Turkey Travel Guide

How to Get to Türkiye?

Connecting Europe and Asia, Türkiye is a highly accessible destination from all over the world by air, land, and sea, thanks to its strategic geographical location. With its advanced transportation network, traveling from city to city is also incredibly comfortable and convenient.

Traveling by Air

The most practical way to reach Türkiye and travel between its cities is through its extensive network of international and domestic airports.

• Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) are the country's primary international gateways to the world.

• During the summer months, direct flights from numerous global cities operate to the heartlands of tourism: Antalya (AYT), Izmir (ADB), Muğla Dalaman (DLM), and Milas-Bodrum (BJV) airports.

• With Yolcu360, you can book your flight tickets to Türkiye in seconds. You can also reserve your rental car for airport pick-up before your trip, allowing you to hit the road immediately without waiting for taxis or transfer shuttles.

Traveling by Land and Train

Bordering the Balkans and the Middle East, it is possible to enter Türkiye via private vehicle or international bus services.

• For intercity travel within the country, High-Speed Train (YHT) lines offer great comfort. You can travel swiftly between Istanbul, Ankara, Eskişehir, Konya, Karaman, and Sivas.

• Thanks to a highly developed highway network, traveling by road from the Marmara region to the Aegean, or from Central Anatolia to the Mediterranean coast, is both enjoyable and exceptionally safe.

Car Rental

To truly explore Türkiye’s massive geography, hidden coves, ancient cities, and lush highlands, the best way to elevate your holiday comfort is by renting a car.

• Through Yolcu360, you can instantly compare all global and local rent-a-car companies, securing the best rates across all 81 provinces and every airport in the country.

• From the olive tree-lined roads of the Aegean to the rugged, misty mountains of the Black Sea, a rental car will be your best travel companion for discovering every corner of the country at your own pace.

What to Eat in Türkiye?

Turkish cuisine is a massive culinary table where Central Asian, Middle Eastern, Balkan, and Mediterranean cultures blend. Every region writes its own unique gastronomic story.

Outstanding Flavors

• Kebabs: The undeniable stars of Southeastern cuisine, especially from Adana, Urfa, and Gaziantep. These are charcoal-grilled meats served with sumac-spiced onions and thin flatbread (lavaş).

• Mantı: Closely associated with the city of Kayseri, this consists of tiny handmade dumplings stuffed with minced meat, served under a blanket of garlic yogurt and a sizzling butter-tomato sauce.

• Olive Oil Dishes (Zeytinyağlılar): Along the Aegean and Marmara coasts, light and healthy vegetable dishes like artichokes, green beans, and stuffed vine leaves take center stage.

• Black Sea Pide and Mıhlama: In the northern regions, crispy stone-oven baked flatbreads (Pide) and Mıhlama—a mouth-watering fondue made with local butter, regional cheeses, and cornmeal—are absolute must-tries.

• Street Food: While wandering the streets of Istanbul, you must try quick but delicious staples like Simit (sesame-crusted bread rings), Balık Ekmek (fish sandwiches), Kokoreç (spiced, grilled lamb intestines), and Kumpir (massive stuffed baked potatoes).

Sweets and Snacks

• Gaziantep Baklava: The world-famous, geographically registered dessert of Türkiye, featuring forty layers of paper-thin phyllo dough, abundant pistachios, and clarified butter.

• Turkish Delight & Coffee: Complete your meal perfectly with a strong, charcoal-roasted Turkish coffee served alongside double-roasted pistachio Turkish Delight.

When to Visit Türkiye?

Türkiye is a diverse geography that distinctly experiences all four seasons. Depending on the time of year, you can literally ski and swim in the sea on the very same day.

• March – May (Spring): The ideal time for cultural tourism, when nature awakens and the weather is mild. It is perfect for exploring Istanbul, Cappadocia, the Ancient City of Ephesus, and the historical streets of the Southeast.

• June – September (Summer): The ultimate sea, sand, and sun season! Temperatures on the southern coast can reach 35 - 40°C. The shores of Antalya, Bodrum, Çeşme, and Fethiye, along with the cool waters of the Aegean and Mediterranean, make summer holidays indispensable.

• October – November (Autumn): Known as the "yellow summer." The seawater in the south is still warm. It is the best time to photograph the stunning autumn foliage in Yedigöller, Abant, and the Black Sea forests, or to enjoy a quiet, atmospheric trip to Mardin.

• December – February (Winter): A fantastic route for winter sports enthusiasts. You can ski in Bursa (Uludağ), Kayseri (Erciyes), Erzurum (Palandöken), and Kars (Sarıkamış), or embark on a magical, snowy train journey aboard the famous Eastern Express (Doğu Ekspresi).

The Regions of Türkiye

Türkiye is divided into seven distinct geographical regions, each with its own climate, culture, and natural beauty. Knowing what each region offers will help you plan the perfect itinerary.

Characteristic Experiences by Region

• History and the Rhythm of the Metropolis (Istanbul and Marmara): Bridging two continents, Istanbul is the center of the world with the Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, and the Grand Bazaar. In Çanakkale, the Gallipoli Peninsula and the Ancient City of Troy will transport you thousands of years back in time.

• Where Blue Meets Green (Aegean and Mediterranean Coasts): For a beach holiday trailing ancient civilizations, the Aegean and Mediterranean are unrivaled. You can paraglide in Fethiye, scuba dive in Kaş, or experience the thrill of windsurfing in the charming coastal town of Alaçatı (Çeşme).

• A Fairytale World (Cappadocia - Central Anatolia): Watching hot air balloons take flight at sunrise over fairy chimneys formed by millions of years of volcanic ash, and exploring vast underground cities, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

• Wild Nature and Tranquility (Black Sea Plateaus): For those seeking pure oxygen and endless greenery, the alpine plateaus of the Black Sea, like Ayder and Pokut, with their traditional wooden houses and wild rivers, offer a pristine haven for nature lovers.

• The Cradle of Civilization (Southeastern Anatolia): You can visit Göbeklitepe, the "zero point in time" of human history, and breathe in the mystical atmosphere while sipping mırra (traditional bitter coffee) overlooking the vast Mesopotamian plains from the narrow stone streets of Mardin.

Important Tip for Drivers: When renting a car in Türkiye, make sure it is equipped with an HGS (Fast Transit System) tag. Highway and bridge tolls are collected automatically via this electronic system, and your rental company will simply add the toll charges to your final bill when you return the vehicle.

Other Things to Know About Türkiye

Imagine a geography right at the heart of Asia and Europe that has witnessed every era of history. Surrounded by deep blue seas on three sides, offering endless discovery routes from underground cities to sky-piercing mountains... Türkiye is not just a holiday destination; it is a massive open-air museum where a different language, a different flavor, and a different story are shared in every single region.

While the silhouettes of mosques reflecting on the waters of the Bosphorus take on a romantic atmosphere in the evening, you can swim with sea turtles on the beaches of Antalya, or sip hot tea amidst the freezing yet mesmerizing winter landscapes of Erzurum. You can taste world-class flavors in the UNESCO-registered kitchens of Gaziantep and Hatay, or time-travel while walking the ancient marble streets of Ephesus.

Above all, Türkiye is the homeland of hospitality. A warm cup of tea or a freshly baked flatbread offered to you when you stumble upon a local village is the most sincere reality of these lands. Whether you are looking for a luxurious retreat in a five-star ultra-all-inclusive hotel or a solitary adventure pitching a tent in a deserted cove, Türkiye is a unique country that more than meets every traveler's expectations.