Turkey

Means of transport recommended in town

Recommendation

Means of public transport are not well developed. There are only two metro lines and the tram network is very old. On the other hand, it is relatively easy to travel by bus, even if they are often packed out.
It is better to take a taxi. In this case, collective taxis (dolmus) are a good compromise.
Click here to learn more.

Maps of urban networks

İETT website - Network of public transport Istanbul Town Hall
Mapblast
UT Library on line

Transportation from Airport to City Centre:

Airport	Distance	Taxi	Bus	Train	Car rental
Istanbul - Atatürk Intl (IST)	24 km / 15 miles	TRY 20-30-USD 15 / 30-50 min	Available	TRY 1.30 / 30 min	Available

Means of transport recommended in the rest of the country

Recommendation

The national railway company links the main towns in Turkey, but the train is very slow and the network antiquated. Buses, which cover the whole country or almost, are very comfortable. All the main cities are served by domestic flights, it is the best way to travel to distant cities or those not served by the motorways. Click here for further information.

Rail companies

Turkish railways

Airlines

You can consult the list of airlines banned within the EU. Look also the rating of the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Traveling by yourself

Recommendation

It is absolutely not advised to drive in town: traffic is dense and driving extremely dangerous.

Road maps

Directorate of Turkish road infrastructures
Road map of Turkey

Find an itinerary

Michelin website

Different forms of tourism

Historical

The first known urban community in the world, the town of Çatalhöyük, dates from 6500 BC and is located in Turkey. From then to our day and age, Turkey has prided itself on civilizations which have crossed the centuries and made of the country a paradise of cultural wealth. Not only are ruins and unique remains witnesses to these centuries, but Turkey's contemporary history is fascinating, especially the work of Atatürk.

Cultural

Istanbul is full of markets, palaces and mosques. The shores of the Aegean Sea shelter archeological sites of leading importance, especially the ancient Greek cities of Ephesus, Pergamon and Troy.
Click here for further information.

Nature

A blend of Mediterranean landscapes and oriental steppes, Turkey is characterized by mountainous lands, crossed by rivers and lakes, bordered by bathing coasts, both ancient and pastoral, and also spiked in the east by the volcano, Mount Ararat, and in the center by the Taurus mountains. Those who enjoy the unusual will be attracted to the coast of the Black Sea which stretches from Amasra to Trabzon. You can also admire some of nature's wonders such as Cappadocia and Pamukkale. To learn more...

Religious

Greco-Roman sites are very numerous in Turkey and it is here you find the origins of Christianity. There are, of course, magnificent mosques, the most well-known of which are the Blue Mosque and Suleymaniye and also churches, vestiges of the Byzantine Empire, including the famous Hagia Sophia and a lot more still.

Thermal

An ideal destination for spas, thalassotherapy and water cures. You will be steeped in tradition and you will benefit from an unequalled quality of care. Situated on an important natural geothermal belt, from which comes the expression "Turkish bath", you will plunge into the heart of hot springs whose benefits were already renowned in Antiquity.

Beach

Turkey has a multitude of seaside resorts and beaches in a protected natural paradise environment. You will find many watersports activities on dreamy beaches and a great variety of other sporting activities (sailing, diving...). In Turkey many resorts and beaches have obtained the blue flag.

Winter sports

With its high mountains, covered with snow in summer and winter alike, and its top of the range resorts, Turkey is an important center for winter tourism, ideal for all sports which involve sliding or gliding, and extreme sports. On average there are 3m of snow all winter. You can practise Alpine skiing, mountain climbing and trekking. Click here to learn more

Outdoor activities

The diversity of the landscape, and the presence of mountains, sea and rivers makes a wide range of activities possible: diving, sailing, surfing, rafting, trekking, potholing, microlighting, paragliding, horseriding, hunting, golf.....

Shopping

The bazaars of Istanbul and other large cities in Turkey are fascinating: pleasure for the eyes with refined, high-quality craftsmanship, pleasure for the senses with spices and unusual scents. Big modern shopping malls are side by side with traditional markets.

Tourism organizations

Ministry of Tourism in Turkey
Turkish Tourist Office

Health and safety

Health precautions

There is no obligatory vaccination. It is necessary to update your diphtheria - tetanus - poliomyelitis vaccination. Other vaccinations which can be advisable (according to conditions of hygiene and the length of your stay): typhoid fever, viral hepatitis A and B.
There are sporadic outbreaks of malaria in the south-east of the country. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, transmitted by ticks, is present mainly in central Anatolia and on the Black Sea coast.

International hospitals

There are a certain number, especially the International Hospital and the American Hospital . Click here for a more complete list.
In private hospitals, doctors and surgeons mostly speak English. But you may be lucky enough to come across a French-speaking doctor.

For further information on sanitary conditions

Ministry of Foreign Affairs website
Guide du routard website
Muskadia

For further information on safety conditions

guide du routard
Canadian Foreign Affairs website
French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website

Time difference and climate

Time and time difference

It is %T:%M %A in İstanbul, Ankara, İzmir (GMT+2 in winter, GMT+3 in summer )

Summer time period

Summer time from March 30 to October 26