Some basic travel tips for visiting Turkey
Some basic travel tips for visiting Turkey Turkey was named the world’s 6th top popular destination for 2014. It is a safe and easy-to-get-around country in every aspect. Nonetheless, as with anywhere in the world, there are a few travel tips to bear in mind so that you can enjoy a comfortable and safe holiday. Such tips relating to health, security, local rules for daily life and communication tools can help you survive in difficult situations. For any kind of health-related problem, call the Health Authority’s International Support Line 444 47 28 from anywhere in Turkey to obtain easy access to healthcare services in state hospitals. In addition, you can call the emergency number 112 for emergency situations.
For any complaints, you can call 184 and get through to an authority who will deal directly with your complaint. These lines are open 24/7 and you have the menu option of English, Arabic, German, Russian, Persian and French so that you can speak to translators. The kind of healthcare which will be available to you depends on your insurance policy and the mutual arrangement your country has with Turkey. For more detailed information, you can check out the English language pages of the Health Ministry website or, alternatively, you can speak to your travel agent.
Almost all of Turkey is safe and very suitable for sightseeing and vacationing. Only a small regional belt bordering the neighbouring Middle Eastern countries can be a security risk and these areas are generally very far from large residential areas. First and foremost, the region bordering Syria is seen as a risky area followed by the borders with Iraq and Iran. The Department of Security, which was founded with the intention of maintaining the security of Turkish cities, is responsible for the cities while the rural areas are in the jurisdiction of the Gendarme Command. To reach the police services in any kind of emergency, call 155 Police Emergencies for the city and 156 Gendarme when in rural areas. Other emergency numbers which may be useful are; 110 for the fire department and 118 to ask for unknown numbers.
The Turks are very hospitable and welcoming toward visitors and the law is generally not very limiting in this regard. On the other hand, it will help if you stick to some simple rules and follow whatever regulations and laws are in place in order to make your stay a pleasant one. Smoking is banned in closed areas and the sale of alcohol is illegal after 10pm in outdoor areas. Drinking is only allowed in restaurants and bars after this hour. The sale and use of all drugs is illegal in Turkey.