Everything You Need to Know About Going to Turkey from Pakistan

Have you been considering going to Turkey from Pakistan but aren't sure where to start? If so, you'll love this comprehensive guide.

Turkey has always been one of the world's most popular tourist destinations for good reason. This culturally diverse nation, which lies between Eastern Asia and Eastern Europe, has witnessed numerous empires rise and fall. In point of fact, this region's history can be dated to roughly 5 million years ago during the prehistoric period.

From the Hellenistic era to the Republic of Turkey today, this region has been built, destroyed, and rebuilt over the course of centuries, leaving behind numerous landmarks across the nation. Turkey is known not only for its magnificent architecture, such as the Hagia Sophia, but also for its ancient ruins, such as the monasteries in the Goreme Open Air Museum, which date back millennia.

There is no real explanations for why you ought to remember heading out to Turkey for your list of must-dos. But if you can't figure out how to apply for a visa or make an itinerary, here's everything you need to know about planning a trip from Pakistan to Turkey.

The procedure for applying for a visa to Turkey from Pakistan is not nearly as difficult as some people make it seem. When applying for a Turkey visa, there are a few things to keep in mind.

TURKEY VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR PAKISTANI CITIZENS

 Pakistani passport holders must first gather all of the necessary documentation for the visa. Here are the documents needed to apply for a Turkey visit visa.

You can apply for a visa through Gerry's, a visa facilitation service, instead of going to the Turkish Embassy in Islamabad or the Turkish Consulate General in Karachi. You will need a request letter filled out by the applicant, a passport that must be valid for at least six months after you land in Turkey, copies of every stamped page of the recent and old passports, a travel health insurance certificate, a polio vaccination certificate, a copy of the flight reservations, a copy of the

To travel to Turkey for the majority of Pakistani tourists, a 10-day visa with a six-month validity (travel time) is issued.

If you hold Pakistani citizenship, you will be required to pay PKR 9,000 for a single-entry visit visa and PKR 36,000 for a multiple-entry visa. VISA FEE FOR TURKEY FROM PAKISTAN However, if you select the latter option, you will be required to submit an official invitation letter from a Turkish company or family member. After receiving approval for their application for a work visa, applicants are required to pay an additional fee to the Turkish Embassy.

E-visas for Turkey can also be obtained from Pakistan by holders of valid visas for the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, or Schengen. A free seven-day transit visa is also available to Turkish Airlines passengers traveling to the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, or any of the Schengen nations.

For a single application, Gerry's charges PKR 3,450 as a service fee. In the meantime, you can take advantage of their Premium Lounge for PKR 4830, where a representative will help you arrange your documents and complete the necessary paperwork.

On the off chance that you're considering how to get travel protection for Turkey, you can essentially finish up a protection structure at Gerry's and make it happen simultaneously while applying for a visa.

You can also get in touch with Gerry's directly to learn more about the costs and fees associated with the visa.

VISA PROCESSING TIME

 Applying for a visa to Turkey from Pakistan Make sure to apply at least six weeks in advance of your travel dates. The typical processing time for an application is between 10 days and 4 weeks. However, there are times when it may take longer. Regardless, you should apply at least one and a half months prior to the departure date.

BEST TIME TO VISIT TURKEY

 Weather in Turkey Check the forecasts before you go to avoid bad weather. Although it varies by region, April through May and September through October are the best times to visit Turkey from Pakistan to avoid bad weather like rain, heat, humidity, and cold.

Additionally, due to the fact that most people prefer to travel during the summer and winter vacations, Istanbul, Turkey, sees a lot of visitors in the months of June, July, December, and January. However, before making any reservations or booking flights, check the weather in Turkey.

CURRENCY IN TURKEY 

Turkish Lira and coins Always carry a few Turkish lira in smaller denominations for tipping. The Turkish lira is Turkey's official currency, denoted by TL and TRY. The current exchange rate is TL 1 to PKR 26. However, there are some establishments that may also accept euros.

It is recommended that travelers to Turkey bring only a few lira with them for tipping and transportation. You can exchange the rest of your money in euros or US dollars at a reputable city store. If you have a credit or debit card, you should ask your bank about international transactions.

Pro tip: 

Despite Turkey's low crime rate, tourists should exercise extra caution to ensure the safety of their belongings while there. Investigate a few hints on the best way to safeguard your cash while voyaging.

TIPPING IN TURKEY 

Tipping in Turkey When traveling to Turkey, be sure to follow these general tips for tipping. In Turkey, tourists are expected to tip a porter between TL 4 and TL 5 per bag, while hotel housekeeping staff should be tipped between TL 5 and TL 7 per day.

In addition, servers at cafes and restaurants must be rewarded with 5% to 10% of the total tip. When you visit a Turkish bath, also known as a hammam, you are expected to leave a 15% tip.

Purchasing A SIM CARD IN TURKEY

Being associated with your loved ones back home is critical during voyaging. You might do better to buy a local sim card while you're in Turkey because the majority of Pakistani service providers charge astronomical fees for international roaming.

There are two major operators in Turkey that provide good coverage and affordable 4G packages for first-time visitors. Turkcell is the one that tourists use the most, followed by Vodafone.

In the airport, you can easily locate kiosks for these two operators. The arrival of tourists is made easier by these facilities.

How to Get to Turkey from Pakistan? Taking a direct flight from Pakistan takes about 6 hours. The majority of tourists prefer to arrive in Turkey through Istanbul, which has two active international airports: Both Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and Ataturk International Airport

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Emirates, Qatar, and Fly Dubai are some of the most popular options for flights from Pakistan to Turkey with one to two stops. In the mean time, Turkish Aircraft offers non-stop trips to Istanbul.

If you're thinking about going to Turkey, a round-trip economy class flight to Istanbul could cost you anywhere from PKR 75,000 to PKR 95,000 on average. For direct flights, the distance between Turkey and Pakistan is approximately six hours.

You might want to book a flight a few months in advance in order to save money on travel because finding cheap tickets is difficult.

How much does it cost to travel from Pakistan to Turkey?

When planning a trip to Turkey, don't forget to save some money for an unexpected expense. The majority of companies charge between PKR 1.6 million and PKR 2 million for their standard travel packages from Pakistan to Turkey. Most of the time, these pakistan to turkey packages include paying for flights, lodging, traveling within and between three to four major cities, and paying for admission to popular tourist attractions.

You can easily plan a similar itinerary and travel to Turkey from Pakistan for PKR 1.8 lac per person, including the visa fee and some shopping in addition to the ones mentioned above, even if you do everything on your own.

The most effective method to Go Inside TURKEY

There are three most well known ways of getting around Turkey: by bus, automobile, or airplane. In the country, not many people use trains. However, if you want to visit any of the stunning islands in the country, you will need to take a ferry.

Domestic flights are available at very affordable prices from a number of local airlines. In the meantime, hiring a driver and renting a car appear to be more feasible choices for individuals who enjoy road trips or want to take in the scenery. However, you can always take a bus between cities if you are traveling to Turkey on a tight budget. The majority of these buses are very luxurious, and they even offer WiFi, tea, coffee, and snacks to passengers as they travel.

Public buses and trams are much more affordable than taxis and private ride-hailing services when it comes to traveling within a city.

FOOD IN TURKEY 

Turkish food at a restaurant Despite the fact that it varies across the country, Turkish cuisine can only be described as extremely rich because it is somewhat of a combination of Mediterranean, Central Asian, and Arabic influences. The delectable dishes in Turkish cuisine will leave you begging for more.

Even though this list could be very long, here are a few well-known dishes you should try when you visit Turkey.

Mezze Platters Doner Kofte Lahmacun Turkish Delight Baklava Skender Kebab Manti Kumpir Simit Börek Pide Additionally, the best part about traveling to Turkey is that you won't have to look for halal food anywhere.

Most popular destinations in Turkey The best places to visit during your trip to Turkey These are some of the best cities in Turkey for their natural beauty and historical attractions.

Istanbul, Antalya, Cappadocia, and Ankara are the cities in Turkey you should visit to see the most popular tourist attractions and landmarks.

Top Tourist Attractions in Istanbul Istanbul, Turkey's cultural capital, has a lot to offer visitors. In addition, it is regarded as one of the world's safest cities for female travelers, so women can enjoy their trip to Istanbul without being harassed.

Hagia Sophia Museum Hagia Sophia in Istanbul The stunning interior of Istanbul's Hagia Sophia Museum dates back to 537 AD and is one of the most stunning examples of Byzantine architecture in the nation. The Ottoman Turk turned it into an imperial mosque by constructing four tall minarets around its magnificent 100-foot-wide dome, despite the fact that it was originally constructed as a church.

This historical site, which served as a model for the Blue Mosque's design, is now a museum that displays artwork and Christian and Islamic symbols. Additionally, Hagia Sophia is regarded as one of the world's must-see historical sites.

Hours: April 1 through October 31 from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM; November 1 through March 3 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Entrance fee: TL 60 The Blue Mosque The magnificent Blue Mosque is a must-see when traveling from Pakistan to Turkey. Although the Ottoman ruler who built it between 1609 and 1616 gave it the name Sultanahmet Mosque, its intricate blue interior gave it its nickname.  

One of Turkey's most important tourist destinations is the Blue Mosque, which is located next to the Byzantine Hippodrome. This mosque, in contrast to the majority of mosques in Turkey, has a magnificent dome and six minarets.

Hours: Open seven days a week Fee: None Topkapi Palace and Museum Visiting Istanbul's Topkapi Palace A view of the Gate of Salutation in Topkapi Palace What was the Ottoman Sultans' primary residence for about 600 years is now a popular tourist destination in Turkey.

During Sultan Mehmed II's reign, also known as Seraglio, the man who conquered Constantinople, the stunning Topkapi Palace was constructed. A number of exhibitions are housed in the palace in addition to the extravagant living quarters and administrative offices. One of these exhibits is a display of scared Islamic relics featuring the possessions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This palace is a must-see for Pakistanis traveling to Turkey.

Hours: second Oct - first Apr 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM | first Apr - second Oct 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Shut on Tuesday)

Extra charge: Dolmabahce Palace: Forget about the Birmingham Palace; this opulent Istanbul structure should be on everyone's travel bucket list. Museum ticket: 60 TL; harem ticket: 35 TL; and Hagia Irene ticket: 30 TL.

Dolmabahce Palace, the first Ottoman palace built in the western style, was the Ottoman Empire's residence and administrative center from 1856 to 1922. This palace perfectly captures the opulence of the Turkish Empire, from lavish hand-carved furniture to grand dining halls and the world's largest Bohemian crystal chandelier to handmade parquet floors.

Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Mondays closed) Entrance Fee: Regular palace tour for TL 60 | Harem tour for TL 40 Pro Tip:

Rather than holding up in lengthy lines to purchase tickets outside these authentic spots, you can save time by buying the Istanbul Exhibition hall Pass. It costs about TL 185 for each individual and gives one-time admittance to various significant attractions. When you use the card for the first time, it stays good for five days.

Top tourist attractions in Antalya If you like clean beaches, waterfalls, and old buildings, you'll love Antalya right away. When making plans for your trip to Turkey, you should make Antalya a part of your itinerary because it is one of the best cities in the country for its natural beauty and tourist attractions.

These are some of Antalya's most popular tourist destinations.

Antalya's Old Town (Kaleiçi) or Kaleici neighborhood, also known as Kaleici, gracefully recounts the city's history of various conquests and destructions. The stunning view of Kaleici at night can be seen from Old Town (Kaleici). The little paths close to impeccably reestablished Ottoman designs and the remnants tracing all the way back to the Roman Realm are presently loaded up with popular stores, pleasant bistros, lovely gift shops and cafés, to give some examples.

You can simply go to the Old Town at night to take in the stunning view as you stroll through the streets.

Extra charge: None of the Duden Waterfalls The Duden Waterfalls are a group of Antalyan waterfalls. It is possible to separate it into an upper and lower waterfall. The Upper Duden Waterfall is split into a series of smaller waterfalls and cascades through a lush green municipal park, while the spectacular Lower Duden Waterfall spills into the sea requires a boat ride.

Walk down the spiral stone staircase that leads to the cave behind the waterfall's curtain for a captivating view, even though the park as a whole is tranquil and stunning.

Hours: Open seven days a week Fee: None Hadrian's Gate Places to Visit in Turkey The majestic archways date back to 130 AD. The Hadrian's Gate is a ceremonial arch built to commemorate the Roman Emperor Hadrian's visit to the region in 130 AD. It is one of the most popular historical destinations in Turkey. One of Antalya's most impressive sights is unquestionably this massive gate that leads to the Old City and harbor.

There are three archways in the magnificent Hadrian's Gate, which is approximately 26 feet tall and has miraculously survived time.

Hours: Open seven days a week Fee: None of the most popular tourist attractions in Ankara include some of the best museums and art galleries as well as the most important government buildings in Turkey.

Check out some of the must-see attractions in Ankara when traveling from Pakistan to Turkey.

Anitkabir, also known as the Atatürk Mausoleum, is a modern architectural marvel in the capital city of Ankara. It is one of the most popular places to visit when traveling to Turkey. It was constructed as the final resting place of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey, between 1944 and 1953.

An impressive museum, art gallery, various displays of the Turkish War of Independence, Ataturk's possessions, and a charming café are all housed in the majestic structure, which is perched atop a hill.