Turkey is a highly attractive destination for tourists thanks to its hospitality, rich culture, and affordable cost of living. To make your trip safer, easier, and more enjoyable, it is important to know a few basic facts beforehand. Here are the five main points every tourist visiting Turkey should know:
1. Emergency Medical Services
Emergency medical services in Turkey are free for life-threatening situations such as accidents, heart attacks, or sudden serious illnesses. By calling the 112 Emergency Call Center, you can receive immediate medical assistance without any charge.
However, the medical treatment process following the emergency intervention, including hospital examinations and ongoing care, is generally subject to a fee and depends on your travel health insurance. Therefore, it is highly recommended to have valid travel insurance before coming to Turkey.
2. Police and Security Services
Security services in Turkey are also free for tourists.
- You can call 155 (Police) or 156 (Gendarmerie) for free assistance.
- Tourists have the right to file complaints in cases of theft, loss, or fraud.
- In major tourist cities, there are Tourism Police units that usually provide support in foreign languages.
3. Bargaining Culture in Turkey
Bargaining is common in Turkey, especially in bazaars, souvenir shops, and small local stores. Most products sold in these places have a margin for bargaining, and this is considered normal.
However, bargaining is not practiced in boutique shops, shopping malls, or chain stores that sell barcoded products. Prices in such stores are fixed.
4. Affordable Clothing and Grocery Shopping
If you are looking for affordable clothing, you can:
- Shop at local district markets (Pazar) held on specific days of the week. You can easily find nearby markets by searching on Google.
- Visit LC Waikiki stores located in shopping malls and outlets. It is one of the most affordable clothing brands in Turkey in terms of price and quality.
For grocery shopping, you can choose from the four major supermarket chains widespread across Turkey:
- • Şok
- • BİM
- • A101
- • Migros
These supermarkets offer good prices and can be found almost everywhere. Please note that among these four chains, only Migros sells alcoholic beverages.
5. Transportation Options in Turkey
You have various transportation options during your stay in Turkey:
- Public Buses: You need a public transport card to use city buses; cash is not accepted.
- Private Minibuses (Dolmuş): These operate on fixed routes which you can check via Google Maps.
- Yellow Taxis: There is no fixed price. Fares are based on the taximeter. To avoid overpaying, always tell the driver your destination and ask for an estimated fare before starting the journey.
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VIP Transfer Services:
- • Fixed price guarantee with no hidden costs.
- • Seat insurance included; hospital expenses are covered by insurance in case of an accident.
- • High service quality, comfort, and professionalism.
If you value comfort, safety, and a seamless experience, choosing a VIP transfer service is the best option.