FAQs

Entry Requirements

Provided that travellers have a valid passport, citizens of some countries do not need a visa and if they do, the necessary visa can be issued at entry points in Turkey. For EU citizens, it is recommended that they obtain their visa before arrival in Turkey, to save time at the airport.

Customs

Duty-free allowance : 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 20 gr tobacco; up to 7 bottles of spirit, of 70 cc each, of which not more that three bottles can be of the same kind. Antiques and electronic equipment will be registered in the owner’s passport upon arrival and checked at departure. It is strictly forbidden to take locally purchased antiques out of the country.

Therefore, it is necessary to keep your Certificate for the carpets or other valuables purchased in the country.

Climate

Istanbul is located between 41.33-40.28 north latitude and enjoys the Four Seasons of the Year, with a pleasant climate of hot and dry summers and warm spring and fall time. Winters are rather cold but days with snow are rare. The vegetation is predominantly of the Mediterranean type.

Min/Max temperatures in C° : January and February 5/9, April 9/18, May 14/24, June 18/27, July and August 20/30, October 16/23, November and December 6/13.

Time Zone

Turkey is 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, and 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

Currency

The Turkish Lira is available in notes and coins. The exchange rate is determined daily - several banks and
exchange offices are available. Traveler’s checks can be cashed in most banks. Hotels, many shops and
restaurants accept foreign currency, and major credit cards with VISA and MASTERCARD being the generally used cc.

Language

Turkish is written in the Latin alphabet.
English, French and German are spoken in hotels, major restaurants and many shops.

Weight and Measures

Turkey uses the metric system for weight and measures.

Electricity

220 volt, 50 cycle. (Socket type is in European standards)

Business, Banking & Shopping Hours

Offices and banks are open between 9:00 am. and 5:00 pm.(from Monday through Friday) with a lunch break between 12:00 to 1:30 pm.On Saturdays, all shops are open. On Sundays they are closed.

Offical Holidays

• April 23rd National Sovereignty and Children’s Day
• May 19th Youth and Sports Day
• August 30th Victory Day
• October 29th Republic Day

There are also Religious Holidays the dates of which change every year according to the lunar calendar.

Mail Service

There are fixed postage rates for letters and postcards. Post offices (PTT) are open between 9:00 am to
12:00 and 1:30 to 5:00 pm. You may also mail your letters/cards through the Concierge of your hotel.

Communication

Public telephones operate with tokens or cards that are sold at post offices or some booths. Through some of the public phones, there is access to AT&T and some other telecommunication networks- please check with your operator for the current information. Fax messages can be sent from major post offices, or from your hotel. Cellular telephones can be hired.

Taxis

Available at taxi stands or hailed on the street. ‘’Yellow’’ taxis have meters.

Education & Health

Six of the seventy-three universities in Turkey are located in Istanbul, offering education in all subjects, from engineering to fine arts, economics to literature.

There are also several private foreign schools, offering a good education in a foreign language. Istanbul is also a center from the standpoint of healthcare with several hospitals equipped with modern instruments.

There are also private hospitals for foreigners where doctors speak German, English or French.

Greeting & Transfer Services

On main arrival day, uniformed English speaking staff will greet the guests at the Atatürk Airport after the customs area. Our staff will hold special signs with the preferred logo in proper size. Number of the staff and working hours will be related to the arrival configuration.

Our staff will assist the guests with their luggage and will escort them to the private transportation vehicles, waiting in front of the Arrival Terminals. All drivers are specially trained and experienced as incentive service staff

Vehicle Types

All our coaches are air- conditioned deluxe vehicles (ideal for 15 to 35 guests).
Coaches : Air-conditioned Mitsubishi  Coaches.

Mid size buses Air-conditioned midi buses (ideal for 8 to 14 guests)
Isuzu or Mercedes Midibuses

Mini size buses Air-conditioned mini buses (ideal for 1 to 7 guests)
Mercedes Sprinter Minibuses