Turkey travel tips

Snyper564 said:
So we off to Serbia for a week (wife's work) then off to Turkey for holiday early October. I see its coolish then should be a nice time of year, I think.

Doing the flight booking etc by Monday.

Tip form my side Travel by Investec can be 10-30% cheaper if you can use them to book.

Anyway I have a good idea of where we staying what we doing eating etc.

But any other tips welcome.
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@bokka1 was in Turkey last month I believe, and his tourism tips are always top notch.
 
Snyper564 said:
I must say for any international travellers this doesnt make sense esp after hitting France/Spain/Hong Kong. When I started looking at prices in Turkey it felt like looking at SA late 90s prices just insane!
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my sister went in march

she brought back sweets and junk stuff

was so cheap compared to here
 
It could have changed since I was there but we got issues a visa on arrivals.

They even had a different line for SA passport holders where they issued the visa.
 
AchmatK said:
It could have changed since I was there but we got issues a visa on arrivals.

They even had a different line for SA passport holders where they issued the visa.
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Interesting will call the embassy tomorrow. Hate changes like this as I need to apply for two visas in 3 months. and everywhere I look it says evisa including the official turkey gov site just not their official evisa site!

See from the official gov site

1657125290461.png
 
I did a 1 month trip in Turkey this April

Used my Capitec CC for almost all transactions. Found a really good rate in Istanbul Grand Bazaar (Just outside).

p.s Inside the Grand Bazaar is a complete tourist trap. Still a must see though :)

Where will you be going in Turkey OP?


edit:

>Want to stay in Istanbul for atleast 4 days, but that does mean we can travel somewhere else if its worthwhile.

I assume you already know the main attractions there.

Maybe a not so known thing to do is take the ferry up the golden horn. Once you reach the last stop, hop off and walk to the near by cable cart. It goes over a absolutely huge cemetery. At the top, there's a restaurant where you can get a turkish tea/coffee. Arguably the best view of Istanbul. Not to mention the awesome ferry trip itself. (You can get turkish tea on the ride for 4 lira)

When you land, go outside and get a Istanbul kart (If you plan on using public transport (Basically anything state operated - busses, ferry, cable cart, etc). You can find these at the bus terminal. You need to use cash, so exchange a few $ inside the airport.

istanbul.jpg
istanbul_night.jpg


btw - if you're lucky - Cappadocia can be really, really, really awesome

cappa.jpg
 
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static_sa said:
I did a 1 month trip in Turkey this April

Used my Capitec CC for almost all transactions. Found a really good rate in Istanbul Grand Bazaar (Just outside).

p.s Inside the Grand Bazaar is a complete tourist trap. Still a must see though :)

Where will you be going in Turkey OP?
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Pls visa issues first see two posts up did you get an EVISA and how?


Thanks for the tip will likely use my capitec too

At the moment just Istanbul but looking to split the 8 days into 2.

4 days istanbul then 4 days? needs to be determined.
 
Perhaps an issue on their website but this is from the judicial website and you should be able to apply online. Screenshot_20220706-190304_Chrome.jpg
 
Snyper564 said:
Pls visa issues first see two posts up did you get an EVISA and how?


Thanks for the tip will likely use my capitec too

At the moment just Istanbul but looking to split the 8 days into 2.

4 days istanbul then 4 days? needs to be determined.
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www.evisa.gov.tr

Electronic Visa Application System

Republic of Türkiye Electronic Visa Application System
www.evisa.gov.tr www.evisa.gov.tr

No charge for South Africans and it gets generated instantly :)
 
AchmatK said:
Perhaps an issue on their website but this is from the judicial website and you should be able to apply online. View attachment 1341990
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static_sa said:
www.evisa.gov.tr

Electronic Visa Application System

Republic of Türkiye Electronic Visa Application System
www.evisa.gov.tr www.evisa.gov.tr

No charge for South Africans and it gets generated instantly :)
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maybe system is down as its throwing this error

1657127190435.png


but what is concerning is we are not on this list

1657127214078.png

Anyway when did you get yours?
 
static_sa said:
Hmm just saw this post. That's the site we used...
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When though?

If I need to do another manual passport gonna scream

its bizarre official turkey site says evisa. Evisa says no sa >_<

see official site

1657127441989.png
 
static_sa said:
All the way back in march.

It's probably just an issue with their site
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Thanks and thanks for the tips.

Based on your trip if you had to pick a good second location for 4 days where would you select?
 
You can take a bus to and from Capadocea from Istanbul bus terminal just pay for it two days in advance at least

Best place for hiking. I took lots of photos there when is was there few years ago.

 
Was in Istanbul a month ago. Did the evisa online and got it instantly. Maybe just an issue with the website.

My tip for Istanbul will be to install the Marti and/or BinBin apps and scooter your way around. It's cheap and saves a lot of time.

Also, you can get the Istanbul travel card and use the trains, ferries etc all for approx R7 a trip.

To and from the airport you can use the havaist busses, you can pay with you CC at the bus.

I got myself a turkcel sim card when I got there. Don't buy it at the airport though, you pay a premium. Got mine at a turkcel in Taksim Square for much cheaper.

Oh, and booking.com is blocked within Turkey. You can access it with a VPN though, or rather use hotels.com or Airbnb.

I also enjoyed the Asian side much more.

And get a translation app on your phone.
 
GrootBaas said:
Was in Istanbul a month ago. Did the evisa online and got it instantly. Maybe just an issue with the website.

My tip for Istanbul will be to install the Marti and/or BinBin apps and scooter your way around. It's cheap and saves a lot of time.

Also, you can get the Istanbul travel card and use the trains, ferries etc all for approx R7 a trip.

To and from the airport you can use the havaist busses, you can pay with you CC at the bus.

I got myself a turkcel sim card when I got there. Don't buy it at the airport though, you pay a premium. Got mine at a turkcel in Taksim Square for much cheaper.

Oh, and booking.com is blocked within Turkey. You can access it with a VPN though, or rather use hotels.com or Airbnb.

I also enjoyed the Asian side much more.

And get a translation app on your phone.
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Sweet thanks for the tips!

Hopefully just a glitch in the system, wont lie its making me a bit nervous as I see the manual applications need a police clearance which would likely take more than 3 months to get. Anyway ill keep this thread posted on those developments.

Glad you touched on the sim too, thats always something to sort out ASAP. Also leaning towards accommodation Asian side.

Sweet transport around the city def seems to be easy!
 
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