Jurisdiction Guide

April to June and September to early November offer mild weather and fewer tourists. The south stays warmer into fall, while the interior and east get cold winters.

Cash is common, but credit cards work in cities. Tipping is expected in restaurants and taxis, usually about 10 percent. Few people speak English well outside tourist spots, so a translation app helps. Buy a local SIM card at the airport or main shops for good coverage. City public transport works well, but intercity buses are the main link between smaller towns.

Saluting elders with a light handshake is polite. Dress modestly at mosques and in villages, covering arms and legs. Remove shoes before entering someone's home. Sharing meals is common; wait for the host to start eating. Avoid obvious PDA outside big cities.

Pickpocketing happens in crowded tourist areas, so guard your bag. Driving in cities can be chaotic, with little regard for lanes or signals. Earthquakes are possible, mostly near Istanbul and the east. Some border areas with Syria and Iraq are not safe or accessible for foreigners.

The Sumela Monastery perches on a cliff in the Black Sea mountains, reachable by forest hike. Amasya is a riverside town with Ottoman houses and rock tombs, far from crowds. Bozburun offers quiet seaside villages and boat trips, without the crowds of Bodrum or Antalya.

Most Europeans, Brits, Australians, Canadians, and US citizens can visit Turkey for up to 90 days without a visa, though some need an e-visa. Longer stays require a short-term residence permit, often obtained by renting a home and registering locally. There is no official digital nomad visa, but some expats live on renewable tourist permits.

Domestic flights are cheap and frequent between big cities. High-speed trains run between Istanbul, Ankara, and Konya, but most places are reached by intercity buses. Driving is possible but roads can be rough in rural areas, and local driving habits take getting used to. Apps like BiTaksi and Uber operate in major cities.

Try gözleme (stuffed flatbread), kebabs, köfte (grilled meatballs), and meze (shared small starters). Simit is a popular street snack, and Turkish tea or strong coffee is served everywhere. Beer and wine are available, but alcohol costs more in Istanbul and tourist resorts. Vegetarian food is easy to find thanks to vegetable stews, lentil soup, and stuffed peppers. Tap water meets safety standards in cities, but most locals drink bottled.

Istanbul and the Mediterranean resorts cost the most. Central Anatolia, the Black Sea coast, and eastern regions offer cheaper lodging and meals. Backpackers can find hostel beds for $10-20, while a meal in a simple local restaurant starts around $3. A city taxi's start rate is about $1, and intercity bus rides vary by distance, but a 5-hour trip costs about $15.