Things to Know Before Visiting Türkiye (2026 Travel Guide)

If you're planning a trip to Turkey in 2026 there are some things you really need to know before you book your flights. When is the best season, where you should stay in Istanbul, how do you travel between cities, what to be aware of and much more. In this video I'll explain everything step by step so you can plan your trip the right way. So let's get started. Before traveling to Turkey check if you need a visa. Many nationalities can get an e-visa online while others may require a visa on arrival or in advance through a Turkish embassy or consulate. Remember there is only one official website to check visa requirements and apply for an online visa and for that I'll be leaving the link in the description box and pinned comment. Avoid non-official websites, they are third-party services that charge double or even triple the price and many are scams. Turkey has four very different seasons and your experience will completely change depending on when you visit. Spring, which goes from April to May, this is honestly one of the best times. The weather is perfect, flowers are blooming and if you're planning to visit some coastal towns as well this is one of the best seasons in terms of weather. Summer, June through August. These are the hottest months, temperatures can exceed 35 degrees Celsius with high humidity. In places like Ephesus, Pamukkale and along the entire Asian and Mediterranean coasts, temperature can pass the 40 degrees Celsius. Istanbul is also quite busy during this time and hotel prices tend to be higher. That said, if you're coming for beach destinations like Bodrum or Antalya and don't mind the heat and larger crowds then summer can still be a perfect time to visit. Fall, September and October. Great weather again, less crowded than summer and ideal for Istanbul, Cappadocia and even the coast. These are the coldest months and expect temperatures around 5 to 10 degrees Celsius, sometimes dropping to freezing with occasional snow in Istanbul. During this time you can easily find cheaper hotels and fewer tourists. Cappadocia with snow looks magical. Insider tip, additionally if you're visiting cities between June and September, watch out for the influx of cruise ship passengers which can make popular sites even more crowded. To plan your visits and avoid the crowds, I recommend using an app like Cruise Mapper. This app allows you to track the schedules of cruise ships so you can plan your trips to major attractions and areas like Sultanahmet in Istanbul when they are less likely to be packed with passengers from the cruise ships. Location matters a lot. Sultanahmet, best if it's your first time. Walking distance to main attractions like Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern and Grand Bazaar. Galata, Karaköy, Taksim and Istiklal. More trendy cafes, restaurants and better nightlife vibe. Kadıköy, on the Asian side. This is a more local experience, less touristy and great variety of restaurants, cafes and pubs with local prices. All of these areas are very well connected by trams, metro lines and ferry terminals. Important, some hotel photos online are misleading. Always check recent reviews and google maps street view. If it's your first time, Istanbul, three to four days to cover the most popular places. Cappadocia, two to three days. Ephesus plus Pamukkale, two days. Ideal first trip I would say seven to ten days. Less than that, you will feel rushed and quite packed. If you don't want to deal with all this planning and you have the budget, we can organize everything for you. Hotels, tours, transfers at www.remindertour.com. We specialize in private tours not just in Istanbul but also in other cities of Turkey. Download this before you arrive. Uber, B-Taxi which is the local taxi app, google maps, google translate, download Turkish offline. WhatsApp, everyone uses it here and use Nomad eSIM for hassle-free internet. It's affordable, works in over 200 destinations and offers regional plans. Just download the app, pick a plan and activate it for instant internet upon arrival. Just make sure your phone isn't blocked and supports eSIMs. Use my promo code for five dollars of your first purchase and explore stress-free. If your phone doesn't support eSIMs, your only option is to purchase a SIM card from a local provider. I recommend Turkcell, Turktelecom and Vodafone. You can find them at airports, shopping malls, tourist areas and practically everywhere in the city. Important, Istanbul has serious traffic. If you book private tours, sometimes walking tours are actually faster. Use metro, tram, marmaray, ferries. The transportation system is modern and safe. Get an Istanbul card. The Istanbul card is a must-have for public transportation. It works on buses, trams, metro, ferries and funiculars. You can buy and reload it at any machine located near metro or tram stations for easy access to the city. An insider tip, you can also use it for many public toilets including those in Sultanahmet. Istanbul has two airports. Istanbul airport is on the European side, 45 kilometers from the city center. There are different options to go to the city center. Havaistar per buses is the most budget-friendly option. Metro, keep in mind that there is no direct line to the city center. You'll need to transfer several times which can be inconvenient especially with heavy luggage. In addition, the metro station is not directly connected to the terminal. There is a 10-minute walk between them. Taxis, uber, moderate cost. Their prices are also displayed outside the terminal. Private transfers are the most convenient especially if you're traveling with your family or friends. The other airport is Avicaköyükçen airport on the Asian side and the options to go to the city center are as follow. Direct Havabus shuttle to Taksim Square and Kadiköy. This is found outside the terminal. Taxis, but keep in mind that this can be the most expensive option and private transfers much more convenient when traveling in family or with friends. This airport has a metro line that connects directly to the terminal. However, if you are heading to Sultanahmet or other areas on the European side, you'll need to transfer several times. Depending on your budget and comfort level, you can choose between public transport, airport shuttle buses, taxis, or private transfers. For more information about these options along with a detailed and helpful airport guide, I'll leave the link to the other video in the description box and pinned comment. Turkey is big. Don't underestimate distances. The best option are domestic flights. They are both affordable and efficient. For domestic flights, you can choose from Turkish High-speed trains have limited routes mostly between Ankara, Konya, Eskişehir, and Istanbul. Regular train services also operate from Ankara to other provinces in eastern Anatolia and the southeast. One of the most famous and that I highly recommend is the Doğu Expressi which runs from Ankara to Kars. Buses are very comfortable and inexpensive but with longer travel times. A great option if you are on a budget and planning to spend at least three weeks exploring the country. Some reliable companies for long-distance travel are Kamil Koç, Varan Tourism, Pamukkale Tourism, and Nefşehir Seyahat. If you're short on time, just fly. Credit cards are widely accepted, especially Visa and MasterCard but for small purchases, street vendors, and bargaining, cash is more useful. American Express cards are not widely accepted here yet so be sure to have a backup card from Visa or MasterCard. If you want to have cash with you, the best options are ATMs and the exchange offices located inside the Grand Bazaar. Avoid exchange offices at the airports along the tram line in Sultanahmet and on Istiklal Street. They offer the worst exchange rates and trust me, your wallet will thank you. Insider tip, always carry a physical card, not just phone payments as many establishments do not accept phone payments yet and very important, when paying by card, always decline convert to your home currency. Choose to pay in Turkish lira. When visiting mosques, dress modestly, women should carry a scarf to cover the hair and remove your shoes and very important, do not step on the carpets with your shoes on. We often see tourists doing it especially in the Blue Mosque to just follow the signs, you will see signs everywhere where you shouldn't be wearing your shoes. Learn to magic words like Merhaba which means hello, Teşekkürler which means thank you and this will make locals smile at you. Turkish breakfast is huge and social, street food is safe especially if the place is busy. If you have food restrictions like maybe you are vegetarian or vegan or gluten-free, also these options can be easily found in the city. Always inform restaurants clearly before ordering. Turkish cuisine is widely known for its delicious kebabs but it also offers a rich variety of plant-based dishes commonly referred to as Zeytin Yalı or olive oil dishes by locals. I highly recommend giving them a try. Some of my favorite olive oil dishes include stuffed peppers, stuffed vine leaves, artichokes, fresh bread beans, pinto beans and green beans. All meat in Turkey is halal making it a great destination for muslim travelers. Pork is difficult to find. As a predominantly muslim country, most restaurants do not serve pork though it can be found in a few specialty shops or international restaurants. Check online reviews like on Google and TripAdvisor before choosing a restaurant to avoid tourist traps. An insider tip, avoid restaurants that don't display prices on their menus. These places often overcharge. Always make sure prices are clearly listed before ordering. And if the staff brings extra items to your table that you didn't order, ask whether they are complimentary or will be added to your bill. In Turkey, many restaurants provide salads, sauces, pickles and bread free of charge. However, in touristy areas, it's always best to double check beforehand to avoid surprises. Tipping is not mandatory but it's appreciated. Around 5 to 10 percent is common in restaurants and sometimes up to 20 percent if the service was exceptional. Just make sure that a service fee hasn't already been included in your bill. Turkey is generally very safe for tourists. However, as in any touristy city around the world, incidents can still happen. In Istanbul, be aware of the shoeshine scam, overpriced taxis and men near the yellow Istanbul cart machines in places like Sultanahmet, offering help to confused tourists. Be cautious of overly friendly men in places like Istiklal Street who only approach solo male tourists and invite them out for a beer. Stay aware and carry yourself with confidence but that doesn't mean you should be suspicious of everyone or assume they are trying to scam you. There are plenty of generally kind locals who are simply being friendly and happy to help. Trust me, it's usually very easy to tell the difference between a scammer and a generally kind local. Turkey uses a type f plug and 220 volts electricity. Bring adapter if needed. An insider tip for women, make sure your hair tool supports at least 250 volts. If they only support 150 volts, they won't work in Turkey and could malfunction. If you need to store luggage for a few hours or a day, you can do it as follows. Hotels. Most hotels offer free luggage storage before check-in or after checkout. Always ask at reception. Istanbul Airport. Luggage storage is available on the arrival floor at door 14 with daily rates offered. And Sirkeci train station. Convenient luggage storage in the city center and great for exploring Istanbul without carrying bags. Museums do not require online booking and do not offer official online ticket sales. You can buy tickets at the entrance or through third-party websites but keep in mind that online platforms often charge much higher prices and some may be scams. I recommend purchasing tickets directly at the ticket offices on the day of your visit. If you want to save time and avoid long queues, booking a private tour is a great option as guides are often allowed to skip the line at many attractions. I hope this video helps you plan your trip much better. If you found this helpful, please subscribe for more Istanbul travel tips and see you in the next video. Bye!