Redpoint Destinations

Turkey

Traveling to Turkey: What to Know Before You Go

Essential Information for Travelers to Turkey

Turkey is a destination like no other. It offers travelers a unique blend of natural beauty, deep history, and cultural layers that reveal themselves as you see more of the country. Whether you're exploring the extraordinary east-meets-west contradictions of Istanbul, sipping tea in the Taurus Mountains, or enjoying the Mediterranean beaches of Antalya, it's hard to pin down all that Turkey has to offer. Plus, adventure travelers won't be disappointed, whether they choose hot-air ballooning in Cappadocia, diving in Kaş, and whitewater rafting in Köprülü Canyon.

With so much to explore, Turkey also comes with some risks, which is why travel insurance for Turkey is essential before you go. It helps protect non-refundable trip costs in case of cancellation or trip disruption, and it also ensures you won't be hit with a huge out-of-pocket bill if you have to seek medical care while you're on your trip. Read on to find out everything you need to know before you visit Turkey, and how to get the most out of your trip.

Health & Safety in Turkey

Medical Care and Hospitals

Medical facilities in Turkey fall into two tiers: public and private. Public facilities tend to be under-resourced and less advanced, so foreign travelers typically visit private facilities if they need medical treatment. Private hospitals and clinics in cities like Istanbul, Izmir, and Antalya provide a high standard of care for medical services, and even draw medical tourists from around the world. But they will require payment for treatment up front, even in emergencies. Your domestic health insurance will not be valid in Turkey, and the cost of emergency medical expenses, hospital stays, prescription medication, and more can add up quickly, which is why it’s essential to purchase travel insurance for Turkey before you go.

If you have a medical emergency while you are visiting a remote or rural region in Turkey, you may require emergency evacuation. This will help you access the care you need in a more advanced private facility. These evacuations are not free and can be extremely expensive. This is why emergency evacuation coverage is also essential for your trip to Turkey.

Health Risks and Vaccinations

While no vaccinations are required to enter Turkey, the CDC recommends that, in addition to being up to date on all routine vaccinations, U.S. travelers are also vaccinated for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, and measles, which is on the rise worldwide. It’s also wise to carry a basic medical kit with common over-the-counter medication, as well as spare prescription medication or copies of your prescriptions. This is especially true if you will be doing any adventure sports.

Insurance Benefits and Coverage for a Trip to Turkey

What Does Turkey Travel Insurance Cover?

When considering travel insurance for Turkey, you will want to make sure your travel insurance company policy covers all the areas below so that you’ll be prepared, no matter what happens during your trip.

Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance:

Unexpected trip cancellation coverage reimburses your non-refundable trip expenses if your trip to Turkey is canceled or cut short due to a covered reason, like illness, severe weather, family emergencies, or certain government advisories. Turkey is prone to earthquakes, so it’s wise for your trip to be covered in case it is disrupted or cancelled.

Travel medical insurance:

Travel health insurance covers unexpected medical expenses incurred for any injuries or illnesses that happen during your trip. If you need medical attention in Turkey, you will most likely have to visit a private clinic, as public ones are under-resourced. These clinics all require payment up front. However, if you have travel insurance, you’ll be able to make a travel insurance claim for any out-of-pocket costs you incurred. In addition, if you have pre-existing medical conditions, don’t forget to apply for a waiver when you purchase your policy.

Emergency medical evacuation insurance:

Emergency evacuation coverage reimburses you for transportation to the nearest medical facility or back to the U.S. in extreme or emergency situations. Turkey is known for its adventure travel opportunities, and if you’re traveling to remote areas and have a serious emergency or accident, you may need to be airlifted to a more advanced facility. So it’s vital to have this coverage as part of your travel insurance.

Lost luggage and personal belongings insurance:

Baggage coverage is a benefit that covers loss, theft, or damage to your belongings should they go missing during your trip to Turkey thanks to petty theft or airline error.

Trip delay insurance:

Trip delay insurance compensates for additional expenses if your travel is delayed before it starts or during any connections or transfers.

Optional add-ons:

There are several additional policy benefits you can add to your travel insurance depending on the nature of your trip. These include cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage, if you think you may need to cancel for a reason not covered by the typical cancellation policy; extra protection for specialist or expensive gear; adventure sports travel insurance if you plan to do any extreme or dangerous activities; and car rental protection.

Choosing the Right Plan

Ripcord has a variety of plans suited for different trips to Turkey. For travelers seeking adventurous activities like sailing on the Aegean sea or scuba diving in Kaş, Ripcord is an extensive plan with high coverage limits and enhanced coverage, such as emergency evacuation and repatriation — perfect for trips to remote or rural destinations. Cavalry is suited for urban travelers who are seeking luxury and cultural experiences while staying to Turkey’s main sites across Istanbul, Antalya, and the Turquoise coast. Meanwhile, Harbor offers robust coverage to the budget-minded leisure traveler who may be budget backpacking through the region. You can compare all of Redpoint’s comprehensive plans and figure out which one might be right for your trip here.

Entry Requirements & Practical Information

Entry and Visa Requirements

U.S. visitors to Turkey do not need a visa if they are staying for less than 90 days. You do need to have a passport with six months validity from the time of entry, as well as a blank page for entry and exit stamps in your passport. The U.S. State Department advises that travelers ensure their passport is stamped as they leave Turkey, otherwise they may face problems returning in the future, including possible fines.

What To Do in an Emergency

If you have an emergency in Turkey and require assistance, emergency services can be contacted by dialing 112. In addition, Redpoint offers 24/7 support on its helpline to travelers who have an emergency or need assistance. If you are having trouble locating help locally, Redpoint’s associates can help connect you to the help you need on the ground.

The U.S. Embassy in Turkey is located in Ankara, with consulates in Istanbul and Adana. Officials there can help you with passport issues, legal problems, and provide assistance in case of an emergency.

Çukurambar Mahallesi
1480 Sokak No: 1
06530 Çankaya
Ankara / Türkiye
+90 (312) 294 00 00

Popular Activities and Adventure Travel in Türkiye

Though not everyone thinks of Turkey when they think of adventure travel, the truth is that Turkey’s blend of stunning landscape and rich history also offers a variety of thrilling adventure travel opportunities. Paraglide over Ölüdeniz’s turquoise coast, hike the scenic Lycian Way and Kaçkar Mountains, or hot-air balloon over Cappadocia’s surreal terrain. Scuba dive in Kaş, go whitewater rafting in the Köprülü Canyon, or ski in the mountains of Erzurum. If water sports are what you’re after, then don’t forget sailing along the Aegean Coast. Whatever you do, just make sure you have adequate coverage from an adventure travel insurance policy before you go.

FAQs for Turkey Travel Insurance

Ancient Theatre. of Side in Manavgat, Antalya, Turkiye.

Is travel insurance required for Turkey?

Travel insurance is not mandatory to enter Turkey, but it is always a risk to embark on overseas travel without adequate coverage. Should anything go wrong during the course of your trip, such as a medical emergency or disrupted itinerary, your out-of-pocket costs can easily exceed the price of a travel insurance policy.

What does Turkey travel insurance cover?

Comprehensive travel insurance plans should include medical care and emergency medical coverage (at least $100,000 to cover medical emergencies and unexpected costs), emergency medical evacuation, trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage, and baggage loss protection. You should also look for a policy with 24/7 assistance services, which all of Redpoint's policies offer.

How much does travel insurance cost?

Travel insurance for Turkey will be priced based on a range of factors, including trip length, cost, age, and activities. Most of Redpoint's insurance plans range from 6% to 15% of total trip costs. You can also opt to buy an annual multi-trip policy if you are planning multiple trips in the year.

Will travel insurance cover hiking accidents or evacuations?

It depends on your policy. Comprehensive travel insurance policies that include coverage for extreme and adventure activities like hiking or diving typically do. Redpoint's Ripcord policy is designed with adventure travelers in mind and is a great option if you are planning to go paragliding or sailing while in Turkey.

Can I buy travel insurance while already in Turkey?

Typically, you need to purchase international travel insurance prior to departure for your trip, and ideally, as soon as possible after booking your trip. Some providers may issue policies once you're already in the country, but those policies may be costlier and have more exclusions, so read the policy wording carefully.

Protect Your Trip With Redpoint Travel Insurance

Protecting yourself on your trip to Turkey requires comprehensive travel insurance, and Redpoint Travel Protection has a global reputation for providing high-quality policies to fit every traveler. It also offers 24/7 support — even in Turkey’s rural areas — to give travelers peace of mind and help them enjoy their trips. Explore Redpoint’s policies here, which can support backcountry adventurers and city hoppers alike

inside the historic Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.