The Turkish e-Visa (or Electronic Visa) replaced the famous 'sticker visa' starting 2014. Is this a bad thing? No, not at all. The Turkish online visa procedure is quick, smooth and actually saves you time since you no longer have to stand in line to get your 'sticker visa'. Let me explain what an e-Visa is, who can get one, and how the procedure works.What Is a Turkish … [Read more...]
How Much and When to Tip in Istanbul
Tips or gratuities are custom in Istanbul, or Turkey for that matter. The good news is that tipping (başiş) won't hurt your wallet since you are only expected to spend rather humble amounts. But Turks don't tip anywhere. Here is the lowdown on where and how much you are expected to tip in Istanbul. You're of course free to raise the bar for excellence. On the flip side, you can … [Read more...]
Border Procedures and Duty Free Allowance at Istanbul (Atatürk) International Airport
The border procedures at the Istanbul International Airports are not that complicated but follow strict rules. And if you're a duty free fan, you'll love Turkey. After you shopped duty free prior to boarding the plane, you're also allowed to buy duty free goods after arriving in Istanbul. Although I've never been asked by the customs to open my suitcases, you better stick to … [Read more...]
Istanbul Pedestrian Tips to Keep You Safe on the Road
In Istanbul, pedestrians aren't treated the same way as they are back home. The car rules in Istanbul, except in places like Sultanahmet Square, Istiklal Caddesi, Taksim Square, Ortaköy and of course the Princes' Islands. Nevertheless, the ideal way to explore a city is to go about it on foot. But because the car is king, I strongly recommend you to familiarize yourself with … [Read more...]
Visa Requirements and Procedures for Istanbul, Turkey
To enter Istanbul, or Turkey for that matter, most tourists will need some kind of visa. However, there are a few visa types, several ways to obtain your visa and different fees to pay. It all depends on your passport type, country of origin and the purpose of your visit. Follow these four steps to determine the easiest and cheapest way to get your visa for Istanbul.#1 … [Read more...]