Europe

41 Turkey

41 Turkey

Turkey combines imperial history, coastline culture, and dramatic inland landscapes in a single trip, from Istanbul's mosques and bazaars to Cappadocia's valleys, Aegean ruins, and Mediterranean towns. Food, transport links, and tourism infrastructure are strong across major destinations. Travelers should still plan around regional security updates, weather events, and high demand at top sites.
Turkey flag
Info: All amounts in original currency are converted to NPR using trip-specific rates.

Exchange Rates

Rates used to convert to NPR for this trip.

Currency 1 unit → NPR Date
TRY 5.59 2022-05-01
EUR 140.00 2022-05-01
USD 132.00 2022-05-01
S.No Date Details (Notes) Category Unit Cost / Unit Amount Currency Amount (NPR)
1 Plane 1.00 90.00 90.00 EUR 12,600.00
2 Visa 1.00 30.00 30.00 USD 3,960.00
3 Bus from airport to centre 1.00 20.00 20.00 TRY 111.80
4 Hotel room 3.00 13.00 39.00 TRY 218.01
5 Breakfast 1.00 50.00 50.00 TRY 279.50
6 Doner kebab 1.00 33.00 33.00 TRY 184.47
7 Bus tkt 1.00 6.50 6.50 TRY 36.34
8 Sim card 1.00 240.00 240.00 TRY 1,341.60
9 Water bottle 1.00 4.00 4.00 TRY 22.36
10 Taxi to room 1.00 30.00 30.00 TRY 167.70
11 Juice 1.00 3.00 3.00 TRY 16.77
12 Mask 1.00 7.50 7.50 TRY 41.93
13 Bag 1.00 90.00 90.00 TRY 503.10
14 Doner kebab 1.00 26.00 26.00 TRY 145.34
15 Bus ticket 1.00 6.50 6.50 TRY 36.34
16 Pizza 1.00 44.00 44.00 TRY 245.96
17 Metro to bus stand 1.00 7.00 7.00 TRY 39.13
18 Dinner 1.00 39.00 39.00 TRY 218.01
19 Bus to Istanbul 1.00 120.00 120.00 TRY 670.80
20 Bus fare to Ankara bus terminal 1.00 7.00 7.00 TRY 39.13
21 Istanbul bus stand to hostel 1.00 85.00 85.00 TRY 475.15
22 Food Istanbul 1.00 20.00 20.00 TRY 111.80
23 Hostel 1.00 7.50 7.50 EUR 1,050.00
24 Lock in hostel 1.00 1.50 1.50 EUR 210.00
25 Water supermarket 1.00 2.50 2.50 TRY 13.98
26 Baklava 250gm 1.00 50.00 50.00 TRY 279.50
27 Makai (Roasted Corn) 1.00 10.00 10.00 TRY 55.90
28 Galata tower fee 1.00 100.00 100.00 TRY 559.00
29 Beer ik pub 1.00 50.00 50.00 TRY 279.50
30 Water banana 1.00 14.00 14.00 TRY 78.26
31 Bus tour 1.00 550.00 550.00 TRY 3,074.50
32 Nepali food 1.00 120.00 120.00 TRY 670.80
33 Taxi Nepali restaurant to hotel 1.00 32.00 32.00 TRY 178.88
34 Hotel 2.00 15.20 30.40 EUR 4,256.00
35 Food 1.00 30.00 30.00 TRY 167.70
36 Boat trip 1.00 60.00 60.00 TRY 335.40
37 Water bottle 1.00 5.00 5.00 TRY 27.95
Total 32,702.61

Last updated 2 weeks ago

Visa Information

Below is a summary of how I entered, whether through a visa or another permitted route.

Visa Required
Yes
Process Time
Immediate
Duration
30 days
Cost
USD 25

Required Documents

Prepare these before applying

  • Valid passport
  • Valid Schengen visa

Notes

Applied for Turkey e-Visa twice, both using a valid Schengen visa: 1. 2022 — Applied online, received immediately. USD 25. 2. 2025 — Transit stop while returning from Switzerland to UAE. Required e-Visa due to different PNR between connecting flights. Same process, USD 25.

Last updated 1 month ago

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Currency and Payments

Turkey uses the Turkish Lira (TRY). Withdraw Lira from ATMs upon arrival for the best rates. Always decline Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) at ATMs and choose to be charged in TRY. Cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops. Taxis, street vendors, and small shops often require cash.

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Istanbulkart for Transport

In Istanbul, buy an Istanbulkart (rechargeable transport card) for seamless travel on trams, metros, buses, and ferries. It saves money compared to single tickets. Reload it at machines in metro stations. The card also works on the Bosphorus public ferries, one of the cheapest and best ways to see the city.

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Tipping Culture

Tip 10-15% in restaurants if service charge is not included. Always tip in Turkish Lira rather than foreign currency. For taxis, rounding up to the nearest Lira is common. Tour guides typically receive 10% of the tour cost. Leave small change for hotel housekeeping.

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E-Visa Requirement

Many nationalities need an e-visa, which can be obtained online at evisa.gov.tr before arrival. The process is quick and typically costs around USD 50. Some nationalities can enter visa-free. Apply through the official government portal only to avoid scam websites.

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Bargaining at the Grand Bazaar

Bargaining is expected at the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market in Istanbul. Start at about 50% of the asking price and negotiate from there. Be prepared to walk away; vendors often call you back with a better offer. Fixed-price shops usually display a sign saying so.

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Electricity and Plugs

Turkey uses Type C and F plugs with 230V/50Hz, the same as continental Europe. Travelers from the US, UK, or Asia will need a plug adapter.

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Best Time to Visit

Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) offer the best weather and fewer crowds. Istanbul is pleasant year-round. Cappadocia balloon rides are best in spring and autumn with calmer winds. Summer is peak season on the Mediterranean coast with hot temperatures.

Last updated 4 days ago

1

Istanbul: Sultanahmet & Bosphorus

📍 Istanbul

Visit Hagia Sophia, the architectural marvel that served as church, mosque, and museum over 1,500 years, then cross the gardens to the Blue Mosque with its six minarets and cascade of domes. Explore Topkapi Palace, the Ottoman sultans' residence housing the Spoonmaker's Diamond and Prophet Muhammad's relics. Take a public ferry across the Bosphorus from Eminonu to Kadikoy on the Asian side for fresh balik ekmek (fish sandwich) and Turkish tea.

2

Istanbul: Grand Bazaar & Spice Market

📍 Istanbul

Spend the morning navigating the Grand Bazaar's 4,000 shops across 61 covered streets, bargaining for Turkish ceramics, lanterns, and leather goods. Walk to the Egyptian Spice Bazaar for Turkish delight, dried fruits, and freshly ground coffee. In the afternoon, descend into the Basilica Cistern to see the subterranean columns reflected in the water, then catch sunset from Galata Tower overlooking the Golden Horn.

3

Cappadocia: Fairy Chimneys & Underground Cities

📍 Cappadocia

Fly to Kayseri or Nevsehir and transfer to Goreme, where an optional sunrise hot air balloon ride offers views over hundreds of fairy chimneys and rock-cut churches. Explore the Goreme Open-Air Museum with its Byzantine frescoed cave churches, then descend into Derinkuyu Underground City, an 8-level subterranean complex that sheltered 20,000 people. Watch sunset from the Rose Valley, where the rock formations glow pink and orange.

4

Pamukkale & Ephesus

📍 Pamukkale / Ephesus

Fly or drive to Denizli and visit Pamukkale's surreal white travertine terraces formed by calcium-rich thermal waters cascading down the hillside. Walk barefoot through the shallow warm pools and explore the adjacent ruins of ancient Hierapolis, including its well-preserved Roman theater and necropolis. Continue to Selcuk to visit the ruins of Ephesus, walking down marble-paved streets past the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre that once seated 25,000.

5

Antalya: Old Town & Mediterranean Coast

📍 Antalya

Explore Kaleici, Antalya's charming old town with narrow Ottoman-era streets, Hadrian's Gate built in 130 AD, and the Yivli Minaret. Visit the Antalya Museum, one of Turkey's best, with its collection of Roman-era sarcophagi and statues from Perge and Aspendos. Enjoy lahmacun (Turkish flatbread with spiced meat), manti (Turkish dumplings), and baklava at a restaurant overlooking the turquoise Mediterranean waters of the old harbor.

6

Konya and Anatolian Heritage

📍 Konya

Head inland to Konya to explore Seljuk architecture and the Mevlana Museum, home of Rumi's legacy. Visit old caravanserai routes that once linked Europe and Asia, then enjoy a calm evening with traditional Anatolian cuisine before departure.

Last updated 1 month ago

Kebab — Turkey cuisine

Kebab

Grilled meat prepared in countless regional styles, from Adana spicy to İskender with tomato and yogurt.

Lahmacun — Turkey cuisine

Lahmacun

Paper-thin crispy flatbread topped with spiced minced meat, rolled with fresh herbs and lemon.

Manti — Turkey cuisine

Manti

Tiny Turkish dumplings filled with spiced lamb, topped with garlic yogurt and chili butter.

Baklava — Turkey cuisine

Baklava

Layers of thin phyllo pastry filled with pistachios and soaked in sweet syrup, a Turkish icon.

Simit — Turkey cuisine

Simit

Circular bread encrusted with sesame seeds, sold by street vendors and eaten for breakfast.

Pide — Turkey cuisine

Pide

Boat-shaped Turkish flatbread filled with cheese, egg, or minced meat, baked in a stone oven.

Last updated 5 days ago

Hagia Sophia Istanbul — Turkey

Hagia Sophia Istanbul

No description provided.

Cappadocia Hot Air Balloons — Turkey

Cappadocia Hot Air Balloons

No description provided.

Pamukkale Terraces — Turkey

Pamukkale Terraces

No description provided.

Ephesus Ruins — Turkey

Ephesus Ruins

No description provided.

Blue Mosque — Turkey

Blue Mosque

No description provided.

Last updated 5 days ago