In Turkey the USD and Euro are widely accepted. Known brand name traveller's cheques in USD & Euro can be exchanged at local banks, privedly owned exchange businesses and international hotels.
Although keep in mind that some businesses, because of banks long processing time, they prefer not accepting travelers checks. Meanwhile ATM service is available in urban areas.
We suggest you when you arrive in Turkey do not exchange big amount of your money at the Airport. Do exchange only a small amount, just enough to cover your transportation and other immediate needs.
Because later on you can exchange your money with lots better rate at partially and privately owned exchange offices in the city.
These offices are widely available everywhere. just ask to anyone that where is the exchange office, which is call in Turkish 'Döviz bürosu'. You will get lots better rate in these offices. In most cases even rates might change from one to other exchange office.
Also be aware that you might be charge a hidden commission when you exchance your money at the airports.
Turkey launched a new currency at midnight on 1 January 1st, 2005 by dropping six zeros from the old one, in a sign of progress in its decades-long struggle with inflation.
This means; old Turkish currency officially replaced with the NEW LIRA. After Jan.01,2006, holders of the old currency will have 10 years to convert to the new bank notes.
People living in Turkey are free to have foreign currency in their possession; to buy foreign currency without limitation from banks, authorized institutions and private finance institutions; to transfer foreign currency abroad; and to open foreign currency deposit accounts at banks. Read more on TURKISH ECONOMY
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Almost everything you wanted to know about Turkey (Türkiye)
- - - - Your Turkish travel dream starts here !( PAGE 3 of 4 )
Turkey - ONE TIME ZONE ! Turkey (Türkiye) has one time zone throughout the entire country. Here shown actual time in Turkey and the temperature for Istanbul. For temperature of other major tourist destinations, please see related cities pages of this site or click here.
Turkey is 7 hours ahead of EST(USA) and 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Meantime during the summer and 1 hour during the winter season.
Turkish hospitality
is one of the cornerstones of the Turkish way of life and Turks are famous with it.
In every corner of the country such a traditional hospitality will meet you.
Almost every individual feels bound to honor his guest in the best possible manner. They will open their houses to every guest with a smiling face and with all their sincerity give the best seat and cook the best food for their guest.
The mentality of Turkish idea on hospitality is whichever your religion is, whichever country you come from, whatever language you speak... you are GOD's GUEST ( Allah misafiri ), so you deserve to be welcomed in such a manner.
You will find during your visit that people will go out of their way to help you and feel welcomed. This is the meaning of 'Turkish hospitality'.
" I can say this about Turks: If one is your friend, it's a lifetime friendship and I have hundreds of examples in my life so far, and that life has been greatly enriched by having lived in Turkey, met its
people, traveled its countryside, and I continue to associate with Turks every day." Jan Claire, Editor/www.merhabaturkey.com(Jan.19,05)
INTERESTING FACTS ON TURKEY & TURKS:
Although Turkish coffee (Kahve) is world famous, but it is not, as one might think, the Turkish national drink. That honor goes to the black tea that Turks call Çay (pronounced 'chay').
By the way; ÇAY is not drunk from porcelain cups or mugs. Turks drink Çay from a small tulip shaped clear glass, which called Çay bardagi in Turkish. It is served unsweetened, but is accompanied by one or two sugar cubes and a small spoon on the saucer.
Meanwhile famous Turkish Coffee is just for real coffee lovers and it is an item that to host someone special. Most Turkish Coffee drinkers lights up their cigarettes when they do drink coffee (KAHVE) and/or tea (ÇAY).
Turkish coffee mostly drink by adult person... this mean, almost not seen drinking by kids. Also Turkish coffee is not used as a drink for the breakfast or any other regular meal. Well... all we want to tell you that, the Turkish coffee is a drink for the people who knows and understands of the real flavor of the coffee itself and also who knows about the real life. Although the Turks brought coffee drinking to a fine art.
In general, Turks take their shoes off upon entering a house. Thus, the dust
and dirt of the outdoors are not tracked inside. Meanwhile, in tradition most of Turkish families keep at home some extra pairs of sleepers for their guests.
Turkish is completely phonetic. Every word pronounce exactly as spelled. Turkish language use latin alphabeth with minor changes... it has only 29 letters,without use of X , Q and
W.
The Turks are very superstitious, so after drinking their coffee, they love to read the future, through shapes that
coffee powder itself forms, at the bottom of the coffee cup(FINCAN). If you want to do the same thing, after finishing your coffee, you need to turn your cup upside down and wait for a
while... until it cools down and ask for an expert to read your future. Mostly oldest ladies does know to read the future reading, which call 'FAL' in Turkish.
Don't confuse Turkey with other Moslem(Muslim) or/and Arap countiries in the world! Turkish women don't wear, what call 'burkhas' or any of the other head-to-toe coverings. Although you will see some of Turkish women dressed modestly and wearing headscarfs, this is not required, or even encouraged, and has more to do with family traditions and personal religious expressions. You will more likely see Turkish women wearing stylish western clothing.
Women in Turkey are free to enjoy all the freedoms that men do, and also serve in prestigious positions in businesses and government. About 15 years ago Turkey even had a woman prime minister, and women freedoms are guaranteed by the constitution of the Republic of Turkey.
2002 was one of a kind of year in sport for Turkey. NATIONAL FUTBOL(soccer) TEAM OF TURKEY(Soccer) got 3rd place at 2002 World Soccer Cup at Korea and Turkish female athlet SÜREYYA AYHAN won gold in the women's 1500 meter at 2002 European
Championships in Munich/Germany. In 2003 June Turkish National Futbol(Soccer) team also got the 3rd place at FIFA cup tournement.
If you travel by Turkish Airlines you might notice this:
Turkish people occasionally clap when their plane lands at an airport. We believe this is to give thanks or to rate the pilot's landing performance :)
Turks love to drink their refrestment drink 'Ayran' for any ocation... especially during summer time. 'Ayran' is a cold, frothy yoghurt drink whipped with water and salt and the finest thirst quencer on offer. Even McDonald franchieses in Turkey included this high demand refrestment to their menu.
In Turkey most of public restrooms(toilets) are not free of charge. Sometimes even restrooms are in restaurants or/and museums might not be free of charge too. And fee changes from one place to another... Please keep this in mind that; all tourists
need to pay a little bit attention of having some currency in change with them, before
the day start. ( Continued on next page )
Highways and all the roads are full with travelers during holidays.
We suggest you avoid your driving during Turkish holidays, call BAYRAM in Turkish. If you decide to drive in Turkey, obtain an International Driving Permit before you leave your own country.
Driving in Turkey is same as most of other countries... with driving on the right and
passing on the left side.
Iyi yolçuluklar ! Bon voyage!
WHEN YOU GO TO TURKEY
WHAT SHOULD YOU PACK? Turkey has a diverse range of climates. The coast is generally mild in winter and hot in summer. The interior is warm in summer and cold in winter so you will need to bring clothes according to the season.
Turks are generally formal in their choice of clothing and so there is little need to bring formal wear.
Business dress is the same as in Europe or North America, although women are advised to wear business suits with below the knee long skirts , to avoid any misunderstandings. ( Continued on next page )
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Turkey - ONE TIME ZONE !
By the way; ÇAY is not drunk from porcelain cups or mugs. Turks drink Çay from a small tulip shaped clear glass, which called Çay bardagi in Turkish. It is served unsweetened, but is accompanied by one or two sugar cubes and a small spoon on the saucer.
WHAT SHOULD YOU PACK?