Well I'd have to take some time off work to go to the consulate. So I'd prefer to go to the airport. If it's really 45 euros vs. $60, I guess I'll have to remember to withdraw some more Euros this Saturday when I'm in Paris. The implied exchange rate is 1.333333 which is worse than the market rate. Think of the 1-2% I'll save if I pay in euros!

That's like... $1. :-)

One thing I'm confused by -- the Londra quotes the rate in Euros. Are they going to charge my cc in Euros? I'm not sure if I understand how this works. I understand inflation was rampant in Turkey so people need to cope. But is this what they do?

You can take visa at airport. Better not change your valuta to YTL. You can change at airport. 1 Usd about 1,45 and 1 Euro is 1,85
Happy travelling,
Murat

I agree 111op. Not everyone has the time to attend, or even have a Turkish consulate in their home city, which make the airport service a convenience even though it costs (quite a bit) more. Most countries stamp you a free visa upon entry at immigration but those who charge for their visas will have a separate counter at the airport to obtain one. There was no line up at Ataturk, and I was done in under a minute. I was just surprised at how much it cost, (compared to Egypt last year which cost USD 15.00. In Egypt the visa is 2 postage stamps that you lick and stick on and Bobs your uncle).

My experience in Turkey was that your CC is charged in YTL (Turkish Lire) irrespective of the currency of the agreed price.


(Hi Murat ! Remember me ???? Can't believe that I missed my balloon ride 3 times ! More reason to return I guess. Say hi to P. All the best. M)

Mathieu,
Did you miss your balloon flights because of weather or were you late? We will be there for 3 days and want to make sure we don't miss the flight.

What about getting a visa on line?? I saw this and wondered if this works.

http://tinyurl.com/y7m9hg

Part of it is in Turkish and I cannot understand it but it seems to me that you apply on line for $26US to their consulate in Chicago. I hope some of you smart people can figure this out for me. Thanks. Jane

Due to the weather, Milliebz.
The 3 days that I was in Cappadocia it was either windy or rainy (or both) at the time that the balloons fly (between 6.00am and 8.00am generally).

I was up and waiting at 5.00am each day, only to receive a disappointing knock at my hotel room door to say that they wouldn't be flying due to inclement weather.

November can be an iffy time, but I will definitely return someday - in the spring or summer ! - to do it.

I cannot say enough of all the help and assistance and camaraderie provided by Murat and his team in Cappadocia. More details in my Turkey Trip report to follow soon (hopefully).

Mathieu,
Thank you. We will be there in late June so hopefully we will be okay.

When I arrived at IST airport in July 2006, I stood in line for the visa (located right in front of you after de-planing) for less than 5 minutes -- I think it was $20 USD.

I'm not sure if purchasing the visa in advance is worth the time or effot unless you pass by the consulate on your way to work in the U.S.

The visa, by the way, cost $20 -- or 15 euros. It was a small sticker that went onto my passport.

Yikes, sound like I was robbed !
I have a receipt showing I paid EUR 45.00 at the airport. Sucks.

Was it just for yourself? It really is quite odd. There's a huge board next to the windows that shows the visa fees for each country by $ or euro.

I don't think I have a receipt. The visa is a brownish sticker that went into the passport. Not sure if the price is on it as my pp is at home.

The Turkish visa in my passport clearly states 20 USD. This was the price last July, sweetie.

Mathieu, did you get a "multiple entry" visa? I think that fee is $65US--don't know about euro cost.

I believe $20 allows for multiple entries, but my passport is at home and I can't check it.

I finally had a chance to look at my passport this weekend, and yes, I was issued with a multiple entry visa and it cost EUR 45.00

I am ticked off, but thinking over how the scene played out, it was my own fault and stupidity to a point I guess.
As I said, when I got to the counter there was no one else in line. I walked straight up to the person behind the glass, slid my passport through the slot and asked "How much ?" Without batting an eyelid, he said, "45 euro or US 60.00",....and so I paid without question. If I had taken the time to look around to see the signs for single vs. multiple entry and US 20.00 vs. 60.00, I could have saved myself an unnecessary expense.
Live and learn.
Thanks everyone for the info.

I still don't understand the scam, actually. My visa says "Multiple entry visa valid for three months. Employment prohibited. USD 20." (All in bold, slanted font.)

Maybe they put on an old sticker in your passport, or whatever. But you do get multiple entries with $20.

It was thanks to this site that I knew about the visa booth to go throught before the customs line. It was 20. US in September. You should have seen the faces of the people who stood in customs line only to be told to get a visa. Thank you all. The balloon ride in Cappadocia is not to be missed. Our tour guide at Argeus was so helpful. [email protected] I would highly recd.
Also the Dersaadet Hotel in Istanbul is in a perfect location. The rooftop balcony where we had breakfast in the AM and drinks at night had a lovely view of the Blue Mosque. I wish I was going again instead having been there. www.hoteldersaadet.com Chris

Maybe Mathieu isn't American?

My visa also says MULTIPLE ENTRIES EMPLOYMENT PROHIBITED THREE MONTHS.

Well, I might not prefer to stay off the pennisula in Beyoglu or Taksim areas but it bothers me to hear that so many say that the only good place to stay is in the Sultanahmet area. Any hotel on the pennisula is easy walking distance to all the main sites. This is not a huge area of land. It is easy to walk in this area. When I booked in Sirecki area, which is easy walking distance to the Galata Bridge and to Topika palace and to Sultanahmet, I heard critism on this web that it is a dangerous area. That is bull. It is quiet and a good location to explore the pennisula and to venture over to Taksim. I think too much emphasis is put on Sultanahmet area. I stayed at Sude Konak Hotel and I think it was a combination of a good hotel and good rates and I would not hesitate to go there again after checking out a number of hotels in person in Sultanahmet. For the price I did not see anything better. I found that other hotels were old and for what they were charging I would rather be in a renovated or modern hotel. I do not need to stay in a Turkish feeling hotel room. I can get that feel from visiting all the sites. I would prefer a nice place to stay at decent rates. There I feel better, now if only there was spell check.

Mathieu :-))) I have just realised your post.... How nice to see you sharing your experience. I am sorry about the visa mistake...maybe you can use again next time !
We do look forward welcoming you back here in Cappadocia for more and make sure you will be flying on hot air balloon this time. I do feel pitty on your behalf....Its is not usual that you can not fly 3 days in a row. Next day after you left we had other guests who flew and the weather was perfect....(sorry)
You were so nice so people were nice to you. I believe the biggest asset of my country is its people....As everyone knows ofcourse we do also have rotten apples to stay away. Istanbul is a city of 15 million inhabitant and many people of different walks of lifes ( just for the record for the ones did not experience beautiful Istanbul yet )
So come to Turkey, there are a lot the explore.....(woow I liked my motto :-))
Cheers Mat....Cappadocia awaiting for you,
Murat