FACTS FOR VISITORS
By Air: Turkish Airlines (TK) has daily non stop flights from JFK to Istanbul and 3 days a week from Chicago on new Airbus 340s in both directions it is a 9 hours 40- minutes flight to Istanbul from New York and 10 hours 30 mutinies return Turkish Airlines offers connections with a full schedule of flights to 22 cities with Turkey The New York/Istanbul flights departs at 6 pm from John F. Kennedy International airport, Delta airlines also has daily non stop flights to Istanbul from JFK. Other major international airlines fly from North America to Turkey with stop in Europe. Flights can be reserved on TWA, Alitalia, Lufthansa, Air Canada, SAS, Swissair, Air France, British Airways, and KLM.
By Sea: Cruise lines often travel to Turkey, and there are several cities on the Mediterranean which several as ports of entry. Entry by sea is also provided by passenger and automobile ferries. Major ports for cruise lines are Istanbul, Izmir, Cesme, Kusadasi, Bodrum, Marmaris, Kas and Antalya.
By Real: Istanbul serves as a direct rail link with select European cities. The Istanbul Express departs daily from Munich, Vienna and Athens with connecting services in Belgrade and Sofia.
By Bus: Several coach lines originate in Turkey and regularly serve European destinations such as Austria, France, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, England and Greece. Buses from Turkey, affordable clean and comfortable.
By Car: Foreigners driving in Turkey must possess a passport, international driving license and green card international insurance (which is indorsed in Europe an Asia for driving in Turkish territory), or Turkish third party insurance.
Rental Cars: Must of the Major U.S. car rental companies have reps in Turkey.
U.S citizen are required to present a valid passport upon entry. U.S. citizens must present visas when entering Turkey Visas can be obtained from the Turkish Embassy in Washington, D.C, New York Cities, Los Angles, Chicago, and Houston, Consulate General Offices in the United States, or border gates in Turkey The fee for obtaining a single/multiple entry visa is $ 45. 00 U.S around Canada: Canadian citizens are required to present a Canadian Passport, valid at least for 6 mounts when entering Turkey
Agriculture plays an important role in the economy of Turkey, which has signed a Customs Union Agreement with the European Union. Turkey is self sufficient in food production and produces enough surpluses for export as well. Leading industries include the processing of agricultural products, metallurgy, textiles and manufacturing of automobiles and agriculture machinery. With the increased development of summer and winter resort. Turkey is becoming a major European tourist destination, The tourism industry earns an average annual income of more than $ 7 billion U.S. for the Turkish economy, and this amount is increasing yearly.
The Turkish Republic is based on a secular, democratic, parliamentary system. The Council of Ministers headed by the prime minister, governs the nation along with a popularly elected Grand National Assemble. All citizens gain the right to vote at the age of 18.
220 volts a.c. thought Turkey Voltage is clearly marked on all hotel outlets.
Turkish food is prepared with fresh from the garden ingredients. A meal usually begins with a soup or several of the many traditional meze (hors dloeuvres) followed by a fish or a meat dish such as “shish kebab” or a mixed grill served with rice and vegetables cooked in olive oil. Dessert may be fresh fruit, sweets or a pastry such as “baklava” Turkish coffee, wine and the national drink “raki” complements the meal.
Modest entrance fees vary and additional are charged for permission to take photographs. Most museums are open everydaybetween 9;30 am and 6;30 pm, except for Hagia Sophia closed Mondays, for Topkapi Palace whish is closed Tuesdays in Istanbul
