Useful Informations
VISA INFORMATION
All foreign participants must have a valid passport during entering Turkey. Since Turkey demands an official entry visa from citizens of several countries, it is better to check with a Turkish Consulate in your country to determine if you need a visa, before your departure to Turkey. In some cases, you can obtain a visa upon arrival at the airport for a small fee. Please observe that you need cash (Euro or YTL) to obtain this as the authorities do not accept credit cards.
It is an official endorsement giving the permission to enter or leave a country by the Consulate and/or the Embassy of that country.
For further detailed information, please visit the web page of Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that is http://www.mfa.gov.tr/default.en.mfa
TRANSPORTATION
By plane
• Turkish Airlines, flies to nearly 80 destinations worldwide and offers direct connections to leading cities not just in Europe but also in North America and the Far East.
• 50 international airlines are flying to and from Istanbul.
• Distance from Ataturk Airport (IST) to the city centre is 20 km.
• Distance from Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) to city centre is 50 km.
• Shuttle buses and taxis to the city centre are available from the airport.
City transportation
Traffic is running from the right in Turkey. While crossing streets in big cities, make sure that the vehicles are at a reasonable distance to allow you cross the street safely. In Turkey, cars have the privilege to use the streets. You can safely walk on the pedestrian walk ways.
TIME
İstanbul is +2 hours of UTC/GMT
(The World Clock - Time Zones,
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock)
WEATHER
İstanbul, located in the region of transition between the Mediterranean and Black Sea climates, has hot and dry summers with pleasantly warm springs and falls. On April, it is spring time and hopefully, we will have a beautiful weather.
Also you may follow the weather in İstanbul at CNN.com-Weather-İstanbul, Turkey.
LANGUAGE
The official language is Turkish. Many people in big cities could speak a foreign language. Although it might not be perfect, you could communicate. It is always useful to have a dictionary with you and learn some basic words.
ELECTRICITY
Those who use 110 V or any other than 220 V at home need a converter as Turkey has 220 V power system. Please check your electric appliances before you use them in your hotel room. Only the five stars deluxe properties would have converters so it is advised to bring one with you in case it is needed
CURRENCY AND CREDIT CARDS
Turkish currency is the New Turkish Lira, YTL. Please click on the Personal Currency Assistant (http://www.xe.com/pca) which enables you to make currency conversions on actual rates. YTL is freely sold and bought in hotels, banks and special exchange offices called "döviz bürosu". Car rental offices, hotels, above average restaurants, shops, travel agencies, gas stations will accept your credit cards. You can get cash with your credit card or cash card by using cash machines (ATM's) in bank buildings or street booths. Turkish money is a convertible one but DO NOT exchange your money to Turkish lira's in your home town, the rate you get is much lower than what you get in Turkey. You could easily exchange money on arrival at airports or borders and you should definitely do so as e.g. taxis do not take credit cards.
TELEPHONING
The telephone numbers do have 7 digits in Turkey. Every town/city has its own 3 digits "Area Code". Please click for the area codes in Turkey.
Calling Turkey :
Country Code of Turkey is 90. A call to Turkey would have the following dialing format : Your Access Code for international dial + 90 + area code (City-town code) + telephone number. Example: incase you need to dial 664 78 98 in European side of Istanbul you dial ; Your Int Access code + 90 + 212 + 296 73 72
Calling International From Turkey :
The International Access code in Turkey is 00. To call your home town dial: 00 + your country code + your area code + telephone number .
Telephoning from your hotel room might be expensive, the alternative would be to use the public phones available out on the streets, or in some hotel lobbies.
WORKING HOURS
Offices and banks are generally open 09:00am to 5:00pm from Monday to Friday, with a break between 12:00 to 1:30pm
Around Taksim area, street boutiques are open 09:00am to 08:00pm and there are small markets which are open for 24 hours.
Big shopping malls are open 10:00am to 10:00pm all around Istanbul.
EATING AND DRINKING
Turkish food that is found today in Istanbul is truly a living synthesis of Eastern and Western cultures. In addition to the many restaurants that serve traditional and international menus many nightclubs, cafes and bars offer fine menus along with a wide range of entertainment choices.
If you are eating out in a restaurant, waiters expect some tip usually 10% of your bill, and even if it is included in your bill, you should leave it at the table separately. Tipping taxis is not necessary, they do have the taximeter, just pay the mentioned amount.
Drink Water Although it is safe to drink tap water, it is recommended to buy bottled drink water which can be found almost everywhere at stores. The city water is chlorinated for sanitation reasons of which you might not like the smell. You can safely brush your teeth with tap water