Turkey

AIR

Turkey is accessible around the world with many international airlines serving this destination. Turkish Airlines is its national carrier and it works the best for traveling from India due to its perfect timings and fewer layovers with a couple of other airlines as well. If traveling from Turkish Airlines please do not miss trying Ayran. Istanbul is the major hub of Turkey connecting international and domestic locations easily.

Turkey’s domestic airline industry provides frequent flights to many cities in the country and its low-cost carriers often offer affordable fares thus making it one of the best ways for traveling within cities for international passengers.

Since these flights are in huge demand due to their low pricing that they are booked well in advance and it becomes difficult finding a seat end moment.

TRAIN

Turkey has a developed rail network within the country as well as surrounding countries. Bosphorus Express operates daily connections between Turkey and European countries. There are overnight sleeper trains from neighbouring countries as well as there are trains from London, Paris, and various other cities to Istanbul. Thus, reaching Turkey by any means of transport is possible.

For long-distance travel in the country, trains are a comfortable mode of traveling for local and international visitors as they also offer sleeping car trains. They also hold a high-speed rail network between Istanbul and other major cities such as Ankara, Konya, etc which would transport you to your destination in a couple of hours making it an effective travel mode.

The public transport system is well developed in Turkey as it does have underground metros and trams which are frequent and an efficient way of getting around.

COACH

Turkey has good regular bus services between Turkey and other European countries as well as the Middle East. However, one would need transit visas of the countries you cross, if a passenger opts to enter the country by bus.

Every city and town is well connected by local bus service offering an extensive network of express coaches throughout the country. Buses are clean and modern and every city or town has a bus station so it becomes extremely simple and easier to reach the corners or unexplored parts of the country hassle-free. Bus Travel is cheaper than air but takes a longer time to reach and they even have luxurious buses suiting its clientele.

Dolmus (Minibuses) serves as a perfect alternative to local buses and they run on standard routes which are equally efficient to travel across the city.

ROAD

Driving your car gives you the freedom to travel or halt anywhere as pleased and at your own pace. It is possible to reach Turkey from neighbouring countries but would require a passport and visa along with an international driving permit and license. It’s a must to check if your vehicle is permitted to drive around the Asian side of Turkey. Hence, it’s advisable to use other means of transport to enter this country.

Taxis are in plenty here and they drop you at your designated locations and taxi stops. All taxis have an onboard meter by law and set prices to work for intercity travels and can be negotiated.

SEA

Since Turkey lies on the Mediterranean coastline there are several cities and towns having regular ferry and boat services to its ports. A ferry journey is beautiful to travel from one part of the country to another through various routes around Istanbul and other ports. Express boats and car ferries sail along the coast in the sea to towns and small islands.

Turkish Cuisine is famous all over the world for offering distinctive traditional dishes at almost every corner of this pretty country. Turkey is a country with a lively culture of eating out suiting every tastebud preference of travelers.

Turkey is home to the largest olive groves in the world and hence turns out to be one of the best places to try foods containing olives or its olive tourism.

Traditional Turkish food relies more on fresh ingredients rolled, kneaded, shaped, and cooked with care and dedication to perfection. Some of the famous Turkish dishes include – Piyaz (Antalya’s bean salad), Ezogelin Corba (sort of lentil soup), Saksuka (vegetables cooked in Olive oil), Mercimek Kofte (popular Turkish Appetizer or side dish), Kisir (side salad), Yaprak Dolma (a traditional dish essentially vine leaves rolled and filled with seasoned rice or mincemeat), etc.

Turkey cuisine is even renowned for its range of delicious sugary dessert culture often flavored with nuts and Baklava being the most famous. Baklava is a traditional sugary dessert that is extremely tasty, authentic, and crispy sweetened with a light syrup made from sugar, lemon juice, and water and it’s a must to try when in Turkey. Please Note – Baklava does contain eggs and if you are a vegetarian you might not want to try.

Turkish Delight is also known as Lokum is a famous confection among the Turks made with a combination of water, starch, and sugar with different flavors producing delicate yummy cubes.

Turkish beverages are well known across the world and the famous ones are below:

• Turkish Coffee (A perfect way to finish a good meal – it’s usually bitter but with sugar, it can be prepared sweet and can be made as per your preference)
• Turkish Tea (The cups of tea you have with someone determines your relationship with them serving as proof of hospitality)
• Ayran (one of the most preferred accompanying drinks with Turkish foods made with yogurt, water, and salt as for Indians its buttermilk but a thick form)
• Raki (It’s the national drink of Turkey is anise (a plant of parsley family) flavored drink of Turks also referred to as Lion’s milk usually drank along with seafood and in between meals)