Exhilarating  Turkey tours

Turkey uses Type C and Type F plugs with two round pins, so UK travellers will need a Continental Europe adaptor (the one used across Western Europe) for their plugs. There’s no need for an electrical converter as this is the same as the UK at 230V and 50Hz.

It’s best to avoid drinking tap water in Turkey as the quality can vary from area to area, and there’s often a distinct taste which makes it unpalatable. It’s normally safe to use for teeth brushing if you don’t swallow the water, otherwise it’s best to stick to bottled water.

Turkey’s climate varies region by region, although summer is hot and sunny countrywide. Anatolia experiences big extremes of temperature, often up to 40C in July and August but with snowfall in winter. The Mediterranean and Aegean coasts will also be cool and rainy in winter, with temperatures in the 30s in midsummer, while the Black Sea coastline is more humid and wet. The best time to travel to Turkey for destinations such as Istanbul, Ephesus and Troy is April-June and September-October, with similar pleasant weather and smaller crowds during the same months in Cappadocia.

Tipping is expected in restaurants, at around 10-15% of the bill, although less in cafes where it’s common to round up your bill or leave your change on the table. In all cases, tips would normally be left as cash rather than added to a card payment. Porterage services are included in all Titan’s Turkey escorted tours, while your tour leader can advise on tips for any other services.

With its well-deserved reputation for hospitality and friendliness, Turkey is very welcoming to solo travellers. It’s always worth taking precautions in big cities, where petty crimes may be more prevalent, as well as being aware of any protests. If you are nervous of travelling solo, or are planning to cover big distances in a limited time, our Turkey guided tours are a good option to avoid any potential issues involved in travelling independently.

The vast majority of Turkey’s population speaks Turkish, although there are around 70 other languages and dialects to be found across the country, including some Arabic and Greek, as well as Caucasian, Kurdish, Ladino and Armenian. While only a small percentage of Turkey’s total population speaks English, you’ll find it most widely spoken in the main cities such as Istanbul as well as tourist centres.

Turkey is a great destination for vegetarians, with plenty of plant-based dishes among the country’s traditional cuisine. Along with dips and mezze, you’ll find dishes using aubergines, artichokes and beans on our Turkey holidays, as well as vegetarian-friendly options such as baked eggs like Shakshuka and borek, fried cheese pastries.

WiFi and mobile data are both widely available across Turkey. While speeds and connections may vary from destination to destination, you can expect to find free WiFi in restaurants and transport hubs as well as hotels. Mobile data coverage is excellent across Turkey, with 4G available. Needless to say, you’ll have better signal in the heart of Istanbul than in archaeological sites or a hot air balloon in Cappadocia.

No vaccinations are required to enter Turkey, although you should ensure that any vaccinations and boosters recommended for life in the UK are up to date before joining our Turkey tours. Anyone with specific medical needs or individuals at higher risk are advised to consult their doctor before travel.

There is no specific dress code to follow in Turkey, and you’ll often see people wearing the same outfits in Istanbul as you’d find in other European cities, while attitudes are also more relaxed at the coastal tourist resorts. Taking (or buying) a headscarf is a good plan if you’re visiting mosques, where you will also need to cover shoulders and knees as well as avoiding any clothing which is too revealing. Attitudes in quieter rural areas, including Anatolia, tend to be more conservative so modest clothing is advised there.