Visiting Istanbul - where do you get a visa?

Hector


Joined: 26/08/2008
Posts: 2352

Message Posted:
09/10/2011 14:53

We are planning a 3 day trip to Istanbul from Ercan on our UK passports. We assume you have to get a visa, where from and how much please?

GoNorth


Joined: 06/07/2011
Posts: 17

Message Posted:
09/10/2011 15:05

Upon arrival at the Airport £ 10 each

Earlybird


Joined: 28/04/2009
Posts: 816

Message Posted:
09/10/2011 15:05

Just before passport control in Istanbul there is a kiosk where you purchase them. NOTE - they won't take Turkish lira! £10 or euros or dollars!

AllyTT


Joined: 13/09/2008
Posts: 188

Message Posted:
09/10/2011 15:06

If you have a UK passport then it's 10GBP, when arriving at Ataturk Airport it's just before you get to passport control, you can't miss the Visa sign. If arriving at Sabiha Gokcen airport again it's just by passport control, this time on the right hand side. Prices for other nationalities vary, it's 10-15 Euro for most EU citizens and 20 USD for US citizens.

AllyTT


Joined: 13/09/2008
Posts: 188

Message Posted:
09/10/2011 15:07

Earlybird - they do take Turkish lira! Or at least they did a couple of weeks ago - at an exchange rate of - wait for it - 3.5 lira to the pound!!! I thought I was getting ripped off a couple of years ago when they used an exchange rate of 3 lira to the pound but they're really pushing it now..

Earlybird


Joined: 28/04/2009
Posts: 816

Message Posted:
09/10/2011 15:08

It doesn't depend on your passport, we have paid in euros but £'s I think is probably the cheapest

Earlybird


Joined: 28/04/2009
Posts: 816

Message Posted:
09/10/2011 15:10

AllyT, when we went a year ago they totally REFUSED lira and they didn't have a tl price on display. I guess like most things it depends who is there taking your money!

Hector


Joined: 26/08/2008
Posts: 2352

Message Posted:
09/10/2011 15:11

Great stuff guys. Thank you.

Pugwash


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 1797

Message Posted:
09/10/2011 15:43

Earlybird they will take any currency actually especially if you show you have not come from the UK I have paid in TL several times and also euros, if they 'refuse' stand your ground.

Earlybird


Joined: 28/04/2009
Posts: 816

Message Posted:
09/10/2011 16:25

We did stand our ground and even asked what country we were in and what was their currency? He would not budge. Hence scraping together the euros we had with us. I am pleased to hear it has changed.

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
09/10/2011 17:10

Good to know it hasn't gone up, yet! I had a problem when I forgot I had only Scottish notes, and it

took ages.

joejan


Joined: 20/07/2010
Posts: 29

Message Posted:
10/10/2011 18:12

We had a good time in Istanbul only 2 week ago. You can get the Visa at airport before get to the passport control, dont join the que for the passport control without the Visa they will send you to get one and joint the end of the que. you can pay 10EURO OR 30 TL. We paid it by Turkish Lira it will last for 3 month. Have a great time in Istanbul.......colder than Cyprus, yoy need a coat or warm clothes

Grand bazzer...hassle free you must visit

Ed1957


Joined: 03/09/2011
Posts: 377

Message Posted:
10/10/2011 21:17

Note: they will not take scottish notes,