Visa and money

Evisa is easy. Just go online; you can check these two websites.
https://turkey-evisa.travisa-online.com/turkey/about
https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/

We did this last August and had no problem. You just fill in the information, pay, and print out the visa. We taped it inside the back cover of our passports. Don't remember how far in advance we did this but just read the info and decide for yourself.

As to money, we always use TL. Use of other currency leaves you open to someone else's conversion rate whereas you get the best rate using ATMs. Also, in smaller towns, shops, and markets, they would most likely only accept TL.

We went on our own so cannot help you with your tour question. Hope this info helps.

Thanks, Carol. If anyone else can weigh in with their $$$ experiences, I would welcome their posts too.

I am still looking for answers to the question regarding getting e-books instead of hardcopy guides as part of our tour package.

Completely agree with Carol. Use Turkish Lira. You can keep some emergency USD as backup, but there's no reason not to use the lira. That's what the public transportation will take, that's what vendors on the streets take... in the bazaars people may take other currency but you have to understand that they're doing that for their own benefit. Because of the convenience it provides you, they can give you an exchange rate that is extremely favorable to them. Use lira! That's will be what is accepted everywhere and absolutely what you should use. Enjoy Turkey! I spent five days in Istanbul and it wasn't close to enough, I'm looking forward to getting back sometime.

There is no line at the airport. To get visa took one minute. You will need TL. If they accept dollar you will lose at their exchange course.

I agree with the others. Use TL, not dollars, for your purchases. If you don't already have a currency conversion app for your iPad, I recommend "xe currency." It's free and we found it very helpful.

Contact the Europe Through the Back Door Office (Rick Steves' company) for information about your tour guide - everyone gets one before they leave.

From what I've read, starting soon, you MUST apply for your visa ahead of time.

I recently did so (see the links posted earlier) and it only took a few minutes. Make sure to enter your information carefully.

If you are going in May, the new visa rules will be in effect. You should plan accordingly.

Message for U.S. Citizens: No More Visas on Arrival in Turkey
Beginning April 10, 2014, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs will no longer provide visas on arrival to foreign travelers. All foreigners must obtain their Turkish visas from Turkish missions abroad or from the e-visa application system, depending on eligibility.
PLEASE NOTE: The e-visa system is only usable for travelers entering Turkey for tourism or commerce. For any other purpose of travel, the applicant must obtain a Turkish visa in advance from a Turkish diplomatic or consular post.
Information regarding Turkish e-visas and the application process can be found at: https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/
General information on Turkish visas can be found at:
http://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa

Contact information for the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Turkey:
The U.S. Embassy in Ankara is located at 110 Ataturk Boulevard, tel: (90)(312) 455-5555, fax (90)(312) 468-6131.
The Internet address is http://ankara.usembassy.gov.

The U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul is located at Uçsehitler Sokagi No. 2, 34460, Istinye, Sariyer, tel: (90) (212) 335-9000, fax (90) (212) 335-9102. Istanbul-specific information can also be accessed via the Consulate's web site athttp://istanbul.usconsulate.gov/.

The U.S. Consulate in Adana is located at Girne Bulvari No. 212, Guzelevler Mahallesi, Yuregir, Adana, Turkey. tel: (90)(322) 346-6262, fax (90)(322) 346-7916, web site:http://adana.usconsulate.gov