Our cruise ship will be in Istanbul for 2 days. The first day we're taking a ship's excursion and they will take care of the visa needed. Question: When we go off on our own THE NEXT DAY, can we use the visa obtained the previous day?
Posted by
Dunwoody, Georgia
338 posts
Yes - A tourist visa is good for 90 days.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7514 posts
Well, there are several things to consider. First, the excursion may not issue you a sticker visa for your passport since you will be on an escorted tour, if so, then any concern of using that Visa is a moot point. If you are issued a visa, then yes, those are good for 90 days and multiple entry (I believe) However, the State Dept. website does indicate that if you are arriving by Cruise Ship, and will not be spending the night on land, then no Visa is required. You may fall into that exception. Info is here: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1046.html
Posted by
OP
Griffin, GA, USA
30 posts
The US State Department says one thing but on the Turkish website nothing is said about a one-day visit from a cruise ship. Also, I'm not sure that we get a visa if we're part of an "official" excursion from the cruise ship.
Posted by
Columbia, SC
389 posts
Hello Tom in Summerville, I would fully trust the State Department's information. The Turkish Foreign Affairs Ministry's website is not particularly informative, nor is it updated often. As long as you have your cruise ship pass card on you, you will be free to travel on your own for the second day in Istanbul. No visa needed for either day.
Posted by
OP
Griffin, GA, USA
30 posts
Thank you! That's what I wanted to know.
Posted by
OP
Griffin, GA, USA
30 posts
Got back on 11-1 from 21 days in Europe and Asia. Took the 12 day cruise on Holland America from Venice to Istanbul and back with, of course, several intermediate stops. HA gave us a Turkish issued visas to visit the immediate Istanbul area. Coming back on board after touring, we just waved the visa and our ships ID card at the security guard at the terminal and was waved on by. I think HA wasn't very forthcoming initially with the info about how easy it was to leave the ship because they wanted us to take their excursions. The tram was 10 minutes walk from the ship so we took it to the tourist area. . . Piece a cake! We had PERFECT weather for the entire 21 days we were gone. The Turkish people were very hospitable and we really enjoyed our visit to both Istanbul and Kusadasi.
Posted by
Dagdelen, Turkey
2 posts
The cruise ship passengers who arrive by sea and who are on a "daily excursion" and who do not stay overnight in Turkey do not need a visa for the day. Also if you are arriving by cruise ship, and will not be spending the night on land, then no Visa is required. You will get a landing card from your cruise ship and use that card while you are entering Turkey.