Tips to Know Before Going to Turkey 

Traveling is a great way to unwind, explore new cultures, and meet new people. What’s more, traveling helps you not only to discover interesting places but also explore new dimensions within yourself. There are lots of destinations that can mesmerize and fill you with tons of cool impressions. Still, not all of them have a particular charm about them. But one of the countries that certainly do is Turkey. Despite its constantly appearing in the top ten of the most visited tourist destinations in the world, Turkey still has lots of wonders in store for you. So, if you’ve always wanted to visit this great country but didn’t venture to travel there, it’s about time you make this dream come true. And below are simple tips and tricks that will help make this trip an experience of your lifetime.  

Getting a Visa 

Truth be told, getting visas is the least pleasant part of traveling. Still, if you intend to travel to distant countries, there is no chance that you can skip this step. Fortunately, the Turkish government is doing its best to grant foreign visitors easy and hassle-free access to tourist visas. For American citizens, this process is normally a matter of ten minutes. They can quickly apply for an e- visa online and pay a small fee for it. As for Indian travelers, they also can apply for a visa online. But this process will likely take a little longer, especially for those citizens that don’t have a valid Schengen.  

Choosing Accommodation 

It’s relatively easy to find accommodation in Turkey. There are inexpensive hostels, guest houses, and hotels to every taste and budget. You can either use local websites to find your ideal place to stay or use universal international services like Booking.com, Airbnb, Kayak, or Hotels.com. But note that you won’t be allowed to book your stay using Booking if you’re already in Turkey. Officially, it’s banned but many fixes have been invented since then, which you might explore by yourself. 

Some tourists are so mesmerized by Turkey that they rent villas or apartments for a longer period. And some visitors even buy their own homes. There is plenty of property for sale in Alanya and other picturesque locations that come at a surprisingly pleasant price. So, if you’re thinking about acquiring property in the country where East meets West, there are tons of options to consider. 

Transportation 

As with finding the right accommodation for you, it won’t be a problem to get around Turkey. If you can afford to rent a car, do this! It is the fastest, most comfortable, and fairly inexpensive mode of transportation. For those on a tight budget, buses can help you get to virtually any destination. Bus tickets normally cost about $15-25 each way if you’re traveling within Turkey. Still, if you opt for this means of traveling, make sure you have enough time on your hands. You can also save a good deal on airfare if you book airline tickets well beforehand. The cheapest flights come at as low as $10 within Turkey. So, the plane can be the best bet if you want to explore the remotest corners of this wonderful country without spending a lot of time and a bundle on airfare. 

Taxis are also quite a convenient and fast way to get around Turkey. But if you’re new to this whole taxi culture in non-western countries, you might fall victim to a scammer or cheater. Some taxi drivers might pretend they got lost or miss the turn intentionally just to charge you more. So, it would be a wise idea to use official taxi services and turn on your GPS every time you take a taxi. This can spare you time, money, and nerve. Also, Uber can be a go-to method of using taxis in Turkey. It’s fast, reliable, and always on time. Just make sure not to pay the driver in cash if the app deducts the final amount from your credit card. 

Communication and Safety 

Language difficulties aren’t something you need to worry about when going to Turkey. In most tourist locations, they can speak and understand English pretty well. But the farther you go, the more noticeable the language barrier might get. So, make sure to avail yourself of an offline translator. Also, you want to learn some essential Turkish words and phrases to feel more comfortable. Moreover, by doing so, you’ll show your respect to locals and ease yourself into a new culture.  

Lots of tourists, especially those of European background, might feel apprehensive when first traveling to Turkey. Media generalizations and news reports don’t accurately demonstrate the real situation in most countries, as we all know. So, even if you heard some negative facts about Turkey, don’t let this information get in the way of your intention to visit it. Always double-check the available info and ask real visitors for their opinion. According to official data, Turkey is not only convenient but also most safe to visit and travel around. That being said, you should be mindful of the basic safety measures and take precautions not to visit some remote parts, namely those that border Syria. If you’re a female solo traveler, you want to avoid isolated and poorly lit areas. 

These are only some tips that can help you feel more confident and safe traveling around Turkey. You’ll surely figure out your own tricks that you will then share with other travelers. And meanwhile, you can get ready to embark on your fascinating trip!