About Turkey

Turkey budget travel offers the chance to explore a land of untapped potential. From scuba diving to paragliding; the Black Sea to Mount Nemrut, Turkey backpacking tours offer the vacation of a lifetime.

Turkey Budget Travel

Below is a list of Turkey's top destinations, click on the link to view all details and tours.

Cappadocia, Gallipoli Peninsula, Istanbul, Oludeniz, Olympos, Pamukkale

Fast Facts

Currency
Turkish Lira (TRY)

Dialing Code
90

AIDS

The risk of AIDS in Turkey is extremely low, with a prevalence rate of less than 0.1%. As a predominantly Muslim country with very conservative views, Turkey has a very low incidence of sexually transmitted diseases.

Airports

International Turkey airports include the following: • Atatürk International Airport - Istanbul • Sabiha Gökçen International Airport - Istanbul • EsenboÄŸa International Airport - Ankara • Dalaman International Airport - Antalya • Antalya International Airport - Antalya

Conservation

With a diverse environment and many rare and precious habitats, and many highly endangered marine and wildlife species, Turkey conservation plays a vital role in protecting the country's forests, coastal regions, mountains and other habitats. The country has a very progressive approach to conservation, with many private and state sponsored efforts to address the environmental issues within the country.

Culture

Turkey culture comprises of the following elements: • Food and drink • Architecture eras and influences • Arts and calligraphy • Music and dance • Literature and cinema

Customs

Turkey customs regulations allow you to bring the following into the country: • Tobacco: 200 cigarettes and 50 cigars or 200g of tobacco • Alcohol: 0.7 of spirits/wine • Perfume: 5 bottles • Gifts: valued EUR265.65

Health

Health precautions in Turkey include the following: • There have been some outbreaks of Malaria in certain parts of the country • It is best to avoid tap water, and stick to bottled water • Vaccinations are essential when travelling to Turkey • Food can be on the rich side, so tummy bugs can occur • Medical facilities are modern and readily available

Innoculations

The following Turkey inoculations are advised: • Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG) • Hepatitis B • Typhoid • Rabies • Malaria • Measles • Polio

Languages

Turkey languages include the following: • Turkish 90% • Kurdish, Zaza, Arabic, Laz • Albanian, Bosnian, Pomak/Bulgarian • English 17% • German 4% • French 3%

Malaria

Malaria outbreaks have recently been reported in the south-eastern parts of the country, meaning that Turkey malaria medication is recommended if travelling in these parts. Your doctor may advise you to take malaria medication as a precaution even if you are not travelling directly to this part of the country.

Money

Turkey money & banking information is as follows: • The Turkish currency is the New Turkish Lira • Banknotes come in 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Lira denominations • The Lira consists of 100 Kurus • Banking hours are 8.30 am-12.30 pm and 1.30 pm-5 pm, Monday to Saturday. • Euros and Dollars can be easily exchanged at banks, post offices and foreign exchange bureaux

People

Turkey people include the following groups: • Ethnic Turks 70-75% • Kurds • Armenians • Greeks • Bulgarians • Albanians • Macedonians • Bosnians • Georgians • Chechens • Arabs • Assyrians • Jews

Phrase

Some of the Turkey local phrases you may try include the following: • Merhaba (Mer-ha-ba) Hello • Gunaydin (guen-eye dhun) Good morning • Evet (Eh-vet) Yes • Hayir (h-eye-uhr) No • Lutfen (lewt-fen) Please

Plants

Turkey plants are typical of the forest and coastal habitats of this Mediterranean country, with a number of broadleaf deciduous plants, pine forests, oak forests, steppe, shrubs as well as flowering plants and wildflowers, plus edible plants and crops. Plantlife varies according to the different vegetation regions, which include coastal, mountain and central regions.

Population

A 2009 census puts the population in Turkey at 72,561,312.

Religion

Turkey religion includes the following: • Islam 99% • Christianity • Judaism • Other

Safety Tips

• Turkey is generally a safe country for travel, with friendly locals to be found in every city • Petty crime can occur however, especially in the bigger cities • Scams can occur, especially for single travellers - be on the lookout for suspicious activity • Be careful when crossing busy streets, as accidents can sometimes happen in the busier cities • In very rural areas, stray dogs are common - while many are tagged and vaccinated, the dogs that do not have tags may pose a rabies risk • Wild animals such as wild boar, bears and wolves can pose a small threat - if you come across any animal, walk away slowly and do not ever approach

Transport

Turkey transport includes the following options: • Bus • Fast ferry • DolmuÅŸ • Train • Plane

Travel Books

Try the following Turkey travel book reviews: • Turkey Travel Map by Globetrotter • Lonely Planet Turkey Country Guide by Tom Brosnahan and James Bainbridge • Turkey Insight Guide by Reinhard Bockhorni • Eyewitness Top 10 Istanbul by DK Publishing • Turkey - Bright Sun, Strong Tea: On the Road with a Travel Writer by Tom Brosnahan

Visa Requirements

Turkey visa information is as follows: • Visas are required for all international visitors • A valid passport of 6 months minimum is also required • Certain European countries do not require a passport to enter, but require an ID card instead • A range of visas from single entry tourist visas to work, multiple entry and up to 1 year visas are available • Visas take on average around 3 working days to arrange

What To Buy

What to buy for holidays in Turkey: • Spare batteries for torches and camera • Guide books, bird books, Turkish phrase books • Thick socks for hiking boots • First aid kit for travel purposes • Large refillable water bottle, or plenty of bottled water

What To Pack

What to pack for safari in Turkey: • Sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses • Bathing suit and towels • Headscarves for women, plus long skirts and t-shirts that cover shoulders • Comfortable walking shoes plus sandals • Casual and smarter clothes for various activities • Camera with spare batteries and memory card/film • Binoculars for bird spotting • Guide book and phrase book • Mosquito repellent and first aid kit

When To Go

When to go to Turkey: • Spring has the best weather, with long days and less tourists • Autumn has mild weather, with shorter days and more rain • Summer is hot in most regions, with clear weather and more tourists • Winter is typically cold and wet, with snow in parts and the few tourists