Turkey Travel Guide

Turkey Tourism | Turkey Guide

You're Going to Love Turkey

Located between Asia and Europe, Turkey is a country with a rich history, fantastic hospitality, tasty food and breathtaking sights.

1. Explore Istanbul

A trip to Istanbul will take you through important sites, such as the Hagia Sophia church and the Blue Mosque. Don't forget to visit the Bazar for a bit of shopping.

2. Stay in a Cave Hotel in Cappadocia

This underground city is the largest in Turkey and has a fascinating story. While there, attend a traditional Turkish night and go on a hot air balloon ride for spectacular views.

3. Swim in the Thermal Pools of Pamukkale

The town of Pamukkale is mainly known for its thermal water and pools, but visitors shouldn't miss the Pamukkale castle and the ruins of Hierapolis.

4. Admire Mount Ararat

A dormant volcano with snow topped peaks, this is the place where Noah's Ark is supposed to have landed following the flood. If you plan on doing the climb, you will need to hire a local guide.

5. Visit the Gallipoli Memorial Sites

Over 140,000 men died in the battle of Gallipoli in World War I and today, memorial sites and cemeteries can be visited along the peninsula.

1. Explore Istanbul

A trip to Istanbul will take you through important sites, such as the Hagia Sophia church and the Blue Mosque. Don't forget to visit the Bazar for a bit of shopping.

2. Stay in a Cave Hotel in Cappadocia

This underground city is the largest in Turkey and has a fascinating story. While there, attend a traditional Turkish night and go on a hot air balloon ride for spectacular views.

3. Swim in the Thermal Pools of Pamukkale

The town of Pamukkale is mainly known for its thermal water and pools, but visitors shouldn't miss the Pamukkale castle and the ruins of Hierapolis.

4. Admire Mount Ararat

A dormant volcano with snow topped peaks, this is the place where Noah's Ark is supposed to have landed following the flood. If you plan on doing the climb, you will need to hire a local guide.

5. Visit the Gallipoli Memorial Sites

Over 140,000 men died in the battle of Gallipoli in World War I and today, memorial sites and cemeteries can be visited along the peninsula.

Turkey in January

Estimated hotel price

AED 669

1 night at 3-star hotel

AED 669

1 night at 3-star hotel

The weather gets really hot in summer, making spring the best time to visit, from April to May, or early autumn, from September to October.

Entry Requirements

Citizens of over 75 countries can enter Turkey without a visa for up to 90 days, and citizens from another 40 countries, including the US, can apply for an eVisa online. Citizens from non-exempt countries will need to apply for a visa at a consulate before arriving.

Plane

The national airline in the country is Turkish Airlines and it connects Turkey to over 122 countries. You can also find international flights with Pegasus and low-cost airline easyJet.

Train

It is possible to arrive in Turkey by train, from Greece, Bulgaria, Austria, and Serbia during the summer. The TransBalkan train also travels through Turkey and passes by Budapest, in Hungary, and Bucharest, in Romania.

Car

You can easily drive to Turkey from Eastern Europe through Greece and Bulgaria, and from the Middle East through Syria, Iraq and Iran. You'll need to purchase international insurance for your car.

Bus

Buses to and from Turkey are limited; however, you can get there from Romania, Bulgaria, Greece and Iran. Expect long journey times.

Boat

Regular ferry boats are available from Greece, departing from several islands. There are also connections from Northern Cyprus reaching multiple Turkish destinations on the Mediterranean, and a ferry that leaves from Sochi in Russia.

Entry Requirements

Plane

The national airline in the country is Turkish Airlines and it connects Turkey to over 122 countries. You can also find international flights with Pegasus and low-cost airline easyJet.

Train

Car

You can easily drive to Turkey from Eastern Europe through Greece and Bulgaria, and from the Middle East through Syria, Iraq and Iran. You'll need to purchase international insurance for your car.

Bus

Buses to and from Turkey are limited; however, you can get there from Romania, Bulgaria, Greece and Iran. Expect long journey times.

Boat

Popular airports in Turkey

ASRKayseri

GZTGaziantep

NAVNevsehir

DLMDalaman

SAWIstanbul Sabiha Gokcen

MQMMardin

ISTIstanbul

COVTarsus Cukurova Intl

BJVMilas–Bodrum

KYAKonya

TZXTrabzon

ESBAnkara Esenboga

DIYDiyarbakir

AYTAntalya

GZPGazipasa

YEIBursa Yenişehir

OGUOrdu/Giresun

SZFSamsun Carsamba

ADBIzmir Adnan Menderes Arpt

EZSElazig

Popular airlines serving Turkey

Good (7,030 reviews)

Good (1,333 reviews)

Good (6,811 reviews)

Good (1,582 reviews)

Excellent (7,919 reviews)

Good (3,776 reviews)

Good (2,686 reviews)

Good (1,444 reviews)

Good (780 reviews)

Good (8,685 reviews)

Excellent (3,206 reviews)

Qatar Airways

Good (3,560 reviews)

Brussels Airlines

Good (345 reviews)

Air Canada

Good (9,198 reviews)

Scandinavian Airlines

Good (1,345 reviews)

Good (1,066 reviews)

Good (1,272 reviews)

Good (1,846 reviews)

Good (1,202 reviews)

Good (967 reviews)

Find flights to Turkey

Where to stay in Turkey

Hotels are the most common mode of accommodation around Turkey, with hostels being the most economic option. If you are looking to explore the countryside, you can stay in an Agritourism at a farmhouse.

Where to stay in popular areas of Turkey

Most booked hotels in Turkey

See all

Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center

5 stars

Excellent (9.4, Excellent reviews)

AED 494+

View

Concorde De Luxe Resort

5 stars

Excellent (9.3, Excellent reviews)

AED 1,204+

View

Sealife Family Resort Hotel

5 stars

Excellent (9.2, Excellent reviews)

AED 495+

View

Akgun Istanbul Hotel

5 stars

Excellent (9, Excellent reviews)

AED 293+

View

Megasaray Westbeach Antalya

5 stars

Excellent (9, Excellent reviews)

AED 593+

View

Porto Bello Hotel Resort & Spa

5 stars

Excellent (8.9, Excellent reviews)

AED 525+

View

Public Transportation

Turkey is well-serviced by public transport, with buses and minibuses covering regional travel, while most big cities have trams or metro systems.

Trains

Trains only travel to a limited number of cities in Turkey. High speed trains do exist and travel mainly between Ankara and Istanbul, and Ankara and Konya.

Bus

Buses are the best form of long-distance transport in Turkey, with multiple companies offering this service, such as Metro Bus, Kamil Koc, Suha Turzim and Varan.

Car

If you are planning to rent a car and drive, you will need to have an International Driver's Permit alongside your valid full driver's license, which should be over 2 years old.

Plane

Plane travel is very convenient when long distances are involved, and Turkey is serviced by many airlines large and small. Connections to the main cities are frequent, and if you are traveling to a regional airport, you can then catch a bus to the city center.

Public Transportation

Turkey is well-serviced by public transport, with buses and minibuses covering regional travel, while most big cities have trams or metro systems.

Trains

Trains only travel to a limited number of cities in Turkey. High speed trains do exist and travel mainly between Ankara and Istanbul, and Ankara and Konya.

Bus

Buses are the best form of long-distance transport in Turkey, with multiple companies offering this service, such as Metro Bus, Kamil Koc, Suha Turzim and Varan.

Car

If you are planning to rent a car and drive, you will need to have an International Driver's Permit alongside your valid full driver's license, which should be over 2 years old.

Plane

Best car hire deals in Turkey

Economy

2 Adults, 2 Bags

AED 96/day

Compact

4 Adults, 2 Bags

AED 98/day

Find car hire in Turkey

An inexpensive meal will cost around 25 TRY (4.50 USD), and groceries will be around 350 TRY (60 USD) per week. Credit and debit cards are accepted in all major establishments; however, you will need to have some cash to pay for services, such as public transport, and for purchases from street vendors.