First-time Visitor Tips

15 things I wish I had known before my first trip to Turkey:

1. Apply for your e-visa online in advance. German citizens need a visa, which you can easily obtain at evisa.gov.tr for about 50 US$. It takes 10 minutes and is valid for 180 days (max. 90 days stay). There are also visas on arrival at the airport, but the online option saves you from queues.
2. Turkey is huge — plan realistically. Istanbul to Cappadocia is 750 km (1h flight or 10h bus). From Antalya to Trabzon is 1,100 km. Domestic flights with Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, or AnadoluJet are cheap (from 30–50 €) and save a lot of time.
3. Çay (tea) is the national obsession. You will be offered tea everywhere — in shops, at the barber, in carpet stores. Accept it! It's a sign of hospitality and doesn't obligate you to anything (not even to buy). Turkish tea is drunk without milk, with sugar.
4. Bargaining is part of the bazaar experience. In the Grand Bazaar, markets, and carpet shops, bargaining is expected — start at 40–50% of the quoted price and work your way up. In restaurants, supermarkets, and museums, bargaining is NOT practiced.
5. Shoes off in mosques. When visiting a mosque: remove your shoes (bring a plastic bag!), women cover hair and shoulders (scarves are lent at the entrance), men no shorts. During prayer times (5× daily, especially Friday noon), tourist access is restricted.
6. Tipping is customary, but moderate. Restaurant: 5–10% (often included as "servis" on the bill). Taxi drivers: round up to the nearest whole amount. Hammam: 10–20% for the Tellak (masseur). Hotel room: 20–50 ₺/day.
7. Do not drink tap water. Throughout Turkey: only bottled water. Also use bottled water for brushing teeth, at least in the interior. Ice cubes in tourist restaurants are generally safe.
8. Renting a car is worthwhile on the coast, not in Istanbul. In Istanbul, a car is a nightmare — traffic is chaotic, parking nearly impossible. On the Aegean, in Lycia, and in Cappadocia, a rental car is ideal. Booking in advance is cheaper than on-site.
9. Domestic flights are surprisingly cheap. Pegasus Airlines flies between major cities from 200–400 ₺ (approx. 6–12 €!). Turkish Airlines is more comfortable and only slightly more expensive. Istanbul has two airports: IST (new, main airport) and SAW (Sabiha Gökçen, Asian side, low-cost carriers).
10. The Istanbulkart is a must. The rechargeable card for public transport in Istanbul (bus, metro, ferry, tram) costs 100 ₺ and saves 50% compared to single tickets. Available at any kiosk and station.
11. Beware of the "helpful" strangers in Istanbul. If someone in Sultanahmet approaches you in English or German and invites you to their "cousin's restaurant" or a "special bar" — be skeptical. Known scam: overpriced bills or carpet sale dinners.
12. Turkish toilets still exist. Outside tourist centers, you may find squat toilets in some restaurants and public buildings. Toilet paper goes in the bin next to the toilet, not in the bowl (pipes are narrow).
13. The nightlife starts late. Restaurants fill up from 8–9 PM, bars from 11 PM, clubs open at midnight. Before that, everything is empty. But it goes on until the early hours.
14. Alcohol is legal, but expensive. Turkey is a Muslim country with a secular constitution — alcohol is available everywhere. Due to high taxes, beer and wine in restaurants are significantly more expensive than in Germany. Rakı (aniseed spirit) is the national drink.
15. Turks love children. Turkey is one of the most child-friendly travel destinations. Children are welcomed everywhere, pampered in restaurants, and enthusiastically greeted by locals. Families with children experience Turkish hospitality particularly intensely.