Travel to Turkey from the UK: Here are Travel Tips to Consider

The fabulous environment and the extravagant cuisine in Turkey will leave an eternal urge in you. Don’t leave Turkey without hitting off the must-sees. Grab your Turkey Visa, book your tickets, and fly to Turkey. Oh, Wait! Do you have a check on the pre-travel requirements for Turkey? Are you prepared everything to leave the UK? Here is the Turkey travel checklist to help you with smooth travel. Stay Connected with Click2Visas to know all the latest updates regarding Travel requirements to Turkey from the UK.

Planning to Visit Turkey, here is a list of things you should know before travel:

Entry Rules in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic:

Passengers arriving from the United Kingdom must have a negative PCR test within 72 hours of their arrival in Turkey. This is not required for passengers passing through Turkey on their way to another country.

Passengers arriving in Turkey from the UK but having spent the previous 14 days in Bangladesh, Brazil, South Africa, India, Nepal, or Sri Lanka must submit a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival and be quarantined for 14 days in government-run quarantine. 

If the COVID-19 test on the 14th day is negative, the passenger may be released from quarantine. If it’s positive, they’ll have to stay in the facilities for another 14 days. 

International travelers transiting through Turkish airports on a domestic Turkish flight will not require the HES code.

HES Code: All Turkish nationals and residents traveling within Turkey on domestic flights must provide a HES Code as part of the measures taken to combat the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This Code does not apply to foreign visitors.

COVID-19 Testing or Screening on Arrival in Turkey:

All passengers traveling from the United Kingdom to Turkey will be subjected to a medical examination for COVID-19 symptoms, including temperature checks. Upon arrival, passengers may be subjected to random PCR testing.

Before you arrive in Turkey, you must fill out a passenger locator form. Your airline will provide this form. You will be asked to provide your current residential address within Turkey’s borders, as well as your contact information.

Regular Requirements for Travel to Turkey:

Turkey Visa:

UK citizens visiting Turkey for business or tourist purposes are not required to obtain any Turkey visa for stays of up to 90 days in 180 days.

Other nationals living in the UK may require an e-visa to Turkey. Please check the fee for a Turkey e-visa here before applying.

Suppose you intend to stay in Turkey for more than 90 days. In that case, you should either apply for a more extended stay visa before traveling or obtaining a residence permit from the Turkish authorities before your 90-day stay expires. 

If you plan to work in Turkey, make sure you have the necessary permits. More information can be obtained from the Turkish Ministry of Interior.

Passport Requirements:

According to the Turkish government, all traveler’s passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Turkey. 

And your passport must have one blank page for the Turkey entry and exit stamps. You can find more info about Turkey’s entry requirements on the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs site.

Turkey Customs and Laws:

Before traveling to Turkey, you should be aware of the local laws, including what is prohibited and what you are not permitted to do.

• In Turkey, it is illegal to travel without some form of photographic identification. You should always have your passport or residence permit with you. 
• Tobacco use is prohibited on public transportation, as well as in all indoor workplaces and public places. Smoking is prohibited in some outdoor regions where cultural, artistic, sporting, or entertainment events are held.
• The use, trafficking, or possession of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited in Turkey. If you are convicted of any of these offenses, you can expect a hefty fine or a prison sentence ranging from 4 to 24 years.
• Possession, sale, and export of antiquities is illegal and punishable by a prison sentence of 5 to 12 years in addition to a hefty fine. 
• Avoid offending anyone; dress modestly when visiting a mosque or religious shrine.
• Avoid taking photographs near military or government installations. Before photographing people, obtain their permission.
• It is a crime to insult the Turkish people or the national flag and deface or tear up currency. If you are convicted of any of these crimes, you could face a prison sentence ranging from 6 months to 3 years. 

Your health Before Travel: Vaccine and Insurance

Check what vaccinations and health precautions you need at least eight weeks before your trip, and make sure your medication is legal in Turkey. 

If you are taking any prescribed medication, bring a copy of the prescription with you and a doctor’s letter if required.Purchase appropriate travel insurance and ensure that it covers all of the activities and destinations you intend to visit.

Three things you should do at the start of your journey:

• Please take a photo or photocopy of your passport’s information page (the page with your photo, personal details, and passport number) and keep it safe.
• On the page opposite your information page, sign your passport. A passport that has not been signed is not valid.
• On the back of your passport, write down your emergency contact information.

Things you should do when you are in Turkey:

Always wear a mask and follow the COVID-19 safety precautions while roaming in Turkey. You can find the other safety measures and emergency contact details in the following headings. 

Safety and Security Tips for UK Travers in Turkey:

Travelers from the United Kingdom to Turkey should be aware of the following safety and security precautions.

FCDO Travel Advice for Those Traveling Near Syria’s Border:

Fighting in Syria continues near the Turkish border, and there is still a high risk of terrorism in the region.

The FCDO advises avoiding all travel to areas within 10 kilometres of the Syrian border, except for the city of Kilis. However, you can travel to Hatay, Sirnak, Tunceli, Hakkari, and Diyarbakir provinces, according to FCDO.

Demonstration against the political situation in Turkey:

Avoid all demonstrations if one occurs. You should leave the area.

Beware of Crimes in Turkey:

In general, crime is low but pick-pocketing, and street robbery is common in Istanbul’s major tourist areas. Maintain at least the same level of personal security awareness as you would in the United Kingdom. Strangers approaching you with food and drink (possibly laced with drugs), money, or a ride to a restaurant or nightclub should be avoided.

If your passport or valuables are stolen abroad, report it immediately to the local police and obtain a statement, as you will need one to claim your insurance. If stolen, you may need to cancel bank cards, making a list of your bank’s phone numbers.

In Case of Medical Emergency in Turkey:

If you require immediate medical assistance while traveling, dial 112 and request an ambulance. If you are referred to a medical facility for treatment, you should contact your insurance or medical assistance company right away.

In Turkey, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not valid. Ascertain that you have adequate travel health insurance and sufficient funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation while abroad.

COVID-19 Measures When you are Traveling in Turkey:

The Turkish government has implemented measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, and additional restrictions may be imposed with little warning.

• In Turkey, wearing a face mask is a must at all times outside the lodging.
• Curfews do not apply to foreign visitors who are in the country for short trips or tourism.
• The Turkish government announced a four-tier system for local COVID-19 restrictions. Based on infection and vaccination rates, provinces are now divided into four risk groups: low (blue), medium (yellow), high (orange), and very high (red). So, plan your trip accordingly.
• Capacity limits on public transportation are in place. So, ensure you follow the social distancing guidelines and other measures in public transport.

Traveling Back to the UK:

Turkey is on the red list on the UK travel website. If you are in Turkey for more than ten days, you need to fill locator form and should take the CVOID-19 test.

Personal Allowances Goods:

The amount of goods or items you are allowed to bring to the UK is your “personal allowances.” Regulations on personal allowances were applied to all items purchased in Turkey and brought into the UK.

These rules apply to all goods, regardless of where they were purchased. All commercial goods must be declared. Personal allowances are not available for goods brought in to sell or use in your business.

The amount of goods you can bring into the UK without paying tax or duty is:

• Where you’re coming from.
• If you’re arriving in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, and Wales).
• When you’re arriving in Northern Ireland.

If you are arriving in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, and Wales) or Northern Ireland from Turkey, your allowances allow you to bring a certain amount of goods into the country without paying tax or duty.

When you exceed your allowances, you must declare all of your goods and pay tax and duty on all of them.

Allowances for alcohol and tobacco if you are under the age of 17:

If you are under the age of 17, there are no personal allowances for tobacco or alcohol. You can bring tobacco and alcohol from Turkey to the UK for personal use. But you must pay duty and tax on an item before you enter the UK.

Other Goods Allowances:

• Other items worth up to £390 (or up to £270 if a private boat or plane) are permitted.
• If you exceed your allowance, you must pay tax and duty on the entire value of the goods, not just the amount that exceeds the allowance.

Customs declaration of goods:

If you exceed your allowance, you must pay tax and duty on all goods in that category.

You can declare goods online five days (120 hours) before your scheduled arrival in the UK. You and your luggage may be searched for anything you are required to declare.

Post Travel Guidelines:

Take Backup of Your Photos:

Photos taken during the trip will help us remember the trip for the rest of our lives. So, gather all of your vacation photos, organize them, and back them up to the cloud.

Write a Travel Journal online:

Travel journals allow you to document your travel experiences. You can include a photo taken during your trip with the description of the location, a list of your itinerary, and even voice recordings made during your stay. In addition, with the above, you can also,

• Write about the people with whom you have interacted.
• Write about the food you had on your trip.
• What was your favorite/least favorite aspect of the trip, and why?
• What is something you would like to do the next time you visit?
• What would you say to your friends and family about the trip? Make them a travel guide!

Share Your Insights in the Travel Forums:

Travel Journals and blogs can serve as general guidelines. However, everyone has different needs about the trip. A forum is a place where people can look for answers to specific questions. So, answering questions about a trip in a forum will be helpful to many first-time travelers.

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