Turkey is a beautiful country that offers a perfect blend of ancient culture and modern amenities. From stunning beaches to historic sites and delicious cuisine, there is something for everyone in Turkey. If you're planning to travel to Turkey from the UK, there are a few things you need to know before booking your tickets.
Do Turkey requires a visa from the UK?
British Citizens travelling to Turkey for tourist or business purposes are able to travel without a visa for visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
How much money you could be brought to Turkey from the UK?
There is no limit on the amount of money you can bring to Turkey from the UK. However, if you're carrying more than 10,000 euros, you need to declare it at customs.
Does Antalya have direct flights from the UK?
Yes, there are several direct flights from the UK to Antalya, which is a popular tourist destination in Turkey. Airlines like Turkish Airlines, Jet2, and EasyJet offer direct flights from London, Manchester, and Birmingham.
How much time do you need for a flight to go to Turkey from the UK?
The flight time from the UK to Turkey depends on the destination you're travelling to. On average, it takes around 4-5 hours to fly from the UK to Turkey. However, the flight time can vary depending on the airline, route, and layovers.
Are tickets affordable for Turkey from the UK?
Yes, you can find affordable tickets to Turkey from the UK if you book in advance. The prices can vary depending on the time of the year and the airline you choose. However, you can expect to pay around £100-£200 for a one-way ticket to Turkey.
Air Travel
As you can imagine, the most direct way to travel from the UK to Turkey is via air. Now, believe it or not, Turkey actually boasts 55 major airports! Of these, 35 are dedicated to international travel. Due to this, you should have no trouble flying in and out of the country. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular airports for you.
During the summer season, Jet2, Ryanair, TUI, Wizzair, Easyjet, and THY have direct flights to Antalya.
Antalya Airport
It is estimated that this airport sees over 27 million passengers pass through its terminals each year. The number of foreign visitors picks up considerably during the summer months. Now, there are a few reasons why this is one of the more popular airports in the country. For one thing, it is the third largest airport and therefore, more than capable of dealing with all its visitors.
For another, there are plenty of direct flights from the UK to Antalya, allowing for a much shorter trip. Adding to this, once you are out of the airport, you will discover that moving around the city will be an absolute breeze. This is due to the fact that the airport is just 13km away from the city center. Moving to other parts of the region is just as easy.
There are direct flights started by Turkish Airlines, every day of the year you could fly to Antalya directly. Also after march Easyjet, Ryanair, Jet2, Thomas Cook and TUI has direct flights to Antalya
Istanbul Airport
Istanbul Atatürk Airport is considered the main international airport in the country. As a result, there are around 65 million travelers moving through the terminals each year. You should have no trouble at all finding a flight into this airport from any place in the UK. Of course, it is around 24km away from Istanbul’s city center, so there may be some traveling involved after your flight.
Istanbul Airport has been hailed as one of the top airports in the country. What’s more, you can ensure comfort, safety, and a lot more when landing here. Naturally, it is a favorite among international travelers.
Ankara Airport
If you are headed to Ankara, the capital of Turkey, then flying into Ankara Esenboğa Airport will provide you with the easiest and safest route. The other great thing about this airport is that it is home to around 20 different airlines. As a result, around 12 million people pass through there every year.
Another advantage of landing at this the airport is that there are so many travel options to other parts of the city. Bus lines and shuttles ensure will be able to get to your destination easily and at a low-cost, even if you are visiting the region for the first time.
Izmir Airport (Adnan Menderes Airport)
As the name suggests, Izmir Airport is located in the city of Izmir, around 18km away from the city center. The main perk of this airport is that it provides seasonal and chartered flights to international travelers. So, if you want to travel during some of the busier months, this airport will serve you well.
Adana Airport (Şakirpaşa Airport)
The Adana Airport is estimated to be the 6th busiest airport in the country. This is not surprising considering that there are flights to and from this airport to around 23 destinations in both Europe and Asia. It is estimated that over 5 million people pass through this airport each year.
One of the top reasons this airport is so popular is the fact that it is situated close to the ahistorical city center. You will discover that the airport is just 2.5km from this main area, making further travel incredibly easy.
Dalaman Airport
Dalaman Airport is yet another international airport that continues to be extremely popular. This is because it provides travel options for a number of international flights. In fact, this airport offers flights to and from over 120 destinations.
Trabzon Airport
The main draw for Trabzon Airport is that it offers slightly different travel options for European travelers. You can get both charter and seasonal flights to and from this airport. Due to this, the airport isn’t nearly as busy as some of the others accommodating around 3 million people each year.
Other Modes of Transport
Now, the quickest way to get from any country in the UK to Turkey is to fly. That being said, it isn’t the only option available to you. It is also possible to take a train or bus to Turkey as well. As you can imagine, though, this journey will be longer and require a few transfers along the way.
If you wish to use the public transport system, then the bus is often the easiest way to get about. If you are traveling from Northern Ireland or Scotland, you will first have to travel to the London Victoria Station. It is only from there that you will be able to move to the Bulgarian city of Sofia. From here, you can travel to Istanbul.
In total, you can expect this trip to take between two to three days. If you are traveling from London to Turkey by bus, then the fare may be cheaper than air travel. However, if your starting point is either Scotland or Ireland, it will actually cost less for you to travel by air.
Best Time to Travel to Turkey
Turkey is a great destination to head to all year-round. That being said, there are certain times of the year that are particularly good for traveling. If you want to visit Istanbul or The European portion of Turkey, then you should consider going during either the spring or autumn months.
The spring months last from April to May, while autumn reigns from September to mid-November. During these periods, the temperatures are moderate and most of the cities experience clear skies. If you would like to experience warm summers or mild winters, then you should head over to the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts.
It should be noted that the further east you travel in Turkey, the more extreme the temperatures and climates can become. As such, the summers will be incredibly hot and the winters fairly cold. It isn’t uncommon to experience snow during the winter in these regions.
Tips for Travelling to Turkey
To make your trip even better, simply follow the tips below for booking your trip to Turkey:
Get an E-Visa
If you are the UK or British national, then you don't need to get a visa in order to enter the country.
Now, there are two ways for you to do this. Either you can apply for an e-visa or get a visa on arrival at one of the Turkish airports. You should be aware, however, that the latter option is likely to become unavailable in the coming years.
Now, there are two ways for you to do this. Either you can apply for an e-visa or get a visa on arrival at one of the Turkish airports. You should be aware, however, that the latter option is likely to become unavailable in the coming years.
To save yourself any trouble, it is best to get an e-visa. As the name suggests, you can visit the official website to apply for this visa electronically. You can apply for your visa up to three months before you plan to travel to the country.
These visas are valid for up to 90 days, during a 180 day period. You are allowed to make multiple entries into the country while the visa is valid. The cost of this visa is equivalent to $20. When in doubt, always check the visa requirements before applying.
Book Ahead During Busy Times
As mentioned, there are certain times of the year where Turkey is flooded with visitors. If you would like to visit the country during this period, you will need to plan well ahead. Therefore, make sure to apply for your visa and make all the travel arrangements in advance. To avoid any hassle once you have reached your destination, you should also book your accommodation beforehand.
Know the National Holidays and Observances
Another thing to be aware of is the holidays and observances typically practiced in Turkey. Keep in mind, during this time, cities will be less crowded. However, this may be due to the fact that businesses are either closed or only conduct limited activity. Therefore, you may not want to travel during such days as there will be fewer things for you to do.
Learn Some Turkish
It is a good idea to learn at least a few words and phrases in Turkish before you land in the country. By doing so, you are sure to enjoy your stay quite a bit more. This way, you will be able to interact with the locals more easily and find your way around without any trouble.
Now, you don’t have to be fluent in the language, but it can help to memorize certain important phrases that you might need to use often. You may also want to download some kind of translator to carry with you at all times. This will come in handy when you need directions or are trying to order at a restaurant.
Be Ready with Currency
Another important aspect to know about is the currency. Make sure to always convert your pounds to lira before entering Turkey as there is a good chance that you will need to pay for certain things immediately. At the same time, you should make it a point to have some local currency on hand.
Now, you will be able to find ATM machines easily enough once you have arrived. Still, you shouldn’t rely on these machines alone. Instead, if you are traveling to a different region, it is best to keep small amounts of cash (pounds). This is because you may find it easier to convert your money rather than find a machine that will accept your card.
Travelers Cheques may be more trouble than they are worth as they aren’t readily accepted. In order to cash these in, you will have to find a suitable bank. This can often mean long waiting times so it is best to rely on cash or card in such instances.
Be Aware of Social Customs
For the most part, Turkey is a rather liberal country. Still, you need to be aware of the customs you should adhere to. For one thing, you will feel more comfortable if you dress modestly in most cities. If you are looking to avoid any unnecessary attention, try to cover up.
You should also do some research before visiting places of religious significance. Even visitors are expected to adhere to certain rules and so, it is best to be prepared ahead of time. For instance, women will need to cover their head before entering a mosque. Also, it is considered incredibly disrespectful to pass in front of any person who is praying.
Be Prepared to Haggle
One of the main reasons that people visit Turkey is to shop. This is something you can do in virtually any city in the country. Nevertheless, shopping here may be a little different than what you are used to. Namely, you are expected to haggle.
It isn’t uncommon for tourists to be quoted much higher prices than local. This is why, in many instances, you will need to bargain to bring the prices down. To know how far to haggle, ask locals what you will need to pay for certain items. This way, you will know when someone is trying to take advantage of you.
These are the top things to know about traveling to Turkey from the UK. With all this information, you will find that you are able to travel and move about more easily.