Preparing for your trip
| Package: | Best of Turkey, 2012-2023 |
Print this page and refer to it as you prepare for your trip!
Printed Dec 22, 2024. Please visit https://staging.friendlyplanet.com/before-you-go/?tourId=198 for the latest updates.
Checklist
| Item | Due | |
|---|---|---|
| ☐ | Ensure you have a current passport valid for at least six months after your return date. | ASAP |
| ☐ | Passport Pages. Ensure you have enough empty pages in your passport as per the entry requirements at your destination | ASAP |
| ☐ | Complete your registration. You'll receive a link to the registration form after you complete your booking. | Within 5 days of booking |
| ☐ | Make your final payment, if any balance is due. | See your invoice |
| ☐ | Request any additions or changes you may still want to make to your trip. | by final payment due date |
| ☐ | Obtain required travel visas and review any requirements for entry. | See below |
| ☐ | Print your itinerary and other final documents, which we will send you via email by 14 days prior to travel. | Prior to travel |
| ☐ | Print your policy documents, if you purchased travel insurance, and carry them with you. | Prior to travel |
| ☐ | Enroll in The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), if you're a U.S. citizen or national, so the State Dept. can locate and assist you in case of an emergency. | Prior to travel |
In addition, if you booked flights with your package:
| Item | Due | |
|---|---|---|
| ☐ | Book connecting flights to your departure city, if necessary. (Please confirm your international flight schedule first!) | After receiving your e‑tickets |
| ☐ | Make advance seat reservations for your international flight, if you have a preference. | After receiving your e‑tickets |
| ☐ | Confirm your flight times and any special meal requests with the airline, and print and carry a copy of your e-ticket. | 72 hours prior to travel |
| ☐ | Check in for your flights online and download/print your boarding passes (if available). | 24 hours prior to travel |
| ☐ | Arrive at the airport, ready for the trip of a lifetime! | 3½ hours prior to departure |
Documents & Entry Requirements
Entry requirements are provided for your convenience. However, unless otherwise stated, it is your responsibility to determine the requirements that apply to you and your trip and to comply with them, including obtaining any necessary visas or other travel documents by the required deadlines and carrying them with you. Especially with COVID-19, requirements are subject to change, so check back for the latest before you depart.
U.S. citizens must have a visa for entry into Turkey. Turkey visas must be obtained prior to departure.
Turkey Entry Requirements
Advice from our partner Sherpa
General Requirements & Guidelines
- In general, you must have a passport to travel abroad, which should be valid for at least six months after your return date. Passports expiring before then should be renewed as soon as possible. Passports contain at least 2 blank pages for each country visited. If your passport does not have this many pages, obtain a new passport as soon as possible.
- if your passport and visa are not in order, airlines and cruise ships may deny boarding, countries may deny entry, and your trip may be disrupted. Travel insurance may not cover such losses.
- Any changes in names or passport information should be reported to us immediately. Airlines and cruise ships may deny boarding if the name on your passport does not match your tickets.
- Minors (age 17 or younger) departing and/or returning to the U.S. without parents or with only one parent may be required by U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) to present a notarized parental consent letter and/or unabridged birth certificate (more information). Many other countries have similar entry requirements, especially for minors traveling with a parent/guardian with a different surname; check with the consulates of all countries you'll be visiting to learn more.
Final Documents
Your final travel documents will be sent to you via email by 14 days prior to departure. These will include your daily itinerary, hotel and emergency contact information, and other relevant information. Please print your documents and take them with you. If you're departing in less than a week and haven't received your documents, let us know immediately!
Travel Insurance Documents
If you purchased travel insurance, please print and carry your policy documents, including contact information for emergency travel assistance and instructions on how to make a claim. If you purchased the travel protection plan we offer, we recommend you print the full policy.
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
We encourage all U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This free service allows you to receive important updates about safety and security issues in your destination, and makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy, as well as family & friends, to contact you in case of an emergency. To enroll or get more information, please visit the STEP website or any U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Flights, Transfers & Arrival
Questions about your flights before you depart? Read the information below first. If you still have questions, contact our air specialists at
Tour Only Option
If you purchased this package without flights, you are responsible for arranging your own flights and transportation to the touring program start and end points, usually the first and last hotels listed in the itinerary. Please review the itinerary carefully, as some packages start and end in different cities, requiring "open jaw" flights. Also see airport transfers and what to do in case of arrival complications.
Flights & Tickets
If you selected flights with your package, we generally book your flights and issue tickets after your final payment due date.
Once we have issued your tickets, we'll send you an "e-ticket receipt" which contains all of your flight information, including times, carriers, an airline booking reference number, and an e-ticket number. If you have not received this, or have questions about the flights we booked for you, please contact our air department. You will not receive paper tickets. We recommend you print and carry a copy of your flight details, including the airline booking reference number and e-ticket number, as some airports require this to enter the terminal. You do not need to reconfirm your flights with the airline prior to your departure, as we will handle this for you.
Turkish Airlines' (TK) toll-free number is (800) 874-8875.
Lufthansa's (LH) toll-free number is (800) 645-3880.
United Airlines (UA) toll-free number is (800) 864-8331.
Flight Schedule
If you selected flights with your package, you will receive your flight schedule by email once we issue your tickets.
Airlines may change schedules at any time, even after flights have been confirmed, and we are not responsible for such changes. Please check for updates to your flight schedule prior to booking any connecting flights and again 72 hours prior to departure.
Connecting Flights
If you plan to purchase connecting flights to your departure city, we strongly suggest waiting until after your final payment due date and after you receive the e-tickets for your international flights, to reduce the chances that that your departure might be cancelled or rescheduled or that your international flight times might change. Before purchasing connecting flights, verify the times for your international flights. Leave at least 3½ hours connecting time between flights, and if you're traveling within a few weeks of Daylight Savings Time changes (in March and November, when flight schedules may change even more dramatically), allow 5–5½ hours between flights. Nobody likes waiting around the airport, but missing your flight is far worse!
Airport Transfers
If you purchased this package with flights scheduled group airport transfers at the destination are included. Transfers are included only on the start and end days of the package. When you exit customs, please look for our representative holding a Friendly Planet sign, who will escort you to your transfer vehicle.
If you purchased this package without flights, transfers are generally not included. In most cases, private transfers are available for an additional fee; contact us for price and availability. Or you may instead arrange your own ground transportation to the touring program start and end points. (Note that there is no discount for any unused included transfers).
Arrival Complications
We make every effort to ensure our tours run smoothly and trouble-free. We don't expect any problems, and nor should you. But when things don't go as planned, here's what to do:
- You miss your flights, or your flights are cancelled: Please call us immediately. If it's outside our normal business hours, leave a message in our emergency mailbox, with a phone number at which to reach you, and we'll get right back to you.
- Your flights are delayed and you're worried about missing your included transfers: Please contact us to let us know about the delay, and we will notify our partners in destination. If you are arriving on one of our group flights, or booked your own flights and supplied us with the details, our partners will be tracking your arrival and will plan accordingly.
- Your package includes transfers, but you can't find our representative at your destination: Don't panic—they may have been unexpectedly delayed. Wait up to 30 minutes. Then contact our local partners in destination, listed on the emergency contact page of your final documents. If you can't reach them, call us. If it's outside our normal business hours, leave a message in our emergency mailbox. If all else fails, make your own way to the starting hotel (or cruise port), and we'll refund you the cost of your transfer.
Packing & Luggage
Baggage allowance: In general, our tours & packages allow per person: one checked bag, not to exceed 44 pounds; one personal item such as a purse or camera bag; and one carry-on bag, which should fit under your seat or in the overhead compartment. If your trip includes domestic flights within your destination and/or travel by motor coach, your carry-on should also fit should also fit under your seat or in the overhead bins on those flights or coaches.
Learn more about Baggage Allowances on your international flights. Note that our baggage allowances may be less than those for your international flights. If you exceed the baggage limits, you may be subject to excess baggage charges levied by the airlines and/or by Friendly Planet.
Regardless of the limits—we recommend a smaller size and weight for both your checked and carry-on bags. It's so much easier and faster for you to get around when you have fewer, lighter bags! For your carry-on, consider a soft-sided bag such as a duffel rather than a hard clamshell-type case, which may not fit as easily into overhead compartments or under your seat, especially on buses. For your protection, we suggest your checked luggage have a TSA-approved lock.
Luggage tags: For your safety, we are no longer mailing Friendly Planet luggage tags to you. We encourage you to use your own. Fill in the luggage tags with your name and contact information and attach to each bag, including carry-ons and camera cases, so that your luggage can be identified should it get misplaced during your trip.
What to pack: Check out our list of top 10 must-haves for international travel, as well as what not to pack. Pack smart: put your travel documents, medications, one change of clothing, and other essentials in your carry-on, in case your checked baggage is misplaced. And pack light, for your own comfort and convenience. For clothing, we suggest packing a variety of separates with climate and comfort in mind.
What not to pack: U.S. law forbids you to carry hazardous materials aboard aircraft in your checked or carry-on baggage or on your person, including explosives, compressed gases, flammable liquids & solids, loaded firearms, poisons, corrosives and radioactive materials. Common examples include paints, lighter fluid, fireworks, mace/tear gas and oxygen bottles. Restricted materials may vary by airline and destination. Some items, in quantities of no more than 70 ounces total, may be carried within baggage, including medicinal or toilet articles such as hairspray, perfume and certain medicines that are necessary during your journey. Please check with the airline and/or visit the FAA website prior to travel if you have any questions.
While on Tour
What to Expect
This moderately-paced, escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness. This tour also includes long scenic drives between destinations and may have limited rest stops.
While we have made every effort to secure comfortable accommodations and transportation, we ask you to keep in mind that the standards you will encounter may be different from those you are used to at home or when traveling to Western Europe. This is primarily due to the fact that the tourism infrastructure, while extensive, is still in the development stages, and therefore somewhat limited in some areas. On touring days, the tour may require modifications due to circumstances beyond the control of Friendly Planet Travel, and our local ground operator. Non-smoking rooms or rooms with queen-size beds may not be available. Also, room size will vary, and at times, can be rather small. Your patience and understanding are appreciated.
Please remember that you are visiting a country where customs are not the same as in the USA. Many people speak English, and you may be convinced that you are being understood, but it is often the case that the person you are speaking to does not clearly understand what you are asking. Be sure to ask your guide, the hotel clerk, the waiter or any other service providers to confirm that what you have asked or said has been understood. This is very important when shopping.
Remember that you're a guest in someone else's homeland, and that you're traveling to experience their country and culture. Be sensitive to local customs and manners, as many things may be done differently than what you're used to. And while we have made every effort to secure modern and comfortable accommodations and transportation, please note that the standards in other countries may be different from those you are accustomed to at home. Overall, you will find a polite, positive, patient, and open-minded approach generally yields the best travel experience!
Please keep in mind that you'll be traveling with a group. Sharing your explorations with like-minded folks can often be a source of joy, and some of our travelers become lifelong friends. But traveling with strangers can also sometimes be challenging, especially in a foreign country. We ask that you be patient and respectful with your fellow travelers, including their needs and preferences. Also remember that you have responsibilities to the group—please be prompt for group activities so you don't keep everyone else waiting. Lastly, please defer to your tour leader, guide or manager. They are there for your safety and wellbeing, and to ensure the journey goes smoothly for everyone. If you have a problem with one of our tour guides or managers, please let us know, either while you're on tour or after you return, and we'll make sure your concerns are addressed.
Accommodations
Our hotels are all Western-style, and your room will have a private bathroom. The water in the hotel tap system is probably potable, but we recommend drinking bottled water or bringing a water bottle with a filter from home to avoid getting sick. The electrical current is 230v with 50 cycles. You will need a converter/adapter in order to use US appliances.
Eating & Drinking
The meals included with your package are listed in the itinerary.
Non-Included Meals: Your hotels while on tour will have several dining choices, from coffee shops to specialty restaurants. The average cost for dinner (not including drinks) in the coffee shops will be about $20 - $40 per person, per meal. Hotels accept major credit cards. Ask your guide for recommendations if you wish to explore dining options outside of the hotel.
Please see above for special meal requests.
Tipping
You will be traveling through Turkey in the company of professionals who are very committed to making your tour the dream vacation you are counting on. These people feel great pride in having a chance to show foreign visitors their country. If your guide, driver and others with whom you are traveling are doing a good job, please take our suggestions for tipping seriously. As always, gratuities are an individual expression of thanks and should be based on the level of service provided. The recommended amounts are as follows:
- Local guide: $5-6 per person per day
- Transfer & Excursion driver guide: $3-4 per person per day
- Restaurant and beverage staff per meal (for not-included meals): 5%-10% of the total bill
Optional Excursions
To enhance and make your visit more complete and memorable, you will be offered several optional excursion tours, cultural and dining/evening activities. You'll need to decide while in Istanbul which of these tours you want to participate in and pay for. Payment should be made by cash (U.S. dollars or local currency) .
Independent Activities
You can leave the group and explore on your own at any time; however, there is no refund for unused group arrangements or tours. Please inform your guide in advance if you choose to do so. We recommend that you ask the front desk for a business card of the hotel with the address and local phone number in both the local language and English so that you can communicate with taxi drivers. Your hotel staff will gladly assist you with these translations.
Special Needs & Requests
Please see above for special meal requests and seat requests. If you have any other special requests, including wheelchair or electric cart assistance, please mention your request when you book with an agent, or in the special requests section when you book online. We will do our best to accommodate them!
Country FAQs
Turkey Fast Facts
| Overview | Capital: Ankara |
| Health Precautions & Vaccinations | Immunizations are not currently required for travel to Turkey. However, you may wish to consult your personal physician or local public health authorities about possible vaccinations against typhoid and hepatitis. We also suggest bringing insect repellent. Center for Disease Control
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| Weather | Istanbul is temperate, warm, and humid in the summer. Eastern Turkey has short summers and bitterly cold winters. Central Anatolia is dry and hot in the summer, rainy and snowy in the winter. If you plan to visit beaches, June through September is the best time to travel. Southeastern Turkey is very dry and extremely hot in the summer. |
| What to wear | The Turkish clothing style is casual. We suggest loose fitting clothes made of cotton or linen, a wide brimmed hat to cover your face and back of your neck, sunglasses, light shawl or scarf, and a light sweater for cool and windy nights are also valuable accessories for your trip. The evening attire at restaurants, casinos, lounges and nightclubs is “country club casual” – relaxed yet elegant. If you plan to visit the beach, be sure to bring a swimsuit, a cover-up, water shoes or sandals, and a good sunscreen. Some excursions may visit religious sites where guests are required to dress modestly. Shorts and sleeveless tops are not permitted; and arms and legs should be covered. Covered shoulders and skirts below the knee for women, shorts below the knee for men are highly suggested. If you have two pairs of comfortable (broken in, not brand new) walking shoes, by all means, take both pairs. Since weather can be unpredictable anywhere in the world and to be sure you are comfortable during your trip and prepared for all types of weather possibilities, we suggest that you carry a small folding umbrella and take with you a lightweight jacket or sweater. Packing to dress in layers is another way to prepare for a variety of weather conditions. Finally, remember that comfort and convenience should dictate your wardrobe for the tour, and casual clothes are in order for most every occasion as you travel. |
| Money & Credit Cards | The official currency in Turkey is the Lira. The hotels used on this program as well as some local stores and some restaurants will be able to accept Visa and MasterCard. A few, mostly high-end venues may accept American Express. However, for street shopping you will need the local currency. Your hotels will be able to exchange cash to the local currency. We highly recommend that you bring crisp, new bills in small denominations. Old, torn, crumpled bills are not accepted. ATMs are also available at the airport and in some of the cities visited. If you wish to use your credit and/or debit cards during your stay in Turkey, we highly recommend that you notify your bank prior to your departure. And be sure to remember your numeric code. Traveler’s checks are no longer widely accepted. If you intend to use traveler’s checks while on the tour, please verify that they are still accepted in the places visited. Always notify your bank prior to departure to avoid any problems using your credit or debit card abroad. |
| Shopping | Turkey is a shopper’s paradise! From unique, handmade items to fine leather, there is something to please everyone. Popular items include handwoven rugs and kilims, copper, and brass. Please be aware that some items labeled “antique” are fake. If you purchase an antique, be sure to obtain an official permit to export it. It is always a good idea to comparison-shop, and exercise the “buyer-beware” rule, just as you do at home. Be sure to inspect the merchandise before you leave the store. Most stores will not allow you to return or exchange purchased items. |
| Electricity & Power Adapters | 230 volts. Plugs C & F. You will need a voltage converter and plug adapter in order to use U.S. appliances. We recommend getting a universal adapter and converter kit. Learn more about electrical standards around the world. |
| Cell Phones & Internet | Want to take your cell phone, tablet or laptop, but not sure how to get cell service or wifi? Read up on using your cell phone abroad and the 5 ways to get Internet abroad. |
| Photography | Cameras and video recorders are generally allowed almost everywhere in Turkey, and in fact, you will want to take plenty of pictures of the magnificent panoramas you’ll encounter as you travel. Photography is generally permitted everywhere except at airports and military installations. Memory cards for digital cameras will also be readily available, especially in major cities. |
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Fine Print
Terms & Conditions: Please review our terms & conditions for this package.
Cancellations: If something comes up and you need to cancel your trip, please let us know as soon as possible. All cancellations must be made in writing. Cancellation fees vary by package; please see the cancellation fees for this package.