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![]() Welcome to www.HELLOTURKEY.net We believe these are some important and practical facts that YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU VISIT TURKEY ![]() (For more, please visit our other page) If you need a visa and you didn't get it through a Turkish Consulate, please be prepared to pay the exact amount of $45.00 in USD for an entry visa. This can be paid at any port of entry into the country Stamp Visa or any consulate worldwide. ![]() ![]() At midnight on January 1, 2005 Turkey dropped six zeros from its currency when it introduced the YTL (Yeni Turk Lirasi: new Turkish Lira). To ease the burden on the citizens, both the old and new Lira were used until January 1, 2006 when the old currency was removed from circulation. Although the old Lira can no longer be used, people who have them have until 2016 to convert them to the new currency. ![]() Although exchange rates fluctuate, one Turkish Lira is worth approximately USD 0.45. Conversely, USD 1.00 is approximately 2.21 Turkish Lira (as of March 16th, 2014). ![]() Turkish Lira are available in the following denominations: ![]() Don't worry, Doviz Burosu (money exchange offices) are everywhere; one will always be nearby. So, when you arrive at the airport in Turkey, we suggest you do not exchange a large amount of your money. You may be charged a high commission. Get only the amount that you need for your transportation and other immediate needs. ![]() However if you intend to stay for a long time in the country or make several calls, it may be preferable to buy a local prepaid SIM card. Take your mobile phone and passport to a Turkish mobile phone shop where your new SIM will be registered along with your handset's IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number and your personal information. A unique 15 digit IMEI code number is usually found printed inside the battery compartment of the phone. It can also be displayed on the screen of the phone by entering *#06# into the keypad on most phones. ![]() ![]() ![]() The best currencies to carry for changing to TL are US dollars and Euros. The exchange slips for the conversion of foreign currency into Turkish LIRA should be kept, since you may be required to show these, when reconverting your Turkish Lira back into foreign currency and also when taking souvenirs out of the country... to prove that they have been purchased with legally exchanged foreign currency. ![]() In fact sometimes you might purchase the same item for less, if you pay cash. An American Express card is NOT widely accepted in Turkey. We have a good news for you: In Turkey there is no airport tax ! ![]() Local time in Turkey from April-September is: GMT + 3 hrs. and from October-March: GMT + 2 hrs. ![]() 155 - Police, 112 - Medical Emergency (First aid), 110 - Fire, 118 - Information (Unknown numbers), 161 - PTT Information (Turkish Postal Service) Before you take your trip going to Turkey, we highly suggest that visit our particular page and get it printed. This page offers information on all the Airlines, major Hospitals, Airports, Museums and other worth to visit places and more: IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS and WEB LINKS IN TURKEY (This link can also be found in the left column of every major tourist destination page on this site.) ![]() Very small sections of Istanbul distribute 110V electricity. ![]() Museums, archeological sites and similar visitor sights close for the first full day of the holiday, but are usually open on the second and third days. See dates for Turkish holidays ![]() ![]() Silence is required inside the mosques, it is suggested that you shouldn't laugh loudly inside as this may offend people praying. Please respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities. There are no chairs or benches in a mosque. A Turkish mosque is often covered from wall to wall with several layers of carpets. Most of the mosques are closed to visits at prayer times. Do not look for inside! All public restrooms are located out of the Mosque. ![]() Also if are you traveling by your own transportation please be very careful on the road; highways are very busy day and night during a holiday! Turks, like people everywhere, travel most during holidays. However, the majority of them use intercity buses, rather than driving their own cars. All of the highways and all other roads are extremely busy at this time. Also, in small towns and cities, the majority of small businesses remain closed during religious holidays. This may interfere with your travel plans. For example, Istanbul's Grand Bazaar is always closed for at least the first and second day of any religious holiday. ![]() ![]() ( If you would like more on religious holidays, please see our 'RELIGIOUS PAGE' ) SEKER BAYRAMI (sheh-kehr bah-yee-rah-muh) --- or call --- RAMAZAN BAYRAMI (Please note: 'Ramadan' in Turkey is "Ramazan") ![]() ![]() (The month of RAMAZAN will be on July 20 through August 18th) ![]() (The month of RAMAZAN will be July 9th through August 7th) KURBAN BAYRAMI (koor-bahn bahy-rah-muh) ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Also, in small towns and in some conservative areas of larger cities, yes, during daytime hours some of the restaurants might kept remain closed, but in the most other ones food service will be as normal in all hotels. However; traffic can be a problem for an hour before the IFTAR... which is the time when sun goes down and Muslims are allowed to eat. It is better if you do not go sight-seeing during this time. ![]() ![]() ![]() See this page Almost all pharmacies in Turkey are individually owned and operated. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() For sure, drinking Drinking CAY starts with breakfast and goes on all during the day and night; at any time for any occasion. For example; while you shop around, as a guest in a shop, you often might be offered a cup of CAY. If you take a ferryboat to cross to other side in Istanbul, you'll see bunch of people will have their CAY during their ~20 minute ride. Turks drink the tea real hot and fast, and many of them pretty often. CAY is not drunk from porcelain cups or mugs, Turks drink CAY with a small tulip shaped clear glass (shown left in picture above), which is called a 'CAY BARDAGI' in Turkish. It is served unsweetened, but is accompanied by one or two sugar cubes and a small spoon on the saucer. For some, the traditional tulip shape CAY glasses might be difficult to hold. Because they are full with hot tea and perhaps you cannot handle it easily... unless you get used to it. The easiest way to hold the 'CAY BARDAGI' is to hold it by the rim with the thumb and forefinger, and place the third finger under the thick bottom of the glass. ![]() ![]() We suggest that, wherever you may be, that you ask your server to not serve the CAY in a non-traditional cup which in Turkish is called a FINCAN (pronounced finjan). If you follow our suggestion, say to the server, "FINCANDA ISTEMIYORUM." This means, I don't want it in a fincan! >> (Read more CHAY, in our TURKISH CUISINE page) ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Turkish coffee is served very hot. If it's done right, there's a very thick foam at the top, called 'KOPUK'... the thicker, the better. Lack of foam indicates bad preparation and/or bad quality of beans. If you receive your Turkish coffee without foam or with too little foam on the surface, do not accept it and do not believe the other things that you might be told about Turkish coffee. Don't stir it! The grounds have settled to the bottom of the cup, and that's where you want them to stay. Sip your Turkish coffee slowly. This isn't a shot, it's meant to be savored. The presentation of Turkish Coffee varies from establishment to establishment depending upon the quality of the cups (FINCAN in Turkish) and the manner in which the server presents it to the customer. In some high-class coffee houses, the coffee is prepared at your table in a special pot called a CEZVE (pronounced jez-vey). This pot has a long handle, and may be made of brass, copper, or ceramic and is typically just large enough to hold the amount of coffee being served. Once it is brewed, the server may pour it into your cup, or you may pour it yourself. Of course, you can expect to pay a little more for this showy presentation. Note too; Turkish coffee is often served with a glass of room temperature water on the side. ![]() ![]() >> How to prepare ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Turks as love to drink water and in Turkey spring water is served everywhere, even on inter city buses. ![]() Public telephones takes tokens (called JETON) and phone cards which can be bought from any Post Office (PTT). JETONS (the tokens)comes in three sizes; small for local calls, large for international calls and medium which can be used for either. Local and international calls can usually made with no problems at all. Also PTT offices now provide fax and telex services. ![]() AT&T, MCI and SPRINT have international services that make calling home relatively affordable and convenient and let you avoid hotel surcharges. Before you go, call the company of choice to learn the number you must dial in Turkey to reach its network! ![]() As we are talking about PTT here, let us include here this too: Stamp collectors will be delighted with the wide range of special Turkish stamps available to them. ![]() There will always be a public toilet near a mosque. In restaurants, hotels, motels and other types of businesses the public toilets are usually of the western type, but either may be present. Homes, also, may have either type of toilet. NOTE: In Turkey, western style toilets have a small pipe coming from the back of the toilet from a water valve. It is there to use to cleanse yourself. It is sort of a simplified bidet. Toilet paper is used only for drying oneself. All tourist hotels, motels, and restaurants, etc. are equipped with western toilets and toilet paper is provided. ![]() ![]() Turks use many form of body Languages. For example; many times you might meet someone who says you 'EVET' (eh-veht)... which means YES, by nodding his/her head forward and down. They also say 'HAYIR' (hay-yurh)... which means NO, by nod their heads up and back, lifting their eyebrows at the same time. >> Read more on Turkish language... ![]() Taxis are easily recognizable by the yellow and black checker-board band around the cab, Each taxi is metered. Taxi cabs charge two different tariffs: Daytime and overnight. Overnight tariff applies after midnight, till morning 6 AM and will cost the customer 50% more than the daytime fare. Additional expenses, like ferryboat or bridge crossings fees are extras added onto the fare. Tipping is not necessary however, leaving the change or rounding up the fare is customary. ![]() ![]() ![]() If you want to send something home from Turkey you can use the PTT (Turkish Postal Service), UPS or DHL. You might want to keep information below handy! UPS UPS Turkey website Istanbul - Karakoy branch: Ph. 212-3938219 & 2514069 Istanbul - Sirkeci branch: Ph. 212-5197662 & 5197663 Istanbul - Kadikoy branch: Ph. 216-4494447 & 3492035 Istanbul - Levent branch: Ph. 212- 3179097 & 3179098 Istanbul - Sultanahmet branch. 212-5174102 , 6384865 & 6384877 Email Istanbul - Airport branch: Ph. 212-4680300 Email Antalya branch: Ph. 4440033 Email Izmir branch: Ph. 4440033 Izmir Airport: Ph. 4440033 Email DHL (International Deliveries) DHL website Yalcin Kores Cad. No.20 Yenibosna, Istanbul / Turkey 34540 Ph. (212) 478 10 00 Fax: (212) 478 14 00 & 01 ![]() Istanbul has plenty of street cats and dogs. Both species nicely divide the available space between themselves. Turks have a special love for cats and often leave out food or small bowls of water for the neighborhood cats. Cats have personalities and in many neighborhoods and they are almost part of the community. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Almost all restaurants automatically add a 10 or 15% service charge to your bill so, it is not necessary to leave more than a few coins in the change plate. At your hotel, motel, pension, or resort, porters, and/or parking lot attendants expect a tip equivalent to a dollar. You may want to tip a taxi driver by rounding the fare up to the next higher amount. ![]() Thank you! / Tesekkur ederiz! ![]() ![]() ![]()
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