Travel Information
Turkey is the meeting point of Asia and Europe. Throughout history, Turkey has played host to an amazing blend of cultures, history and archaeological sites and is often referred to as the cradle of civilizations. In Turkey you can find a wide variety of landscapes, including mountains, lakes, forests and seas. It is surrounded by three seas, the Black Sea to the North, the Marmara to the North West, and the Aegean/Mediterranean to the South/West.
Ankara is Turkey's young and vibrant capital city, located in the heart of the Anatolian region. Ankara has been the crossroads of many civilizations, dating back to the Bronze Age and was declared as the capital of the Turkish Republic by Ataturk in 1923. The name Ankara comes from the word “Ancyra” which means “anchor”. The hill which overlooks the city is crowned by the ruins of the old citadel, which creates a picturesque view. The city, located on the High Anatolian plain, is the hub of governmental activities for all of Turkey and, as host to embassies and a variety of international organizations, is a gateway to the rest of the world.
GETTING TO ANKARA Direct flights to Ankara's Esenboga International Airport are available from many cities in Europe. In addition, most major airlines including Turkish Airlines have international flights landing at Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport. Domestic airlines provide connections to Ankara.
PASSPORT/VISA INFORMATION To enter Turkey, you are required to have a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date you travel to Turkey. In addition, nationals from some countries require a visa to enter Turkey. Depending on your country of origin, you may purchase a visa stamp at the point of entry, or you must apply for the visa before arriving in Turkey. For information on whether you require a visa to enter Turkey, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
For up to date information about visa fees, visit http://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-fees-at-border-gates-for-2010.en.mfa. Please note that visa stamps purchased at the airport are payable in cash only(USD/€). Traveler's checks and credit cards are not accepted.
CURRENCY EXCHANGE Credit/bank cards may be used at ATMs at the airport or in the city to get Turkish Liras (TL). The international arrivals area has currency exchange offices and bank branches. The best exchange rates are found in banks and currency exchange offices in the city center.
ELECTRICITY Electricity in Turkey operates on 220 volts, 50 Hz, with round-prong European-style plugs that fit into recessed wall sockets/points. If your device does not accept 230 volts, 50 Hz you will need a voltage converter and if your appliance plug has a different shape, you will need a plug adapter.
WEATHER The climate in Ankara is continental. The weather in September has an average high of 24°C.
TIME ZONE All of Turkey is on Eastern European time, UTC/GMT +2 hours. Daylight saving time is 1 hour, and begins on the last Sunday in March, and ends the last Sunday in October.
DIALING CODES International country code: +90 (Turkey) Ankara Area Code: 312 Local phone numbers have 7 digits
