Fast Facts about Turkey

Amex has finally gone mainstream in Turkey meaning American Express credit cards are now widely accepted. Türk Express is the main representative of Amex Travel Related Services in Turkey, at Cumhuriyet Cad. 91/1 Elmadag in the Hilton Hotel (tel. 0212/230-1515). In Turkey, American Express also provides a toll-free access number for Global Assist (tel. 0312/935-3601).

There are many ATM Bank networks on the Cirrus or PLUS network which includes Yapi Kredi Bankasi, Akbank, Ziraat Bankasi and Garanti Bankasi.

Official hours that shops are open are 7 days a week 9:30am to 1pm and 2 to 7pm and they don’t generally close for lunch breaks. However in Istanbul the Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian Spice Market are both closed on Sundays. Museums and palaces are generally open Tuesday - Sunday from 9:30am to 5 or 5:30pm. The closing day for palaces is Tuesday, Thursday, or both. Banks are open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to noon and 1:30 to 5pm. Government offices are open Monday through Friday 8:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30 to 5:30pm.

For Muslim people there is a drinking law that ensures that the consumption of alcohol remain a personal choice. The tolerance however for those who drink is under the current government. Taxes on imported wines and spirits increased ridiculously which has created a financial difficulty. Many establishments that are owned by the government simply do not serve alcohol. However they do sell it to tourists as a compromise.

In Turkey the legal age for buying and drinking of alcoholic beverages is 18 but people under the age of 18 can drink when with a parent. Beer, wine, and spirits are widely available for purchase. Although started by non-Muslim people, Turkish started production wine shortly after the establishment of the Republic, and in the past few years, Turkish wines have continued to produce impressive batches of wine.

With driving the obvious is that seat belts are compulsory and the driving age is 18. Helmets are compulsory for motorcycles and if the rules are not abided by then the result in an on the spot fine. In case there is an accident, leave the vehicle where the incident happened and call the police by phoning 155.

With Turkish electricity the standard is 220 volts and outlets used are the ones with the round European two-prong plug. Laptops are generally self-regulating, however still check with the manufacturer before trying to plug it in. Hairdryers are not an essential as most hotel rooms come equipped with at least a weak one.

All embassies are situated in Turkey’s capital city, Ankara. The majority of these have consulates in Istanbul, and also a few even have extra representation in destinations where large numbers of nationals holiday. The embassy of Australia is at Ugur Mumcu Cad. 88/7, Gaziosmanpasa (tel. 0312/459-9500; www.turkey.embassy.gov.au). There is also a consulate in Istanbul. The embassy of Canada is Cinnah Cad. 58, Çankaya (tel. 0312/409-2700; www.cic.gc.ca). The embassy of Ireland is Ugur Mumcu Cad. 88/3, Gaziosmanpasa (tel. 0312/446-6172; http://foreignaffairs.gov.ie). Ireland has an Honorary Consulate in Istanbul. The embassy of New Zealand is at Iran Cad. 13/4, Kavaklidere (tel. 0312/467-9054; www.nzembassy.com). New Zealand maintains an Honorary Consulate in Istanbul in which details can be located on the website. The embassy of the United Kingdom is at Sehit Ersan Cad. 46/A, Cankaya (tel. 0312/455-3344; www.britainusa.com). The U.K. also has a British consulate in Istanbul.

In case of an emergency there are different numbers depending on the type:- For the fire department dial 110, for general first-aid emergencies including ambulances dial 112. For other health services or to call for a private ambulance in Istanbul: International Hospital Ambulance call 0212/663-3000, Istanbul Health Services (European side tel. 0212/247-0781; Asian side tel. 0216/302-1515). In Ankara call Bayindir Hospital Ambulance (tel. 0312/287-9000) or call Özel Ambulans Servisi (tel. 0312/425-1565).

For other health services or to call for a private ambulance in Istanbul you would call the International Hospital Ambulance on 0212/663-3000. Istanbul Health Services European side on 0212/247-0781, Asian side on 0216/302-1515). In Ankara call Bayindir Hospital Ambulance by calling 0312/287-9000, or call Özel Ambulans Servisi on 0312/425-1565. For general first-aid emergencies (ambulance included) call 112. Contact information in emergencies is also listed in the appropriate chapter.

Like anywhere at the minute the price of Gasoline (Petrol) is abnormally high. With prices roughly at around 1.7YTL per liter or just under $5 per gallon. Taxes are already included in the printed price. One U.S. gallon equals 3.8 liters or 0.85 imperial gallons. Gas stations in Turkey are called Petrol Ofisi.

Official Turkish holidays are New Year''s Day – 1st January, Independence and Children''s Day – 23rd April, Youth and Sports Day – 19th May, Victory Day 30th August and Republic Foundation Day 29th October. Like most countries the banks, public offices, and schools are closed for these national holidays. Most Turkish also celebrate Seker Bayrami which is a 3 day celebration punctuating the end of the feast of Ramadan and Kurban Bayrami, which is a 4-day feast honoring Abraham''s willingness to sacrifice his son to God. All Islamic holidays follow a lunar calendar which explains why the holidays fall on different dates every year: Banks, governmental offices, and most shops are closed on these days.

Turkey has a great internet access network as it is one of the most connected countries around. Most hotels have wireless access and if not there will be a computer for use by guests. There is also so many internet cafes dotted around.

The legal aid system is good for foreigners and tourists as they get the benefit of the doubt in most every situation’s with the law, however, there are some things you just can''t get out of. For example, if you get caught speeding then expect to pay a fine and expect it on the spot. For real problems, you would be best contacting your embassy or consulate for assistance and ask for their list of private law firms catering to English-speaking foreigners.

When travelling to Turkey you should be sure to tell all of your credit card companies that you are there and you may be required to use your cards just so they don’t block it. Whilst in Turkey you realize you’ve lost your cards you should file a report at the nearest police station the minute you discover your wallet has been lost or stolen. Your credit card company or insurer may require a police report number or record of the loss. Most credit card companies have an emergency free number to call if your card is lost or stolen which means they may then be able to wire you a cash advance immediately or deliver an emergency credit card in a day or two. Visa''s U.S. emergency number is 800/847-2911 or 410/581-9994. American Express cardholders and traveler''s check holders should call 800/221-7282. MasterCard holders should call 800/307-7309 or 636/722-7111. For other credit cards, call the free number directory at 800/555-1212.

The post office is hard to miss with its black and yellow signs. It offers the usual postal services, as well as selling tokens (jeton) and phone cards for the phone booths located in most public places. Postcards cost 35¢ (20p) to Europe and 70¢ (35p) to all other continents. The post office also has currency exchange and traveler''s cheque services. For express deliveries or shipping packages, the post office operates an acele posta servisi (or APS), but for your own sense of security, you''d better stick with the old reliable UPS or DHL.

To find your way around is no problem, pretty much every destination you go to will have a tourist information office which would be recommended to be your first stop, an added bonus, the maps are free. The only difference between the free maps and the commercial ones that are available in bookstores and tourist boutiques is that the latter are usually illustrated with icons of important Turkish sites and it would highlight the best Turkish ruins, Turkish towns and the main Turkish attractions.

There are newspapers that both Turkish and tourists can read to hear about the latest interests in Turkey. The Turkish Daily News and the Turkish Press are Turkey''s most widely circulated national English-language papers providing local, national, and international news. Both have websites which are www.turkishdailynews.com and www.turkishpress.com. The two main Turkish newspapers called Zaman and Hürriyet, also have English language websites which are www.zaman.com and www.hurriyet.com.tr. In the larger cities, the International Herald Tribune, USA Today, and Britain''s Financial Times are widely available, although they''re generally light on local news. The Guide Istanbul is a good resource to possess for events in town and they are free in most five-star hotels, with interesting features and essential local listings. Cornucopia is a more classier version of an newspaper featuring articles on Turkish art, history and culture, while Turkish Airlines'' Skylife and the airport''s own Gate1 shouldn''t be overlooked for monthly exhibits and performances as well as features on area related topics.

For U.S. Residents it’s simple enough to apply, whether you''re applying in person or via mail, you can download the passport applications from the U.S. Department of State website at http://travel.state.gov. To find your regional passport office you’d need to check the U.S. Department of State website or call the toll-free number of the National Passport Information Center (tel. 877/487-2778) for automated information.

For Canadians the passport applications are available at travel agencies throughout Canada or from the central Passport Office, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ottawa, ON K1A 0G3 (tel. 800/567-6868; www.ppt.gc.ca). Something to remember is that Canadian children who travel must have their own passport. However, if you have a valid Canadian passport that was issued before December 11th 2001 that has the name of your child on it then the passport remains valid for you and your child until it expiry date.

For Irish people you can apply for a 10 year passport at the Passport Office, Setanta Centre, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 (tel. 01/671-1633; www.irlgov.ie/iveagh). However people under age 18 or over 65 must apply for a 3-year passport. You can also apply at 1A South Mall, Cork (tel. 021/272-525), or at most main post offices.

For people from Australia you can get an application form from your local post office or any branch of Passports Australia, however it is required that you must schedule an interview at the passport office to present your application materials. Call the Australian Passport Information Service at tel. 131-232, or visit the government website at www.passports.gov.au.

Residents from New Zealand can pick up a passport application at any New Zealand Passports Office or they can download it from their website. Contact the Passports Office at tel. 0800/225-050 in New Zealand or 04/474-8100, or log on to www.passports.govt.nz.

For people from the United Kingdom you would just need to pick up an application for a standard 10-year passport or a 5 year passport for children under 16. Visit your nearest passport office, major post office, or travel agency or contact the United Kingdom Passport Service at tel. 0870/521-0410 or search its website at www.ukpa.gov.uk.

To contact the police you just call 155 just in case of theft or if there is a car accident, as you will need to fill out a police report for administrative and/or insurance purposes.

If you wish to send a telegraph, telex or fax then most hotels have fax machines available for guest use but it will be at a charge. Many hotel rooms are even wired for guests'' fax machines.

All of Turkey adheres to Eastern European Time (EET), which is Greenwich Mean Time +2 To make it easier. So for the United Kingdom, Turkey is 2 hours ahead. Daylight saving time, when clocks are set 1 hour ahead of standard time, is in effect as Eastern European Summer Time (EEST) from 1am on the second Sunday in March to 1am on the first Sunday in November.

There are two types of waste repositories in Turkey, there is the traditional toilet and the Turkish toilet, basically a hole in the ground surrounded by porcelain. Traditional toilet bowls have on the rear a tube for running water operated by a faucet located on the wall to the right of the tank, allowing for quick cleanups when used. Many Turkish and Europeans believe the Turkish toilet is more hygienic. There is a floor-level faucet and bucket for quick wash-ups and toilet paper is for drying. In Turkey you are not supposed to flush toilet paper as it can cause blockages in the plumbing.

For information about Turkish visas go to www.mfa.gov.tr/mfa and click on "Consular Information." Either that or go to one of the following websites: www.travelephesus.net, www.castletravel.com.tr and www.toursturkey.com.