TOP Tips for Traveling to Turkey For The First Time

Planning your first trip to Turkey and drowning in tabs? Same!

Here’s the no-fluff Turkey travel tips guide I wish I had before my trip.

If you’re plotting to tackle Turkey, this will save you time, cash, and patience. I’ll point you to tools that actually help before you land.

Skim it now, screenshot a few bits, and go enjoy Turkey without overthinking every step.

Money & Prices in Turkey

The Lira Moves Fast

Prices change… fast. Menu photos on Google Maps that are only a few months old can already be out of date, and what you researched before the trip may be 20–30% lower than what you’ll see on the ground.

Sanity-check once you’re there and expect small jumps during your stay—it’s normal right now. This took me by surprise, so hopefully you won’t be as shocked as I was now knowing this!

ATMs Come In Clusters (Use A Travel Card)

You’ll often find several bank ATMs together, so you can pick your preferred bank if you have one.

With that said, I like Charles Schwab because it doesn’t matter which ATM I use! I won’t be charged, and I’ll get fee refunds. This is the best travel ATM card out there.

Be careful how much you take out. Make sure to spend down your lira before you fly outside Turkey; it’s basically useless otherwise.

Tipping and Haggling

Round up in taxis, leave ~10% at casual sit-downs (more if it’s fancy or you lingered), and tip housekeeping/porters in small cash. No need to overthink it.

Haggle gently at bazaars and souvenir stalls. Don’t haggle in restaurants, supermarkets, or chain stores—it’s not a thing.

Getting Around Turkey

Uber Is… Taxis

In Turkey, Uber connects you to licensed yellow taxis. The fare is meter-based (not a fixed private-car price), so confirm the meter is on and match the plate in-app.

If someone offers a “special price,” skip it—stick to the meter. This means while ordering your Uber, you won’t be getting a fixed price; you’ll get a range.

Transit Card Vs Tapping A Bank Card

Yes, you can tap a contactless card/phone on most transit now—but the transit cards, like Istanbulkart, still win on value because they get transfer discounts and broader coverage.

Contactless taps are typically a bit pricier and may not work on every line, whereas the transit cards around Turkey are built for the whole network.

If you grab a MegaPass (and you should), you’ll get an Istanbulkart included. Speaking of which…

Dolmuş 101

Dolmuş minibusses are your friend for short hops (e.g., Fethiye ⇄ Ölüdeniz): cheap, frequent, and cash-friendly. It’s essentially a shared taxi on a fixed route.

Tell the driver your stop, keep small change, and hop off with a quick “Teşekkürler” (“thank you”).

IST Vs SAW – Istanbul Has TWO Airports

IST (Istanbul Airport) is the big hub on the European side; SAW (Sabiha Gökçen) sits on the Asian side. Both are farther than you think from the city center—plan wide buffers, especially with taxis/shuttles.

Public options help: Havaist and Havabus connect you to the city from the airports; typical times land around ~50–90 minutes, depending on traffic and your endpoint.

However, like I mentioned above, BookAway was my go-to for getting around, especially for getting to and from the airport with luggage in tow. It’s incredibly convenient!

Pegasus For Domestic Flights

For cheap hops inside Turkey, Pegasus is the budget airline that just works. Read fare rules carefully, like any low-cost carrier, pick seats/bags as needed, and you’re golden.

They had the best deals for domestic flights and were pretty smooth as a budget airline. We used them to fly from Istanbul to Dalaman (to get to the coast) and Antalya to Kayseri (to get to Cappadocia).

Turkish Food Culture

What’s A Lokanta?

Your best budget friend. Lokantas serve home-style dishes—think trays of stews, veggies, rice, and daily specials—without the tourist markup.

Just look for the words “Lokanta” in the restaurant name. You’ll start seeing it now that you know this tip for Turkey. Head in there and see what they are serving up!

Simit = The Perfect On-The-Go Bite

Grab a warm sesame ring from street carts for cheap, filling fuel between sights. If you only eat one “bread,” make it this.

Simits are like bigger but thinner Turkish bagels. Get it with cheese, get it plain, get it with chocolate spread… Just get one! They are everywhere, especially in Istanbul.

“Does Bread Come With That?” LOL Yes.

You’ll get bread with practically everything. I once asked to add bread to an omelet, and the waiter laughed—“You’re in Turkey, of course, there’s bread.”

I didn’t make that mistake again! In fact, I was given too much bread during my time in Turkey, my pants said so…

The Little Freebies

Tea, yogurt dips, bread, zatar and olive oil… It’s hospitality. Don’t panic if something you didn’t order lands on the table—it’s often complimentary.

I got a little “extra” something in almost every restaurant I went to during my time in Turkey!

Yogurt Everywhere and On Everything

It’s a condiment, a sauce, a side, an entire meal. Go with it—it’s delicious. You’ll get it on Raviloi and with bread as a “freebie” app. It comes as a side dish, it’s a breakfast option, and it’s even a drink (ayran)! Yogurt.is.everywhere!

Health, Visas & When to Visit

Health & Tap Water

Locals usually don’t drink tap water—use bottled or filtered. Bring a reusable bottle and refill at your hotel or filtered fountains.

Pharmacies (Eczane) are excellent for quick fixes like rehydration salts, motion-sickness tabs, and whatever meds you use at home. The sun is stronger than you think: sunscreen + hat save the day.

Visas & Entry

Aim for 6+ months passport validity and at least one blank page. Americans can just show up, no visa needed.

Immigration may ask where you’re staying and your next move. Have hotel + onward travel plans handy (a bus/flight reservation works).

Travel insurance isn’t required, but it is smart to have it anywhere you go. Check here for a cheap quote.

Pebbles Are Normal

Many beaches are pebbly or rocky. Manage expectations and bring water shoes if your tootsies are too soft.

I kind of didn’t mind it because it was nice to be at a beach for once and not be covered head to toe in sand despite my efforts to avoid it!

When To Visit Turkey

• Spring (Apr–May): Bloomy, mild, and great for cities/ruins. Light layers + a rain shell.
• Summer (Jun–Aug): Hot and busy on the coast; the Med is glorious but crowded. Book A/C and find shade, plan midday breaks.
• Fall (Sept–Oct): Shoulder-season sweet spot. Warm-enough seas, fewer crowds—this is when I went (September) and it was perfect.
• Winter (Nov–Mar): Chilly in Istanbul/Cappadocia; coastal towns quiet. Good prices, shorter days; bring a warm jacket.

Of course, Turkey is a decent-sized country, so I would look into the specifics of the exact places you’re going and what the weather may be like.

Holidays & Closures

Big dates can pack sights and sell out transport, so book ahead and check hours. Key ones to know:

• Ramazan (Ramadan) + Şeker Bayramı (Eid al-Fitr)
• Kurban Bayramı (Eid al-Adha)
• April 23 (National Sovereignty & Children’s Day)
• May 19 (Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth & Sports Day)
• July 15 (Democracy & National Unity Day)
• August 30 (Victory Day)
• October 29 (Republic Day)

Museums/shops may open late, close early, or close fully on some holidays; restaurants and transport still run but are busier.

Plan popular sights for early morning, and expect festive vibes, parades, and fireworks on the big nationals.

Etiquette, Dress, & Noise

Mosque Etiquette

Dress modestly (shoulders/knees covered), women bring a headscarf, and take off their shoes at the door. Avoid prayer times for tourist visits; be quiet and respectful inside.

Technically, if you forget and are wearing a tank top with nothing else, there will be some to buy or rent. But I would avoid having to do that and just carry something with you.

What To Wear (Quick Packing for Turkey Tip)

Turkey is a big mix: you’ll see everything from linen sets to skinny jeans.

Pack light layers, a scarf (handy for sun, breeze, or mosque visits), closed-toe shoes for uneven stone streets and hiking, and water shoes if you’re doing pebbly beaches (I just wear Crocs).

A light jacket helps on ferries and evening cruises, plus some places get chilly at night, like Cappadocia in September!

That’s a quick list of what to bring, no matter when you visit. Whether you’re also bringing bikinis or parkas is another story, depending on when you’re hopping over.

Istanbul is secular, and while you’ll need to cover up for important religious sights, out in the streets, people wear what they want!

The Call To Prayer Is Loud (Hotel Location Matters)

If you book near a mosque, expect an early wake-up and several calls throughout the day. Pack earplugs if you’re sensitive.

In Istanbul, the first call (Fajr) can be as early as ~3:30 am in June and as late as ~6:40 am in December; evenings (Isha) can run as late as ~10:20 pm in June and ~7:10 pm in December.

The Cats & Dogs

Turkey’s street animals are part of the community. You’ll see water and food bowls outside shops. Feel free to offer a gentle pet if the animal approaches you, but don’t chase or grab for photos.

If you want to feed them, choose plain food (sold at markets) over scraps. Seeing cats everywhere in Turkey was one of my favorite parts of visiting!

Quirks and Random Turkey Tips

• eSIMs Are a MUST – Turkey has started blocking access to many travel eSIM provider sites/apps once you’re inside the country. Buy and activate your eSIM (e.g., Holafly) before arrival, and then switch over your data to your eSIM when you land, and you’ll be good.
• No TP In The Toilet – Most bathrooms ask you to bin toilet paper instead of flushing. This is common in many areas of the world, but it is worth noting that Turkey is one of those places.
• Cave Hotels Crumble – In Cappadocia, cave rooms are charming but… they’re caves. Expect a bit of dust or tiny rock flakes; it’s part of the charm. Some pieces once fell on my face in the middle of the night… That was interesting…
• Everyone Smokes – There is almost no way to avoid it. Restaurants, cafes, bars, just walking… everyone smokes, everywhere.
• Safety & Sense – Watch pockets in crowded trams/bazaars (check the anti-theft gear I use), use licensed taxis/Uber, and be mindful at crosswalks (cars don’t always stop like you expect).

I hope these tips for traveling in Turkey help you on your trip!

More Turkey Guides:

Pin this post for later!