Turkey is a mystical land, both swathed in ancient myth and modern misconceptions. From the crumbling ruins of Constantinople to the lingering charms of the Persian empire and the blossoming republic that arose with Ataturk from the Ottoman era. Turkey is vast, diverse, charming and also quite different to what people first imagine. With the failed coup, vicinity to Syria and Iraq as well as a somewhat erratic leader it is often perceived as a dangerous and difficult country to visit.
Nothing could be further from the truth! In fact, the visa process is a breeze, the trouble is isolated to the very far east of the country and the culture, scenery and history is completely enchanting. Here is our practical guide to visiting Turkey, covering all you need to know before your visit as well as the best website for Turkish visa and asking Is Turkey safe?
Getting in: What you need to know about visas
In the past when we have visited it was as simple as turning up with a £10 note in your hand, queuing up for a little while and then receiving your visa and stamp right there and then! Things have changed a little since my first visit 12 years ago but the process means that the queues aren’t as long!
However, as with all things in life, the price has gone up and you also have to be sure to use the best website for a Turkish visa as there are also many scams.
One thing you need to be aware of is that from the end of October 2018, you can no longer get a visa on arrival, in the past this was the norm and for years since the introduction of the e-visa, there have always been both options available. However, this is now not the case since the removal of the e-visa kiosk in the airport. If you are travelling by air you should always have your visa as you could be refused boarding.
Visa on arrival/ e-visa workaround!
Though in extreme circumstances there is a possible workaround which we don’t recommend you could very well we sat at the Turkish border right now wondering what to do. We got stuck travelling from Plovdiv, Bulgaria to Turkey unaware of the new rules.
So we applied online for the e-visa from the checkpoint terminal (it’s pretty big and is free!) on our phones. This was a little sketchy as we only just got access to Wifi, it was 3:00 am and thankfully the visas went through straight away!!
However, even the best website for Turkish visas can’t guarantee it to be processed in such a short time!
Applying for the visa online: best website for Turkish visa
Applying online is easy and although the price has gone up, it is also now in USD rather than GBP meaning the rise isn’t quite so steep.
A multi-entry visa for a UK passport holder costs 20 USD and allows you to spend a total of 90 days within 180 in the country where you can come and go as you please.
Essentially you can spend 3 out of 6 months in Turkey. The visa runs out 180 days after it is issued or you use up your 90 days. You can then apply for another. There are a lot of scams out there too selling visas for vastly inflated prices.
However, many people are quite wary of applying for their own visa as for many UK visitors on the usual two-week holidays it isn’t often a consideration. Using a visa company will take the stress out of applying for yourself and leave you to concentrate on enjoying your holiday instead.
For this we recommend e-visas as a great value and reliable alternative to doing it yourself, it is the best website for Turkish visas if you want to use a third party.
Is Turkey safe to visit?
As with anywhere in the world, we can’t promise you are 100% safe. Just last year 22 people were killed in a terrorist attack in our very own home city of Manchester. There have also been attacks in our adopted home of Melbourne and all across the Western world.
Turkey lies in a turbulent region to its far east, but most of the troubles here are not directed towards tourists but are much more insular than attacks that target Western countries.
Here the police and the state are the targets of violence so in many ways I consider it to be safer than the streets of Paris and especially the gun-hungry USA.
In today’s world nowhere is 100% safe and we can’t allow some isolated incidents to stop us from travelling, especially to such a special part of the world.
Is Turkey safe? we can’t promise anything but we have never had any worries here visiting over the last 20 years since being children!
The country is vast too, in fact, if it were to be considered European it would be by far the largest country after Russia. This means that not only are you likely to be very far away from the far east of the country which is home to most of the trouble, but it is also an incredibly diverse country to visit.
Road tripping around Turkey is incredible, its sapphire blue oceans to the south are a million miles away from being targets and offer a wealth of options, from secluded hikes and camping in local villages to resorts and hotel chains, whatever takes your fancy!
The middle of the country is another matter, from deep forests and imposing lush mountains to the Mars-like landscape of Cappadocia, there is a wealth of places to see that are so isolated from the wider politics of the region. When most people ask, Is Turkey safe? I often tell them just how far away from the troubled regions you really are!
Do I have to act differently in Turkey?
The short answer is no! Turkey is built on being a secular nation, Ataturk transformed it into the modern country we see today. Most Turks are very easygoing, friendly and incredibly welcoming!
Drinking Raki (an aniseed-flavoured spirit) is just as much a part of daily life as visiting the Mosque and in Turkey alcohol isn’t frowned upon one bit! As well as Raki, the local beer is Efes which locals and visitors alike love!
Of course, Turkey is a vast and diverse land with a large split in belief and conviction in that belief. But at its very core and the reason it is secular is all about choice! Visiting Turkey is all about reading your surroundings and being respectful.
You wouldn’t walk around any city centre in a bikini or shirtless (I would hope!) but around the beaches is fine. Pretty much anything you would normally wear, shorts, skirts, vests, dresses are all perfectly fine. If you decide to visit a Mosque then, of course, you must cover up, but most have robes and headwear to lend to visitors and are very welcoming.
Some areas are more conservative than others, but as long as you are respectful then it’s never an issue! Generally speaking, you are likely to see a good mixture of people, from those in modern Western clothing to those in very conservative Muslim dress.
Turkey might just surprise you and by the end, you’ll never ask, “Is Turkey safe?” again!
Getting around this huge country!
Turkey is huge! Did we mention that!! However, car rental is cheap and it is the perfect way to get around the country. We rented a car for around £15 a day from Fethiye to do some trips up to Cappadocia, Antalya and the surrounding coastal regions.
Road tripping in Turkey is the absolute best way to take in the amazing and ever-changing landscapes as well as allowing you to visit some of the more off-the-beaten-track places along the way. The people of Turkey really are so warm and welcoming that stopping in the little villages along the way is such an enriching experience.
However, that isn’t always an option for many. Turkey isn’t well equipped for long rail journeys and instead, buses travel all over the country. It’s a long and arduous way to tour this incredible country but as far as night buses go the ones in Turkey are some of the best we’ve used.
Most come with your own TV, catering service and regular stops, they are also pretty reasonably priced given the distance covered. In each city it is easy to book a bus and often many leave throughout the day to popular destinations and big cities.
Turkey also has a great network of low-cost domestic flights from the likes of Turkish Airways and Pegasus. From Dalaman on the south coast to Istanbul it takes only 1 hour. Cappadocia is also served by several regional airports as is the country as a whole making flying an easy, fast and cheap way to get around Turkey.
Why do we love Turkey so much?
Turkey is a country we keep going back to! We have family living there and lifelong friends made over years and years of visits. It’s a country that seems to have everything, incredible cities, beautiful coastlines, mysterious mountains, unbelievable history and unsurpassable culture!
There is a Turkey for everyone, from those wanting the adventure of a lifetime to delving deep and getting lost in the sights, smells and sounds of this ancient land. To those wanting to sit back relax and take in the warm azure ocean and jaw-dropping beaches.
Not to get lost in asking “Is Turkey safe?”! Its authenticity remains to this day amongst the commercialisation of the world, plus you can paraglide right over this amazing beach!
Organise an amazing Turkey experience here:
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We went to Istanbul last October with some similar apprehensions. Its funny how media can influence our minds so deeply. The city felt as safe as any other city in the world. Great information here on Turkish visas.
You’ve definitely eased my mind about visiting Turkey and it’s good to know about the new Visa process! At least they still let you apply online. My husband and I have come across so many countries that require you to visit an embassy.
I have not yet been to Turkey but definitely want to visit. Thanks for answering so many questions – but especially that one that always comes up… “Is it safe?” Also great tip about the visa. Turkey is inching its way up my list!!!!
I would love to visit Turkey some day. I didn’t realize a visa was needed to enter the country, so that was a great tip. It’s great to hear that Turkey is a safe country. I feel like there are so many countries that are way safer than the US.
A great account of what you need to know before you travel to Turkey. Good information for those that may want to travel there. I have not been, but maybe someday.
Interesting editorial comment “especially the gun hungry USA.” Gentle suggestion, dear fellow blogger, not to lump all people into a category unless you really, really, and I do mean really know. Gun laws in the U.S. are, certainly, very different, but the minority of people in the U.S. are what you would consider gun-loving or gun-hungry, despite what you might have been led to believe. Certainly access to guns is very easy for most at this time, though laws are starting to make it harder. I live in the the U.S., have family in the U.K., Germany and Australia, and have lived all over the world, so with that global view, I frankly feel as safe here as anywhere. Turkey is high on our “to visit” list and we have friends who live there too … though they also point out due to the political unrest internally, there are areas in the country that are simply NOT good places to go for any tourist.
I think you’ve missed my point in all honesty and misinterpreted it, maybe I should have added more context. I never suggested the people are gun hungry, but the country undeniably is, the government and the power the gun lobby has over it. The US government doesn’t protect its citizens or visitors from guns or reacts accordingly when thousands are slaughtered each year as a result. I have friends and family in the US and the majority are in favour of tighter gun controls and thats the point, with current gun controls it only takes one person to cause so much damage. The comparison I am making is that many friends and family from all over the world see this risk, though widely publicised, as minimal to them and are not put off visiting as they would rightly be unlucky to be caught up in fun trouble. Whilst at the same time I get many comments whenever we got to Turkey asking if it’s safe, telling us to be extra careful, expressing concern that they wouldn’t if we were visiting the US. Both countries are very different sure, but comparatively safe, whilst also being perceived differently in terms of risk due to politics and the media. Every country as no go places for locals and tourists alike, there are places in Manchester, London, Paris, LA, Turkey, all across South East Asia etc etc where you would be stupid to go from numerous reasons and that’s why you do your research before travelling.
I’ve often times wondered if Turkey is currently safe to travel to and it sounds like you have had no troubles! I would love to visit Turkey some day and really soak in that culture. Thanks for sharing!
I really loved this post because I absolutely loved my short time in Turkey. I still have many places to go but at least I’ve experienced Istanbul and never once felt scared or nervous there. Thanks for sharing the way to do it on a much longer scale. You guys keep seeing these spectacular sights and making great stories for the future Roaming Renegade babies., should you choose to add them 🙂
I guess it’s about to change.. So many people think of Turkey only as a place for lazy chill in all-inclusive resorts. Thanks to you and other passionate travelers Turkey has been re-discovered on the travel map. There are so much to to see and do! Although I still haven’t been there, will keep your tips in mind and your tips for visa is absolutely fantastic. Roadtrip also is my way of traveling 🙂
Amazing blog!