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Turkey

General Information

Capital City:
Ankara
Population:
73.72 million
Area:
301,382 square miles
Language:
Turkish
Electricity:
220V AC 50Hz
Direct Dial:
90
Driving:
Driving is on the right. International Driving Permit is required
Currency:
Turkish Lira (YTL)

Business Hours

Bank:
0900-1230 & 1330-1700 Mon-Fri
Office:
0900-1200 & 1300-1730 Mon-Fri (Government)
Shops:
0900-1900 Mon-Sat (times may vary, especially in tourist areas)
Public Holidays:
<b>2012</b> 01 Jan : New Year's Day 23 Apr : National Sovereignty and Children's Day 01 May : May Day Public Holiday (Istanbul only) 19 May : Commemoration of Atat�rk and Youth and Sports Day 26 Oct : Kurban Bayrami (Feast of the Sacrifice) 28 Oct : (28th is a half-day) Republic Day Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to the phases of the moon and change each year. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Ramazan Bayrami, Muslims fast during the day and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Generally, centers of tourism are unaffected. Some disruption may continue into Ramazan Bayrami itself. Ramazan Bayrami and Kurban Bayrami may last anything from three to 10 days, depending on the region. Transport and hotels are very busy during these holidays, so book in advance.

Business and social hints

General:
Business is conducted in Turkish. Many executives speak a second language. Care should be taken to respect religious conventions, particularly during Ramadan. Smoking is generally accepted but restricted in public places but will come under the smoking ban in July 2009. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants, punctuality appreciated. Dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. The minimum drinking age is 18 years
Tipping:
Tips of 5-15% are discretionary
Clothing:
Light to mediumweights with warmer clothing for winter
Emergency Services:
Police: 153/154/155/156. Fire: 110. Ambulance: 112
Hotel Classification:
All accommodation in Turkey is officially licensed, inspected and classified by the Ministry of Culture & Tourism or by the relevant local authority. Hotels are graded in the usual way from 1 star up to 5 star. Motels and holiday villages are graded either 1st or 2nd class. Apartments, aparthotels, pensions and inns are not graded but still have to meet government licensing requirements.

Climate

The interior of the country has low rainfall and cold to very cold winters and warm to hot summers. Winter rainfall usually falls as snow especially towards the east where it may lie for three to four months. The coastal areas have much milder winters with warm summers. The Black Sea coast is a little colder in winter than on the southern and western coasts and has some rain throughout the year. Summers are warm and humid with changeable periods. The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have a typical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and a midwinter rainy season

Istanbul

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum Temperature °C 8 9 11 16 21 25 28 28 24 20 15 11
Minimum Temperature °C 3 2 3 7 12 16 18 19 16 13 9 5
Average Humidity (mornings) % 82 82 81 81 82 79 79 79 81 83 82 82
Average Humidity (afternoons) % 75 72 67 62 61 58 56 55 59 64 71 74
Average Rainfall 109 92 72 46 38 34 34 30 58 81 103 119

Customs

Import Allowances:
For persons of 18 years of age or older: a) 200 cigarettes or 10 cigars or 200gr of tobacco (additional 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500gr of tobacco if purchased at dutyfree shops) b) 1 lit OR 700ml bottles wine or spirits c) 5 x 120ml bottles of perfume or cologne d) Gifts to the value of EUR 300.-
Contraband:
Narcotics. Knives or weapons

Health

None.

Compulsary Vaccinations
None.
Recommended Immunisations
Hepatitis A, Diphtheria, Tetanus. <b>In addition:</b> Typhoid, Hepatitis B & Rabies are also recommended to those travelling to Turkey frequently or intending to spend extended time here.
Risks
- <b>Malaria</b> - The risk is exclusively due to benign malaria and usually occurs in the south-eastern part of Turkey from May to October. <b>GENERAL INFO FOR ALL TRAVELLERS:</b> Details listed can occasionally change at very short notice and it's recommended that all travellers seek advice from their Practice Nurse, GP or Travel Clinic when planning a visit to Turkey. It should be noted that some vaccinations and treatments may require one or more visits and should be planned well in advance of travel. Primary courses and boosters should always be up to date as recommended for life in the UK. This should include vaccines given to special groups due to complications or risk exposure such as Hepatitis B for health care workers, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for the elderly etc.

Immigration and Passport

Passport holders are required to have a minimum of six months validity on their passports when they arrive Turkey. Travel document holders are required to have a minimum of one year validity on their travel documents from the date of entry into Turkey. Exempt: a) Nationals of Turkey may enter with expired passports. b) Expired passports (max. 5 years) issued to nationals of Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Spain & Switzerland. c) Expired passport or ID Cards (max. 1 year) issued to nationals of Germany. d) Iraqi nationals applying for a visa on arrival in Turkey must have at least 3 months validity left on their passport beyond the expiry date of the visa granted. e) Those residing in Turkey may enter with travel documents valid on arrival.

The following DO NOT require a visa: 1) Nationals of Turkey. 2) Alien residents of Turkey holding a Re-entry or Residence Permit. 3) Those of Turkish origin holding a foreign passport and a National ID Card issued by Turkey ("Nufus Card"). 4) For stays up to 90 days by: a) Nationals of Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Korea (South), Kosovo, Lebanon, Lybia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Uruguay, Vatican City & Venezuela. b) Nationals of China (Peoples Republic) holding Hong Kong (SAR China passports). c) Nationals of Cyprus, residing in the area of Cyprus which is not governed by the Government of Cyprus (If arriving from Ercan airport or the ports of Famagusta, Kyrenia or Karavostassi). 5) For stays up to 30 days by: a) Nationals of Azerbaijan, Costa Rica, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Mongolia, Russian Fed, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan or Uzbekistan. 6) For stays up to 60 days by: a) Nationals of Bosnia Herzegovia & Macedonia (FYROM). 7) For stays up to 30 days by: a) Nationals of Azerbaijan, Costa Rica, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan or Uzbekistan. b) Nationals of China (Peoples Republic) holding Macao (SAR China passports). The following DO require a visa: 1) Nationals of the USA can obtain a single entry visa on arrival for a max stay of 3 months (Fee currently EUR 15 or USD 20). 2) Holders of British passports endorsed �British Citizen� or holders of British passports endorsed �British National (Overseas)� residing in Hong Kong (SAR China) can obtain a multiple entry visa on arrival for a max stay of 3 months (Fee currently GBP 10). 3) A multiple entry visa will be issued at the entry point for up to 3 months by: a) Nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Dominica, Dominican Rep, Grenada, Haiti, Ireland (Rep of), Jamaica, Maldives, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, St. Kitts- Nevis, St. Lucia & St Vincent & Grenadines. (Fee currently EUR 15 or USD 20). b) Nationals of Ukraine (Fee currently EUR 20 or USD 30). c) Nationals of Canada (Fee currently EUR 45 or USD 60). d) Nationals of Malta (Currently no fee). 4) A multiple entry visa will be issued at the entry point for up to 2 months by: a) Nationals of Belarus (Fee currently between EUR 10 & 15 or USD 15 & 20). 4) A multiple entry visa will be issued at the entry point for up to 1 month by: a) Nationals of Armenia, Cyprus (Greek), Hungary, Mauritius, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Slovakia & South Africa. (Fee currently between EUR 10 & 20 or USD 15 & 30). Some other nationals of countries not listed may be eligible to obtain a visa on arrival with certain restrictions and criteria applied. Please contact the Turkish Embassy, Consulate or representative for more detailed information. Any nationals NOT listed in either section above will normally require a visa before arrival into Turkey. This should be checked with the Representative/Embassy or Consulate of Turkey.

1) All British nationals listed above need to pay using only a Bank of England �10 note for their visa on arrival. Any �10 notes issued by any other UK bank is not accepted (Scottish, Northern Ireland, Welsh, Isle of Man and Channel Islands) 2) British Nationals Overseas traveling without a visa obtained from a Turkish Embassy, may be refused entry to Turkey Entry requirements may change from time to time and should be checked with the Consulate General of Turkey

Useful Contacts

Embassy

Embassy of the Republic of Turkey 43 Belgrave Square London SW1X 8PA Consulate General of Turkey Rutland Lodge, Rutland Gardens London, SW7 1BW tel: +44 20 7591 6900 fax: +44 20 7591 6911 e-mail: consulate.london@mfa.gov.tr website: www.turkishconsulate.org.uk hours: 0900-1330 (Mon-Fri) passports & visas * calls cost 60p per minute

Airports

  • Ankara Esenboga
  • Antalya International
  • Dalaman
  • Istanbul - Sabiha Gokcen
  • Istanbul Ataturk International
  • Izmir Adnan Menderes

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