Travel tips and articles from Hotels Club Istanbul.com

The visa system for Turkey can be both relatively simple and mind-bogglingly complicated at the same time! There is no ´one size fits all´ approach, with the availability of visas, type of visas, the cost and length of visas all different depending on your nationality.

At the outset, we should point out that not all nationalities need a tourist or entry visa to enter Turkey. Passport holders for Greece, France, Germany, New Zealand, Japan and Singapore, as well as numerous other nationalities, for instance, are entitled to a 90 day stay in Turkey without having to get any visa at all.

Others - including visitors from the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia and Spain - can arrive at the border, pay for a tourist permit or visa and just walk into the country. However, it is necessary to check with the embassy in your country regarding the visa requirement clause each time you visit Turkey, as there are often changes to the fees or to the rules between visits.

Some nationalities, including but not limited to, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States of America, can obtain a visa direct from the port of entry in Turkey rather than going through the Turkish consulate.

The visa counter in Turkish airports is usually located near or just before the passport control area inside the arrivals hall. To obtain your visa, you will need to pay a set fee in Euros or American dollars. This amount will differ according to your nationality. Americans, for instance, must pay $20, while British ordinary passport holders should pay £10 in STERLING. Scottish notes will not be accepted. Both amounts must be paid in cash. Traveler´s cheques, Turkish lira or credit cards will not be accepted. It is very important, therefore, that you check the amount of money you are required to pay before you travel and carry it in cash on your person. Please note that you need to pay this money for each person traveling with you – children included – regardless of whether they are on your passport or not.

This fee will grant citizens of the above countries a 90 day multiple-entry sticker-type visa. This type of multiple-entry visa allows you to holiday in Turkey for up to 90 days but you are not allowed to work (paid or unpaid), reside, study or establish a business in Turkey during that time.

Sterling, Euros and Dollars can be easily changed into Turkish Lira at all banks, post offices ( PTT ) and change offices. In many towns you can also get a good exchange rate at Jewellery shops. Many shops exchange money at a favourable rate and most will accept sterling. If buying furniture, curtains and white goods etc it is often possible to pay in Euros or Sterling and get a very favourable price.

AT CHANGE BUREAUS ALWAYS SHOP AROUND FOR THE BEST EXCHANGE RATE AND MAKE SURE THE COMMISION RATE IS NO HIGHER THAN 3% IF CHANGING TRAVELERS CHEQUES some change offices charge as much as 9%. A good place to change money is at the PTT(post office) you get a lower rate on cheques but no commision. The best option is to take cash and your bank card to withdraw money from cashpoint machines in resort (use machines at banks if possible) You generaly ge a better rate on your statment when you return home, (you could gain 10% - that's £10 for every £100 withdrawn). If you go with a bank such as Nationwide, you pay just 2% extra for withdrawing cash abroad, so you should look out for these things. Note though that travellers cheques are particularly hard to change even in the most populous of towns. Sometimes it may even be difficult to get a bank to change them for you. Use your debit card e.g Maestro rather than credit cards because the credit cards usually have a cash withdrawal fee applied in addition to any other charges.

The Turkish currency is the Turkish Lira.There are banknotes in 1 , 5 , 10 , 20 , 50 and 100 Lira denominations in general circulation. There are also 1 Lira coins. The Lira consists of 100 Kurus.

When shopping in Turkey you will still find people refering to "millions", instead of Lira, when discussing prices. The currency changed on 1st January 2005 and any old banknotes and coins ceased to be legal tender from 1st January 2006. If you are offered any banknotes with 6 zeros on them ( e.g. 1,000,000 million lira ) in your change, refuse them as they are old and no longer valid.

There is often a shortage of small coins available in shops so don't be surprised to be given a sweet or two as change.

The majority of the banks have ATMs and there are a huge number of free-standing ones at strategic points. They operate in the same way as those throughout the USA and Europe. There is an option on most to choose the language and in some cases to choose Turkish Lira, Dollars or Euros. Be careful in the free standing air conditioned booths - sometimes groups of men tamper with these - they can hide each other in the booth. It's often safer to use those in bank buildings - those inBodrum often have a security guard nearby as well.

If you use a ATM in Turkey, use one that is located outside of a national bank and also during regular business hours. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. This way if you experience any problems with your card you can directly report it at the bank. Also do make sure that you advise your bank of your planned travel to Turkey. If not the bank may freeze your card after one or two transactions.

Bargaining is only practiced in touristic places. When bargaining, check the average price of the item in several places. Try and negotiate the price down by 15-20% of the average price.

Shopping in Turkey is best done in the morning when the salesmen have more time. Do not begin your shopping until the third or the fourth day of your visit. You will need some time to know the currency and browse the shops. Try to be one of the first customers because Turkish shopkeepers believe that the first customer is sent by their Gods and pleasing him or her brings good luck throughout the day. You may strike a good bargain here.

Bargaining for everything except food is quite customary in Turkey, but make sure you know the price of the article before you begin to get more information about the article as the shopkeeper often become irate when after trying to sell an item for some time the customer decides it is beyond his budget. You may be offered water, soda coffee or tea to drink at the shop. Do not hesitate to accept this without a sale, but if alcohol is offered, the shopkeeper generally expects a sale.

Bargaining is a skill you must master for shopping in Turkey. Be careful as the shopkeeper may hike up the price knowing you may bargain. As a thumb rule you should start with 25% of the price you are willing to pay for an article. You must hold back your real offer for as long as you can.

Another strategy is to select two items and snub the first choice. Start bargaining for the second one, which should be more expensive. Once it is obvious that it is out of your price range, reluctantly accept the first one, which should be by then readily available at a lower price. Of course, the responses will vary with each incidence, but with time and practice, you should get the hang of it.

Shopkeepers in Turkey are largely honest and will not try to pass off an imitation as the original, but it is always good to ask for a certificate of guarantee for expensive items like carpets or jewelry. While making the payment, you should know the rate of exchange that applies. Ask for a calculator and work out the amount in your own currency.

If you are happy with the service in your restaurant, taxi, hotel or any other service, a tip of 10-15% is an appropriate way to show your appreciation.

It is customary to leave a tip in restaurants (10%), for hotel chambermaids, in reception for hotel staff . Taxi drivers do not normally expect a tip, but they do appreciate it, and it's acceptable to "round up" the fare. So if you're charged 4.5YTL it's usual to give the driver 5YTL. Hairdressers also get tips, similar to the UK.

Taxis, as in all countries, ask a rough estimate of the fare before you travel. Ask the driver to use the taxi meter and check your change carefully.

Public telephones have three different systems;phone cards, tokens and credit cards. Phone cards and tokens are sold at Turkish Telecom offices. Tokens are called "jeton" in Turkish.

The International Dialing Code to access Turkish telephone numbers is 0090. However, as it is normal to remove the first 0 from a number after adding the International code, it's easier to regard Turkey's International Code as 009

Municipal areas have a 4 digit access code and each village within that area has it's own 3 digit code. There is a 4 digit code for each line. Hence, a Turkish telephone number for use within the country will appear as 0252 ( Fethiye Code) 618 (Kaya Koyu code) 1234 ( phone number ) .

Their are a huge number of public call boxes in Turkey and the majority work by insertion of a call card. These cards can be purchased at most small general shops, the post offices ( PTT ) and some supermarkets. You can also use metered telephones within post offices and pay at the completion of the call.

Most mobile telephone numbers in Turkey can be recognised by their 05 prefix. Turkish SIM cards can be purchased cheaply at all mobile phone shops for use in mobile phones. In most phone shops in towns there is usually someone who's English is reasonably good and they will be able to help you. This is a much cheaper way of making calls within the country than using your own airtime supplier's roaming service.

When visiting a mosque, dress modestly and take off your shoes before entering. Women may be asked to wear a scarf on their heads.

Both men and women are expected to wear clothing which comes to below knee level and to have their shoulders and chests covered. Shorts, tanks tops and halters are completely inappropriate. Women must cover their hair with a hat or scarf, and men should be bareheaded. Shoes must be removed before entering the mosque, carry them with you unless you are with a guide who instructs you to leave them outside. Many of the larger mosques provide plastic sacks for you to carry your shoes in.

There are usually signs which indicate whether picture taking is allowed; pay attention to whether flash is allowed. Do not aim your camera at anyone who may be praying.

Do not enter a mosque during a prayer service, wait outside until it is finished.

Please as tourists remember that this is a largely Muslim country and modesty is appreciated. In restaurants it's expected that men will wear at least T shirt and shorts and women to wear more than beach wear. It is also more polite to cover up a little when shopping etc. If you come from the beach at least wear a sun dress over the bikini or shorts and a top.

It is totally normal for men and women to greet each other with a kiss on each cheek and a hug and will often walk around arm in arm regardless of gender. This is a natural expression of affection.When greeting people shake the hand of the eldest person first. You may also see/ experience younger people kiss an older persons right hand and then put it to their forhead. This is a mark of respect for the older person.

Turkish pharmacies are great. They go out of their way to help travelers. Many medicines usually only available on prescription in the UK are available over the counter. Also the quality of medical care in Turkey is high. Not only is the Turkish medical care excellent it is also very cheap. In some resort areas there are clinics were basic assessment and investigations wil be provided free of charge on production of a valid travel insurance certificate. The private hospitals are excellent. Usually you will be provided with an English speaker to accompany on your appointment. The wait is generally minimal and then medicines purchased on prescription from the pharmacy.

There have been some posts where women traveling in coastal regions have been hassled. This might have something to do with attire. Try to avoid beachwear while visiting places other than the beach. In cities remember that while Turkey is a secular culture it is wise to dress like you're in a big city. For visiting religious sites women should wear a long sleeved tops, long skirt or pants and cover their heads with a scarf or hat. This type of respect for the religion and culture in Turkey is always greatly appreciated. Going about alone in Turkey is fine (in East Turkey, it is wise to travel with a group), people have walked about alone all over Turkey day or night and have never had a problem but common sense should prevail in any foreign place.

When you leave your hotel during your stay always tell the staff where you are going. Take along the number of the consular office for your country just in case you encounter a problem and need some help. Keep your money in a safe place, not in your suitcase or backpack. Use the convenient ATMs and be careful when using them just like you would do in your home country. You need a 4 digit pin number to use ATMs in Turkey. The Turkish people are friendly and helpful, they will help you get where you are going. Don't confine yourself to tourist sites, you'll be surprised at what's off the beaten path, some of the best experiences in Turkey have come from just walking around the various districts and talking to people. Go to the local stores, you'd be surprised what you find. Migros, a big shopping center, they are in lots of Turkish cities.

In the summer, it is wise to bring along a hat and drink plenty of bottled water. Water is sold everywhere. Perhaps the most important: open yourself to the friendliness and culture of Turkey, talk to people, learn a few phrases, hello, please, thank you. Also take the time to talk to people. Their outlook on life is fascinating and you'll learn so much more about the country, its culture and customs. In most of the tourist areas the waiters, barmen etc are a long way from their homes as well as they've travelled to work for the season. They appreciate some time out and enjoy a chat. They love to improve their English and take every opportunity.