10 Practical Tips for First-Time Visitors to Turkey

Turkey welcomes tens of millions of first-time visitors every year. Most have a wonderful trip. Some spend the first few days slightly disoriented — not because anything went wrong, but because a handful of things work differently here than in most European countries. Here are ten practical things that make the first visit significantly smoother.

1. Sort Your Visa Before You Arrive

Most European nationals — including German, Dutch, Belgian, French and British passport holders — require a Turkish e-Visa to enter Turkey. This is not obtained on arrival; it must be applied for online in advance at evisa.gov.tr. The process takes five to ten minutes and the visa is typically approved within 24 to 48 hours. The fee is approximately 35 USD. Apply at least a week before travel to allow for any delays.

Turkish nationals travelling on a Turkish passport do not require a visa.

2. Use Turkish Lira — Not Euros or Dollars

Turkey's currency is the Turkish Lira (TRY). While euros and dollars are accepted in many tourist areas and hotels, the exchange rate offered by individual vendors is almost always unfavourable. Withdrawing lira from an ATM on arrival — which uses the interbank rate — consistently gives significantly better value.

ATMs are widely available in airports, city centres and tourist areas throughout Turkey. Inform your bank before travelling to avoid cards being blocked for unusual international use.

3. Bargaining Is Normal — But Not Everywhere

In bazaars, markets and independent souvenir shops, prices are negotiable. Offering 50-60% of the asking price and working upward is the standard approach. In supermarkets, formal retail stores and restaurants, prices are fixed and bargaining is not expected.

If you feel uncomfortable bargaining, the simplest approach is to say the price is slightly more than you wanted to spend and begin to leave — a genuine offer will often follow.

4. Tea Will Be Offered Constantly — Accept It

Turkish hospitality is expressed through tea (çay). In carpet shops, jewellery stores, government offices, neighbour's homes — wherever you sit down with a Turk for more than two minutes, tea is likely to arrive. Accepting it costs you nothing and is genuinely appreciated. Refusing is slightly awkward. The tea comes in small tulip-shaped glasses and is drunk hot without milk.

5. Dress Codes Matter at Mosques

To enter a mosque, both men and women must cover shoulders and knees. Women must also cover their hair — a scarf or shawl looped over the head is sufficient. Most major mosques provide coverings at the entrance, but carrying your own is more convenient. Remove shoes before entering.

This applies to all mosques, including the major tourist sites like Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. It is not optional and entry may be refused if the dress code is not met.

6. Tipping Is Expected — But the Amounts Are Modest

In restaurants, a tip of 10% is standard. In taxis, rounding up the fare is conventional. For guided tours, tipping the guide at the end of the tour is customary — the amount varies but 10-15 euros per person for a full-day tour is a reasonable benchmark. Hotel porters and housekeeping staff appreciate small tips.

Tipping is not mandatory but is expected and appreciated throughout the service industry.

7. Transport Between Cities Is Excellent

Turkey's intercity transport infrastructure is significantly better than many first-time visitors expect. Long-distance buses — operated by companies like Metro, Kamil Koç and Pamukkale — are comfortable, punctual and inexpensive, covering routes between all major cities. Domestic flights are frequent and competitively priced. High-speed trains connect Istanbul with Ankara, Konya and Eskişehir.

Within cities, taxis are widely available. In Istanbul, the metro, tram and ferry system is comprehensive and easy to navigate with an Istanbulkart (a rechargeable travel card available at major stations).

8. The Food Is Extraordinary — Explore Beyond the Tourist Menus

Turkish cuisine is one of the world's great culinary traditions, but the restaurants immediately adjacent to major tourist sites often serve a simplified, tourist-facing version of it. Moving one or two streets away from the main tourist flow — or asking your guide where locals eat — consistently produces better food at lower prices.

Try: lahmacun (thin spiced flatbread), menemen (scrambled eggs with tomato and pepper), mercimek çorbası (red lentil soup), any regional speciality your guide recommends.

9. The Call to Prayer Is Five Times Daily — It's Not an Alarm

The ezan — the call to prayer — is broadcast from mosque minarets five times each day, beginning before dawn. In cities with many mosques, it can be heard from multiple directions simultaneously. First-time visitors sometimes find this startling at 5am. It is worth knowing in advance so that it can be appreciated rather than resented — it is one of the most distinctive sounds in Turkey and, after a day or two, becomes part of the atmosphere of the country.

10. People Are Genuinely Helpful — Ask When You're Unsure

Turkey has a strong culture of helping strangers. If you look lost, someone will almost certainly offer assistance — often walking you to your destination rather than simply pointing. If you need to find something, ask. The English level in tourist areas is generally sufficient for practical communication, and in smaller towns, a phone translation app bridges any gaps.

Approach Turkey with curiosity and openness, and the country will respond in kind.

Why Choose AlaTourqo?
As a TÜRSAB #16222-certified tour operator, our guided tours are specifically designed for first-time visitors to Turkey — with expert guides who handle the practical details so you can focus on the experience.

Start planning your first Turkey trip — fill out our Custom Tour Form or message us on WhatsApp. We respond within 24 hours.

Browse all our Turkey tours →