FAQ

Question 1

Passport, visa & entry requirements

Accepted Answer

- In order to enter Turkey, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
- There’s no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
- If you’re not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to [goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements](/entry-requirements?tourCode=TU6) and searching the code TU6.

Question 2

Tour pacing & mobility

Accepted Answer

* You’ll walk for about 2.5 hours daily across moderately uneven terrain—including cobblestone streets, dirt paths, and wooden platforms—with some hills and steps.
* Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
* You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting on and off of ferries.
* Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide ongoing assistance to any one traveler.
* If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Question 3

Transportation & arrival information

Accepted Answer

- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Istanbul. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please exit through door 8 of the arrivals hall; a representative will wait for you there.
- Transfers to and from the airport at the beginning and end of the tour are included for travelers who purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
- Flights from Istanbul to Izmir, and from Cappadocia to Istanbul, are included in the price of the tour.
- All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Question 4

Baggage allowance

Accepted Answer

- Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches, ferries, flights, and other modes of transportation.
- Contact your airline(s) for the luggage restrictions for your itinerary. Please note that on-tour flights may have tighter size and weight limits than your round-trip airfare to and from tour.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any bags or exceed their size and weight restrictions. Be advised: You’re responsible for any luggage fees you incur.
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Question 5

Clothing & packing tips

Accepted Answer

* We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear. (Temperatures and the weather will change as we climb in altitude.)
* A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing. For outdoor activities, we’d also suggest packing a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
* You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
* Churches, mosques, and other religious sites require visitors to cover bare legs and shoulders; you may be denied entry on this basis. Women should bring a light scarf or a head covering.

Question 6

Health

Accepted Answer

* At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your healthcare provider, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at **[cdc.gov](https://www.cdc.gov/)**, for the latest updates and entry requirements.
* Be sure to take proper care to avoid sun exposure. Its rays can be especially strong in some of the areas you are visiting.
* If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour, as well as any possible delays you may encounter.
* Certain over-the-counter and prescription medications may be banned in Turkey. Importing these drugs can carry severe consequences, including imprisonment. Please consult your healthcare provider prior to departure to ensure that any drugs you may want to bring with you are legal in Turkey.
* If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging into your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
* You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to **[goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements](https://www.goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements?tourCode=GTR)** and searching the code TU6.

Question 7

Cuisine

Accepted Answer

* In Turkey, breakfast typically consists of sourdough bread with sheep’s cheese and olives, as well as jam or honey. A midday meal or dinner often starts with a meze: a plate of varied appetizers like cheesy pastry rolls, pickled vegetables, and potato fritters. On the coast, fish is an excellent choice, especially tuna, turbot, and sardines. Carnivores should try the lamb kebab: Prepared in a variety of ways and served with different sauces and dressings, it’s sure to satisfy. And while tea is the national drink, be sure to try Turkish coffee. This strong brew is prepared with ultra-fine coffee grounds and spices like cardamom, resulting in a rich, aromatic drink. (Sip slowly, though: It’s served unfiltered!)

Question 8

Electricity & air conditioning

Accepted Answer

- Turkey operates on the European standard 220–240 volts and uses Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
- We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or any device without one built in.
- The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it’s usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
- Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Question 9

Connectivity

Accepted Answer

*   Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
*   There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
*   Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Question 10

Time zones

Accepted Answer

- Turkey is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is seven hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET). The country also does not observe daylight saving time.
- When it’s noon in New York, it’s 7pm in Turkey.

Question 11

Currency

Accepted Answer

- You’ll use the Turkish lira on tour.
- Better exchange rates are usually available overseas, but it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
- We strongly advise that you take debit and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed. You can also use most cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Question 12

Tipping

Accepted Answer

- At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10–$12 per person, per day for your Tour Director and $3 per person, per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend tipping the equivalent of $2 per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.

Question 13

Purchasing excursions on tour

Accepted Answer

* Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you’re on tour.
* Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions.
* Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for it to be charged.
* Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.

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