Is it safe to travel to Turkey now? Things you need to know

You're thinking to travel to Turkey soon but you're not sure if you can do so safely? Look no further. We prepared this guide to help you find out who can travel to Turkey and what are the conditions for entry into the country.

Who can travel to Turkey right now?

Unlike other European countries, Turkey has opened for tourism to all nationalities. All air, land and sea borders have opened, except the one with Syria.

What are the entry requirements for travel to Turkey?

Even though the country has lifted all restrictions for travel, it takes sanitary measures very seriously. Therefore, upon arrival, passengers are required to:

• Provide their contact information
• Wear masks at the airport and during the flights
• To undergo a health check

Travelers who are suspect of COVID-19 will be subject to testing at their own cost (~33 USD). If the test result is positive, they will be quarantined and treated at a private hospital.

During your travel to Turkey you must also wear a mask in public spaces and maintain social distancing measures of at least 1.5 meters. The use of masks is also mandatory in taxis and other transportation means where there are at least two people.

What is open in Turkey?

The country has opened most public businesses and attractions. The list includes museums, accommodation places, bazaars, beaches, swimming pools and parks.

Airport and airline measures in Turkey

Airports and airlines are taken the protection of incoming passengers very seriously.

Istanbul airport has introduced contactless security measures, thermal cameras for temperature screening, UV sanitation for all luggage passing through X-rays. Moreover, passengers can also sanitize their passports with UV lights after control checks and use alcohol gel dispensers. In addition, all airport surfaces are thoroughly disinfected with UV light. Similar measures have been taken at Ankara, Antalya, Alanya, Dalaman, Izmir and Bodrum airports.

Turkish Airlines has introduced contactless check-in and boarding counters, installed HEPA filters on all aircraft. In addition, a hygiene expert will be aboard all flights and all aircraft are spotlessly cleaned before allowing passengers to board. They also introduced hand sanitizes dispensers in all lavatories and provide passengers with Hygiene kits that include hand sanitizer, mask and antiseptic tissues.

Pegasus has also introduced HEPA filters on all flights and clean all aircraft every 24 hours. They encourage passengers to use of contactless check-in kiosks.

Belavia Airlines is also conducting thorough disinfection and sanitization of aircraft prior to boarding. They provide Precaution kits which include masks, disposable gloves and antiseptic wipes.

You can check out the COVID-19 measures taken by other airlines flying to Turkey, such as SunExpress and Qatar Airways.

What is the current COVID-19 situation in Turkey?

To date, Turkey has accumulated a total of 349.519 COVID-19 cases and 9.371 deaths. The number of active cases at the moment is 34.721, and the average daily increase is approximately 1.700 new cases. Find out more information on the official website.

Top cities to visit in Turkey

Bodrum is known not only for its beautiful sights and beaches, but also for its historic center. Don't miss the Bodrum Castle, which is on the list to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check out hotels in Bodrum here.

Izmir is the third-largest city in Turkey. There are plenty of things to do in Izmir, from walking along the waterfront promenade to sunbathe at one of the amazing beaches. Find accommodation in Izmir here.

Kusadasi in a city where you cannot get bored. It offers plenty of historic and natural sites and fantastic restaurants and cafés. Check out hotels in Kusadasi here.

Antalya is Turkey's Tourism Capital, very popular among travelers' summer destinations, known for its amazing resorts and beaches. Find the best hotels and resorts in Antalya here.

Istanbul is best known for being the only city in the world built on two continents, Europe and Asia. It is a very important historic place as it is the former capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Check out accommodation options in Istanbul here.

How to stay safe during your travel to Turkey

You should respect the general recommendations for avoiding infection with COVID-19, such as:

• Keeping social distancing measures.
• Maintaining high-levels of hygiene, such as washing hands frequently.
• Avoiding touching any parts of the face.
• Staying at home or accommodation if you feel sick and avoid contact with others.

Did you find this article useful? You can also check out which countries are open now in Europe or what travel insurance companies cover for COVID-19.