Organize your stay Turkey
Covid-19 : current situation Turkey
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, entry and travel restrictions may apply Turkey. Remember to visit the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you leave for the latest information
Money Turkey
The Turkish currency reverted to the Turkish lira(Türk lirası, abbreviated TL) on January1, 2009. On banknotes and coins, there is the official symbol, in the shape of a doubled crossed L like a sea anchor, which was introduced by the Prime Minister in March 2012. The banknotes are 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100. The kuruş are coins. There are 5, 10, 25 and 50 kuruş coins and 1 TL coins. There are no limitations for importing currency into Turkey. The euro is accepted in tourist locations.
In 2018, Turkey experienced a major financial crisis and saw its currency fall by 40%.
As of February 2023, the €/TL exchange rate is as follows: 1 € = 20 TL / 10 TL = 0.50 €; the CHF/TL exchange rate: 1 CHF = 20 TL / 10 TL = 0.50 CHF; the CAN $/TL exchange rate: 1 CAN $ = 14 TL / 10 TL = 0.72 CAN $.
Budget & Tips Turkey
Turkey is a country where two worlds literally coexist. One offers prices that are almost the same as ours, or even higher depending on the area. It is that of a wealthy minority and one feels it more particularly in the big cities like Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya, not without forgetting the fashionable seaside resorts attracting the high society: Bodrum, Çeşme, Marmaris, etc. The other is for the vast majority concerned with much more modest wages. The Turkish minimum wage is about 8,500 TL (about 420 euros), which is not much when you consider that a basic rent in a big city is about 1,000 TL. This can be seen on a daily basis. To give an anecdotal but revealing example: you can drink a tea between 2 TL and 8 TL.
For a European, however, the cost of living in Turkey is particularly interesting since, since 2018, the euro is particularly strong against the Turkish lira. To give you an idea of the budget: public transport is at interesting rates, from 3 to 5 TL (around 20 cents of euro) with a transport card like Istanbulkart. As far as hotels are concerned, for a night in a basic hotel with breakfast, count on about 300 TL (15 euros) in the city center. For a little more comfort, you will quickly cross the 1,000 TL (50 to 60 euros) mark during the tourist season. At Christmas, New Year's, 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 change every year based on the lunar calendar. As far as restaurants are concerned, you can easily eat for less than 100 TL (5 euros) in the small restaurants of the "Good and cheap" category. To spend less, consider kebabs (meat but also fish), which will satisfy you for 25 TL (equivalent to 1.25 euro). Small neighborhood restaurants do not usually serve alcohol, although some are starting to offer beer in places that are very popular with tourists. Budgeters can also go to a bakkal (grocery store) and ask for a half or whole loaf of bread for 8 TL (40 euro cents) and then choose the filling from the stall. After a 47.4 percent tax hike on alcohol imposed by Recep Tayyip Erdogan's conservative party in early 2022, liquor remains very expensive in Turkey. A 70 cl bottle of raki now costs 249 TL (12 euros). Local beer costs between 20 and 30 TL (between 1 and 1.50 euro).
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 go to Turkey. However, make sure that your D.T. Polio vaccinations are up to date.
Turkey is rich in pharmacists(eczane) and doctors. Medicines (including antibiotics) are available without a prescription. However, bring a small first-aid kit with basic medicines. Be careful, do not drink tap water.
Security Turkey
There is very little crime and delinquency; there are no particular security problems.
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.
