The world is opening up again to travel. Here are some quick tips you might need if you're heading to Turkey post COVID-19.
Journeys with Jarvie Series: Tips While in Turkey: Istanbul Airport
Make sure you've got the proper documentation: HES Document
If you want to travel to Turkey, you'll need the usual passport of course, but did you know about the HES document? It's a code you carry with you to use on public transportation that lets people know your COVID-19 status, and you may be asked to show it. While it's not always required, you might be asked for it, so it's good to have.
HES stands for (Hayat Eve Sığar ) in Turkish language which means ( Life Fits Into Home) in English, the code helps you safely share your Covid-19 risk status with individuals and institutions for daily activities such as transportation or circulations for traveling. (Source: Istanbul Airport)
If you need a link to where you sign up for the HES document click here
Layovers vs. Landings
- If you're not leaving the airport, you won't need to worry about lines.
While the layover in Amsterdam did not require any Passport control--no lines to get in, you walk off the plane, you're immediately in the airport and you go to your next gate (which for me wasn't very far away), in Turkey, you'll be exiting the airport into their country so there is a passport control even if you were to get on another flight. So it's different between Amsterdam and Turkey of course.
- If you're not leaving the airport, you won't need to worry about lines.
Passport Lines Have 2 Areas
- When you visit the airport in Istanbul, you'll see two areas for the passport lines. One area is for the locals and the other one is for the foreign passports.
You get into that line and it should be pretty fast.
- When you visit the airport in Istanbul, you'll see two areas for the passport lines. One area is for the locals and the other one is for the foreign passports.
Passport Control Should be a Smooth Process
- You will have little to no talking necessary at Passport Controls
They won't even ask anything. For instance, in my case, they didn't even ask me a question. They stamped my passport, made me look into a camera and I went on my merry way.
- You will have little to no talking necessary at Passport Controls
Istanbul airport is large
- You should be prepared for a decent amount of walking
In Turkey you'll have a bit of a walk... It was a decent little walk over to the luggage
- You should be prepared for a decent amount of walking
Luggage is Relatively Easy to Get
- After you've been through the whole process with the passport, you'll find that your bags should be waiting for you.
By the time you get [to the luggage area], the luggage should already be there (since it's a decently-sized airport).
- After you've been through the whole process with the passport, you'll find that your bags should be waiting for you.
Lots of ATM and Exchange Places but Don't Use Them
- If you leave the airport and exchange your money there, you'll most likely have better options.
Then you take another jaunt past some (money) exchange booths, by some ATMs which I'm not sure are good. I know the exchange ones are NOT but maybe the ATMS are all kind of the same; I'm not exactly sure. When I went saw online 11.06 while the exchange was saying 11.09 and then you go to the "nothing to declare" and then a decent amount of walking in the airport to the exit and if you're taking an UBER, it's about $18 to $22 and in this case they met me at departure and there were a lot of taxis.
- If you leave the airport and exchange your money there, you'll most likely have better options.
Outside of Exit is Outside of the "Nothing to Declare" Area
Top Floor is actually the 2nd Floor
- The Top Floor and 2nd Floor are used interchangeably so it can be tricky
Choose the top floor. They say floor 2 in the airport but nothing says floor 2 anywhere so choose the top floor (basically floor 2 means top floor). The only thing that says floor 2 is the elevator. (Departures will say Floor 2.)
- The Top Floor and 2nd Floor are used interchangeably so it can be tricky
Tips for Using an Uber
Uber area is on that second floor
A fun side note: Istanbul kicked out Uber years ago. They beat up the Uber drivers and then they came to an agreement and brought them back and then the taxi drivers are the Uber drivers, but it helps if you don't want to get cash right away but you won't be able to use a PayPal account if that's connected to your Uber but you can use Google Pay.
Remember to Verify the Uber Driver is Yours
In order to be safe when using an Uber, check to match the license plate and have THEM tell you your name.
If you plan ahead, you won't need to get your money exchanged immediately at the airport.
Didn't have to get money or sim card yet because I was using Uber and paying $10 for 24 hours of Verizon access.
For those Photographers out there, Plan Your Flight Around Weather and Daylight
- Think ahead about needing to have that jacket you brought outside of your luggage. What's the weather like this time of year? What about the sunsets?
Weather cool maybe jacket weather outside. Sunset is 5:30 [this time of year].
- Think ahead about needing to have that jacket you brought outside of your luggage. What's the weather like this time of year? What about the sunsets?
If you're heading towards the Blue Mosque or Hagia Sophia, here's a driving time estimate:
Drive may take me more than an hour but that's probably because of the time [of day].
Hope these tips are helpful to those traveling to Istanbul. All photography shown can be seen or purchased at this link here. All photos and quotes not cited specifically were provided by Jarvie.
