Trip to Turkey
Pack for Turkey without the stress: documents, money, first aid, beach and excursions. Answer two questions and the list adapts to your trip.

[ ] Check your passport validity
    Turkey requires at least 150 days of passport validity from the date of entry. Check now — renewing a passport takes weeks.
[ ] Check visa rules
    Many nationalities enter visa-free or with a cheap e-visa from evisa.gov.tr. Rules change — double-check for your passport before booking.
[ ] Buy travel medical insurance
    Tourist healthcare in Turkey is paid and not cheap. Make sure the policy covers activities: waterparks, diving, quad bikes.
[ ] Save tickets and bookings offline
    Border control may ask for a return ticket and hotel address. Screenshots on your phone plus paper copies just in case.
[ ] Take cash (USD or EUR)
    Cards are widely accepted, but small vendors, markets and dolmuş buses often take lira cash only. Exchanging on arrival usually beats airport and home rates; keep small bills for tips.
[ ] Make copies of your documents
    Photos of passport, insurance and bookings go to cloud storage. Paper copies travel separately from the originals.
[ ] Pack a first aid kit
    Minimum: fever reducer, painkiller, sorbent and oral rehydration salts (stomach bugs happen), plasters, antiseptic, your regular meds. Many medicines in Turkey are prescription-only.
[ ] Buy sunscreen SPF 30–50
    It costs 2–3x more at the resorts. Add panthenol spray in case of sunburn.
[ ] Remember: drink bottled water only
    Even locals don't drink tap water in Turkey. Supermarket bottled water costs pennies.
[ ] Set up an eSIM or local SIM
    Airport tourist SIMs are overpriced. An eSIM (Airalo and similar) is usually cheaper. Keep access to SMS codes from your bank back home.
[ ] Download offline maps and a translator
    Offline city maps plus Turkish in your offline translator: outside hotels English is limited.
[ ] Arrange airport transfer
    Taxis at the exit are the priciest option. Havaist/HAVAŞ buses or a pre-booked transfer are calmer and cheaper.
[ ] Chargers and a power bank
    Type F sockets (European standard). US/UK plugs need an adapter.
[ ] Pack a light jacket for evenings
    Sea evenings get chilly, and buses, restaurants and malls run icy air conditioning.
[ ] Hat and sunglasses
    The southern Turkish sun is harsh from May to October.
[ ] Swimwear and beach shoes
    Two swimsuits are enough: one dries while you wear the other. Water shoes matter on pebble beaches (Kemer, Antalya).
[ ] Waterproof phone pouch
    Protects from sand and splashes, and you can shoot sea photos right through it.
[ ] Broken-in walking shoes
    Sightseeing days mean 15–20k steps over hills, cobblestones and ancient ruins.
[ ] Modest clothes for mosque visits
    Shoulders and knees covered; women need a headscarf. Big mosques lend wraps, but your own scarf is more comfortable.
[ ] Plan excursions in advance
    Pamukkale, Cappadocia, Ephesus — balloon flights and popular tours sell out days ahead in season.
[ ] Kids' documents
    Each child needs their own passport. Bring the birth certificate (matters when surnames differ) and check exit rules if the child travels with one parent.
[ ] Kids' first aid kit
    Child-dose fever reducer, tummy remedies, thermometer, cartoon plasters — they beat any persuasion.
[ ] UV swim shirt and floaties for the kid
    Kids' skin burns in 15 minutes. A UPF swim shirt beats any sunscreen, and a sun hat is non-negotiable.
[ ] Snacks and entertainment for the road
    Offline cartoons, small new toys, water and familiar snacks: the flight plus transfer run long.
[ ] Stroller or baby carrier
    Most airlines gate-check a light stroller for free. For ruins and cobblestones a carrier works better.
[ ] Check in online for your flight
    Usually opens 24–36 hours before departure. Free seats together go fastest right at opening.

Checklist from Unload: https://unloads.me/c/turkey