Frequently asked questions
Local time is equal to GMT + 2 hours. Same time zone all over the country
Metric and Kilo system
Q4: How friendly are the people?
It's friendly, beautiful, culturally rich and good value for money. It's modern enough to be comfortable yet traditional enough to be interesting.
Q5: When is the best time to go?
SPRING
Spring (April through mid-June) is prime because the weather is moderate throughout the country, the days are long, and the tourist rush hasn't begun. April can be rainy, though.
AUTUMN
Autumn (mid-September through October) is second best with mostly mild weather, but the days are shorter, and rain may begin again in October.
SUMMER
Summer (mid-June through mid-September) is quite hot in five of Turkey's seven distinct, though usually rainless, and cool inland in the evenings.
WINTER
Winter (November through March) is chilly and rainy everywhere except the southeast, but with lower prices and fewer tourists.
Q6: How safe is it?
Most travellers comment on the friendliness and hospitality of the Turkish people. It really is exceptional.
Turkey is one of the safest countries in the world in which to travel, and its crime rate is low in comparison to many Western European countries. Interpol ranked Turkey as the safest holiday destination in Europe for travellers. Naturally, we recommend that travellers to Turkey exercise the same precautions they would elsewhere, and be aware of security concerns that affect all international travellers.
Q7: What about medical facilities?
All Turkish cities have hospitals, and towns have clinics, often with staff that speak at least some English. Local pharmacists are also very helpful and will dispense most medications that you may require.
Q8: When is Ramazan?
Being an Islamic Holiday Ramazan begins 11 days earlier each succeeding year. Here are the estimated dates for the next few years:
2007: 12/13 September - 12 October
Q8: What is the food like?
Turkey is rightly famed for its cuisine, which is rich and savoury, not particularly spicy-hot, with abundant use of vegetables.
Though based on lamb and mutton, it includes beef and chicken (no pork, of course), as well as all sorts of seafood (even shellfish, which are forbidden to strict Muslims). The most common preparations are roasting and grilling, which produce the famous Turkish Kepabs, including doner kepabs, the national dish, and koffe, the workingman's favourite.
Restuarants are plentiful and, as well as Turkish food, offer a huge choice if freshly cooked food ranging from simple dishes to classic European cookery. Many areas will also specialise in dishes from local villages. Don't be afraid to ask and to look at what is on offer. Most restaurant owners are proud of their cooking and will explain the dishes and ingredients.
Kilims, leather, jewellery, spices, turkish delight, nuts.
Q10: Should I exchange money before I go to Turkey?
The highly favourable exchange rate makes travel to Turkey extremely affordable. Most banks have Turkish Lira. However, Turkish currency is easily obtainable upon arrival in Turkey at any exchange office or bank. Daily exchange rates can be obtained from the Turkish Central Bank web site at www.tcmb.gov.tr. This site is in both Turkish and English, and gives links to all Turkish Banks. Turkish daily newspapers also publish daily exchange rates.
There are ATM machines throughout Turkey, particularly in larger cities and tourist centres. Credit cards are accepted by hotels and most shops.
Most restaurants and shops will accept sterling / euros and give you a fair rate of exchange.
Tip: do not exchange your money at hotels, unless you have to as they normally charge a higher rate of commission.
Casual wear is appropriate for most tour excursions. Women wear trousers or skirts, but when visiting mosques it is recommended that they cover their heads with a scarf and both sexes should not wear shorts out of respects for religious customs.
Q12: Are any vaccinations required for tourists entering Turkey?
There are no vaccination requirements for any international traveller.
Q13: Is it safe to drink tap water in Turkey?
Turkey practices safe sanitation standards, and tap water is suitable for bathing and regular tasks such as brushing teeth. However, as is customary in most Mediterranean countries, the majority of locals and visitors drink bottled water. We recommend that visitors follow local custom and drink bottled water, which is routinely served with any meal.
All post offices in Turkey bear the yellow " PTT " or " Telekom " sign.
Larger and central offices are open from 08:00-24:00.
Public telephones have two different systems: Phonecards, Tokens
They are both sold at Turkish Telecom offices. Tokens are called “jeton” in Turkish. Phone cards have 3 different values. All over Turkey, phone numbers consist of two sections; area code (3 digits) and the number itself (7 digits). During weekdays from 18:00 to 06:00 and on weekends calls are cheaper.
Total number of the telephone lines is 7.5 million (7.5 persons per telephone). Turkey lies seventh in Europe and fourteenth in the world with this number.
One can rent cellular phones throughout Turkey
Same area calls just the 7-digit number
From area to area 0 + area code + number
International calls 0 + 0 + country code + area code + number
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
- Ambulance: 112
- Police: 155
- Traffic Police: 154
- Jandarma: 156
Q16: What permits etc. do I need to be able to drive in Turkey?
If you intend to rent a car in Turkey be sure to take your full driving licence from your home country. The car rental agency in Turkey will want to see it and so will the police if you are stopped. Provided you have your full driving licence there shouldn’t be any need to obtain an international driving permit.
IF YOU GET INTO AN ACCIDENT
- If you are in a city, call the Traffic Police (154), do not move your car, and wait until the police arrive.
- If you are outside of a city, call the Jandarma (156), do not move your car, and wait until the police arrive.
If we haven't answered your query please contact us and we will do our best to assist you. Info@kalkanblue.com