I am planning a trip to Turkey for mid-September and just noticed that a visa is required for US citizens. The govt website says that you can get it upon entry to Turkey or at the consulate in advance. Can anyone tell me about their experience getting it upon entry? Does it delay you very long through immigration, customs, etc, or is it just a quick formality? Thanks

Numerous people have posted here saying getting the visa on arrival was quick and easy. Being the anal planner I am, we had sent our passports to the Embassy in Washington, D.C. and gotten our visas in advance. We were directed to a different line and whipped right through. Numerous other people were waiting at a desk (early in the morning) where there was no attendant to sell them the visas and let them through. I can't say how long they waited, but it was quite a line, and we were happy we did ours in advance.
Bur if you're talking mid Sept. of 2004, I would't send my passport off now!

I gotten them twice on arrival, and did not encounter a long line, it depends on whether you arrive with a lot of other flights I think. The visa window is before immigration, as you need the visa to get through immigration.

The visas cost $100 each, they do not take credit cards, (and I don't recall if they even take Turikish Lira) so if you are doing it on arrival, have the cash ready. I recall they also would take payment in Euros.

Check on the latest prices for those visas as I believe they have dropped in price.

As of April 2004 the visa price was lowered to $20.00. I believe the US State Department still has an advisory against traveling to Turkey but I don;t believe that will prevent you from going.

We have purchased visas upon arrival at Istanbul airport several times. The price now is $20 per adult. It went up in retaliation for a dumb move on the part of the U. S. government, but has since returned to its old price when the U. S. realized the effect of its price rise on the economy (and tourism) of its long-time faithful ally.

In May 2003 it took about 5 minutes. Also the line was right next to an ATM so we used the waiting time to get Turkish cash. Enjoy planning your trip!

I sent my passport to get the visa and it took quite a long time. I actually ended up calling the Turkish Embassy to find out what was taking so long. They claimed that they were just working on it when I called. I had to get them to Fed Ex it to me. If you are going in mid-Sept, I think you should plan to get the visa when you arrive.

Definitely get it at the port of entry, it will be quicker and much easier. We just did that last month..

Thanks everyone for your responses!!

Dead easy to get it before immigration and the girl selling the visa stamps was very friendly....unlike the guy at the immigration desk ! Have a great time in Turkey, we loved it.