Visas

For participants from some countries, a visa to Turkey may be required. Participants are advised to contact the nearest Turkish Embassy in their country. For some nationals, visa applications are available at the airport.

For further details please check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website at: www.mfa.gov.tr

Currency

Turkey’s unit of currency is the Turkish lira (TL-Türk lirası). The notes are in denominations of TL 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 liras. The lira is divided into 100 Kurus (Koo-Roosh), with coins in denominations of Kr 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 (Kurus) and TL 1. You can exchange foreign currency cash at currency exchange offices and banks.

Traveller’s cheques and Eurocheques may be cashed in banks.

Major credit cards like VISA, American Express, MasterCard are accepted in most of the hotels, restaurants and shops.

Although some expenses such as hotel rooms and car rentals may be denominated in US dollars or euros, they may also be denominated and paid in Turkish liras. Most other purchases will be denominated, and should be paid, in TL.

For indicative exchange rates, please visit Central Bank of Turkey’s web site at: www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/eng

Language

The official language is Turkish. In areas frequented by tourists, it is easy to find many multi lingual, especially English speaking, Turkish citizens.

There are 29 letters in the Turkish alphabet. Most of the letters are used approximately as in English. For more information, please visit: www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_language

Sizes and Measures

Turkey uses continental European sizes for clothes and shoes. Food and drink are sold in metric measures.

Time

Local time is GMT + 2 hours. Same time zone is used all over the country.

Electricity

The electric current is 220V AC with a frequency of 50 Hertz. European standard plugs with two round pins are used.

Telecommunication

All over Turkey, phone numbers consist of two sections; area code (3-digits) and the number itself (7-digits).

Calls within the city dial 7-digits number
Inter-city calls 0 + area code + number
International calls 0+ 0 + country code + area code + number

Istanbul is the only city/province in Turkey which has more than one telephone code: 212 for European side, 216 for Asian side and Princes' Islands.

Free wireless internet is available in many locations such as cafes, restaurants, shopping centres and hotels.

Tipping

It is customary to leave a tip in restaurants (10%) and for the hotel staff. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip, but it is usual to round up the fare.