Türkiye offers many facilities concerning its visa policy. Visas can be obtained from Turkish Embassies abroad or at the airport. As the rules may often change, it’s wise to check regularly http://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa to receive updated information.

Electronic Visa Application

Türkiye’s e-Visa application system offers its applicants a comfortable and practical way to obtain a visa. E-visa is an endorsement allowing the bearer to enter Türkiye.

Applicants obtain their visa electronically after entering required information and making payment by credit card. After successful application, the e-Visa is e-mailed to the applicant. Applicants must print out their e-Visa, show it to airport officials and customs officers, and always carry it with them during their travel. Passports should be valid for at least six months.

E-Visa is only valid for tourism or trade purposes.

For more information: https://www.evisa.gov.tr/

*Duration of visa differs from country to country: min. 30 days up to 90 days.  

Various transportation vehicles are available in İstanbul, one of the biggest cities in Europe. Railroads, bus lines, and trams are supported by sea transportation such as ferries, boats and sea taxis that travel between two continents.

The city has an integrated electronic ticket system which uses smart RFID cards called Istanbulkart. The website www.iett.gov.tr submits detailed information on transportation alternatives.

In addition, İstanbul offers an extensive mass transit network including metro, light-rail, buses and shared taxis, as well as a fleet of over 16,000 taxis. Mass transit is affordable and easy to use and.

Transportation to Hotel

Transfers of the participants of the Conference will be provided by the General Prosecution Office of the Supreme Court of Appeal. Please send your flight itinerary to the following mail addresses after booking your tickets:

Dr. İlknur Altuntaş: ilknuraltuntas@yargitay.gov.tr
Sevgican Pek Can: sevgican.pekcan@yargitay.gov.tr

Buses

Metropolitan buses in İstanbul are frequent and economic. They travel to almost any point within the city and some villages around the city. Alternatives are privately operated buses using the same lines where you can pay onboard.

The “metrobus”, which operates between Söğütlüçeşme on the Asian side and Avcılar on the European side, is another popular transportation alternative that can save a lot of time.

Marmaray

Marmaray, the rail connection between European and Asian İstanbul via a tunnel beneath the Bosphorus, joins the stations at Halkalı, Kazlıçeşme, Yenikapı and Sirkeci in Europe with the stations at Üsküdar, Ayrılık Çeşmesi and other stations in Asia all the way to Gebze, making it possible to cross from Old İstanbul in Europe to the Asian shore of the Bosphorus in a matter of minutes.

Subway

The İstanbul Metro is a mass-transit underground railway network. İstanbul's metro consists of nine lines. Five of the lines are on the European side and four of the lines are on the Asian side. New lines are being added tothe system.

Tram

The tram lines are Zeytinburnu-Kabataş, Güngören-Bağcılar and Edirnekapı-Sultançiftliği. Taksim, the cultural and entertainment center of the city, is accessible from Kabataş by a short funicular railway. A light rail line, known as M1, runs from Yusufpaşa, near Aksaray, to Esenler, bus station.

Sea

The sea route is usually the quickest way between the European and Asian sides, particularly during rush-hour. Ferries connect the two sides of the city. There are city-line ferries that run the length of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, and from the islands. There are also tourist excursions along the Bosphorus.

Smaller private motorboats that depart from Beşiktaş on the European side drop their passengers at Üsküdar on the Asian side in six minutes. The modern catamarans are for those who want to get about quickly.

Taxi

Licensed taxis in İstanbul are yellow and have registration numbers on the sides. They can be found on the ranks or can be hailed on the street. Hotels, restaurants, and bars can provide taxi. Bridge tolls are added onto the taxi fare.

Shared Taxi (Dolmuş)

One practical solution to transportation in İstanbul is the dolmuş, a shared taxi seating 7 or 8 passengers that operates on specific routes through the busiest parts of the city until midnight. The destination is written on signs placed on the windscreen.

Currency

The Turkish Lira is the official currency of Türkiye. Bank notes come in denominations of five, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 TL. Coins come in the amounts of one, five, 10 and 25 Kuruş and 1 Lira.

ATMs

ATMs can be found all around the country. All of them offer foreign language options and pay out Turkish liras as well as Euros and American Dollars.

Changing Money

Foreign exchange offices, which are known as “döviz bürosu” can be found throughout the country. Operating hours are mostly Monday to Friday, from 09:00 to 17:00. In the arrivals section of İstanbul airports, there are 24-hour exchange offices. Also the exchange offices located in shopping malls and touristic areas are open later and on Saturdays. US Dollars and Euros are accepted in highly touristic districts like Sultanahmet and Taksim but rates are often not competitive. You can also exchange currencies in private or state banks.

Credit Cards

Credit cards are widely used and accepted. Visitors can use their Visa and Mastercards but Amex and Diners Club are often not accepted.

Shopping & Tax Refund

The prices of goods sold in Türkiye include an 18 percent tax. If you are a non-resident of Türkiye and stay in the country for less than six months, you can get a tax refund on all purchases over 108 TL.

Shopping hours

Shops are open between 10.00 am and 18.00 pm on weekdays and weekends. Shops in the city centre have extended opening hours. The main shopping streets in the centre of İstanbul are: Nişantaşı, Bağdat Street, İstiklal Street. There are also lots of shopping malls all around the city that operate between 10.00 am and 22.00 pm every day.

Internet & Communication in Istanbul

4,5G wi-fi access is available in  most hotels, cafes, and restaurants. Wi-fi Internet access, usually free, is common all over Türkiye. Some intercity buses, trains, ferryboats and airports have it. There are three GSM providers in Türkiye that can set you up with a SIM card and data plan. These include Vodafone, Turkcell and Turk Telekom. All the operators mostly have  good coverage and speed in Istanbul. There are also prepaid phone cards available to call abroad at more affordable rates.

Time Zone

Time is two hours ahead of Central European Time (CET+2).

Voltage Information

Türkiye’s electrical system operates on 220 volts, 50 Hz, with round-prong European-style plugs that fit into recessed wall sockets. You will need a voltage converter, and plug adapter in order to use U.S. appliances. We recommend getting a universal adapter and converter kit.

Climate

İstanbul’s weather can be described as temperate, with warm and humid summers and mild and wet winters. Average daytime temperatures vary from 28°C (82°F) in the summer to 7 – 8°C (46 – 50°F) in the winter.

Health

Türkiye provides excellent healthcare services; doctors and dentists are well-trained, and hospitals are well-equipped. In the event of emergency cases or Covid-19 symptoms, the organisers will be at your disposal for any medical care.

Insurance

It is strongly recommended that delegates take out adequate travel and health insurance prior to commencement of travel.