#TourismandCulture
Currency: The local currency is Turkish Lira (TL). Foreign currency can be exchanged at the airport, banks, hotels and exchange offices. International Credit Cards are widely accepted.
Banks: Banks’ business hours are from Monday to Friday, 09:00-16:30. Banks are closed on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays. All banks have similar exchange rates. Visitors who carry internationally recognized bank cards and credit cards could withdraw cash out in local currency at ATMs which are available at most of the shopping malls and main streets.
Time Zone: Turkish Standard Time is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
Climate: Average day temperature in İstanbul in December can range from 0 to 10 °C. Postal Services: Hotels often provide basic postal services. Post offices are open daily except Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.
Electricity: General Household electric power is 220 Volts. Frequency is 50 Hz. Plug type is C/F. Four/Five star hotels may provide electric current convertor for 120 V_60 Hz electrical appliances.
Health Requirements: All visa applicants are required the have a medical insurance that will be valid during their stay in Turkey. No vaccination is required to enter Turkey. Pharmacies are open on weekdays between 08.00-19.00; on Saturday between 08.00-13.30.
Insurance: The Organizers can accept no responsibility for accidents or damage to the private property of participants. Please make your own arrangements for health insurance and any other insurance required. Also, all visa applicants are required to have a medical insurance that will be valid during their stay in Turkey.
Driving License: International driving licenses are recognized throughout Turkey. Car rental firms ask for a valid national license or an international license.
Shopping: Most shops in İstanbul are generally open from 09:00 to 19:00, Monday to Saturday. Some of the supermarkets, shops, newspaper kiosks, restaurants and food shops are also open on Sunday. All the shopping malls are open until 22.00.
Dress Code: In Turkey, there is no obligation to dress in a certain way in any part of the country.
Official Language: Official language of Turkey is Turkish. However, English is widely spoken.
Mobile phones: Mobile phones with national sim cards can be used in Turkey by roaming charges. Should you wish to purchase a sim card from Turkey, it is sufficient to have a valid passport.
Local Currency and Exchange Rates: Local currency is Turkish Lira (TL/ ₺). You could check any time the daily currency rates in Turkey for international monetary units with the following link: Central Bank of Turkey/ Indicative Exchange Rates
ATMs are widely available and major credit cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops. However, cash is preferred in small businesses.
Local Transport Information: Local transport is provided by buses, ferries, subway and taxis. For detailed information about your trip you could use the following links: Ferries Municipal busesSubway
All the taxis in the city are yellow colored with a sign “taksi” written on them. Taxis are available from/to all destinations in Istanbul and beyond to/from airports. At the airports you can easily find them in front of the passenger exits. In your hotel, you could ask for help to reception desk to call a taxi for yourself.
Emergency Contacts – Hotlines