Turkey Travel Tips: Money, Dress Code, What to Pack and More
Quick answer: Bring a credit card with no foreign transaction fee plus some cash, and always pay or withdraw in Turkish lira. Pack comfortable walking shoes, a light scarf for mosques and layers for Cappadocia. Turkey uses Type C and F plugs at 230 V. Use an eSIM or roaming for data, drink bottled water, and check mosque visiting times around prayers, especially on Fridays.
Money in Turkey: lira, cards and ATMs
Turkey’s currency is the Turkish lira (TRY, written ₺ or TL). Prices in shops, restaurants and taxis are in lira, and you will get the best value paying in lira, whether by card or in cash.
Cards. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops and museums in the main tourist areas, and contactless payment is common. American Express is accepted less often. Carry at least two cards from different networks in case one is declined, and tell your bank your travel dates.
Cash. You will still want some lira for small cafés, market stalls, restroom fees, tips, taxis and village shops in Cappadocia.
ATMs. Bank ATMs are easy to find in cities and towns. Use machines attached to a bank branch where possible, and check the screen for any fee the ATM operator charges before you confirm. Many Turkish ATMs only accept four-digit PINs, so check your PIN before you leave home. Debit cards are cheaper for withdrawals than credit cards, which treat withdrawals as cash advances.
Exchange. US dollars and euros can be exchanged at exchange offices (döviz bürosu) in towns and cities, which usually offer better rates than airport counters. Bring clean, untorn notes.
Always say no to dynamic currency conversion
When a card machine or ATM asks whether you want to pay in US dollars or in lira, always choose lira. Choosing dollars triggers dynamic currency conversion (DCC), where the machine’s operator sets the exchange rate, usually a poor one.
Decline it every time. Many Turkish ATMs also offer to dispense euros or dollars; choosing those has the same effect. Withdraw lira and let your own bank do the conversion.
Dress code for mosques
To visit a mosque, women should cover their hair, shoulders and knees, and men should wear long pants and a shirt that covers the shoulders. Everyone removes their shoes before entering the prayer area. Hagia Sophia is an active mosque with a separate ticketed visitor route; see our Istanbul guide.
Practical points:
- Bring a scarf. A light scarf in your day bag solves the head covering and doubles as a shoulder wrap. Major mosques such as the Blue Mosque often lend coverings at the entrance, but your own is more comfortable.
- Shoes off. You will carry your shoes in a bag or leave them on racks. Socks are more comfortable than bare feet on the carpets in winter.
- Be quiet and stay in the visitor area. Do not walk in front of people who are praying, and keep voices low.
Outside mosques, there is no dress code in Istanbul or the tourist areas. Casual summer clothing, including shorts, is normal in cities, resorts and archaeological sites. In smaller towns and conservative areas, slightly more covered clothing is respectful and draws less attention.
Mosques close to visitors at prayer times, especially on Friday
Mosques that welcome tourists pause visits during each of the five daily prayers, typically for a short period around each prayer. The longest closure is the Friday midday prayer, when the main mosques in Istanbul close to visitors from late morning until early afternoon.
Prayer times shift through the year with the sun. On a private tour your guide plans around them; otherwise check the times posted at the entrance. On Fridays, plan Topkapı Palace or the cisterns for late morning instead.
What to pack for Turkey by season
Pack for walking and layers. Most days on a Turkey tour involve uneven ancient stone, hills and plenty of steps, and temperatures change a lot between regions.
| Season | Clothing | Extras |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (April-May) | Light layers, light jacket, long pants, a warm layer for Cappadocia mornings | Light rain jacket or umbrella for Istanbul |
| Summer (June-August) | Breathable clothes, linen, sun hat | Strong sunscreen, sunglasses, refillable water bottle, swimsuit |
| Autumn (September-October) | Layers, light sweater, light jacket | Warm jacket for Cappadocia nights by late October |
| Winter (November-March) | Warm coat, sweaters, waterproof shoes | Gloves, hat and scarf for Cappadocia, umbrella for Istanbul |
Year-round essentials:
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip. Marble paving at Ephesus is polished and can be slippery.
- A light scarf for mosques
- Sunscreen and a hat, even in spring, because many ancient sites have little shade
- Swimsuit if you visit Pamukkale’s terraces, a hamam or the coast
- Any prescription medicines in original packaging, plus a copy of the prescription
- A plug adapter (see below)
For month-by-month temperatures, see our guide to the best time to visit Turkey, or plan your dates with our trip builder.
Plugs and voltage
Turkey uses 230 V at 50 Hz with Type F sockets; Type C two-pin plugs also fit. US plugs (Type A and B) do not fit, so bring a simple adapter.
Most phone chargers, laptop chargers and camera chargers accept 100-240 V, so they only need an adapter. Check the label. Single-voltage US devices such as some hair dryers, curling irons and electric razors need a converter or will be damaged.
Phones, eSIMs and Wi-Fi
The easiest option for most US travelers is an eSIM bought before departure, or your US carrier’s international plan. Both work on arrival and avoid any paperwork.
- eSIM: Install a Turkey or regional data eSIM before you fly, and activate it when you land. Check that your phone is unlocked and eSIM compatible.
- US carrier roaming: Simple but can be expensive. Check your plan’s daily rate for Turkey.
- Turkish SIM card: Available at the airport and phone shops with your passport. A foreign phone used with a Turkish SIM must be registered with the authorities after a grace period that is well beyond a normal tourist trip.
Hotels, many cafés and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi. WhatsApp is the standard way to message in Turkey, including with your guide and driver.
Is tap water safe to drink in Turkey?
Drink bottled water. Tap water in Turkish cities is treated, and many hotels say it is fine for brushing teeth, but most people in Turkey drink bottled or filtered water, and visitors are advised to do the same. Bottled water is cheap and sold everywhere.
Pharmacies and health
Pharmacies (eczane, marked with a red “E” sign) are easy to find and pharmacists are well trained. Many common medicines are available over the counter. At night and on Sundays, a duty pharmacy (nöbetçi eczane) stays open in each area, and the address is posted in the window of closed pharmacies.
Bring enough of your regular prescriptions for the whole trip. Travel insurance with medical cover is strongly recommended, since most US health plans and Medicare offer little or no coverage abroad.
Photography etiquette
Taking photos is welcome at most sites, mosques and markets, with a few courtesies:
- Ask before photographing people, especially women and older people in rural areas. A smile and a gesture toward your camera is enough.
- In mosques, photos without flash are usually allowed in the visitor area. Do not photograph people at prayer.
- Museums may restrict flash, tripods or photography in certain rooms. Look for signs.
- Military zones and police should not be photographed.
Walking and accessibility at ancient sites
Expect a lot of walking on uneven ground. Ephesus, Hierapolis at Pamukkale, Troy and Göreme have long paths over ancient stone, steps and slopes, with limited shade and few places to sit.
On a private tour, your guide sets the pace, and your driver can often drop you at one entrance and collect you at another, which shortens the walk. At Pamukkale, walking on the travertine terraces requires bare feet. Underground cities in Cappadocia have low, narrow tunnels and steep steps that are hard for anyone with mobility or knee problems or claustrophobia.
If anyone in your group uses a cane, walker or wheelchair, tell us when planning. We can choose sites, routes and hotels to suit. See our Ephesus and Pamukkale guides, or contact us.
FAQ
Should I bring US dollars or Turkish lira to Turkey?
Bring a card and some US dollars, and get lira on arrival from a bank ATM or an exchange office. Pay for most things in lira, by card or cash. Dollars are useful as a backup and for tipping guides and drivers. Always choose lira when a machine offers to charge you in dollars.
Do I need cash in Turkey?
Yes, a little. Cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops and museums, but you will want lira for small cafés, market stalls, taxis, restroom fees and tips. Withdraw modest amounts from bank ATMs as you go rather than carrying a large sum.
What should women wear in Turkey?
Outside mosques, women can dress as they would in any US or European city, including short sleeves, skirts and summer dresses in tourist areas. To enter a mosque, cover hair, shoulders and knees. A light scarf and a long skirt or loose pants make mosque visits easy. Slightly more covered clothing is respectful in small towns.
What plug adapter do I need for Turkey?
You need a Type C or Type F adapter, the round two-pin plug used in most of continental Europe. Turkey runs on 230 V at 50 Hz. Most phone and laptop chargers handle 100-240 V and only need the adapter. Single-voltage US appliances like some hair dryers need a converter.
Can you drink the tap water in Turkey?
Drink bottled water. City tap water is treated, but most people in Turkey drink bottled or filtered water, and it is cheap and sold everywhere. Using tap water to brush your teeth is generally fine in hotels. Carry a refillable bottle and top it up from larger bottles.
Can tourists visit mosques on Friday in Turkey?
Yes, but not during the Friday midday prayer. Mosques that welcome tourists close to visitors from late morning until early afternoon on Fridays, and briefly during the other daily prayers. Visit mosques in the early morning or later in the afternoon on Fridays, and plan museums around midday instead.