Plan the Turkey trip you actually want
Honest, up-to-date guides to Istanbul, Cappadocia and the Turkish coast — written for travelers coming from the US.
Start here
~30 min of reading, in order- Sort your entryThe e-visa question, answered in 2 minutesRead the guide
- Pick your seasonWhen the weather and crowds work for youRead the guide
- Choose a routeThe classic first-timer week, day by dayRead the guide
- Master IstanbulWhere to stay and what not to missRead the guide
- Handle moneyLira, cards and tipping, without the stressRead the guide
- Know before you goThe honest safety picture for AmericansRead the guide
Start with the highlights
Turkey, Worked Out.
Turkey's highest-stakes decisions all share a property nobody mentions: the number you would look up does not exist. This book does the reasoning the lookup can't.
Turkey at a glance
The big picture before you plan: Istanbul up north, Cappadocia in the center, and the ruins and beaches strung along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. Tap any pin to open its guide.
The best months to visit Turkey
Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) are ideal nearly everywhere — warm, dry, and far fewer crowds than peak summer.
Latest guides
Turkish Airlines stopover and long Istanbul layovers: when you must collect your checked bags, and when it pays to
On a single Turkish Airlines ticket your bags normally go straight through Istanbul, even if you leave the airport; on a stopover or separate tickets, the code on the bag tag tells you whether you collect them.
Istanbulkart or single tickets: which one a visitor needs, and how to load it without the 'helper' scam
Which Istanbul transit ticket a visitor should buy, how one Istanbulkart covers a whole group and the ferries, and how to load it without falling for the machine-side helper scam.
Turkey Holiday Dates: Which Are Fixed and Which Move
Why some Turkish holidays are known years ahead and others only weeks before: the fixed national days, the moving Bayrams, and who announces the dates.
Bayram 2027 Dates in Turkey: Ramazan & Kurban, What Closes
Ramazan Bayramı runs 9–11 March 2027 and Kurban Bayramı 16–19 May 2027, each with a half-day eve from 1 p.m. The 2028 dates, what closes by law, and how to plan a trip around the two blocks.
Turkey Public Holidays: Dates and What Closes
Turkey's 7 fixed public holidays, the half-day before Republic Day, and what actually closes by law (and what stays open) while you're traveling.
Visiting Turkey During Ramadan: What's Open and What Changes
Almost nothing closes. What changes for a visitor in Turkey during Ramadan: daytime eating, alcohol, working hours, and how it differs by region.
