Necessities

All the essentials for your day-to-day life in Turkey.
 

 

  • Embassy Locations:
  • All foreign embassies are located in Ankara; however, many countries have consulates in Istanbul and other regions. 

    American Embassy: Ankara
    110 Atatürk Bulvari
    Kavaklıdere 06100

    Ankara
    Phone:  (90-312) 455-5555
    Fax:    (90-312) 467-0019

    British Embassy: Ankara
    Şehit Ersan Caddesi 46/A
    Cankaya 06680
    Ankara
    Phone:  (90-312) 455-3344
    Fax:  (90-312) 455-3356

    German Embassy: Ankara

    Atatürk Bulvarı 114
    Kavaklıdere 06680

    Ankara

    Phone:  (90-312) 455-5100
    Fax:  (90-312) 466-2264

    Royal Netherlands Embassy: Ankara
    Ugur Mumcu Caddesi No. 16

    G.O.P., 06700
    ANKARA
    Phone: (90-0312) 446-0470

    Embassy of Greece in Ankara, Turkey
    Zia Ur Rahman Caddesi 9-11
    G.O.P., 06700
    Ankara
    Phone: (90-312) 448-0647or 448-0387
    Fax: (90-312) 446-3191

  • Health

  • Turkey's health services are composed of an under-funded public system and a financially-sound private sector.  As Turkey does not have any health care agreements with other countries, it is advisable to purchase private insurance.  Public hospitals are generally crowded and understaffed, but their private counterparts are modern and cater to patients' needs.  Going to a private hospital, especially if you have health insurance, is the easiest solution to any health problems.  For dental needs, many private hospitals provide care. 

    For less serious health problems, pharmacies (eczane) can supply treatments and medications without prescriptions.  Easily found in most neighborhoods, pharmacies tend to be clustered around hospitals.  Hours are typically 9am-7pm Monday-Saturday. Generally, each neighborhood has a duty pharmacy (nöbetci) open all night and on Sundays; closed pharmacies will post signs as to the location of this pharmacy.

  • Opening hours

  • General business hours are by and large very variable.  Following are guidelines to opening hours:

    Banks: 9 am - 5 pm Mon-Fri (Some banks close at noon time)

    Bars: 11am or noon-2am daily

    Businesses: 9am-6pm Mon-Fri

    Municipal Offices: 8am-12.30pm, 1.30-5.30pm Mon-Fri

    Museums: 8.30am-5.30pm

    Petrol Stations: 24 hrs daily

    Shops: 10am-8pm Mon-Sat

    Grocery Stores and Supermarkets: 9am-10pm daily

  • Tipping

  • Although not necessary, it is customary to leave about ten percent on the bill at cafés and restaurants.  Many times, service is factored in (servis dahil) at the end of the bill.  Hotel staff, porters and hairdressers do not expect more than $1 USD, the norm.  Tipping is entirely discretionary.  
  • Time

  • Turkey is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and seven hours ahead of New York. Instead of using am and pm, Turkey uses the 24-hour clock.  Daylight savings begins the last Sunday in March and ends the last Sunday in October.