Turkey : Formalities and administrative procedures
Turkey : Organize your stay
Money Turkey
The currency is the Turkish lira(Türk lirası, abbreviated TL). On banknotes and coins is the official symbol, in the shape of a double L crossed out like a sea anchor (₺), which was introduced by the Prime Minister in March 2012. The banknotes are 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 TL. The kuruş are coins. There are 5, 10, 25 and 50 kuruş coins and 1 TL coins. There are no restrictions on importing currency into Turkey. The euro is accepted in tourist areas.
In January 2025, the €/TL exchange rate is as follows: 1 € = 37 TL / 10 TL = 0.03 €; the CHF/TL exchange rate: 1 CHF = 39 TL / 10 TL = 0.03 CHF; the CAN $/TL exchange rate: 1 CAN $ = 25 TL / 10 TL = 0.04 CAN $.
Budget & Tips Turkey
Turkey is a country where literally two worlds coexist. One offers prices almost on a par with Western Europe, and even higher in some areas. This is the world of the affluent minority, and is particularly noticeable in major cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Antalya, not forgetting the fashionable seaside resorts attracting high society: Bodrum, Çeşme, Marmaris and so on. The other is aimed at the vast majority concerned by much more modest salaries. Since January1, 2024, the Turkish minimum wage has been around 22,000 TL (around €590), which isn't much when you consider that a basic rent in a major city is between 4,000 and 6,000 TL (between €100 and €160). It's a fact that we see on a daily basis. To give an anecdotal but revealing example: you can drink tea for between 8 TL and 25 TL.
For a European, however, the cost of living in Turkey is particularly attractive since, since 2018, the euro has been particularly strong against the Turkish lira (and even stronger since the devaluation of the Turkish lira in 2023). To give you an idea of the budget: public transport fares are attractive, from 6 to 10 TL (around 20/25 euro cents) with an Istanbulkart-type transport card. As for hotels, for a night in a basic hotel with breakfast, expect to pay around 550 TL (15 euros) in the city center. For a little more comfort, you'll quickly cross the 2,000 TL mark (50 to 60 euros) during the tourist season. At Christmas, New Year, in summer and during the Formula 1 Grand Prix, prices can triple. In addition to these events, there are also religious holidays, the dates of which, based on the lunar calendar, change every year. When it comes to restaurants, you'll find it easy to eat well for less than 180 TL (5 euros) in the small restaurants in the "Good and Cheap" category. For less, consider kebabs (meat and fish), which will fill you up for 50 TL (equivalent to just 1.50 euros). Small local restaurants generally don't serve alcohol, although some are starting to offer beer in the tourist-frequented areas. If you're on a budget, you can also go to a bakkal (grocery store) and ask for a half or whole loaf of bread for 20 TL (50 euro cents), then choose the filling from the stall. After a 47.4% increase in alcohol taxes imposed by Recep Tayyip Erdogan's conservative party in early 2025, spirits remain very expensive in Turkey. A 70 cl bottle of raki today costs 550 TL (15 euros). Local beer costs between 35 and 55 TL (between 1 and 1.50 euros).
Passport and visas Turkey
No visa is required for travelers from EU member states. A valid identity card or passport (at least six months from the date of entry into Turkey) is sufficient for a stay of less than 90 days. For Quebecers, a visa is required and can be obtained in two ways: at the Turkish Consulate in Montreal (at least three weeks before departure) or upon arrival at the airport, at the visa office. The second option is the simplest and most advantageous, less expensive, and the passport is stamped in one minute before the last checkpoint. Be aware of the entry requirements for your pets. Find out before your departure how they can accompany you.
Driver's license Turkey
A valid national driving license is sufficient to drive in Turkey. The international driving license is also accepted.
Health Turkey
No vaccinations are required to travel to Turkey. However, make sure your D.T. Polio vaccinations are up to date.
Turkey is rich in pharmacists(eczane) and doctors. Medicines (including antibiotics) are available without prescription. However, you'll need to pack a small first-aid kit with the basics. Don't drink tap water.
Security Turkey
The Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs strongly advises against travel to border areas with Syria and Iraq, particularly in the southeast of the country, due to the risk of terrorism. Southeastern Anatolian provinces such as Hakkari, Şırnak and Siirt are particularly sensitive. The provinces of Hatay, Kilis, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Diyarbakır and Batman are not recommended unless there is a compelling reason to do so; strict controls and access restrictions may be applied without notice. In other areas under heightened vigilance, you are advised to exercise caution: keep a low profile, avoid travelling alone, especially at night, and follow local instructions, especially in tourist areas. Finally, the border with Armenia has remained closed since 1993.
Time difference Turkey
Turkey is two hours ahead of the Greenwich meridian, which gives an hour difference with France in
with France in summer and 2 hours in winter. When in January it is 11am in Paris, it is 1pm in Istanbul. When in May it is 11 am in Paris, it is noon in Istanbul.
Communication Turkey
Turkish is a language of the Ural-Altaic language family. It is the official language of the Turkish state as well as of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The pronunciation is quite simple. However, reading can be more difficult as it is necessary to learn the diction of certain letters specific to the Turkish alphabet. Kurdish is the second most widely spoken language in Turkey, with over 15 to 20 million speakers. Other languages are commonly used in the country, such as English of course, which is spoken by younger people, those with an education or those working in the tourism sector. There are also Arabic, Greek, Armenian and, in the most visited areas, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese.
Electricity and measurements Turkey
Kilograms and meters are used, and 220 volts is the standard for voltage.
Beware! Water and electricity interruptions can be frequent in Istanbul, depending on the neighborhood and the season. There are more interruptions in winter than in summer, and it can happen to have both at the same time. An electric lamp can therefore be useful. They are much rarer in the rest of the country.
Luggage Turkey
What to pack? Nothing really: it is mainly the season that determines your needs. In spring and autumn, the temperature differences can be significant between the day (rather warm) and the night (cool). In winter (from the end of November to the beginning of March), icy winds and snow are factors not to be neglected (even think of a scarf!). Sturdy shoes with thick heels can help you in these delicate moments. Don't forget the rain: when it falls (in any season), most streets become muddy (not to mention construction), so avoid thin shoes and light-colored clothing. Sunglasses are always welcome, especially in the summer. Turkey is one of the few Muslim countries where it is possible to visit all the mosques, provided that you are properly dressed (women should also cover their heads). It should be noted that the vast majority of mosques lend shawls, veils and long skirts at the entrance, which is very practical. In the same spirit, prefer "classic" clothes if you plan to visit rather traditional districts (Eyüp, Üsküdar, Fatih, etc.), this being especially valid for women (legs and chest). For night owls, Western rules apply: no importance in the popular local establishments but the "trendy" (or chic) prevails in the prestigious establishments. In the same logic, it is advisable to think about restaurants. Turks are very lenient with foreigners in this area (which you will see for yourself), but you should be more careful in the evening.
Turkey : Daily life
Hello? Turkey
If you want to use your cell phone and keep your French plan, you will have to activate the international option (usually free) by calling your operator's customer service. The rule is the same for all operators. When you use your French phone abroad, you pay for the call, whether you make the call or receive it. In the case of an incoming call, your correspondent also pays, but only the price of a local call. All calls made to or from abroad are out of the package, including those to voicemail.
If you want to buy a prepaid card, the equivalent of our Orange is Türk Telekom (www.turktelekom.com.tr). After purchasing the card, you call the special number indicated on it, enter the PIN code and dial the number.
For international calls, dial 00 + country code + area code without the 0, then the number. The country codes to call from Turkey: France + 33, Belgium + 32, Switzerland + 41, Luxembourg + 352, Canada + 1.
How to call from France: 00 + France code + area code without the 0 + the 8 digits of the local number (for example, to call from Istanbul to Nice: 00 + 33 + 4 + 12 34 56 78).
To call from abroad to Istanbul: 00 + Turkish code + area code without the 0 + the 7 digits of the local number (for example, to call Istanbul from Europe: 00 + 90 + 212 + 123 45 67).
To make calls within the country and from Istanbul to another part of Turkey: area code + 7 digits of the local number (e.g., to call from Istanbul to Izmir: 0232 + 123 45 67). The main area codes in Turkey are Istanbul Europe: (0212) - Afyon: 0272 - Istanbul Asia: 0216 - Aksaray: 0382 - Adana: 0322 - Amasya: 0358 - Ankara: 0312 - Antakya: 0326 - Antalya: 0242 - Aydın: 0256 - Bursa: 0224 - Çanakkale: 0286 - Cyprus: 0392 - Denizli: 0258 - Diyarbakır: 0412 - Edirne: 0284 - Erzurum: 0442 - Eskişehir: 0222 - Gaziantep: 0342 - Isparta: 0246 - Izmir: 0232 - Izmit: 0262 - Kars: 0474 - Kayseri: 0352 - Konya: 0332 - Malatya: 0422 - Manisa: 0236 - Mersin: 0324 - Muğla: 0252 - Nevşehir: 0384 - Niğde: 0388 - Samsun: 0362 - Sinop: 0368 - Tekirdağ: 0282 - Trabzon: 0462 - Van: 0432.
Accessibility Turkey
A wave of change has begun to allow disabled people access to establishments, but this is only the beginning. When it comes to accommodation, hotels are very rarely equipped: no elevator, no adapted toilets or bathrooms, no information in Braille... The only establishments offering equipped rooms are luxury hotels, for the most part, or large hotel chains: 2 or 3 equipped rooms at the Four Seasons, the Hyatt or the Conrad in Istanbul, and in large hotels in major cities on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. Some hotels advertise access for the disabled, which in reality is not the case. You'll need to be extra vigilant when booking.
Most tourist sites in Istanbul and Ankara are accessible to people with disabilities. However, the percentage is much lower in the rest of Turkey. Adapted toilets are now compulsory in all new establishments, and red lights are equipped with audible warnings to inform whether it is possible to cross or not (in Istanbul only). There are facilities for boarding domestic and international flights, the city's IETT (green) buses all have access, and the metro offers elevators at every station, but the overall level remains low. In short, Turkey is not the ideal destination for travellers with disabilities of any kind. Please do not hesitate to contact the various organizations and associations for more detailed information.
Health Turkey
No vaccinations are required to travel to Turkey. However, make sure your D.T. Polio vaccinations are up to date. We also recommend that you get vaccinated against influenza during periods of transmission. In addition, vaccinations against typhoid, rabies and hepatitis B are recommended only for extended stays, or if you're going to places where sanitary conditions are precarious.
For advice before your trip, don't hesitate to consult your doctor. You can also contact the Institut Pasteur medical center's travel medicine society on 01 45 68 80 00 (pasteur.fr/fr/sante/centre-medical) or visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website under "Conseils aux voyageurs"(diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs).
Turkey is rich in pharmacists(eczane) and doctors. Medicines (including antibiotics) are available without prescription. However, you'll need to pack a small first-aid kit with the basics.
Beware of sensitive stomachs: spicy dishes are common in Turkey. We also strongly advise against drinking tap water. Otherwise, use purification tablets, filters or boil your water for at least 10 minutes.
Emergency numbers Turkey
In case of illness, contact the French Consulate: they will help you, accompany you and provide you with a list of French-speaking doctors. In the event of a serious problem, the consulate will also notify the family and decide on repatriation. To find out about emergencies and establishments that meet international standards, consult the websites www.diplomatie.gouv.fr and www.pasteur.fr.
If you have a Visa® or MasterCard® bank card, you are automatically covered by medical insurance and repatriation assistance for any trip abroad of less than 90 days (you do not need to pay for your trip with your card to be covered; simply holding a valid card ensures coverage). Check with your bank and carefully review the overall amount of coverage and deductibles as well as the conditions of coverage and exclusion clauses. If you are not covered by one of these cards, don't forget to take out medical assistance before you leave.
A complete list of French-speaking doctors classified by specialty is available on the website of the French Consulate in Istanbul (https://istanbul.consulfrance.org/).
Securty Turkey
Crime is not very high in Turkey. Istanbul is considered one of Europe's safest megacities. So, a priori, there are no problems of violence or theft from cars (as long as you don't leave valuables in plain sight, of course).
For the latest information on local security, consult the "Conseils aux voyageurs" section of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs). Be aware, however, that the site provides an exhaustive list of potential dangers, which sometimes gives a rather alarmist picture of the country's actual situation. Since Atatürk, it has been a secular country, politically oriented towards Europe, which keeps a close eye on any Islamist infiltration of society (regular checks on buses, for example). Men won't worry women alone.
LGBTQ Turkey
Istanbul is a fairly open city for the gay world. In addition to the many gay friendly places, there are no difficulties in the hotels of the modern city. Some of the smaller hotels in Sultanahmet may be a little less welcoming, but there are many sites in Istanbul that provide information about the current trendy places or more open hotels. Internet addresses can give you an idea of the places, trends and developments in the gay world of Istanbul, including istanbulgay.com.
Embassies and consulates Turkey
Please note! It's often forgotten, but Turkey's capital is Ankara, and that's where you'll find the French embassy (ambafrance-tr.org - +90 312 455 45 45 and +90 312 455 45 00). The Belgian and Swiss embassies are also located there (Belgium: +90 312 405 61 66; Switzerland: eda.admin.ch - +90 312 457 31 00 and +90 312 467 11 99).
In Istanbul, you'll need to go to the consulate to contact a French diplomatic representation (consulfrance-istanbul.org, +90 212 334 87 30).
Mail Turkey
The post office is quite reliable but not always fast. Postcards will arrive but will take between a week and ten days depending on the destination. A stamp to a European destination will cost you 4 TL up to 20 grams. For more security, it is possible to send mail by registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt (about 12.50 TL for a large envelope).
Local media Turkey
www.toutistanbul.com: a French-language tourism website founded in 1996 in Istanbul and maintained by a team of enthusiastic Stamboulians. The articles provide practical, up-to-date information.
www.leblogdistanbul.com: run by a French expatriate in Istanbul, this blog shares tips and tricks for discovering Istanbul and Turkey in a different way.
https://dubretzelausimit.over-blog.com/: a site designed to introduce you to Turkey and its people through the eyes of an Alsatian who has lived here for many years.
