With vast cultural influences and deep history, Turkey is one of the most intriguing places to visit. Not to mention the diverse landscapes – from Mediterranean white sand beaches and lush green hills of the Black Sea to the caves of Cappadocia and desserts of the East.
Use this quick guide to learn about Turkey’s electric system and spare your devices from being dead, damaged, or completely fried! We’ll also offer tips on what to pack and useful FAQs to enhance your trip!
Turkey has two types of power outlets: plug C and plug F. These are recessed outlets, so they are deeper in the wall than A or B outlets that sit flat on the wall (the kind used in the United States). The C and F outlets both have two round openings that electrical plugs fit into.
Luckily C plugs can be used in an F outlet without worrying about getting an electric shock or frying your device. You’ll find that the outlets look very similar, the only difference being that the F has what’s called “earth clips” in addition to the two round holes.
The frequency is 50Hz with a voltage of 220 V. This is the same frequency and voltage that spans most of Europe. However, if you’re coming from another area of the world, you’ll most likely need an adapter.
If you’re planning a trip to Turkey from the U.S. at some point, the thought, “What kind of plug do I need for Turkey?” will cross your mind. The plugs that you are using in the U.S. won’t be of much use in Turkey– which means you will need a power adapter for everything from computer to phone chargers.
I’d recommend getting this high-quality universal adapter since it works in 100+ popular countries. That way, you can use it again on your next trip, regardless of the plug type. This one, in particular, allows you to charge three devices simultaneously while being compact and super lightweight. It’s also backed by a lifetime replacement guarantee so you can trust the quality, and has a built-in fuse protector to defend against power surges.
In addition to your US-to-Turkey power adapter, these items will help you pack with intention and expand the possibilities of your getaway. Also, check out our Turkey packing list for more inspiration and ideas.
In the metropolitan cities of Turkey like Istanbul and Ankara, it can get quite crowded at times. While they are not particularly dangerous places, petty crime can happen anywhere and the thieves can be quite sly. You’ll want to protect yourself by keeping your valuables out of reach of people with sticky fingers by using a neck wallet that keeps your credit cards and phone safe. This one has RFID-blocking material to stop e-thieves and is perfect for staying organized on long travel days when the jet lag sets in.
Turkish towels are known for being thin and not the most absorbent. Bring your own travel towel to ensure you always have a way to dry off after diving, river rafting, or taking a dip in a relaxing hot spring. This one is the best since it’s light as a feather yet super absorbent, drying 10x faster than cotton!
Being in a foreign country with a dead phone is not a fun situation to be in. With no access to maps or translator apps, it can be a real struggle to get from A to B – not to mention you can’t take any photos with a dead phone. To avoid this happening, I always keep a lipstick-sized charger with me while I am out and about exploring. It’s a real life-saver!
I don’t know about you, but my charging cables always seem to disappear when I need them most. I’ve left them at the airport, on a train, and sometimes they just seem to disappear on their own. To avoid being left in the dark or having to spend a couple of hours trying to find a store that sells cables, it’s better to bring a few extras along from the get-go.
Something you don’t want to learn the hard way is that public Wi-Fi isn’t all that safe. Hackers connected to the same network can easily access your computer, meaning that they can get to your sensitive information like credit card numbers and online banking access. I experienced this first-hand when my credit card number was stolen in Europe.
To protect yourself, it’s best to use a VPN which is a private network just for you. We use NordVPN for peace of mind since they are reliable, affordable, offer unlimited bandwidth for faster streaming, AND have access to 6K+ servers in 100+ countries (which means you won’t be faced with annoying censorship!)
If you’re traveling far to get to Turkey, chances are that you’ll be pretty jet-lagged. Walking around the city drowsy and delusional isn’t fun for anyone. Luckily, jet lag relief pills work like a charm to keep you alert and ready to explore your destination. Throw a pack in your carry-on and don’t forget you’ll need them on your return flight too.
Anytime you head out on an adventure, you should make sure you’re fully covered with travel insurance. It’s hard to think about the bad things that could happen while you’re away, but flights get canceled, luggage gets lost, and sometimes accidents happen, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Especially since your domestic provider does not cover you outside of the country and you should not deal with paying out-of-pocket for massive expenses like medical costs, evacuations, or transits.
Protect your travel investment with Faye, the first 100% digital provider that offers 24/7 support through their mobile app. They make the process entirely seamless and are there for any questions you have along the way. They helped me to connect with my doctor overseas and guided me to the nearest clinic. It’s one of the most affordable parts of your trip and too important to overlook.
Getting stuck in the rain might seem romantic, but it’s not so fun when you’re stuck in wet clothes for the rest of the day. In Turkey, the rain can come out of seemingly nowhere, so keeping an umbrella in your backpack is key to staying dry and comfortable in the case of an unexpected storm. This one covers 2 people and is wind-proof!
If you’ve never heard of a hanging toiletry bag before, prepare to be shook! This is one of our favorite discoveries in recent years and it has revolutionized the way we pack for trips. Bathrooms can be small in Europe and lack storage space. You don’t want to be juggling bottles on the edge of a sink or fighting with your spouse for the one shelf in the bathroom.
This bag is the ideal solution since it hangs anywhere and offers a shelf-like system that goes wherever you may roam. It’s got many pockets and elastic bands to hold bottles or makeup brushes in place. The stain-resistant material is perfect for makeup and messy products, and overall, it’s way better than dealing with tons of plastic ziplocks to fly overseas. We are obsessed!
Sometimes, your luggage will need to be left in luggage storage rooms that aren’t always watched closely. Not to mention the international flight where your checked bags will be out of sight for many hours. To give yourself peace of mind that nobody is rummaging through your belongings while you’re in a hot air balloon in Cappadocia, use a luggage lock to keep your suitcase secure.
Turkey is a fairly modest place with the Islamic religion being predominant. To enter holy sites and mosques, you will need to cover your arms and dress in a modest way. I even felt eyes watching me with my hair exposed, so I used this to wrap around my head when walking between attractions. We always bring a shawl with us for these purposes and it’s handy for things like a chilly night, a dirty public transit seat we want to cover, or anything that requires this multi-purposeful cloth.
Your stomach may need a moment to adjust to the new cuisine and tap water system in Istanbul. Food poisoning is common as you try new dishes, and can strike whether you’re enjoying fine dining gourmet meals or classic street food. Bring these activated charcoal tablets, just in case. They will detoxify bacteria from your stomach if a tummy ache hits and help you to feel better much more quickly.
Turkey is a country with vast landscapes and climates. From the desert regions of the east to the beachy Mediterranean coast, you’ll need to pack an array of different outfits if you’re exploring multiple areas of the country. Using packing cubes is key for staying organized and not losing anything along the way. All you’ll have to do is unpack the cube for the climate you are in and leave everything else neatly stored away in your luggage. This set even comes with 2 bonus laundry bags to separate dirty items.
You will be doing a lot of walking in Turkey, and it can get quite warm! Bring these adjustable, lightweight sandals that strap to your feet in a very fitted way. They are not too flat, offering real arch and heel support so you can trek for miles without feeling blisters or bruised feet. These are the best ones we’ve come across at a very reasonable price.
Turkey can hit about 86°F (30°C) on a warm summer’s day, which is hotter than it sounds when standing in long lines in direct sunlight, or baking on the Mediterranean coast. Bring these cooling towels to beat the heat and stay comfortable. Simply add water and wring it out, the towel will drop to 20 degrees colder than the outside temperature, which is such a sweet relief on a warm afternoon. They can be reused an infinite amount of times and give you endless frosty comfort.
Turkey’s electricity is predominantly generated from coal. However, they’re also focusing their efforts on scaling their renewable energy sector with a focus on hydroelectric, wind, and solar power. They hope to be 50% renewable by 2030 and by the mid-2030s to be completely renewable.
In large cities such as Istanbul or Ankara, it’s not uncommon for power outages in areas of the city. The electricity will cut out for a couple of hours and then turn back on – you won’t need to worry about this if you’re in a nice hotel because they have generators that kick in. However, if you plan to stay in an Airbnb, this is something you should consider.
Whether or not you need a voltage converter for Turkey depends on your electronics. Turkey’s voltage is 220, which is double the voltage in the United States. Some electronics, like phones, laptops, tablets, cameras, and computers, are dual-voltage and can safely be used. You’ll find this on the bottom of the device or on a tag stuck to the cord.
If the devices you want to use in Turkey aren’t in the 220V range, you’ll need a voltage converter. If you simply use the adapter, you risk frying your electronics – which happened to me with my hair straightener. While a hair straightener wasn’t a huge pain to replace, you don’t want to risk it for more high-ticket items.
The best time to travel to Turkey is during the two “shoulder” seasons. Which are the end of spring, late April, and May.
Along with the autumn months of September and October. These are the months when the weather is still great across the country, but there are fewer tourists.
Turkey has four distinct seasons. Winter can get pretty cold– so don’t think that because you’re in the Middle East, it’ll be hot. It often snows in the winter, and if you’re in the mountains, there’s plenty of opportunity to ski. In summer, it gets HOT across the country, with temperatures around 80-90 degrees regularly. The fall and spring temperatures are milder, with a lot of rain, so don’t forget your umbrella.
There are endless adventures to be had in Turkey. From hot air ballooning in Cappadocia and Hiking the Lycian way to jumping from cliffs into crystal clear Mediterranean Water in Antalya and Izmir, not to mention that Istanbul has endless things to do and see in and of itself. You definitely won’t be bored for a single minute while you’re in Turkey.
There are so many things to do in seeing in Turkey you might be wondering what the must-do’s are. The cities that you’ll want to check out are Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, Izmir, Bodrum, Bursa, and Ephesus. These cover all the different geographical areas of Turkey and the main historical spots. If you’re staying for an extended period of time, you’ll be able to hit all of them, but if not, you can decide based on what type of holiday you are in need of.
){kind=link}