Fethiye Turkey Holiday Tips
Prepare for your trip to Fethiye with our practical travel tips. Learn about Turkish currency, how to call home, keep safe, shop responsibly, travel with a disability and travel tips for Dalaman airport.
Dalaman travel tips
Dalaman airport has modern international terminal so passport control will be smooth and fast. If you already has a visa (or don’t need visa at all) then you have to go straight to passport control cabins otherwise before the passport control you need to fix your entry visa at one of visa cabins. After the passport control you get to luggage claim where you take your luggage and can visit duty free Dalaman airport shops in arrival section. One of the most important travel tips for Dalaman airport is the fact that you can be chosen for selective customs inspection on exit from Dalaman airport, so please make sure the amount of alcohol and tobacco don’t exceed allowed limits (1 liter of strong alcohol, 1.5 liter of wine, 200 cigarettes) otherwise exceeded amounts can be taken by customs officer and you will be able to get it back on departure from Turkey (storage fee should be paid) if you are leaving Turkey in not more than 3 months after your arrival.
Money
Turkey’s currency is the Turkish Lira (TL) and currency exchange is available at banks and currency exchange offices in Fethiye; and at Dalaman airport. The most commonly accepted credit cards are MasterCard and Visa. American Express cards are accepted in many of the more expensive places, such as the luxury hotels. For more information and tips please visit our Turkish Currency page.
Value-added Tax
The standard Value-added Tax (VAT) in Turkey is 18 per cent. Reduced VAT varies from 1% to 8%. Examples of goods and services taxable at 1% - newspapers and magazines, basic foodstuffs, used passenger cars. You may be able to claim a refund of the VAT paid on goods bought here if you have spent 100.00 TL + VAT or more in one store. Tax refund statement shall be made in departing passenger halls of Dalaman airport before the Check-in procedures. You shall cause the confirmation of the Tax Free checks accompanied by the bought goods, invoice/check and your passport in the Customs Inspection Office of the terminal departure hall.
Shopping tips
You may find department stores, numerous gift and souvenir shops in Fethiye. Shops are generally open until 8 pm, with the exception of late night gifts shopping. In Turkey you are covered by Turkey consumer protection law which requires businesses to treat you fairly. The best things to bring home from Turkey are carpets, Ottoman books, Turkish delight, pottery and ceramics, textiles, jewelry, antiques, oil olive soap and spices.
Tipping and bargaining
Hotels and restaurants do not add service charges to your bill. In bars and restaurants it is usual to tip waiters up to 15 per cent of the bill for good service. Tips are also welcome on tours – all boats and minibuses are equipped with tip boxes. However, tipping is always your choice. In most cases, you cannot include the tip on a credit card charge. You should tip in cash and, in most cases, hand the tip directly to the person who has served you. For taxi drivers we recommend to not tip but just round the fare upwards to a convenient amount. Bargaining is a tradition in Turkey, so bargaining is common in markets and private souvenir shops. The good example of the best place for bargaining in Fethiye is Tuesday Market – the place where sellers are waiting when you start the “bargaining game” and enjoy to play it with you.
Emergency assistance
The local emergency number for police is 155, ambulance 110 and fire brigade is 110. Please visit our Emergency Services in Turkey page for more information.
Beach and water safety
Oludeniz, Calis, Patara and Iztuzu beaches qualified for the Blue Flag which designates beaches that have met the European Union's high standard for cleanliness and sanitation both on the sand of the beach and in the water. The drinking water in Fethiye is of good quality but it is high in mineral content so we would recommend buying bottled water since it is very cheap.
Language
Turkey’s official language is Turkish that is spoken by more than 75% of the population. Totally 31 languages are spoken in Turkey. The English is well spoken by the big amount of local people in Fethiye so you will not be having any communication problems during your holidays.
Electrical plug sockets in Turkey
Turkey’s electrical current is 220 volts, AC 50Hz. If you wonder "what adapter do I need for Turkey" then please notice that Turkish plug sockets are one of the two European standard electrical socket types: The "Type C" Europlug and the "Type E" and "Type F" Schuko. If your appliance's plug does not match the shape of these sockets, you will need a power travel adapter or travel plugs in Turkey in order to plug in. The pictures of plug socets you can find below.
Communication
Turkey’s country code is 90. Public pay phones are the cheapest way to talk in Turkey. You can find pay phones in almost all the public areas. You can use phone cards or credit cards to make phone calls. Phone cards can be found at the PTT (post) offices, newsstands and other street kiosks. There are three major mobile carriers in Turkey – Avea, Vodafone and Turkcell. Mobile phone network coverage is available across Turkey, however coverage may be limited in some remote areas. Wi-Fi internet access is widely available at bars, cafes, restaurants, travel agencies, internet cafes, accommodation and libraries.
Postal services
Post offices located in Fethiye area are usually open 8.30 am – 5 pm, Monday to Friday, central office in Fethiye town is open 10 am – 4 pm on Saturday as well.
