Turkish visa

There is a good explanation of this process in RS Turkey Guide Book that we found accurate in our trip there recently.
Have cash and make sure to get in the correct line.

Charlie is correct. Just an amplification: the prices and terms are different for each country of origin. For instance, when I went in October 2011, US passport holders paid $20 US, and got 90 days in the next 180 days. But some countries got only 30 days. And, Canadians had to pay $60, in US dollars only (cash only, Canadian dollars not accepted); I don't know how long they got. I also read a story, years ago, of a group traveling from the US. One of them had a Mexican passport; the rules were very different, and he got in trouble because he overstayed (while the rest of group, as US citizens, had no problems) So, be sure to check the rules, the prices, and the currency accepted for your country of citizenship. Also be aware that getting the visa took some time, but the REAL long line was for immigration after we got the visa. The driver from our hotel had waited a long time before we were finally out of the airport!

Have a U.S. $20 with you or the equivalent in Turkish money. There will be lines for you to stand in while going up to a counter where you will be relieved of your twenty bucks and get a visa stamp in your passport.

It is my understanding and experience is that it has to be US currency or Euro. Local money not accepted.

Sterling, dollars, euro. Nothing else.

Hi Gayle - Just got back from Turkey 2 weeks ago. Getting a visa is very easy....just a long wait in line....nothing to sign or anything. The visa line was immediately past the customs area. There are signs. We gave the guy $20 US and he puts a sticker on your passport....then you go through customs...another big line. There were people having to go to the visa line after waiting to get to customs because they didn't get a visa...then wait again in the customs line. Make sure you're in the visa line...more of a straight line instead of a taped off Disneyland wrap around type of line. Send someone to check out the front.....the visa line has postings of rates for different nationalities the custom line has security. It was very easy....just takes a bit of time.

Hi If we are flying into Turkey and leaving on a cruise the next day do we need a visa please? Liz

Liz: Yes, you will have to get the visa. As said, you get it at the airport, before you go into the immigration line. This website has the details (scroll down for Australia); note particularly the requirement that you pay US dollars or Euros, cash; no other currencies or monetary instruments (cards, traveler's checks) accepted. http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/details/BorderFormalities/

We just returned from Istanbul two days ago. We each had a $20 bill USD and handed it to the clerk in the visa line at Ataturk airport. It took only a few minutes and the line was never more than 10 minutes long. We cleared customs and passport control fairly quickly also after purchasing the visa sticker they put in your passport. You don't need to apply for anything prior to travel.