Türkiye
Last checked:
- Capital
- Ankara
- Currency
- TRY · Turkish lira
- Languages
- Turkish
- Plugs
- Type C, F · 230 V
Emergency numbers
Top 5 places
- Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque · Istanbul
Two of the world's great religious buildings facing each other in Sultanahmet.
- Topkapi Palace · Istanbul
Ottoman sultans' palace with the harem, treasury and Bosphorus views.
- Cappadocia · Goreme
Fairy chimneys, cave hotels, rock-cut churches and sunrise balloon flights.
- Ephesus · Selcuk
One of the best preserved Roman cities in the Mediterranean.
- Pamukkale and Hierapolis · Denizli
White travertine terraces above a Roman spa city.
Getting around
Public transport
Istanbulkart
Rechargeable card for metro, tram, bus, Marmaray, funiculars and ferries in Istanbul. Much cheaper than single tickets. Buy and top up at station machines and kiosks. Contactless bank cards also work on many lines (varies).
Taxi
BiTaksi
Turkey's main taxi app, approved by the Istanbul municipality. Books licensed taxis with driver and plate details, route tracking and an English interface.
Ride-hailing app
Uber
Works in Istanbul and some other cities but only with licensed taxis, not private cars. Useful for price estimate, tracking and card payment.
Taxi
Street taxis
Yellow taxis are cheapest; turquoise/blue are about 15% more and black are premium. Insist on the meter (taksimetre) and note the plate number. Drivers often try to agree a fixed price with tourists.
Ferries
Sehir Hatlari and Bosphorus ferries
Commuter ferries cross the Bosphorus for the Istanbulkart fare, a cheap alternative to tourist cruises.
Trains
YHT high-speed train (TCDD)
Fast trains link Istanbul, Ankara, Eskisehir and Konya. Buy in the TCDD Tasimacilik app or at stations; book ahead at weekends.
Buses
Intercity buses
Comfortable long-distance coaches (Metro Turizm, Kamil Koc, Pamukkale and others) cover the whole country and are often cheaper than flying; Obilet and the operators' apps sell tickets.
Money and cash
Currency: TRY · Turkish lira
Cards are widely accepted in cities, hotels and most restaurants; keep lira cash for small shops, markets, tips, public toilets and some taxis. Prices change often because of inflation. Always choose to pay in lira, not your home currency. Some banks and exchange offices refuse old or high-value US dollar notes (50 and 100) because of counterfeits.
Tipping
Tipping is customary but modest in Turkey: about 5-10% in restaurants, rounding up in taxis and small amounts for hotel staff and guides. Since 30 January 2026 restaurants and cafes are not allowed to add a service charge, cover charge (kuver) or table charge to the bill, so any tip is voluntary.
| Restaurants | 5-10% in sit-down restaurants, more for excellent service in upscale places. Cash on the table or handed to the waiter is the most common way; card terminals may not allow adding a tip. |
|---|---|
| Cafés and bars | Round up or leave small change for table service. |
| Taxis and ride apps | Rounding up the fare is normal; no percentage tip expected. |
| Hotels | Small notes for porters per bag and for housekeeping are appreciated (varies by hotel level). |
| Tours and guides | Guides and drivers on day tours usually receive a tip, often 10% of the tour price or a set amount per person per day (varies). |
| Food delivery | Not expected; rounding up is appreciated. |
Service charge: what’s true
Under the Price Labelling Regulation amendment published 30 January 2026, restaurants and cafes may no longer add a service fee (servis ucreti), cover charge (kuver) or table charge on top of menu prices. You only pay the listed price of what you ordered. The Ministry of Trade fines violations per bill. Before this rule some places added 10% service charges.
Pressure tactics to watch for
Some tourist restaurants still add 'service' or 'cover' lines, or say a tip is required. Under the 2026 rule these extra charges are not allowed; politely ask for them to be removed ('Servis ucreti yasak, lutfen cikarin') and keep the receipt. You can complain to the Ministry of Trade consumer line (ALO 175) (varies). Tipping is always voluntary.
Useful phrases
- Hesap, lütfen. The bill, please.
- Servis ücreti var mı? Is there a service charge?
- Üstü kalsın. Keep the change.
Etiquette
- At mosques: women cover their hair, shoulders and legs; men wear long trousers; remove shoes; avoid visiting during prayer times, especially Friday midday prayer.
- Greet with 'Merhaba'; a handshake is normal. Some religious people may not shake hands with the opposite sex, so let them offer first.
- Accepting tea when offered in shops is polite and does not oblige you to buy.
- Bargaining is normal in bazaars and carpet shops, not in supermarkets or chain stores.
- Remove shoes when entering someone's home.
- Avoid public displays of affection outside big-city nightlife areas, and dress more modestly outside resorts.
- Insulting the Turkish nation, flag or Ataturk is a criminal offence.
Scams and how to handle them
Shoe shine drop
Where: Sultanahmet, Taksim, Galata Bridge in Istanbul
How it works: A shoe shiner drops his brush; when you hand it back he insists on shining your shoes for free, then demands a high price.
How to avoid it: Do not pick up the brush; keep walking. If it happens, refuse to pay more than a small amount.
Friendly stranger bar scam
Where: Taksim and Beyoglu in Istanbul
How it works: A friendly local or tourist invites you for a drink at a bar they know. Women join, drinks arrive, and the bill is huge with bouncers forcing payment.
How to avoid it: Choose your own venue, see the price list and decline invites from strangers. If forced, pay the minimum possible and report to police (112).
Taxi meter tricks
Where: Istanbul airports, Sultanahmet, Taksim
How it works: Drivers refuse to use the meter, quote a high fixed price, take long routes or swap a large note for a small one when you pay.
How to avoid it: Use BiTaksi or Uber, insist on the meter, count notes aloud when paying.
Fake guides and carpet shop steering
Where: Around the Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar
How it works: A helpful man says the mosque is closed for prayer or offers a free tour, then leads you to a relative's carpet or leather shop with high-pressure selling.
How to avoid it: Check opening times yourself and politely decline. Only buy carpets if you planned to, and compare prices.
Street money changers and counterfeit notes
Where: Tourist areas
How it works: Strangers offer to change money and pass fake or old notes.
How to avoid it: Change money only at banks or reputable exchange offices (doviz) and count it at the counter.
Restaurant extras
Where: Tourist restaurants, especially without prices on the menu
How it works: Unordered bread, appetisers or fish priced by weight appear on the bill at high prices, or a 'service' line is added.
How to avoid it: Ask prices before ordering, send back items you did not order and check the bill. Service and cover charges are banned since 2026.
Counterfeit alcohol
Where: Bars and shops nationwide
How it works: Illegally produced spirits containing methanol have killed tourists and locals.
How to avoid it: Drink in reputable places, avoid very cheap spirits and seek medical help fast if you feel unwell after drinking.
Safety
- Most visits are trouble free. Governments advise against travel near the Syrian border; check your government's current advice before going, as it changes (varies).
- Pickpocketing and street robbery are common in busy parts of Istanbul: Sultanahmet, Grand Bazaar, Istiklal Avenue, trams and metro at rush hour.
- Watch out for drink spiking and do not accept drinks from strangers.
- Use registered taxis or apps and note the plate number.
- Carry your passport or a copy; police may check ID.
- Earthquakes happen; learn the hotel's emergency exits.
How widely English is spoken
Good in tourist areas, hotels and with younger people in Istanbul, Antalya and the coast; limited elsewhere and among taxi drivers. Russian and German are common in resort areas.
Sources
- GOV.UK Foreign travel advice: Turkey, safety and security
- Wikivoyage: Istanbul
- Memurlar.net: Restoranlardaki servis ucretine yeni duzenleme
- Onedio: Restoranlarda kuver ve servis ucreti yasaklandi
- Expat Focus: Turkey taxis and ride-hailing services
- Turkey Travel Planner: Tipping in Turkey
We check these guides against official and well-known sources, but rules and prices change. Spot something out of date? Email support@tourits.app.