Turkey is a must-see destination for those who love culture, history, and great food. It is where East meets West and thus, visitors can expect a unique experience when traveling here.
Before you plan to explore historical sites like the ancient ruins of Ephesus or the beautiful landscapes in Cappadocia, you should know what preparations to make for your trip. Every country has its own dos and don’ts, so it is best to know what they are before flying over.
1. You Might Need A Visa
To enjoy many of Turkey’s tourist destinations, you will need to enter the country legally with a visa. Those from Western countries that normally do not require visas while traveling will need one to travel to Turkey. Thanks to the e-visa application available, you will not have to spend a lot of time and effort to secure your visa.
However, citizens of several countries will need to apply for their visa the old-fashioned way, which is to go to the nearest embassy. You will also want to make sure that your passport will still be valid 6 months after your planned entry date into Turkey, otherwise, you might not be able to enter the country.
2. Try To Learn Some Turkish Phrases
If you are especially planning to visit smaller cities or the countryside, it is unreasonable to expect everyone to be able to speak English. Thus, if you want to be able to communicate with the locals, then you might want to learn a few phrases in Turkish. The great news is, the language is not that complicated to learn or pronounce.
3. Bring Different Currencies With You
To travel around the country, you will need the local currency (Turkish Lira). If you travel with US Dollars and Euro, it will be easy to have them changed at money exchange offices. While you can withdraw money from an ATM, you can’t be sure that your card is accepted everywhere. Traveler’s checks are not widely accepted and you will have to go to the post office and bank to get them cashed.
The best step is to bring a mix of everything so that you are ready for every situation. This means, carrying small denominations of Lira, Euros, and Dollars, as well as your ATM and credit card for larger purchases or paying for the hotel.
4. Dress Respectfully
This unique land that straddles Asia and Europe has an interesting mixed culture that is not as western as the big cities in the US and Europe. Moreover, most people are Muslim, making it important to dress properly if you are a woman. This is especially true if you are going to the countryside. To prevent any misunderstandings, pack modest clothes that follow the proper etiquette.
5. Prepare To See The Traditional Turkish Toilet
Most places outside of the cities and older places will still have the old squat-style toilets. Beyond learning how to use the toilet while squatting, you might want to keep your things safe from falling off your pocket by removing them beforehand.
You should also bring around small change every time because most public toilets are not for free. Toilet paper might also cost you.
To make sure you have a fun and worry-free trip to Turkey, make sure you prepare not just your things but also yourself. Experiencing a bit of culture shock due to differences is normal but when you do your research and make the right preparations, you will be able to immerse yourself in the culture during your trip.