hospitable people on earth, their generosity at times overwhelming.

If you try to hitch a lift in Turkey, don’t be surprised if there’s a queue of drivers also offering a room and a meal.

Your travel will immerse you in Turkey’s Islamic culture which includes muezzins calling the faithful to pre-dawn prayers at a volume likely to wake you from your holiday sleep.

Turkey lies at the juncture of Europe and Asia, the dividing line being the Bosphorus, and this country’s culture is the classic result of East meets West, Islam meets Christianity.

Turkey has one of the most colourful histories on earth, beginning with cave dwellers about 10,000 years ago and progressing through often violent episodes of war and mighty empires.

The country has a stunning array of Greek and Italian ruins and Turkey is regarded by historians as the cradle of civilisation.

Even Noah’s Ark is believed to be fossilised on Mt Ararat in the east of Turkey.

Turkey holiday travel

Turkey has taken somewhat of a battering over the past decade, tragically including two major earthquakes which rocked the north-west of the country in 1999, claiming 18,000 lives.

Terrorism fears have worsened since the turn of the century with suicide bombers killing dozens and injuring hundreds of people.

Holiday tourists should note that it’s worth getting embassy or consular advice before travel to south-east and eastern parts of the country, particularly the provinces of Sirnak, Hakkari, Tunceli and Diyarbakir.

Tourists, particularly Americans, should be vigilant if they travel in the mountainous eastern provinces of Turkey and if their flight is to the south-east of the country.

Put simply, this eastern region should be avoided during your holiday in Turkey unless you enjoy risk.

Turkey travel tips 2013

There is friction but Turkey is modernising rapidly and in recent years has been pushing to become a member of the European Union. However, there has been an increase in Islamist political support with a drift away from the West.

Turkey straddles Europe and Asia and is a modern secular Muslim state offering a relatively safe travel environment for tourists, the main holiday risk being occasional pickpockets and thieves.

Turkey is usually a safe country with little more risk than in many popular western cities.

Robbery and assault of tourists is a problem mostly if you travel in major cities such as Istanbul and Izmir.

If you’re in Istanbul (first settled around 1100BC and population 13.3 million in 2011), avoid the city’s notorious traffic jams if possible. To avoid traffic, it’s a good idea to catch one of the dirt-cheap trams that runs through Istanbul (two Turkish lire in 2012 for unlimited stops), many providing swift and comparatively comfortable transport to most of the prime tourist holiday spots. Be warned, however, that the trams are usually crowded on weekends and at peak hour.

A 13.7km rail tunnel across the Bosphorus, about 1.4km of it underwater, opened in 2009 to create a third link between Asia and Europe. The tunnel links with an expanding Istanbul subway and train system.

Public commuter ferries are also a very cheap way to get around and to enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorus, which is effectively a 32 kilometre long freeway. Ferries on the Bosphorus leave from Eminonu, which can be reached by tram. There are three ports at Eminonu and Bosphorus ferries leave from port number three. Ferries leave at 10:35am, midday and 1.35pm in summer. During winter from October 31 to May 1, only the 10:35am ferry operates. Tickets cost 12.5 Turkish lire return or 6.5 lire one way (2011). The ferry stops at Besiktas, Kanlica, Yenikoy, Sariyer, Rumeli Kavagi and Anadolu Kavagi (the turning point) and you can’t get on and off the ferry at stops along the way using the same ticket.

Local ferries continually depart from Eminonou near the Galata Bridge and it’s wonderful to cruise cheaply to places such as Ortakoy, Kandilli or Rumeli Kavagi. A recommended ferry destination is the Prince’s Islands, a group of nine islands some nine kilometres from Istanbul in the Sea of Marmara. Buyukada is the largest and most beautiful of this island group, having no cars, and is about an hour by ferry from Istanbul (most accommodation is booked out in the high summer months of July and August).

If you’re in this area and want great photographs, head for the 14th century Galata Tower, Istanbul’s first lighthouse, which boasts 360 degree views.

The old city of Istanbul on the west of the Bosphorus is a tourist holiday mecca. The Grand Bazaar in the old city has more than 4,000 shops in 118 ancient colonnaded alleys selling an amazing range of goods and is one of the oldest shopping centres in the world. Typical produce in the Grand Bazaar are leather, ceramics, jewellery, carpets and glass lamps. Beware of touts.

In central Istanbul is the famous Blue Mosque, the biggest of Istanbul’s Ottoman mosques with six towering minarets. Tourists can expect queues to enter the Blue Mosque, which was built by Sultan Ahmet I (1603-1617). They must remove their shoes and should dress conservatively. Surrounding the Blue Mosque is the area known as Sultanahmet, dense with carpet shops, cafes, bazaars, tourist coaches, upmarket hotels and even a pair of 4,000 year old Egyptian obelisks.

Nearby is the stunning Haghia Sophia (Church of the Holy Wisdom), a former 6th century church which was converted into a mosque in the 15th century. Hagia Sophia is now a World Heritage listed museum. Restoration work finished in 2010 on the ornate ceilings of Hagia Sophia, which is said to have 30 million gold mosaic tiles in its 32 metre diameter dome. Also near the centre of Sultanahmet is the Hippodrome, a huge amphitheatre now in ruins that was once used for chariot races, circuses and public executions.

Istanbul’s economy has been strong since the turn of the century and this is reflected in the construction of new cultural attractions such as the Istanbul Modern museum of contemporary art on the banks of the Bosphorus.

Well worth visting is Basilica Cistern, a 6th century underground cistern below St Sophia square which was built by the Romans to bring water to surrounding palaces.

Sultanahmet is the city’s main tourist district but more realistic adventures can be enjoyed in areas such as Taksim, Beyoglu and Pera, which are vast warrens of art galleries, cafes, restaurants, embassies, antique stores and clubs. Tourists are warned to be careful in these areas late at night.

Holiday travel in Istanbul is good value for money even though it’s no longer the bargain destination it was in the past. A three-star hotel room for two can be found for as little as 150 lira in Sultanahmet. Public transport is efficient and cheap, and many sights such as Istanbul’s historic mosques are free. Average museum entry is around 15 in 2011.

Istanbul has a fantastic nightlife and holidays in this city are much cheaper than in western Europe. You can enjoy a decent kebap meal without alcohol for 20 too 25 Turkish lira in 2011. Don’t travel to Istanbul without visiting the Grand Bazaar, first built by the Ottomans in 1461 and now housing more than 4,000 shops - making it the world’s biggest covered market. The Grand Bazaar is divided into districts, each with its own character, and the complex has been described as the most beautiful shopping experience in the world. Bargains can be had but the shopowners can quickly spot sucker tourists who haven’t checked the local market before trying to barter for an item.

Most Turks live on the east or Asian side of the Bosphorus, which is a giant suburbia but still worth touring. Catch a ferry to the other side of the Bosphorus and you’ll find a more upmarket culture, including the neighbourhood of Beyoglu where there are rows of swanky shops, cafes, restaurants, bars and various modern art galleries.

The city of Istanbul was founded by the Greeks well before the birth of Christ. Roman emperor Constantine converted Byzantium to Christianity in AD325 and renamed the city Constantinople in AD330. Turks converted the land to Islam in 1453 and the city was made the seat of the Ottoman Empire. In 1930, the name was officially changed to Istanbul.

Turkey travel tip … In 2010, Istanbul was one of three European Capitals of Culture, resulting in extensive expert restoration of many monuments from the Byzantine and Ottoman eras.

Turkey travel tips 2013

The food can be superb, historic sites pepper the countryside and cities, and the immense geography of Turkey offers every climate, altitude and landscape imaginable.

Turkish is the mother tongue but English and German are widely spoken in tourist areas and cities.

Take note that Turkey’s national road toll is very high.

Be aware that the Kurban Bayrami religious public holiday in March/April can make travel difficult for foreign tourists in Turkey as banks close and accommodation is scarce.

If you have air tickets to travel to Turkey for your next holiday, be aware of health precautions and get immunised against cholera, hepatitis A and tetanus.

It’s sometimes best to avoid tap water in Turkey so consider taking iodine tablets or a portable water filter, or prepare to carry plenty of bottled water during your Turkey holiday travels.

Beware that in some areas of Turkey, mosquitoes come out in plague proportions from about mid-June.

Turkey travel tip … If you’re planning on travel in Turkey, make sure when you buy your airline tickets that your travel insurance provides adequate medical cover.

People with pre-existing medical conditions should be cautious about the quality of Turkey’s health facilities during their Turkish holiday travel, particularly outside Ankara and Istanbul, and you should make sure your travel insurance will cover a medical crisis.

Cheap Turkey holiday travel

There are modern private hospitals in Ankara and Istanbul but facilities in other areas are often either rudimentary or not quite up to western standards. If you get into trouble, a medical evacuation from Turkey to your home country may be necessary and that could cost you tens of thousands of dollars without insurance.

Turkish doctors and hospitals might also expect cash before they treat non-residents.

Pharmacies in Turkey are usually open from 9am to 6pm with a rotating 24 hour roster and the available drugs are mostly of a western level of quality - although it might be worth checking the expiry dates in some of the more obscure locations.

Speaking of which, it may be worth taking anti-diarrhea medication to some areas, particularly in the east of Turkey. It’s also advisable to take chloroquine for protection against a low risk of malaria if your Turkey holiday travel includes swampy areas with mosquito infestations.

Generally, it’s worth making sure you receive immunisation shots before your Turkish holiday and liberally use insect repellant as there are various odd diseases found in different parts of the country.

Tourists in Turkey should drink bottled water and make sure fruits are thoroughly washed, even though the local water is fairly good quality and Turks are conspicuously hygienic. Bottled water is cheap.

Visitors to the Black Sea or Marmara should take anti-malaria pills.

Be vigilant with food hygiene.

Cheap Turkey travel tips 2013

The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have long, very hot summers and mostly wet, mild winters. Afternoon siestas are common when the heat is extreme in Turkey.

Most settlements along the Aegean coast have been modernised but you can still find some antiquated towns such as Ayvalik (January average 11 degrees, August average 34 degrees Celsius), where colourful horse-drawn carts trot through narrow, cobbled streets lined by thick stone walls and the ancient homes of merchants. Ayvalik was built in prehistoric times but rose to prominence in the 16th century under the Ottoman Greeks. Western tourists mostly head further south to fine sand beaches and tourist hotspots such as Bodrum, but native Istanbul residents often prefer Ayvalik - which is renowned for its yoghurt, cheeses and olive oil.

Bodrum, once known as Halicarnassus, is dominated by whitewash buildings and a must-see drawcard is the Castle of St Peter, which dates back to the Knights of St John in the 1400s. From the highest point on the castle you can enjoy 360 degree views of Bodrum Harbour and the town, which is one of the world’s leading timber boatbuilding centres.

The best seasons for holiday travel in Turkey are from April to June or September to November. However, if you plan on visiting eastern Turkey it might be best to make your trip from late June to September as roads and mountain passes can be cut off by snow in this region during the colder months.

Also be aware that travel through central Turkey can be very cold in winter, starting about mid-October, so take appropriate clothing on your holiday. It snows in central and eastern Turkey.

Shops and banks in Turkey have fairly liberal opening hours but some close their doors around midday for lunch.

If you have a car accident or suffer a crime during your Turkey holiday travel, the phone number for police is 155.

Internet access is cheap at cafes and pensions but slow data transfer rates can be frustrating.

Telephones in Turkey use prepaid phone cards, or jetsons, which can be purchased at the post office (PTT). Public telephones are limited and overseas calls aren’t cheap.

Turkey travel tip … Tipping is endemic in Turkey and travellers should carry a plentiful supply of small notes so they can give a cheap tip for even minor services. The constant expectation of a tip can become annoying if you don’t simply accept that it’s a part of life in Turkey, where most people struggle to support their families.

Another part of life, particularly if you travel outside tourist areas, is the frequent use of Turkish toilets in which you basically squat above a porcelain hole in the floor. It’s a good idea to always carry some cheap tissues in case nature calls.

Cheap Turkey holiday tips 2013

Alcohol is widely available despite the predominant Muslim faith and bars usually stay open till the last customers have gone. However, there are heavy government taxes on alcoholic drinks, including wine.

There is usually plenty of nightlife on the streets of Istanbul and Turks tend to party late into the night.

The potent anise liqueur of Raki is Turkey’s national drink and, yes, you can easily find plenty of Turkish baths in all cities and towns if you want to enjoy a soothing holiday rub-down.

Con men are rife in Turkey’s nightlife. Travellers should keep a constant eye on all their valuables and consider the threat to be as serious as a night on the New York subway.

Value Added Taxes are levied at different rates to most things you buy in Turkey and it’s important to get a VAT Refund Invoice from the shop if you want Customs Office validation at the airport when you fly out of the country.

If you’re heading out of Istanbul, be aware that Turkey has one of the worst road tolls in the world and it’s worth ensuring that you choose a reputable bus company to minimise the danger. All the bus fares are cheap by western standards.

Be careful about perishable goods as some regional vendors have inadequate refrigeration.

It’s illegal to show disrespect for the name or image of the Turkish State or its founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, and you can be arrested for trying to travel out of the country taking an antiquity without the correct paperwork.

Despite these travel warnings, your holiday in Turkey will probably be the most enjoyable and memorable in your life, thanks to the stunning archaeology and landscape of Turkey and the generous friendliness of the Turks. Furthermore, holiday travel in Turkey is cheap.

Cheap Turkey holidays

There is a strong mix of different nationalities in the streets of Istanbul but Turks predominate elsewhere. English, French and German are common second languages but don’t always rely on convenient translation during your travel in Turkey, particularly outside tourist areas.

Before your Turkish holiday travel begins, recognise that Turkey is a devoutly Muslim country and religion permeates many aspects of life.

Just about everybody in Turkey is Muslim, predominantly Sunni.

Turkey travel tip … Women outside tourist areas should cover their head, arms and shoulders, and wear moderate dresses reaching to their knees. Women should be cautious, particularly in eastern parts of Turkey, and it’s safer to travel with a partner.

If you enter a mosque, remember to take your shoes off. Women should cover their heads if they enter any mosque and not sit with men inside the building.

Women are sometimes sexually harassed if they appear to be western tourists or flaunt their beauty. It’s worth dressing down and possibly wearing trousers during your Turkish holiday to turn men off.

Shaking hands is the normal way to greet people in Turkey and a service charge is included in hotel and restaurant bills.

Non-smokers can have a hard time in Turkey as the locals love their fags and mostly ignore non-smoking laws in restaurants, buses, cafes, etc. Local buses usually don’t have non-smoking sections and you shouldn’t rely on their frequency or regularity.

Smoking is also prohibited in Turkish cinemas, theatres, city buses and dolmuses (collective taxis).

A dolmus is the cheapest way to get around Turkey and meet the locals face-to-face, although normal taxi fares are usually reasonable - particularly if you can pass yourself off as a local. Be aware that around tourist spots in particular, taxi drivers will charge gullible visitors way above the normal fare.

Major tourist sites in Turkey

There are countless natural and historic archeological sites worth visiting while travelling through Turkey. The most notable include:

• Pergamum, it’s ancient acropolis ruins on the side of a hill harking back to when this was one of the most important and influential societies in the ancient world.

• St John’s Basilica is one of the best preserved in Turkey and daily sees pilgrims gather around the red brick walls of this holy site.

• Ephesus is a sprawling ancient site which is now landlocked about five kilometres from the Mediterranean coast where it was originally built as a major port. Ephesus boasts arguably the most spectacular and best-preserved archaeological remains in the Mediterranean region, and the site is littered with marble ruins.

• Hierapolis Ancient Theatre was built 3,000 years ago and still boasts wonderful acoustics. The Ancient Theatre overlooks the white terraces of Pamukkale in central Turkey.

• Temple of Apollo in Didyma is surprisingly intact after thousands of years and has a monumental and awe-inspiring entrance gate.

• Lycian Tombs are mysterious sarcophagi carved into inaccessible vertical cliffs, the most visible found at Dalyan, Kaunos, Myra and Kekova. The deserted island of Kekova is also worth visiting to see the medieval ruins of Simena Castle perched high in the cliffs, as well as its tiny theatre hollowed out of rock.

• The town of Safranbolu about 600 kilometres east of Istanbul is home to around 22,000 people and has been declared a World Heritage site. The town has 300 year old half-timber houses reminiscent of western Europe, mixed with Oriental architecture and mosques. Further east, many tourists are drawn to the Aya Sofia, a restored 13th century Byzantine church close to the centre of the city of Trabzon. The church is now a museum with stunning frescoes. Also popular is the 4th century Sumela monastery, about 50km from Trabzon, which sits precariously on a cliff’s edge overlooking deep forests.

  Blue Mosque in Istanbul

• Ayasofya in Istanbul

• Topkapi Palace in Istanbul

• Ephesus Museum in Selcuk

• Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum

• Underground cities of Derinkuyu and Kaymakli in Cappadocia

• Museums of Zelve and Goreme

• Museum of Anatolian Civilisations in Ankara

The Lonely Planet Turkey Travel page provides a wealth of background information for holiday travel, as does Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism .

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