Country guide
Turkey
Visa
Visa required
Vaccinations
None required
Currency
Turkish Lira (TRY). Euro is widely accepted.
Time zones
UTC / GMT +2 (same time as South Africa). Daylight savings from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October: UTC / GMT +3 (1 hour ahead of South Africa)
Dialing code
+ 90
Best time to go
April - May and September - October
Drinking water
Mains water is chlorinated, but bottled water is advised.
Visa guide
Visa requirements
Visas are required by SA passport holders.
Cruise passengers: foreigners who arrive at sea ports and intend to visit the seaport city or nearby provinces for touristic purpose are exempt from visa provided that their stay does not exceed seventy two (72) hours. However, if you arrive in/depart from Turkey by air for your cruise tour, you must obtain a visa.
Visas for tourism (30 days) can be applied for online at: www.evisa.gov.tr.
For other visa types, please contact the embassy.
NOTE: Your passport must be valid for at least 60 days after departure from Turkey.
Issuing authorities
Turkish Embassy
573 Fehrsen Street, Pretoria, 0081
Tel: 012 342 60 5555/6
E-mail: embassy.pretoria@mfa.gov.tr
Website: pretoria-emb.mfa.gov.tr/Mission
Visa processing time
E-visas should be applied for at least 48 hours in advance.
Visa validity
E-visa's are valid for 180 days, and can be used for multiple trips as long as no single stay exceeds 30 days.
Visa cost
The e-Visa is free for South African passport holders, however there is a mandatory Travel Insurance charge: USD 12
SA representative
South African Embassy
Yıldızevler Mah. Rabindranath Tagore Cad. No: 10/3-4, Yıldız Çankaya Ankara
Tel: +90 (312) 405 68 61
E-mail: general.ankara@dirco.gov.za
Web: www.southafrica.org.tr
Health / vaccinations
Compulsory: None
Recommended Travel Vaccines: Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Tetanus, Polio
Public holidays
2026: Jan 1; Mar 20-22; Apr 23; May 1, 19, 27-30; Jul 15; Aug 30; Oct 29