Useful Information

Weather
Bodrum has a typical Mediterranean climate with its low humidity, although it is really hot in the summers. In winters it is mild and rainy, and in summers it is pretty hot and dry. Bodrum is perfect for summer travellers!

Rainfall averages in Bodrum in cm - Jan 7.0, Feb 6.6, March 7.7, April 4.3, May 4.7, June 0.4, July 0.01, August 0.01, Sept 1.2, Oct 2.4, Nov 6.7, Dec 10.7.

What about visiting Bodrum in Spring and Autumn?
Bodrum is an ideal place for special interest activities especially during Spring and Autumn with its soft and warm climate and beautiful natural habitat. In Spring you`ll have the chance to observe a different Bodrum, green with flowers and local herbs everywhere.

I have heard I need to obtain a visa?
Before you go through passport control you need to pay the local charge for your visa. The Turkish Government levies a £10 per person charge (incl. Infants) for a visa to all British nationals arriving in Turkey

What currency is required?
Sterling, Lira, Euros, Travellers cheques or credit cards? The answer is everything is accepted, but it will be better with the lira when going to restaurants, markets and booking boat trips with the boat owner.

What is the crime rate like?
Turkey is very safe with its crime rates far lower that most European countries, including the UK. You should be wary of pick-pockets in major cities and tourist resorts, but street crime is actually very rare! property crime is also very unusual.

Bartering in markets and shops, how do I do it?
Ask the price then offer 1/3 of that price, when the shop owner refuses, offer 40-50% of the original price, gradually increase your price to meet in the middle, if the shop owner won’t accept a reasonable offer, walk. You may be offered water, soda coffee or tea to drink at the shop. Do not hesitate to accept this without a sale, but if alcohol is offered, the shopkeeper generally expects a sale. Generally don’t pay more than 60% of the asking price and never accept the first price offered.

Dolmuses - how do I use them?
The Dolmus (dolmush) is typically Turkish and can be found everywhere. These are mainly minibuses travelling relatively short distances. A dolmus usually waits and starts in the bus station (Otogar) until it is full and then leaves. You can board a dolmus anywhere on its route by signalling it to stop for you. Similarly you can get off at a convenient point anywhere along the route. The destination of the dolmus is posted in the windscreen. There are services to all places on the Bodrum peninsula.
In summer the latest hour of departure of the minibuses or dolmus is 24.00. This kind of public transport is cheap and efficient and works very well all over Turkey. The main dolmus station (otogar) can be found in the centre of Bodrum near the market. Fares start from about 1.5 YTL (about 65 pence) and will take you to all the surrounding areas of Bodrum. Schedules below are for the summer season (May-October) and show when they run and approximate journey times.

Bodrum to - Bitez - runs every 30 minutes, travel time 15 minutes, Gumbet - runs every 15 minutes, travel time 10 minutes, Gumusluk - runs every 30 minutes, travel time 40 minutes, Gundogan - via Torba runs hourly, travel time25 minutes, Torba - runs hourly, travel time 25 minutes, Turgutreis runs every 30 minutes, travel time 25 minutes, Yalikavak - runs 10 times daily, travel time 5 minutes.

Is it safe to drink the tap water?
I recommend that you do not drink the tap water in Turkey due to it`s high mineral content. Tap water in Turkey is chlorinated so it can be used for brushing your teeth! Both 1 litre and 5 litre bottles can be easily purchased. The tap water however can be used for making coffee or tea as there is not a problem once the water is boiled!

Will my plugs fit for my electrical gadgets?
The voltage here in Bodrum is 220 volts. All electrical appliances may be used here but of course as the plugs here are different i.e. 2 pin circular, then you will need a traveller adapter.

Should we tip?
Turkish salaries are very low so tipping is generally expected. Between 5 - 10 per cent is the recommended amount.

What are the opening times of shops and banks?
Most shops open from 9am - 7pm Monday to Saturday, although times may vary. Banks generally open from 8.30am - 12pm and 1.30 - 5pm Monday to Friday.
What do I do if I have lost something? Or had something stolen?

If you lose anything, or have anything stolen it must be reported to the police within 24 hours and a report or a report number obtained. This will be essential if you wish to make a claim on your travel insurance policy.

 

What is the Turkish cuisine like?
It is said that travellers in Turkey `come for the history but stay for the food`. turkish cuisine is one of the world`s most famous, blending ingredients and recipes inherited from the territories covered by the Ottoman Empire. Turkish cuisine is a combination of Middle Eastern food (kebabs, pitta bread and houmous) and Mediterranean food (tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and grilled meat). Hot peppers, mint, parsley, dill, cumin and yoghurt are important ingredients in Turkish cuisine.

Bread is part of the Turkish daily diet. A "meze" consisting of a number of small dishes may be served before the main course of a meal. These include slices of melon, feta cheese, pickles, nuts, small portions of fish, salads and vegetables.

Soups (fish, rice, lentil), rice and wheat dishes (pilaf), meats (lamb, mutton, veal, poultry) and seafood (anchovies, sardines, mackerel, octopus, mussels) are prepared with vegetables (aubergines, artichokes, beans, beetroot, chard, chick peas, cucumbers, mushrooms, onions, peppers, spinach, tomatoes).

Stuffed vegetables (dolmas and sarma), meatballs and egg dishes are popular. The kebab, marinated lamb roasted on a spit, is a Turkish favourite.

Milk puddings flavoured with orange, lemon or rose water are a popular dessert. Other desserts include fresh and stewed fruit (apples, apricots, cherries, figs, melons, peaches, quince and tangerines), pastries and sweets (Turkish Delight and halva).

Raki, an aniseed flavoured spirit, is the national drink. "Boza", another traditional alcoholic drink is made from fermented wheat berries. Beer, wines and fruit juices are produced. "Turkish" coffee is thick and black and tea is prepared over boiling water and served in small glasses.

What is the Turkish religion?
Nominally, 99 per cent of the population is Muslim. Note that it’s rude to point your finger directly towards any person, to show the sole of your shoe to anyone, to blow your nose openly or to do a lot of kissing or hugging in public.

What emergency numbers should I make a note of?
Ambulance/Medical - 112, Fire emergency 110, Police emergency - 155, rural Police (Gendarme) emergency - 156

What speeds on the roads am I allowed to travel at?
The road speed limits in Turkey are - 120 km on dual carriageways, 90 km on rural highways and 50 km in built up areas.

What is the time difference between Turkey and the UK?
Turkey is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

How long is the flight to Turkey?
It takes 3 and a half to 4 hours depending on which airport you are flying to.

Are vaccinations required for visiting Turkey?
No immunization shots are required for travel within Turkey. 

 

COST OF LIVING - AN INDICATION -
All prices are approximate and rounded up or down.
Item Pound
Kilo of tomatoes/most veg 25p
Loaf of bread 15p
Half kilo of butter 60p
Kilo of cheese £1.20
10 Eggs 50p
Litre of Milk 40p
Kilo of meat £2-3
Cafe Meal (from) £1.50
Packet of Cigarettes 76p
Restaurant Meal (from) £5
Beer/shop 50p
Beer/bar £1.00
Vodka/whiskey/gin etc £1.00
Bottle of wine £5
Soft drinks 50p