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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
South Africans require a visa to enter Turkey.
VISA INFORMATION
WEATHER
Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean coasts of Turkey display a typical Mediterranean climate of hot summers and mild winters, though Istanbul can have some cold snaps with snow in the winter. July and August are the hottest months with temperatures around 30°C with quite high humidity during the summer months. Temperatures increase a few degrees when travelling to the south and water temperatures also become warmer. The swimming season is from June to September along the Marmara and north Aegean coasts, while it is from April to October on the south Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.
The best time to travel:
Istanbul and European Turkey experience hot summers and cold winters with snow being a common feature. Spring and autumn, from April to May and from September to mid November respectively, are the ideal times to visit Istanbul and the inland regions when temperatures are pleasant and the skies are clear.
GENERAL INFORMATION
| Country: | Republic of Turkey |
| Capital City: | Ankara |
| International Airports: | – Adana Airport – Ankara Esenboğa Airport – Gazipaşa Airport – Antalya Airport – Balıkesir Koca Seyit Airport – Bursa Yenişehir Airport – Denizli Çardak Airport – Diyarbakır Airport – Elazığ Airport – Erzurum Airport – Eskişehir Hasan Polatkan Airport – Gaziantep Airport – Hatay Airport – Isparta Süleyman Demirel Airport – Istanbul Atatürk Airport – Istanbul New Airport – Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport – İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport – Kars Harakani Airport – Kayseri Airport – Kocaeli Cengiz Topel Airport – Konya Airport – Zafer Airport – Malatya Airport – Dalaman Airport – Milas–Bodrum Airport – Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport – Ordu Giresun Airport – Samsun-Çarşamba Airport – Sinop Airport – Sivas Nuri Demirağ Airport – Şanlıurfa GAP Airport – Tekirdağ Çorlu Airport – Trabzon Airport – Van Ferit Melen Airport – Zonguldak Çaycuma Airport |
| Area: | 780,580 km² |
| Population: | 80 million |
| Time Zone: | (UTC+02:00) |
| Religion: | Majority Muslim with the remaining being Orthodox Christians, Gregorian Christians, Catholic, Suryani and Protestant Christians, and Jews. |
| Language: | Turkish (official), Kurdish, Dimli, Azeri, Kabardian |
| Currency: | Turkish lira (TLR) |
| Exchange Rate: | Please consult your local bank as exchange rates fluctuate. |
| Credit Card Payment Availability: | Credit and debit cards are widely used in Turkey. Visa and MasterCard are accepted in most places, with American Express payment available in high-end hotels and restaurants. If you’re travelling off the beaten track or shopping in market stalls and Souks, then it’s a good idea to have some cash on you. |
| ATM Accessibility: | ATM’s in Turkey at the airport, near bank branches and also in free-standing booths close to major attractions and other tourist areas. |
| Dialling Code: | +90 |
TRAVEL TIPS
| Electricity: | 220 volts, 50 Hz, with round-prong European-style. |
| Water: | Bottled water is best for drinking |
| Business Hours: | Government departments & offices 08:30 – 12:30 & 13:30 – 17:30, Monday – Friday Shops are normally open from 09:00 – 19:00 every day, including weekends. |
| Banking Hours: | 08:30 – 12:30 & 13:30 – 17:30 |
| Photography Restrictions: | No notable restrictions however if you do see a NO PHOTO sign please; observe the restriction |
| Tipping: | In bars cafes and restaurants an expected tip between 5-10% dependent on services. Porters and hotel staff do expect a tip dependent on their duties. No need to tip taxi drivers however rounding up cab fares is always appreciated |
| Vaccination Requirements: | No Vaccinations required however if you have any doubts please consult with your general practitioner or travel clinic |
| Dress Code Restrictions: | No restrictions noted, however you will be required to cover up when entering any mosques. |
| Peculiar Customs to Observe: | When offering something, Turks generally extend an invitation multiple times. It is expected that you politely decline the gesture initially before accepting on the second or third offer. This exchange is polite as the insistence to extend the invitation shows hospitality and the initial refusal to accept shows humbleness and that one is not greedy. If you truly want to refuse something, place one hand on your chest as you say so. If someone has invited you somewhere, you can make the same gesture and point to your watch to indicate you do not have time to stay. |
FESTIVALS
– Ahirkapi Hidirellez Festival
– Ankara International Jazz Festival
– Ankara International Music Festival
– Ankara Shopping Festival
– Antalya International Choir Festival
– Antalya International Film Festival
– Antalya International Folk Music and Dance Festival
– Antalya International Piano Festival
– Antalya State Opera and Ballet Festival
– Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival
– Bodrum Cup Yacht Race
– Bodrum International Ballet Festival
– Bodrum International Yacht Show
– Bosphorus Cross Continental Swimming Race
– Bozcaada Jazz Festival
– Camel Wrestling Festival
– Cappadocia Cycling Festival
– Cappadocia Ultra Trail
– Cappadox Festival
– CEV Women’s Volleyball Champions League
– Chill Out Music Festival Istanbul
– Commemoration of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day
– Efes Pilsen Blues Festival
– Extreme Sailing Series
– Gallipoli Marathon
– Gumusluk International Classical Music Festival
– International Istanbul Biennial Festival
– Istanbul Boat Show
– Istanbul Coffee Festival
– Istanbul Design Week
– Istanbul Fashion Week
– Istanbul International Film Festival
– Istanbul International Gastronomy Festival
– Istanbul International Jazz Festival
– Istanbul International Music Festival
– Istanbul International Opera Festival
– Istanbul International Puppet Festival
– Istanbul International Theatre Festival
– Istanbul Marathon
– Istanbul One Love Festival
– Istanbul Shopping Festival
– Izmir International European Jazz Festival
– Izmir International Fair
– Izmir International Film Festival
– Izmir International Puppetry Festival
– Izmir International Short Film Festival
– Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Championships
– Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival
– Konya International Mystic Music Festival
– Lycian Way Ultra Marathon
– Mersin International Music Festival
– Mesir Paste Festival
– Mevlana Whirling Dervishes Festival
– National Sovereignty and Children’s Day
– Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey
– PWA World Windsurf Competitions
– Ramadan Feast in Turkey
– Republic Day 29 October
– Rock’n Coke Music Festival
– Runfire Cappadocia
– Sacrifice Feast in Turkey
– SunSplash Open Air Antalya Music Festival
– TEB BNP Paribas Istanbul Cup
– Turkish Airlines Euroleague Basketball
– Turkish Airlines Open Golf Tournament
– Urgup International Wine Festival
– Victory Day (30 August)
– World Rally Championship
MAP
“People were right when they say there is no other place on earth as beautiful looking as Istanbul.”
– Chateaubriand