VISAS
The situation changes, depending on political circumstances. Most tourist visas are issued for three calendar months, and bar the holder from working. Overstaying incurs a fine, which escalates rapidly. Most tourist visas can be obtained at the airport or overland entry point, but the process is more complicated if you arrive by sea. Citizens of some countries need a visa before arrival. For up-to-date requirements, contact the Turkish consulate in your country.
CUSTOMS
Only airports and main road entry points offer full customs service. At major ports or marinas, customs hours are 8:30am-5:30pm on weekdays. Outside these hours a fee must be paid to activate a customs official. Import limits are generous. You can buy duty-free items at the airport on entering. However, it is often more economical to buy cigarettes and local spirits from retail stores. Visitors over 18 years old can bring in generous amounts of coffee, perfume (5 bottles), spirits (5 litres/180 fl oz) and 500 cigarettes. There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency or Turkish lira you can bring in. The maximum when leaving is US$5,000 (or Turkish lira equivalent). In practice, this is rarely enforced.
Turkey is very strict with regard to drugs. Sniffer dogs are used at Atatürk Airport.
You need to have a permit to export antiquities. Visitors on a three-month tourist visa can bring in most personal items, including electronics, laptops and their own car. Contact the Turkish consulate or the embassy in your country for details.
LANGUAGE
As a rule, Turks will make every effort to communicate with foreigners. In areas frequented by tourists it is easy to find English speakers.
ETIQUETTE
In cities, Turkish women usually cover their arms and legs in public and, though it is a matter of choice, many cover their heads. Visitors are not expected to cover up in this way, but some Turks may be offended at exposed limbs in public places. Mosques are less strict about head covering, and often supply disposable plastic covers for shoes. Traditional rules of etiquette and hospitality are still an important aspect of Turkish society. Even though officials can often seem rude and the persistence of carpet salesmen can be annoying, always try to remain polite while firm. Always show respect for Atatürk whose picture you will see often.
Discreet gay and lesbian visitors are unlikely to experience problems, though overt displays of affection are best kept to a minimum. Istanbul, indeed, has a lively gay scene.
Smoking is now prohibited in government offices, on public transport, Turkish Airlines domestic flights and inside airport terminals. Increasingly, restaurants are providing non-smoking areas and some hotels have nonsmoking rooms or floors.
PUBLIC CONVENIENCES
Public toilets are found all over Istanbul. Entrances are marked Bay for men and Bayan for women. The attendant sitting outside, whom you pay on exit (a sign generally shows the charge), may supply toilet paper, but it is a good idea to carry tissues with you.
If you are particularly squeamish or reluctant about using the old-fashioned squat toilets, you can always go to any restaurant, hotel or cafe and ask to use their modern flush toilets. Also, motorway service areas have excellent, pristine washroom facilities, and there is no charge for their use.
TV RADIO AND NEWSPAPERS
The state-owned TRT (Turk Radyo ve Televizyon) has four television channels and three radio stations. Of these TRT2 television has news bulletins in English, French and German at 7pm and 10pm. TRT3 radio (FM 88.2) broadcasts news in English, French and German at 9am, midday, 5pm, 7pm and 9pm,
Recent deregulation of the airwaves means that there are now hundreds of private satellite channels from Turkey and abroad Foreign channels which can be received include CNN, BBC Prime and MTV. Most hotels receive global satellite television. Check before booking if you particularly want foreign channels.
There is also a wide variety of private radio stations, which play the usual range of Western music, as well as Turkish pop, jazz and
ciassical music. Voice FM (FM 90.6) broadcasts Voice of America programmes in Turkish, and news in English at 3pm. The BBC World Service can be received on short wave.
One English Sign for a language daily paper public toilet published in Turkey is the Turkish Daily News, however, foreign newspapers can be obtained throughout the city, as can The Guide . This has good features on Istanbul and Turkish culture.
CONVERSION CHART
Imperial to Metric
1 inch = 2.54 centimetres, 1 foot = 30 centimetres, 1 mile =1.6 kilometres,
1 ounce = 28 grams, 1 pound = 454 grams, 1 pint = 0.6 litres, 1 gallon = 4.6 litres
Metric to Imperial
1 centimetre = 0.4 inches, 1 metre - 3 feet 3 inches, 1 kilometre = 0.6 miles, 1 gram = 0.04 ounces, 1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds, 1 litre =1.8 pints
ELECTRICITY
As in Europe, the electric current is 220V AC. Plugs have two round pins, and there are two diameters in use. The smaller one is more common. Adaptors are readily available in Turkey.
TIME
Turkey is two hours ahead of GMT. Between the end of March and the end of October it is three hours ahead.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALSThe timing of a public holiday in Istanbul is immediately obvious from the sea of red flags that swathes the city on the day itself. As a matter of course, all public establishments, offices, schools, shops, banks and museums close for the day and sometimes for the half-day beforehand. The following national holidays occur on the same fixed dates every year:
1 January: New year's day
23 April: National Sovereignty and Children's Day (Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı)
19 May: Youth and Sports Day (.Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı)
30 August: Victory Day (Zafer Bayramı)
29 October: Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı)
İn addition to these are the two religious festivals, Ramadan Bayramı and Kurban (sacrifice) Bayramı, whose dates are determined by the Moslem lunar calendar and therefore arrive around 10 days earlier every year.
The three-day Ramadan Bayramı falls at the end of the fasting month of Ramazan. The festival is traditionally a time when children go from door to door asking for candy. Social visits are de rigueur, and many moslems exchange gifts.
Kurban Bayramı follows roughly two and a half months later and lasts for four days.
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