Welcome to Türkiye!
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Made Easier Guides: A survival guide for foreigners in Türkiye.
Made Easier Guides (MEG) will provide you with lots of useful information, insider tips and direct links (in blue) to the main places in the main cities and traveling around Türkiye. Check out the "Where to find", 'Where to sleep', 'Where to eat', 'What to see', 'Where to buy', 'What not to miss' and much much more!
All information has been gathered with help of foreigners and locals living in Türkiye that want to help each other. It has become the reference guide in the past years.
Made Easier Guides (MEG) will provide you with lots of useful information, insider tips and direct links (in blue) to the main places in the main cities and traveling around Türkiye. Check out the "Where to find", 'Where to sleep', 'Where to eat', 'What to see', 'Where to buy', 'What not to miss' and much much more!
All information has been gathered with help of foreigners and locals living in Türkiye that want to help each other. It has become the reference guide in the past years.
Türkiye:
In June 2022:
The government of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has asked the international community to recognise Turkey by its Turkish name Türkiye.
Turkey adopted its official name, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, known in English as the Republic of Turkey.
The government of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has asked the international community to recognise Turkey by its Turkish name Türkiye.
Turkey adopted its official name, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, known in English as the Republic of Turkey.
The Turkish Flag
The Turkish flag is composed of a white crescent and star on a red background as prescribed in the Article 3 of the Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye
To see the lyrics of the National Anthem, click here.
The Turkish flag is composed of a white crescent and star on a red background as prescribed in the Article 3 of the Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye
To see the lyrics of the National Anthem, click here.
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Türkiye: Is a country that has a very unique geographic position, lying partly in Europe and partly in Asia. Ankara, the capital lies in Anatolia. Istanbul, Türkiyes largest city, is also the only naturally transcontinental city as the Bosphorus Strait, which connects the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea, divides the city into an European and Asian part. 65% of its residents are in Europe, 35% in Asia.
Türkiye is bounded to: On the west with Bulgaria and Greece, on the east with Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Iran and on the south with Irak and Syria. It has a boundary length of about 6.400km, about 75% of it is maritime. There is the Black sea on the north, the Aegean Sea on the west, the Mediterranean Sea on the south and the straits of the Dardelles and the Sea of Marmara in the West. |
Traveling into Türkiye:
Many Foreigners will need a visa to enter Türkiye. Check the following Webpages of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to see if you need a visa and the fee for it:
a) Visa Information for Foreigners
b) Visa Fee at Border Gates
Visas for Foreigners:
Visitors can still obtain their visa upon arrival at the airports but long queues are expected. Therefore we recommend to purchase an e-visa online.
To purchase visa online through e-visa:
- Turkish visa can be obtained from the Turkish missions abroad or over the e-Visa Application system (if you are eligible).
- e-Visa is valid for tourism and trade purposes only.
- You can check if you are eligible for e-Visa by clicking “Apply Now” of their website ( https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en ) and selecting your nationality. Each traveler must obtain a separate e-Visa, including infants and kids. (Even though kids/infants are included in their parent’s passports)
- Your passport must be valid at least for 6 months by the time you enter Turkey. Depending on your nationality, there might be some additional requirements to be met. You will be informed of these after you select your nationality and travel dates.
Other Basic information about Türkiye:
Official Language: Turkish
Capital: Ankara
ISO code: TR
Population of Türkiye: About 85 million (in 2023)
Dialing Code: +90
Electricity: 220 volts, 50 Hz, with round-prong European-style plugs
Official Language: Turkish
Capital: Ankara
ISO code: TR
Population of Türkiye: About 85 million (in 2023)
Dialing Code: +90
Electricity: 220 volts, 50 Hz, with round-prong European-style plugs
Currency:
Turkish Lira (TRY or TL in short). The TL is used in Türkiye and in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
The Turkish lira is subdivided into 100 kuruş (kr).
Coins: 5kr, 10kr, 25kr, 50kr, ₺1
Banknotes: ₺5, ₺10, ₺20, ₺50, ₺100, ₺200
To see the daily exchange rate: click here
Turkish Lira (TRY or TL in short). The TL is used in Türkiye and in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
The Turkish lira is subdivided into 100 kuruş (kr).
Coins: 5kr, 10kr, 25kr, 50kr, ₺1
Banknotes: ₺5, ₺10, ₺20, ₺50, ₺100, ₺200
To see the daily exchange rate: click here
More information about the main cities, click on the name below:
> Are you looking for a specific city or place? Click HERE to see all places mentioned in this website in alphabetical order.
> Are you looking for an UNESCO World Heritage site mentioned in this website: Click HERE
* SEARCH something specific in ANKARA > click HERE to see all the listing of places and items.
* SEARCH something specific in IZMIR > click HERE to see all the listing of places and items.
Most visited pages:
Ankara: Restaurants and Bars , Culture, Friends recommend, Hospitals, Clinics and Doctors and Fashion & Co
Izmir: Friends recommend, Special Food Items, Restaurants & Bars, Day trips out of Izmir, Urla
Other pages: Interesting facts about Turkey, Safranbolu & Amasra, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Claros and Priene-Miletus-Didyma,
Latest Updates: Health- Doctors in Ankara
Communication, Cappadocia, Pastry & chocolates in Izmir, Antalya and surroundings, Day Trips out of Izmir
Communication, Cappadocia, Pastry & chocolates in Izmir, Antalya and surroundings, Day Trips out of Izmir
Foreign Embassies in Türkiye: If you need to contact your Embassy, please check THIS PAGE
Main Airports in Türkiye
Here you can see the up-to-date departures and take-offs:
Ankara airport: (ESB)
Istanbul airport: (IST) (Istanbul - European side)
Sabiha Gökçen: (SAW) (Istanbul - Asian side)
Izmir airport: (ADB)
Antalya airport (AYT)
Bodrum airport (BJV)
Bursa airport (BTZ)
Ankara airport: (ESB)
Istanbul airport: (IST) (Istanbul - European side)
Sabiha Gökçen: (SAW) (Istanbul - Asian side)
Izmir airport: (ADB)
Antalya airport (AYT)
Bodrum airport (BJV)
Bursa airport (BTZ)
- “Havaş” Buses: if you don't want to take a taxi, you can use the official Airport service buses that Go to and come from the main airports in Turkey to the city centers.
- Havaist and IETT Bus Services go to the New Istanbul Airport
- Havatas: Tel: 444 2656. Bus service between the Sabiha Gökcen airport and the city center.
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NOTE: There are NO Visa kiosks at the New Airport in Istanbul (IST), so please remember to buy your visa online in advance through the official website: www.evisa.gov.tr
> 2023: When the second phase is completed, it is projected that the number of passengers would rise to 150 million a year > 2028: When the fourth and final phase is completed, it will be one of the biggest and busiest international airports in the world and will lay claim to the largest duty free zone in the world The airport will have six runways, flights to 350 destinations and an eventual annual capacity of 200 million passengers. |
Public and Religious Holidays in Türkiye
The workweek in Türkiye is from Monday to Friday. Saturday and Sunday is considered weekend, Sunday being always a holiday. Smaller shops are closed on Sundays, but Shopping malls are open 7/7.
Public Holidays:
January 1st New Years Day
April 23rd National Sovereignty and Children’s Day
May 1st Labour Day
May 19th Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day
July 15th Democracy and National Solidarity Day
August 30th Victory Day
October 29th Republic Day
Religious Holidays (variable dates):
After the Islamic holy month of Ramadan (called Ramazan in Türkiye), a 3-day holiday follows it
* Being an Islamic holiday, Ramazan begins 11 days earlier each succeeding year.
* Şeker Bayramı: It is a three day holiday following Ramazan
* Kurban Bayramı: Also called the Feast of Sacrifice that is always about 70 days after the end of Ramazan. This Holiday lasts 4 and a half days.
Here are the estimated Ramazan dates for the next few years:
Public Holidays:
January 1st New Years Day
April 23rd National Sovereignty and Children’s Day
May 1st Labour Day
May 19th Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day
July 15th Democracy and National Solidarity Day
August 30th Victory Day
October 29th Republic Day
Religious Holidays (variable dates):
After the Islamic holy month of Ramadan (called Ramazan in Türkiye), a 3-day holiday follows it
* Being an Islamic holiday, Ramazan begins 11 days earlier each succeeding year.
* Şeker Bayramı: It is a three day holiday following Ramazan
* Kurban Bayramı: Also called the Feast of Sacrifice that is always about 70 days after the end of Ramazan. This Holiday lasts 4 and a half days.
Here are the estimated Ramazan dates for the next few years:
Note: On the 10th of November at 09:05 am, the time of Atatürk’s death in 1938, Türkiye remembers him every year by stopping for 1 minute.
Vehicles will honk their horns, people stop what they are doing and schools and business pause.
Vehicles will honk their horns, people stop what they are doing and schools and business pause.
Türkiye is in the EET (Eastern European Time) Zone. As of September 2016, Türkiye will be always on UTC (GMT) +3.
According to a decree adopted at a cabinet meeting in September 2016, Türkiye will stop turning back or forward its clocks.
While European countries will change the time, Turkey will remain on ’summer time’ all year round.
Turkey will now be all year round 3 hours ahead of GMT/UTC
To see the World Times, click Here
According to a decree adopted at a cabinet meeting in September 2016, Türkiye will stop turning back or forward its clocks.
While European countries will change the time, Turkey will remain on ’summer time’ all year round.
Turkey will now be all year round 3 hours ahead of GMT/UTC
To see the World Times, click Here
Weather & Co:
Go to: Turkish State Meteorological Service
Go to: The official Turkish Earthquake Department
Go to: Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute
Go to: Turkish State Meteorological Service
Go to: The official Turkish Earthquake Department
Go to: Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute
Communication:
The Turkey Country Code is: +90
Cellular phones:
The network system in Turkey is GSM and there are three local providers: Turkcell, Vodafone and Türk Telecom.
Main: Turk Telecom:
For more information about registering your foreign purchased phone, please click HERE.
Main area code numbers:
Ankara: 0312 Bodrum: 0252
Adana: 0322 Istanbul (Europe): 0212
Antalya: 0242 Istanbul (Asia): 0216
Bursa: 0224 Izmir: 0232
To find all the area codes of Turkey: click here
The Turkey Country Code is: +90
Cellular phones:
The network system in Turkey is GSM and there are three local providers: Turkcell, Vodafone and Türk Telecom.
Main: Turk Telecom:
For more information about registering your foreign purchased phone, please click HERE.
Main area code numbers:
Ankara: 0312 Bodrum: 0252
Adana: 0322 Istanbul (Europe): 0212
Antalya: 0242 Istanbul (Asia): 0216
Bursa: 0224 Izmir: 0232
To find all the area codes of Turkey: click here
Residence & Work Permits for Türkiye:
>> Official Definition regarding the Residence permits procedures for Foreigners: CLICK HERE
>> Official webpage on Law on foreigners and International Protection: CLICK HERE
>> Official webpage of the Ministry of Interior with announcements regarding Residence & Work permits: CLICK HERE
>> If you have some questions or problems doing your online Application, please call 157 helpline.
>> Doc Martins: A very helpful Blog to help foreigners regarding residents permits, registrations and much more. CLICK HERE
Turkish I.D number for foreigners:
Each foreigner with a resident Permit has also a Turkish ID Number. It is composed of 11 numbers, starting by 99.
To know your TC Number, CLICK HERE
Tax Number (Vergi Numeraci):
You will need to get a Turkish Tax number if you want to open a bank account, own a vehicle, registering utility bills on your name and more
To get/apply for one you have to go to your local Turkish tax office (Maliye Vergi Dairesi) with a copy of your passport ask for the vergi Kimlik numerasi and they will give it to you straight away.
If you forget your tax number, you can always find it here then: click here:
E-Devlet
The E-Devlet website (In Turkish only) is an official website from the Government where you can do online appointments for public Hospitals, applications for residence permits, pay your traffic fines, obtain a criminal record, register a mobile phone if it was purchased abroad and many other official documents.
If you want to use the website to obtain documents, etc, you will to register yourself in. Foreigners will need a valid resident permit and the foreigner ID Number (see above).
To access the website for the first time, you will need a password that youcan get at the post office (PTT). It costs 2 TL and you will need to go with your Passport, your residence permit and a phone as they will send you a code via SMS that you need to show in order for them to finalise the request and send you a final password via sms. Once you have your final password, you can then go to the website and change the given password to the one of your choice.
>> Official Definition regarding the Residence permits procedures for Foreigners: CLICK HERE
>> Official webpage on Law on foreigners and International Protection: CLICK HERE
>> Official webpage of the Ministry of Interior with announcements regarding Residence & Work permits: CLICK HERE
- If you want to apply for a Residence Permit, CLICK HERE
- Documents Required For Residence Permit Applications: CLICK HERE
- How to get a Work Permit, for more Information: CLICK HERE
>> If you have some questions or problems doing your online Application, please call 157 helpline.
>> Doc Martins: A very helpful Blog to help foreigners regarding residents permits, registrations and much more. CLICK HERE
Turkish I.D number for foreigners:
Each foreigner with a resident Permit has also a Turkish ID Number. It is composed of 11 numbers, starting by 99.
To know your TC Number, CLICK HERE
Tax Number (Vergi Numeraci):
You will need to get a Turkish Tax number if you want to open a bank account, own a vehicle, registering utility bills on your name and more
To get/apply for one you have to go to your local Turkish tax office (Maliye Vergi Dairesi) with a copy of your passport ask for the vergi Kimlik numerasi and they will give it to you straight away.
If you forget your tax number, you can always find it here then: click here:
E-Devlet
The E-Devlet website (In Turkish only) is an official website from the Government where you can do online appointments for public Hospitals, applications for residence permits, pay your traffic fines, obtain a criminal record, register a mobile phone if it was purchased abroad and many other official documents.
If you want to use the website to obtain documents, etc, you will to register yourself in. Foreigners will need a valid resident permit and the foreigner ID Number (see above).
To access the website for the first time, you will need a password that youcan get at the post office (PTT). It costs 2 TL and you will need to go with your Passport, your residence permit and a phone as they will send you a code via SMS that you need to show in order for them to finalise the request and send you a final password via sms. Once you have your final password, you can then go to the website and change the given password to the one of your choice.
The Turkish Province Codes used also on car license Plates:
The province names until Code #67 go alphabetically —with the exception of Mersin, Kahramanmaraş and Şanlıurfa. For this three provinces, their previous names were taken in account: İçel, Maraş and Urfa, respectively. The codes after #68 were created after 1989. The last one, #81 was created 1999.
#01 - Adana, #02 - Adıyaman, #03 - Afyon, #04 - Ağrı ; #05 - Amasya ; #06 - Ankara; #07 - Antalya; #08 - Artvin, #09 - Aydın ,
#10 - Balıkesir, #11 - Bilecik, #12 - Bingöl, #13 - Bitlis, #14 - Bolu, #15 - Burdur, #16 - Bursa, #17 - Çanakkale , #18 - Çankırı, #19 - Çorum,
#20 - Denizli #21- Diyarbakır, #22- Edirne, #23- Elazığ, #24- Erzincan, #25- Erzurum , #26- Eskişehir , #27- Gaziantep, #28- Giresun, #29 - Gümüşhane,
#30 - Hakkari , #31 - Hatay , #32 - Isparta, #33 - İçel (Mersin) , #34 - İstanbul , #35 - İzmir , #36 - Kars , #37 - Kastamonu , #38 - Kayseri, #39 - Kırklareli, #40 - Kırşehir, #41 - Kocaeli (İzmit), #42 - Konya, #43 - Kütahya, #44 - Malatya, #45 - Manisa, #46 - Kahramanmaraş, #47 - Mardin, #48 - Muğla, #49 - Muş, #50 - Nevşehir, #51 - Niğde , #52 - Ordu, #53 - Rize, #54 - Sakarya, #55 - Samsun, #56 - Siirt , #57 - Sinop , #58 - Sivas, #59 - Tekirdağ,
#60 - Tokat, #61 - Trabzon, #62 - Tunceli, #63 - Şanlıurfa , #64 - Uşak, #65 - Van , #66 - Yozgat , #67 - Zonguldak, #68 - Aksaray, #69 - Bayburt,
#70 - Karaman, #71 - Kırıkkale, #72 - Batman , #73 - Şırnak, #74 - Bartın, #75 - Artdahan, #76 - Iğdır , #77 - Yalova, #78 - Karabük, #79 - Kilis ,
#80 - Osmaniye, #81 - Düzce
The province names until Code #67 go alphabetically —with the exception of Mersin, Kahramanmaraş and Şanlıurfa. For this three provinces, their previous names were taken in account: İçel, Maraş and Urfa, respectively. The codes after #68 were created after 1989. The last one, #81 was created 1999.
#01 - Adana, #02 - Adıyaman, #03 - Afyon, #04 - Ağrı ; #05 - Amasya ; #06 - Ankara; #07 - Antalya; #08 - Artvin, #09 - Aydın ,
#10 - Balıkesir, #11 - Bilecik, #12 - Bingöl, #13 - Bitlis, #14 - Bolu, #15 - Burdur, #16 - Bursa, #17 - Çanakkale , #18 - Çankırı, #19 - Çorum,
#20 - Denizli #21- Diyarbakır, #22- Edirne, #23- Elazığ, #24- Erzincan, #25- Erzurum , #26- Eskişehir , #27- Gaziantep, #28- Giresun, #29 - Gümüşhane,
#30 - Hakkari , #31 - Hatay , #32 - Isparta, #33 - İçel (Mersin) , #34 - İstanbul , #35 - İzmir , #36 - Kars , #37 - Kastamonu , #38 - Kayseri, #39 - Kırklareli, #40 - Kırşehir, #41 - Kocaeli (İzmit), #42 - Konya, #43 - Kütahya, #44 - Malatya, #45 - Manisa, #46 - Kahramanmaraş, #47 - Mardin, #48 - Muğla, #49 - Muş, #50 - Nevşehir, #51 - Niğde , #52 - Ordu, #53 - Rize, #54 - Sakarya, #55 - Samsun, #56 - Siirt , #57 - Sinop , #58 - Sivas, #59 - Tekirdağ,
#60 - Tokat, #61 - Trabzon, #62 - Tunceli, #63 - Şanlıurfa , #64 - Uşak, #65 - Van , #66 - Yozgat , #67 - Zonguldak, #68 - Aksaray, #69 - Bayburt,
#70 - Karaman, #71 - Kırıkkale, #72 - Batman , #73 - Şırnak, #74 - Bartın, #75 - Artdahan, #76 - Iğdır , #77 - Yalova, #78 - Karabük, #79 - Kilis ,
#80 - Osmaniye, #81 - Düzce
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