Facts & Figures: Turkey

Climate
Citizens enjoy all four seasons. The weather is a somewhat cooler version of the Mediterranean climate: a short spring, ideal summer temperatures, a long autumn with blue skies and a rainy winter. Average temperature during December ranges between 3-9oC (37-48oF).

Language
Turkish is the official language. English, German and French are widely spoken in cities & resorts.

Time
Turkey is two (2) hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and two (2) hours ahead of Eastern European Time.

Currency
The unit of currency is the Türk Lirası (Turkish Lira; TL). Coins come in amounts of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 kuruş and 1 lira, and notes in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 lira. To see exchange rates please visit http://www.xe.com/.

Visa Information
Find out if you need a visa for your trip to Turkey by visiting Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs e-Consulate pages http://www.e-konsolosluk.net/Visa/Visa_Welcome.aspx or http://www.e-konsolosluk.net/.

Taxes & Refunds
Turkey has a value-added tax (VAT) known as the katma değer vergisi (KDV). Don’t forget to ask the shopkeeper for the Global Refund Check for your purchase over 100TL+VAT in one store. Some shops display a blue, grey and white ‘Tax Free Shopping’ sign in their window.

ATMs
Automated teller machines (ATMs, cashpoints) are common in Istanbul. All of the banks and some smaller banks have ATMs. Virtually all of them offer instructions in English, French and German and will pay out Turkish liras when you insert your bank debit (cash) card.

Money Exchanges
There are 24-hour exchange bureaux (döviz bürosu) in the arrivals halls at International Airports that offer rates comparable to those offered by bureaux in the city. US dollars and euros are easily changed at exchange bureaux. They are also often accepted as payment without being changed. Rates are similar whichever bureau you go to, with the possible exception of those in the tourist precinct of Sultanahmet. Bureaux are open long hours (at a minimum, between 9am and 7pm). You will usually need to show your passport when changing cash.

Credit Cards
Most hotels, car-rental agencies, shops, pharmacies, entertainment venues and restaurants will accept Visa and Mastercard; Amex is not as widely accepted as the other credit cards and Diners is not accepted often. Budget hostels and hotels, and basic eateries usually accept cash only.

Banks & Shopping Hours
Banks are open weekdays (8.30am-noon & 1.30pm-5.00pm) Shops are open daily but closed on Sundays.

Dialling Codes
International country code: +90 Area code for Istanbul: (Asian Side) +90 216 / (European Side) +90 212.

Electricity
Electricity is 220 V.

Relevant Links
http://www.tourismturkey.org
Turkish Ministry of Turism