Türkiye travel guide

Getting there

Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport are the main international hubs, with many flights also serving Antalya, İzmir, Dalaman and Bodrum. Türkiye has land borders with Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq and Syria, and ferries connect the Aegean coast with nearby Greek islands.

Best time to visit: Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct – warm weather and fewer crowds.

Tougher months: July and August are very hot inland and crowded on the coast; winter in eastern Anatolia is bitterly cold.

Weather by month in Istanbul

• 9°J●●
• 10°F●●
• 12°M●
• 17°A●
• 22°M●
• 27°J
• 29°J
• 29°A
• 25°S●
• 20°O●
• 15°N●●
• 11°D●●

Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: Europe/Istanbul. Compare with your local time.

Visas: in our passport dataset, 105 of 198 other passports can enter Türkiye without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 10 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 83 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.

Background: Visa policy of Turkey (Wikipedia).

Official advisory: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-06-09). Read the advisory.

Source and more: Türkiye travel facts on RoamSun

Stay

Our area-by-area hotel guide: where to stay in Istanbul. It compares neighbourhoods so you pick the right base.

Most trips to Türkiye are based around Istanbul, Cappadocia or Ephesus. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$35–55 for a backpacker and US$90–170 mid-range, per person.

Source: Global Hotel Discount stay guide

Connect

Plug types: C, F. Voltage: 230 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +90.

Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.

Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun

Do

• Istanbul (Marmara · history & culture): A city spanning two continents, packed with Byzantine churches, Ottoman mosques, bazaars and buzzing neighbourhoods.
• Cappadocia (Central Anatolia · landscapes): Surreal rock formations, cave hotels, underground cities and rock-cut churches.
• Ephesus (Aegean · ancient city): Spectacular Greco-Roman ruins near the town of Selçuk.
• Pamukkale (Aegean interior · natural wonder): Snow-white calcium terraces and the ancient spa city of Hierapolis.
• Antalya (Mediterranean · coast & old town): A charming old harbour, Roman gates and beaches, with mountains rising behind.
• Fethiye and Ölüdeniz (Turquoise Coast · beaches): A stunning blue lagoon, paragliding and the gateway to boat trips and the Lycian Way.
• Göbekli Tepe (Southeast · archaeology): A mind-bending prehistoric site that is reshaping ideas about the origins of civilisation.
• Mount Nemrut (Southeast · mountaintop monument): Colossal stone heads of ancient gods watch over a summit famous for its sunrises.

Things to do

• Float over Cappadocia. Drift in a hot-air balloon at sunrise above fairy chimneys, cave villages and rose-coloured valleys.
• Explore the Hagia Sophia. Stand beneath the vast dome of this landmark that has served as church, mosque and museum over 1,500 years.
• Shop at the Grand Bazaar. Lose yourself among thousands of shops selling carpets, lamps, spices and jewellery in one of the world's oldest covered markets.
• Walk ancient Ephesus. Stroll marble streets to the towering façade of the Library of Celsus in one of the best-preserved Roman cities anywhere.
• Soak in Pamukkale's terraces. Wade through gleaming white travertine pools above the ruins of ancient Hierapolis.
• Cruise the Bosphorus. Sail between Europe and Asia past palaces, mosques and wooden waterside mansions.
• Experience a Turkish bath. Relax in a historic hammam with a steamy scrub and foam massage.
• Sail the Turquoise Coast. Join a traditional gulet cruise between hidden coves and ancient ruins along the Lycian shore.

Source: full Türkiye guide on RoamSun

Eat and drink

• Kebab – grilled meat in many regional styles
• Meze – small shared plates of dips, salads and more
• Baklava – layered pastry with nuts and syrup
• Turkish breakfast – cheeses, olives, eggs, bread and tea

Source: RoamSun Türkiye guide

Talk

Twenty basic Turkish phrases with a simple sound guide. Say them slowly; a smile does the rest.

Basic phrases: pronunciation is approximate and the list has not yet been reviewed by a native speaker. Capital letters mark the stressed syllable where that applies. Spot a mistake? Tell us.

Money and safety

Currency: Turkish lira (TRY). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: Around 5–10% in restaurants; round up taxi fares..

Emergency numbers: 112 police, fire & ambulance.

• The currency is the Turkish lira; exchange rates can change quickly, so check current rates and avoid exchanging at airports.
• Cards are widely accepted in cities, but carry cash for markets, small cafés and rural areas.
• Watch out for pickpockets and overly friendly strangers inviting you to bars in Istanbul's tourist areas.
• Check your government's latest travel advice, particularly for areas near the Syrian border.

Source: RoamSun Türkiye facts