In order to enter Turkey, the U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry

We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps

In order to enter Turkey, the U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain an electronic visa through the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs prior to arrival. E-visas can be purchased at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website

Passport control officers at ports of entry can verify your e-visa in their systems. However, we advise keeping either a digital or hard copy of your e-visa in case of any system failures

If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirement 

It is recommended and advised to make printed copies of all travel documents, visas, travelers' insurance. and any other necessary important documents 

All passengers are responsible for traveling with the proper documentation, and the name on your documentation must exactly match the name on your reservation 

Guests traveling without proper documentation may be denied boarding and will not be entitled to a refund

You will walk for about 2.5 hours daily across moderately uneven terrain, including cobblestone streets, dirt paths, and wooden platforms, with some hills and steps

Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour

You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of ferries

TDLAST and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on a tour 

The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to travelers

If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact us directly

All airport transfers arriving at the start of a tour to Istanbul and departing on the last day of the tour from Istanbul are included 

A representative from TDLAST will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the international arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival

All airport transfers arriving after or before the start of the tour to Istanbul and departing before or after the last day of the tour from Istanbul are subject for an extra charge ($TBD) 

Domestic flights booked through TDLAST will either have a representative on board the flight or a person to meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please proceed to the domestic flight's arrival hall after claiming any checked bags to be escorted to your hotel 

All ground transportation, ferries, domestic flights, and other forms of organized transportation by TDLAST for a designated tour is included 

Any changes, special requests, or delays not incurred by TDLAST are subject to extra charges and fees ($TBD)

Contact the airline carrier for your international flight to and from Istanbul. Check airline(s) baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights 

For domestic flights, travelers are limited to one checked bag not to exceed 20 kg/ 44 lb and one carry-on bag 

This is due to storage limitations on motor coaches, and other transfers, which may include train, ferry, connections, or flights

Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are SOLELY responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights

Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered, as well as a light jacket or rainwear. Please note that temperatures will dip with changes in elevation throughout your tour

A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing

A sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are recommended for outdoor activities

You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance

It is preferable not to visit mosques or other religious sites with bare legs or shoulders (entrance may be denied on this basis)

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to Turkey

At least 30 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov

Please be sure to take proper care with sun exposure, the sun can be especially strong in some of the areas you are visiting

If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered

Certain over-the-counter and prescription medications may be banned in Turkey. Importing these drugs can carry severe consequences, including imprisonment. Please consult your healthcare provider prior to departure to ensure that any drugs you may want to bring with you are legal in Turkey

If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify TDLAST at least 14 days prior to your departure by logging in to tdlast.com and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team

In Turkey, breakfast typically consists of sourdough bread with sheep’s cheese and olives, as well as jam or honey. A midday meal or dinner often starts with a meze, which is a plate of varied appetizers like cheese pastry rolls, pickled vegetables, and potato fritters

On the coast, fish is an excellent choice, especially tuna, turbot, and sardines. Meat eaters should try lamb kebabs, available in a wide variety of types, each with a different sauce or dressing

The national drink is tea, but don't miss out on the strong and rich Turkish coffee

Notify TDLAST if you have any known food allergies

Turkey operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins

We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or another device without a built-in converter

The strength of the air conditioning, heating in Turkish hotels is often not as strong or as cool or warm as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning or heating is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel

Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed, so plan accordingly

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply

There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches

Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges

Turkey is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is seven hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET)

When it’s noon in New York, it’s 7 pm in Turkey in the summer, but 8 pm in the winter

You will use the Turkish lira on tour

Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive 

We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed

You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees

Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges

International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep frequently updated currency exchange rates in mind

We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10 USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver

If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2 USD per local guide

Tips can only be paid in cash

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour

Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions

Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged

International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices

All travel quotation is provisional and for budget purposes only

Prices and availability are not guaranteed until a land deposit is received to begin the confirmation process

Prices are per person based on group participation levels

All prices are based on current exchange rates. We reserve the right to change prices in the event of currency fluctuations or unforeseeable events

If a group falls below the minimum number of passengers, group pricing and policies are no longer valid

The safety of our guests and staff is a top priority and we are monitoring the evolving
Coronavirus/COVID-19 situation closely. We are taking recommended prevention and response
measures

For latest updates, please check out our form: TDLAST COVID-19 Tour Safety Procedure Update