Travel Insurance Turkey

Whether it's marvelling at the glorious Byzantine monuments of Istanbul, or spelunking in the ancient underground city of Cappadocia, Turkey is a country with a little something for everyone. As such, you may want to consider taking out a suitable travel insurance policy for your holiday to give you that all-too valuable peace of mind. We've put together a quick guide for choosing Turkey travel insurance, detailing our cover options.

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Do I need a visa to travel to Turkey?

Getting a visa for your holiday in Turkey shouldn't be too difficult for British citizens. Turkish authorities prefer all visitors to apply for visas online through e-visa. Although at the moment, it is possible to obtain a visa at the border, it's expected that this will not be possible in future. As is the case with most countries, you will need to have a passport that has been valid for the last 6 months and that will not expire within three months of your entering the country.

Do I need any vaccinations to visit Turkey

It's recommended to always consult your GP before travelling to any country, as vaccinations may be neccessary. In regards to Turkey, it's advisable to make sure you've had vaccinations for diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, polio, and hepatitis B. For travel in rural areas you may want to consider an anti-rabies jab, and carry anti-malarial tablets.

Currency in Turkey

Currency exchange offices (Doviz Burosu) - These are easily found in commercial, market and tourist areas. Market exchange offices generally offer the best rates, while offices in tourist locations tend have poorer rates for the customer.

ATMS - Alternatively, for quick and easy exchanges, you may decide to use a credit or cash card at an ATM. While this is quicker than going through an exchange bureau, you may have to pay for the convenience, as banks and individual machines often charge for conversions. Check with your bank before going on holiday and if you don't like what they charge, consider getting a prepaid travel money card. With these, you simply load the card with the amount of pounds, euros or dollars you want and then every time you use an ATM abroad, you can withdraw the native currency at a fixed exchange rate. Some providers will even allow transactions and ATM use abroad free of charge.

Local laws and Customs

Sometimes, being in the know about local laws and customs is just as valuable as having a good travel insurance policy. Here are some things you should be aware of when visiting Turkey.

Smoking in public - Smoking is prohibited in public places, on public transport and in some outdoor areas where sports and cultural events are held.

Photo ID - For travellers in Turkey, it is illegal not to carry some form of photographic identification. It's advised to keep a photocopy of your passport with you at all times.

Taking photographs - You will of course want to take some nice snaps while on holiday, but bear in mind that you can't take pictures near military or official installations.

Thinking of Interrailing through Turkey?

Interrailing is a fresh way to explore and get a full, uncensored experience of the culture. If you're planning an interrail trip through Turkey or are just curious to know what 'interrailing' is, check out our interrail travel insurance page.

Top destinations for a memorable trip to Turkey

Hagia Sofia - One of the seven medieval wonders of the world, the Hagia Sofia is a breath-taking example of ancient Byzantine architecture. It's a truly a formidable sight to behold, the four towering minarets stretching more than 200 feet into the sky.

Mount Ararat - Climb the tallest mountain in Turkey. Reach the peak and you'll find yourself where it's believed that Noah landed after God invoked the flood of the Old Testament.

Port of Fethiye - Visit this charming little ortand take a Gulet cruise on the Turquoise Coast.

Ruins of Cappadocia - Traverse the otherworldly catacombs of Cappadocia, and delve deep into the cities' ancient past. Marvel at the churches of Goreme, hewn into the rock centuries ago.

Caves of Heaven and Hell - Walk the same path as the Greek heroes of legend, taking the 100 metre uphill road from heaven to hell - two cavernous depressions in the land.

Whirling Dervish show - No trip to Turkey would be complete without experiencing the beauty and majesty of a whirling dervish performance. Designated by UNSECO as a world heritage treasure, a whirling dervish performance is of both spiritual and cultural significance.

Futher information on travel to Turkey

• Turkey travel advice
• Best places to visit in Turkey
• Is it safe to travel in Turkey?
• Best time to travel to Turkey