In order to avoid any problems when leaving the country it is recommended that you register valuable items with the customs office on entry to Turkey. All personal belongings and articles made of precious stones or metals (with no commercial purposes) worth under USD$15,000 may be brought into and taken out of the country. Jewellery worth more than this amount may only be taken out of the country providing it has been registered on entry or that you can prove that it was purchased in Turkey with legally exchanged currency.

One black-and-white television; one colour TV (up to 55cm screen); one pocket colour TV up to 16cm screen; one black-and-white television-radio-tape (combination); one video recording camera and 5 video tape casettes (blank); camera with eightmm(with ten blank films); one slide machine; pocket PC ( Up to 128MB Ram ); compact disc player; one portable radio and radio-tape (the properties of the radio-tape will be determined by the undersecretary.); one walkman or small taperecorder; Game Boys without cassettes and cartridge; record, cassette or compact disc maximum of 5 for each; GSM-Pocket phone (With SIM cards)
Two partitioned camping tent; one diving suit for underwater diving sports (The quality and efficiency of the suit to be determined by the undersecretary.); glider (a pair); one boat; one surfboard with sailing equipment for water sports; flippers (one pair); other personal belongings one apiece (except for sea motorcycle and sledge); chess set; Draughts set; five packs of playing cards.

Please note that the following information is intended to cover items usually carried by tourists visiting Turkey. If you are planning a longer stay or are carrying anything unusual into or out of the country, it is best to check the regulations in more detail.

It is permitted to bring the following items into Turkey as duty free goods

The following allowances apply to the import of both domestic and foreign goods:
a) 200 cigarettes (1 Box) and 50 cigars. Plus: 200 gms tobacco and 200 cigarette papers or 200 gms pipe tobacco or 200 gms chewing tobacco or 200 gms tobacco for nargile or 50 gms snuff,
b) In addition to the above allowances, it is also possible to purchase 200 cigarettes, 100 cigars and 500 gm pipe tobacco in the Turkish Duty Free Shops when entering the country. The following may also be imported: 1.5 kg coffee; 1.5 kg instant coffee; 500 gms tea; 1 kg. chocolate; 1 kg. confectionery; 1 (100 cl) or 2 ( 75cl or 70 cl) bottles of wine and/or spirits; cologne, lavender water, perfume, essence, lotion (120 mls maximum of each).

Turkish Lira is available in the following denominations:
Banknotes: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 &100 200 TL
Coins: 10, 25 & 50 Kuruş and 1 TL
You can obtain currency before travelling to Turkey or on arrival. Exchange rates are usually slightly better in Turkey and all international airports have exchange facilities. Usually, cash can be exchanged without charging commission in exchange offices, banks or hotels. Please note that Scottish notes are not accepted in Turkey. Travellers’ cheques can be exchanged in banks only. Cash point machines (ATM) are available in most areas, which accept major UK credit and debit cards and give instructions in English. It may be a good idea to inform your bank in advance that you are travelling to Turkey as some will automatically put a stop on cards after the first usage in an attempt to combat fraud. Exchange rates are published daily in Turkish newspapers. If you are planning to exchange currency back from TLbefore leaving the country, or are making a major purchase, which may need to be declared to customs, you will need to keep your transaction receipts in order to show that the currency has been legally exchanged.

Please note that it is strictly forbidden to export antiquities or antiques from Turkey and there are severe penalties for those who attempt to do so. In order to export such items legally it is necessary to obtain a certificate from a directorate of a museum.

Family is very important to Turkish people, and you will find that children are welcomed everywhere, which makes for a very relaxing and enjoyable holiday. It is perfectly normal for even very young children to eat out in the evening with their parents. Many restaurants do provide high chairs, and those that don’t seem to be very good at improvising. Formula milk and nappies are easily available, although if you want a specific brand, then it is probably best to take it with you. It is not always easy to find baby food in jars, but restaurants and hotels are very accommodating and will usually be pleased to puree food for you. Again, if your child is used to a specific brand it may be better to take it with you. UHT milk is widely available in small cartons, with a straw, which is useful for toddlers and older children. Most hotels will provide cots if these are requested in advance. These can vary quite widely in standard, however, so it is a good idea to check in advance what type of cot is being provided and whether or not it is suitable for your child – some have lower sides than those common in the UK, for example, so are fine for a baby but not suitable for a more mobile toddler. Children’s car seats are still seen as a luxury item in Turkey but most tour operators and car hire companies will be able to provide them for you on request. You should not, however, assume that this will automatically be the case. Many of the larger hotels have children’s clubs and are able to arrange babysitting services. There are also some tour operators who provide these services. In general, Turks and Turkey have a welcoming, relaxed approach to children and will go out of their way to be accommodating and helpful. As long as you are flexible you should have no problems.

Beds belonging to the ill passenger; motorised and non-motorised wheelchair; drugs for personal treatment; gas mask and similar protective clothing (maximum 2 pieces).

One portable typewriter; one camera (plus maximum 5 films); one pram for each child passenger; one bicycle for each child passenger; toys for child passengers (maximum 10 ); pocket calculator with battery; one iron (with or without steam diffusion); 1 x 1.5 metre seccade (prayer rug) made from wool, cotton or synthetic fabric); one pair binoculars (except night binoculars); one table clock; one gas stove.

For valuable gifts and souvenirs, such as a carpet, proof of purchase is necessary, together with receipts showing that any currency used in its purchase has been legally exchanged.
Please note that it is strictly forbidden to export antiques from Turkey. Minerals can only be exported with a special document.

There is no limit to the amount of foreign and Turkish currency to be brought into Turkey. Up to US$5000 worth of Turkish or foreign currency can be taken out of the country, providing that it can be shown that the currency has been obtained from authorised banks. Larger amount of foreign or Turkish currency must be transferred abroad through banks. Cash brought into the country to be exchanged for export out of Turkey must be declared on entry.

If you have any queries relating to any special needs for your holiday, it is best to check direct with us and/ or your tour operator before booking your holiday. The resorts which are located in relatively flat areas, and are, therefore, better suited to wheelchair users are: Marmaris, I輓eler, Dalyan, Fethiye/ Calış Beach, Side. Anyone who has difficulty in walking should certainly avoid resorts on steep hills such as Kalkan and Turun. Obviously, hotel locations vary so do check before booking. Some of the newer and larger hotels have rooms specifically designed for wheelchair users, however, even where hotels do not have specific facilities they will usually try their best to be helpful by, for example, allocating a ground flor room. Many Turkish resorts and cities are not planned for wheelchair access, which can make life difficult, however, you will find that Turks always try their best to be helpful and will gladly improvise to find a solution. If you would like details of how to hire a wheelchair whilst on holiday in Turkey please contact our office.

You can drive in Turkey with a full British or Irish driving licence.You should have a copy of this, together with your passport and insurance documents with you in the car at all times, as you will need it if you are involved in an accident. All of the major international car rental companies, as well as a number of local ones, have offices at airports and all major centres. Driving in Turkey is on the right, as in continental Europe. Turkish road signs conform to the International Protocol on Road Signs and archaeological and historic sites are indicated by yellow signs. Turkey has a good network of well-maintained roads. There is a 50 km per hour speed limit within urban centres and 90 km outside urban centres. Petrol stations are fairly easy to find and on main highways, they are often open 24hrs and have restaurants and other facilities attached. Unleaded (kurşunsuz) petrol is easily available. Garages for repairs are often concentrated on certain streets within a town or can be found on highways. If you are planning on driving to Turkey, as well as your passport, you will need to take your international driving licence, car registration documents and international green card (insurance card) with the TR sign clearly visible (NB: This can be purchased on arrival at the border). You can bring your own car into the country for up to six months. If you wish to keep you car in Turkey for more than six months, you are liable to pay import tax. For further details on this contact: Office of the Financial
CounsellorAddress: Turkish Embassy, 43 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X 8PA Tel: 020 7245 6318 Fax: 020 2072 1020
The journey from the UK to Turkey is approx. 3,000kms and there are two established routes:
Northern Route: Belgium, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey
Southern Route: Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, with ferry to Turkey

Please note that bringing into or out of the country, together with consumption of, marijuana and other narcotics is strictly forbidden and is subject to heavy punishment. If you have prescribed medication, which you need to take on holiday with you, you will need a doctor’s note and/ or a copy of your prescription which can be sent to our office for translation. Please call our office for further details.

Electricity throughout Turkey is 220 volts AC. A two pin round pin plug is used so an adaptorwill be necessary for anyone wishing to use appliances from the UK or Ireland.

Local ferry services operate from İstanbul across the sea of Marmara. For details visit ido.com.tr
Ferry services also operate between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus: Taşucu – Girne (Kyrenia); Alanya – Girne; Mersin – Gazimağosa (Famagusta). Timetables and further contact details are available from www.fergun.net
There are also a number of ferry and hydrofoil services which operate between Turkey and the Greek Islands including: Ayvalık – Lesbos; Cesme – Chios; Kuşadası – Samos; Bodrum – Kos; Marmaris – Rhodes and Dat軋 – Symi.
The following websites will give you details of services, with timetables, prices and reservation details: www.ankertravel.net or www.tourturkey.com/greece-and-turkey-ferries.htm There are also ferry services which operate between Ancona and Brindisi to ﾇeşme. For schedules, prices and reservations visit www.marmaralines.com or www.alternativeturkey.Com Festivals in Turkey
Camel Wrestling Festival, Selcuk, January International Film Festival, Istanbul, April
International Children’s Day, Ankara, April International Yacht Festival, Marmaris, May
International Tea Festival, Rize, June
International İstanbul Festival, İstanbul, July
Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival, Edirne, June/July
International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival, Antalya, June/July
Mengen Chefs’ Festival, Bolu, September
Mevlana Commemoration Ceremony, Konya, Mid-December

If you are planning to film in Turkey for commercial or broadcast purposes, you will need to obtain the relevant permission in advance. The process usually takes a minimum of two weeks. In the first instance you should apply to Ministry of Tourism www.kulturturizm.gov.tr You can supply with the relevant application forms. In order to submit these forms you will need details of where and when you plan to film, as well as full details of the crew, including copies of their passports. We have to apply for two types of filming permit on your behalf. The first is issuedby the General Directorate for Copyrightsand Cinema of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and usually covers filming in public areas such as streets, bazaars, beaches etc.; the second which is for filming in historic sites and at museums is issuedby the local directorates of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, where filming will take place. There are some specific places which fall outside the remit of these bodies and for which we need to apply direct to a different body, such as the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, local ferries, national parks etc. We will advise you of this when you submit your itinerary. For private establishments such as restaurants, bars, hotels etc you should apply directly to the owner.

There are currently international flights from major Europe airports direct to Istanbul, Izmir, Bodrum, Dalaman and Antalya. Direct scheduled services are available to some destinations throughout the year operated from the UK by Turkish Airlines, British Airways and Cyprus Turkish Airlines. In addition to these services, a large number of charter flights operates to Turkey, mostly during the main season of May – October. At other times, resorts can be reached by flying to İstanbul and taking an internal flight. You can reach most major Turkish cities using the domestic flight services of Turkish Airlines. www.thy.com

If you wish to stay in Turkey longer than the three month period allowed to tourists or to set up a business with or without a Turkish partner, you will need a residence visa. You will need to apply to the Turkish Consulate in London for your visa and it is advised that you submit all documents relevant to your application at least eight weeks before your intended date of departure. Your application will be referred to the relevant Turkish authorities for their approval.
After obtaining the visa, you are required to register with the local police within a month following your arrival in Turkey in order to obtain a residence permit. If you wish to extend your permit for a further period, you should apply to the same police headquarters before the permit expires. Household items may be taken into Turkey through a system called “temporary import” provided that the validity of the residence permit is at least one year.
For details of the relevant regulations please contact the Office of the Finance and Customs Counsellor at the Turkish Embassy in London which can also provide information on the regulations concerning the temporary import of a car into Turkey.
Those who wish to apply for a work permit will need to supply various additional documents to the Turkish Consulate including proof of a job offer, normally in the form of a letter from the prospective employer.

Most museums and palaces are open every day of the week exceptMondays. There are a few notable exceptions: Topkapı Palace is closed on Tuesdays instead of Mondays; Dolmabahçe Palace is closed Mondays and Thursdays and the Chora Church is closed on Wednesdays.
For further information on museums visit: www.kulturturizm.gov.tr

Turks have compulsory ID cards, which they must carry with them at all times. Foreigners are also expected to carry such ID with them, which means that you should keep your passport with you at all times.

There are two types of police in Turkey – civil police polis and military police jandarma. In many areas you will find that there is just one or the other, and that both fulfil the same function. In some places, there are also specialist tourist police. If you need to report a crime you should go to the nearest police station to where the crime occurred. In tourist areas there will usually be someone available who speaks English or you can request a translator.You will usually be asked to submit and sign a statement. It is advisable to request a copy of any documents in case you need them at a later stage.

Turkish post offices are easily recognizable by the yellow and black ‘PTT’signs.Major post offices are open from 08.00-00.00 Monday to Saturday and from 09.00-19.00 Sundays. Smaller offices are open from 8.30-12.30 and from 13.30 – 17.30 and may be closed at weekends. As well as selling stamps and telephone tokens and cards, some post offices will exchange cash as well as international postal orders and travellers’ cheques. Poste restante letters should be addressed ‘postrestant’ to the central post Office ‘Merkez Postanesi’ in the town where you wish to collect your post. You will need to produce an ID card or passport when collecting your post.

As stated in the constitution, foreigners are able to acquire real estate in Turkey as long as there is a mutual agreement with their country of nationality, as indicated in Real Estate Law, article 35. British and Irish citizens, therefore, do have the right to buy property in Turkey. There are some restrictions to this, which include the fact that foreign citizens are not allowed to buy property which is within the limits of a village, but only that which is within the limits of a Municipality. It is also not permitted for foreign citizens to buy property which is within aMilitary or Restricted Security Zone.

There are two types of public holiday in Turkey: those which are decided by the government and which fall on the same day each year; and the religious festivals which change according to the lunar calendar and, therefore, fall on different dates each year.
On public holidays, banks and government offices are closed. In general, life in seaside resorts is not affected as these are the times when Turkish people also go on holiday. Shops and businesses away from tourist areas may close, however, so you should bear this in mind when travelling inland or to city areas.
Public Holidays New Years Day, 1 January
National Sovereignty and
Children’s Day, 23 April
Atatürk Commemoration and
Youth Sports Day, 19 May
Victory Day, 30 August
Republic Day, 28 (half day) 29 October

Seker Bayramı
This is the festival which falls at the end of Ramazan, a period of fasting. Traditionally, sweets are exchanged as gifts. During Ramazan, strict Muslims fast which means that nothing must pass their lips between sunrise and sunset - this means no drinking, eating or smoking. Many Turks are not strict Muslims, and in resort areas and large cities it would not be expected that foreigners would observe this practice, so restaurants and bars will still be open as usual. In more rural and conservative areas, you may find it more difficult to eat or drink in public during the day.

Kurban Bayramı (Feast of Sacrifice) Traditionally, a goat is sacrificed at this time and the meat distributed amongst friends, family and neighbours.
2006 9-13 January (9th is a half-day holiday for the public sector)
30 Dec, 2006 - 3 Jan 2007 (30th is a half-day holiday for the public sector)
2007 19-23 December (19th is a halfday holiday for the public sector)

The preferred means of transport in Turkey is by coach, and the air-conditioned intercity coach services are comfortable, fast and inexpensive. Each town has a bus station (otogar), where each bus company has its own office, where you can make reservations and buy tickets. Alternatively, you can buy tickets from local travel agencies. Unfortunately, there is only one major coach operator which currently has an online information and reservations service, see www.varan.com.tr/english Otherwise, it is currently extremely difficult to make advance reservations from the UK unless you speak Turkish. Train services in Turkey are generally quite slow and the south west of the country is not covered by the rail network at all. There are good services, however, between Istanbul and Ankara and the overnight sleeper services are both comfortable and convenient. You can buy tickets and make reservations at local train stations or through travel agents based in Turkey.
Within towns and between local villages, thereare local bus services as well as the dolmuş services. These are shared taxis, usually aminibus, and sometimes a large car, whichoperate along set routes, picking up and setting down passengers as they go. There is a set fare depending on how far you are travelling and you pay this to the driver. They are an inexpensive way of getting around. The name, dolmuş, literally means ‘stuffed’– from the fact that they do not have a set timetable but wait until they are full before setting off.

All students and young people holding ISIC, IYC and IYHF cards or travelling through member organisations of BITS, FIYTO or ISTC may take advantage of the youth holiday opportunities available in Turkey. Either contact our office or local Tourism Information offices for details of hostels and camp sites. There are a number of agencies in Turkey specialising in youth travel. These include Gen輻ur Tourism & Travel Agency (www.genctur.com)

Taxis are easy to spot as they are all bright yellow in colour. All have a meter, and you should ensure that this is switched on at the beginning of your journey. There are two tariffs 'Gunduz' for journeys which take place during the daytime and ‘gece’ for those which take place at night, which are charged at a higher rate. If you are travelling outside the city boundaries it is usual to agree a fixed rate in advance.

To dial abroad from Turkey dial the international code 00 followed by the country code, 44 for the UK, 353 for Ireland, and then the number including the local area code, but removing the first 0. For example, a London number with an area code of 0207 would be dialled from Turkey as 00 44 207 followed by the number.
To dial Turkey from the UK dial the international code 00 followed by the country code, 90 and then the number including the local area code, but removing the first 0. For example, a Fethiye number with an area code of 0252 would be dialled from the UK or Ireland as 00 90 252 followed by the number.
There are public phone booths which accept cards or tokens (jetons) which can be bought from post offices (PTT) or local shops. You can call abroad from most hotels, but do bear in mind that this often works out to be quite expensive. It is wise to check rates before making a call. Providing your phone is enabled to work abroad, most mobiles will work in Turkey. Network coverage is extremely good and it is very rare to be in an area where your mobile does not work.

Emergency 112
International Operator 115
Directory Assistance 118
Reversed Charge Calls 131 (Inter-city)
Police 155
Gendarme 156
Fire Department 110

Visitors to Turkey require a visa for Turkey, which is purchased at the point of entry. For tourist visas, there is no need to apply in advance or to fill in any forms. If you are flying to Turkey, you will buy your visa at the Turkish airport on arrival.You will see the visa desk, situated just before passport control.You must buy your visa, which will be stuck into your passport by the official, before you join the queue for passport control. Visas are multiple entry and are valid for threemonths. Each passport-holdermust purchase a visa including infants. Tourist visas do not give you the right to take up paid or unpaid employment or to reside, or to study (including student Exchange program) or to establish yourself in business in Turkey

Although tap water is chlorinated and, therefore, safe to drink, it is recommended that you stick to bottled water, which is readily and cheaply available.

For general information on the climate and up-to-date weather forecasts visit ,Turkish State Meteorological Service http://www.dmi.gov.tr/en-US/forecast-5days.aspx or   http://www.termometre.com/