Should You Buy Travel Insurance When You Travel to Turkey?

​​Situated at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, nestled between rich history and ancient ruins, is the vast landscape of Turkey — a country with a geography as diverse as its culture. With a peak of 45 million international inbound visitors annually, travel to Turkey has steadily increased over the past two decades. Chances are, if you’ve landed on this blog, you’re also interested in planning your Turkish vacation.

So, what are the top tourist attractions in Turkey? More importantly, what cultural etiquette and customs should you know in Turkey? In this comprehensive Turkey travel guide, we’ll detail everything you need to know before you travel to Turkey, from the most recommended Turkish cuisine and the top Turkish tourist attractions to practical travel advice like safety in Turkey. Let’s get started

Why Travel to Turkey?

Ask three people why they would travel to Turkey, and all three will give you a different answer — that’s the beauty of Turkey! No other country in the world shares the same unique geographic position as Turkey, which exists on two continents simultaneously: Asia and Europe. So, travelers can expect to explore sun-soaked Mediterranean beaches, rugged mountain ranges, rolling plateaus, and fertile valleys.

The incredibly diverse landscape of Turkey spans the country’s coastline, which stretches along the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Black Seas and has spawned hundreds of beautiful beaches and seaside towns. While the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts are renowned for their clear waters, ancient ruins, and holiday resorts, the Black Sea coast is famous for its lush greenery and cultural uniqueness.

Beyond the coastline lies the Pontic mountain range in the north and the Taurus mountain range to the south. Many adventurers travel to Turkey to explore these peaks, providing a haven for hikers nearly 13,000 feet above sea level. In between is Central Turkey, which is dominated by the arid landscape of the Anatolian Plateau and mystical Cappadocia, famous for fairy chimneys, cave dwellings, and hot air balloon rides.

Turkey Tourist Attractions and Turkish Cuisine

The cultural heritage of Turkey is a reflection of its rich history due mainly in part to the myriad of civilizations that have thrived on its soil. While Turkey was declared its own country in 1923, it had been in the Ottoman Empire for nearly 600 years. Before that, the ancient Hittites, Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines left indelible marks on the country’s architecture, cuisine, and traditions.

Travel to Turkey almost always includes a trip to Istanbul (formerly Constantinople), a city that embodies the country’s blend of cultures. Here, you can find top Turkish tourist attractions like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace, which reflect its Byzantine and Ottoman past. There’s also an impressive array of ancient ruins, like Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean.

Of course, travel to Turkey isn’t only sightseeing. Turkish culture is defined by traditional music, folk dances, and vibrant carpet weaving, which vary from region to region as each city tells its own story through its art. Once you’ve participated in the colorful activities, you can enjoy authentic Turkish cuisine, which offers a cross-continent array of flavors. The culinary scene is ripe with kebabs, mezes, and baklava.

What is the Best Time to Travel to Turkey?

What is the best time of year to visit Turkey? Well, that depends on the type of activities you enjoy. Generally speaking, the Turkish tourism high season aligns with warmer temperatures from May to September. However, the more popular time to travel to Turkey, the more expensive. During this time, coastal areas become ultra-popular for beach activities, but accommodations and airfares are pricey.

The best time to visit Turkey is actually the shoulder season, which is April and October through November. The climate is more moderate, with fewer crowds and lower prices, though some coastal establishments may close, so there is a trade-off in potential activities. If you’d like to skip the crowds and partake in winter sports like skiing, travel to Turkey during the low season, from mid-November through March.

How to Travel to Turkey Safely?

You might be wondering if it is safe to travel to Turkey. It is safe to travel to Turkey; however, like any international destination, tourists must abide by Turkey’s travel tips. In particular, it’s essential to exercise increased caution due to terrorism concerns and arbitrary detentions. Specific areas, notably Sirnak province, Hakkari province, and regions within 10 kilometers of the Syrian border, are advised against travel.

Aside from localized threats of terrorism, safety in Turkey relies on self and spatial awareness. Crimes like street robbery and pickpocketing are common in popular tourist areas, namely Istanbul. Likewise, Turkey is located in a seismically active region, meaning it experiences a range of natural disasters, including earthquakes, forest fires, and severe rainstorms that can lead to flooding and landslides.

Before you touch down in Turkey, remain mindful of these safety tips for urban and rural areas:

• Avoid political demonstrations and follow local advice from government and military personnel, as protests can occur and may become violent.
• Respect cultural etiquette in Turkey, namely remaining considerate of the conservative dress code when visiting religious sites and carrying a form of identification at all times.
• Prepare for limited services in rural towns by carrying a first-aid kit and adequate supplies, as access to medical facilities may be restricted in remote areas.
• Adhere to traditional customs whenever possible, especially in rural communities, by learning a few Turkish phrases and understanding non-verbal cues.

Should You Buy Turkey Travel Insurance?

The majority of Turkey travel guides will advise you to purchase travel insurance — and for good reason! Beyond just a helpful Turkey travel tip, travel insurance can be critical in safeguarding your trip abroad, ensuring that unforeseen circumstances do not disrupt your plans or lead to significant financial losses. Look at how reliable travel insurance can help when you travel to Turkey.

Medical Emergencies and Evacuation

We can’t predict when accidents or emergencies will happen. If you accidentally trip and fall or become injured during your trip, travel insurance can cover the cost of medical treatment, which your health insurance likely will not cover abroad. Medical treatment can quickly become expensive, especially if hospitalization or emergency medical evacuation is required. Travel insurance can cover these costs if you must be transported to a better-equipped hospital or repatriated to your home country for medical reasons.

Trip Cancellations or Interruptions

If an accident, illness, injury, or death of a close relative occurs before your departure, travel insurance can protect you with trip cancellation coverage. Trip cancellation coverage reimburses you for non-refundable expenses like flight tickets, hotel bookings, and tours. Should you need to cut your travel to Turkey short due to similar unforeseen emergencies, the trip interruption coverage on your insurance policy can also cover the costs of return travel and reimburse the unused portion of your trip.

Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Luggage

If you’ve had the hindsight to research your travel to Turkey before departure, you likely want to be protected against the unknown. So, why waste your time packing your luggage to the nines if you don’t plan on protecting it? Travel insurance with baggage coverage can compensate for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage. This coverage is especially useful in protecting valuable items and ensuring you’re not out-of-pocket if your belongings are negatively affected during transit.

Go Ready Travel Insurance Plans for Your Travel to Turkey

International travelers are flocking to Turkey, and by the looks of it, you’re likely one of them. If you only plan to listen to a handful of the above Turkey travel tips, let it be these: Insure your trip and purchase a plan with optimal coverage. Need help figuring out where to start? The Go Ready VIP Plan by Aegis has the highest coverage limits of any policy we offer, making it ideal for international travel to Turkey.
Don’t just take our word for it: Explore available Go Ready travel insurance plans today!