Turkey travel guide

Turkey Tourism | Turkey Guide

You're Going to Love Turkey

Located between Asia and Europe, Turkey is a country with a rich history, fantastic hospitality, tasty food and breathtaking sights.

What to do in Turkey

1. Explore Istanbul

A trip to Istanbul will take you through important sites, such as the Hagia Sophia church and the Blue Mosque. Don't forget to visit the Bazar for a bit of shopping.

2. Stay in a Cave Hotel in Cappadocia

This underground city is the largest in Turkey and has a fascinating story. While there, attend a traditional Turkish night and go on a hot air balloon ride for spectacular views.

3. Swim in the Thermal Pools of Pamukkale

The town of Pamukkale is mainly known for its thermal water and pools, but visitors shouldn't miss the Pamukkale castle and the ruins of Hierapolis.

4. Admire Mount Ararat

A dormant volcano with snow topped peaks, this is the place where Noah's Ark is supposed to have landed following the flood. If you plan on doing the climb, you will need to hire a local guide.

5. Visit the Gallipoli Memorial Sites

Over 140,000 men died in the battle of Gallipoli in World War I and today, memorial sites and cemeteries can be visited along the peninsula.

1. Explore Istanbul

A trip to Istanbul will take you through important sites, such as the Hagia Sophia church and the Blue Mosque. Don't forget to visit the Bazar for a bit of shopping.

2. Stay in a Cave Hotel in Cappadocia

This underground city is the largest in Turkey and has a fascinating story. While there, attend a traditional Turkish night and go on a hot air balloon ride for spectacular views.

3. Swim in the Thermal Pools of Pamukkale

The town of Pamukkale is mainly known for its thermal water and pools, but visitors shouldn't miss the Pamukkale castle and the ruins of Hierapolis.

4. Admire Mount Ararat

A dormant volcano with snow topped peaks, this is the place where Noah's Ark is supposed to have landed following the flood. If you plan on doing the climb, you will need to hire a local guide.

5. Visit the Gallipoli Memorial Sites

Over 140,000 men died in the battle of Gallipoli in World War I and today, memorial sites and cemeteries can be visited along the peninsula.

When to visit Turkey

Turkey in November
Estimated hotel price
$137
1 night at 3-star hotel
Turkey in November
Estimated hotel price
$137
1 night at 3-star hotel

The weather gets really hot in summer, making spring the best time to visit, from April to May, or early autumn, from September to October.

How to Get to Turkey

Entry Requirements

Citizens of over 75 countries can enter Turkey without a visa for up to 90 days, and citizens from another 40 countries, including the US, can apply for an eVisa online. Citizens from non-exempt countries will need to apply for a visa at a consulate before arriving.

Plane

The national airline in the country is Turkish Airlines and it connects Turkey to over 122 countries. You can also find international flights with Pegasus and low-cost airline easyJet.

Train

It is possible to arrive in Turkey by train, from Greece, Bulgaria, Austria, and Serbia during the summer. The TransBalkan train also travels through Turkey and passes by Budapest, in Hungary, and Bucharest, in Romania.

Car

You can easily drive to Turkey from Eastern Europe through Greece and Bulgaria, and from the Middle East through Syria, Iraq and Iran. You'll need to purchase international insurance for your car.

Bus

Buses to and from Turkey are limited; however, you can get there from Romania, Bulgaria, Greece and Iran. Expect long journey times.

Boat

Regular ferry boats are available from Greece, departing from several islands. There are also connections from Northern Cyprus reaching multiple Turkish destinations on the Mediterranean, and a ferry that leaves from Sochi in Russia.

Entry Requirements

Citizens of over 75 countries can enter Turkey without a visa for up to 90 days, and citizens from another 40 countries, including the US, can apply for an eVisa online. Citizens from non-exempt countries will need to apply for a visa at a consulate before arriving.

Plane

The national airline in the country is Turkish Airlines and it connects Turkey to over 122 countries. You can also find international flights with Pegasus and low-cost airline easyJet.

Train

It is possible to arrive in Turkey by train, from Greece, Bulgaria, Austria, and Serbia during the summer. The TransBalkan train also travels through Turkey and passes by Budapest, in Hungary, and Bucharest, in Romania.

Car

You can easily drive to Turkey from Eastern Europe through Greece and Bulgaria, and from the Middle East through Syria, Iraq and Iran. You'll need to purchase international insurance for your car.

Bus

Buses to and from Turkey are limited; however, you can get there from Romania, Bulgaria, Greece and Iran. Expect long journey times.

Boat

Regular ferry boats are available from Greece, departing from several islands. There are also connections from Northern Cyprus reaching multiple Turkish destinations on the Mediterranean, and a ferry that leaves from Sochi in Russia.

Popular airlines serving Turkey

Lufthansa
Good (7,180 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,351 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,842 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,645 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (8,835 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,873 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,552 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,531 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (830 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,900 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,239 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (8,097 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,318 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (381 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,338 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,237 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,201 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,300 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (876 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,906 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Turkey

Hotels are the most common mode of accommodation around Turkey, with hostels being the most economic option. If you are looking to explore the countryside, you can stay in an Agritourism at a farmhouse.

Where to stay in popular areas of Turkey

Most booked hotels in Turkey

Concorde De Luxe Resort
5 stars
Excellent (9.2, 4220 reviews)
$150+
Sealife Family Resort Hotel
5 stars
Excellent (9, 5097 reviews)
$100+
Akgun Istanbul Hotel
5 stars
Excellent (8.9, 8683 reviews)
$74+
Akra Antalya
5 stars
Excellent (8.9, 4770 reviews)
$119+
Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center
5 stars
Excellent (8.8, 5665 reviews)
$162+
Megasaray Westbeach Antalya
5 stars
Excellent (8.8, 4605 reviews)
$104+

How to Get Around Turkey

Public Transportation

Turkey is well-serviced by public transport, with buses and minibuses covering regional travel, while most big cities have trams or metro systems.

Trains

Trains only travel to a limited number of cities in Turkey. High speed trains do exist and travel mainly between Ankara and Istanbul, and Ankara and Konya.

Bus

Buses are the best form of long-distance transport in Turkey, with multiple companies offering this service, such as Metro Bus, Kamil Koc, Suha Turzim and Varan.

Car

If you are planning to rent a car and drive, you will need to have an International Driver's Permit alongside your valid full driver's license, which should be over 2 years old.

Plane

Plane travel is very convenient when long distances are involved, and Turkey is serviced by many airlines large and small. Connections to the main cities are frequent, and if you are traveling to a regional airport, you can then catch a bus to the city center.

Public Transportation

Turkey is well-serviced by public transport, with buses and minibuses covering regional travel, while most big cities have trams or metro systems.

Trains

Trains only travel to a limited number of cities in Turkey. High speed trains do exist and travel mainly between Ankara and Istanbul, and Ankara and Konya.

Bus

Buses are the best form of long-distance transport in Turkey, with multiple companies offering this service, such as Metro Bus, Kamil Koc, Suha Turzim and Varan.

Car

If you are planning to rent a car and drive, you will need to have an International Driver's Permit alongside your valid full driver's license, which should be over 2 years old.

Plane

Plane travel is very convenient when long distances are involved, and Turkey is serviced by many airlines large and small. Connections to the main cities are frequent, and if you are traveling to a regional airport, you can then catch a bus to the city center.

The Cost of Living in Turkey

An inexpensive meal will cost around 25 TRY (4.50 USD), and groceries will be around 350 TRY (60 USD) per week. Credit and debit cards are accepted in all major establishments; however, you will need to have some cash to pay for services, such as public transport, and for purchases from street vendors.