DUBAI TO TURKEY 10 DAYS WINTER TRAVEL MAR'21 PANDEMIC | Istanbul Cappadocia Ephesus Pamukkale

10 day trip from Dubai to Turkey in Mar 2021.
Cappadocia, Izmir, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Istanbul

Things to consider
Covid specific
1.Masks are mandatory everywhere so carry like a box and change regularly. Buy them from your country of travel.
2.Try keeping your last leg as Istanbul to get Covid tests done. They have testing facilities at airport itself but you need to buffer 6 to 8 hours for results before your exit flights.
3.HES Codes are important and are asked for everywhere. There's a QR code that is scanned.
Keep either print outs or through the mobile app. Carry your passports as a back up.
4.Other than Istanbul, other places we visited shut really early (6 or 7pm) including supermarkets so stock basics like water, food earlier in the day. This is due to Covid.
5.Currently there's no quarantine on providing a valid Covid negative PCR test so it makes for a good place to visit.

Flights
Emirates (via DXB), Turkish Airlines has connectivity to most places.
Distances between cities is long so its best to take domestic flights. Turkish Airlines, Sun express and Pegasus operate here.

There are 2 airports in Istanbul itself
IST (Main international airport with domestic terminal)
SAW (largely a domestic airport).
both airports are really far from one another so ensure you keep sufficient time if you need to change flights or try and book everything through one airport (IST)

Visas for Indian passport holders
E-Visa for those having valid US visit visa or residency from schengen or UK
https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/
cost USD 44.50 per person

for normal visas, please visit (if applying from India)
https://gatewayglobe.com/country

if applying from UAE
https://www.vfsglobal.com/Turkey/uae/index.html

Weather
March is cold. 9 to 10 C with strong winds.
Expect rains in most places and also snow

Places to visit
Istanbul https://youtu.be/_7XWibHlim8?t=1736
Izmir & Ephesus
https://youtu.be/_7XWibHlim8?t=990
Pamukkale
https://youtu.be/_7XWibHlim8?t=1409
Cappadocia
https://youtu.be/_7XWibHlim8?t=237

for beach holidays, Antalya and Bodrum (island) are great options.

Where to stay?
Istanbul - Taksim is a good area
Cappadocia - Goreme
Izmir - anywhere around Basmane or Alsancak
Ephesus - Can be covered in a day from Izmir
Denizli - Can be covered in a day from either Izmir or Antalya.

Budget for 2
Moderate budget of AED 8k to 10K (INR 1.6 to 2 Lakhs) for 2 people for 10 days including flights (International & domestic), food, local commute, sightseeing, entry tickets. Hotels 3 to 5 star depending on the place.

Food - avg 70 to 100 lira for 2 ppl at a restaurant. Istanbul they add a service charge to the bill so watch out (10-15%)
Water - 2 to 3 lira for a 1 litre bottle (don't consume tap water)

Currency
Turkish Lira or Euros (don't expect change hence better to pay in euros if its a fixed charge). Cards are accepted widely but better to keep Liras as well.
1 lira = INR 9 or 10
1 Euro = INR 85 to 90

Important Apps
HES, E-billet (Turkish state railways), Obilet (bus services), iTaksi, Google translate

Local SIM (it's called GSM there)
Turkcell is a good option. We paid 130 lira but I think there should be better deals at airport. we got it from the city.

Local transport
Taxis, Metro (Istanbul), Airport Shuttle (Havas)
Only pay Taxis by meters. They may try and negotiate but refuse. This is near all touristy places.
Meters are either in rear view mirror or above central AC vents.

Bosphorus strait cruise in Istanbul is officially run for 25 lira for 90 mins. Don't fall for private guys as they ll quote exorbitant prices.
https://www.sehirhatlari.istanbul/

Language
Turkish obviously. English isn't spoken as widely so best to have a Google translate version (preset language so that it can be used in offline too)

People
Turks are usually friendly and helpful despite language being a barrier. Be careful of touts in touristy places who'll try to sell you things at exorbitant prices. Just smile and say no thank you. Heavily crowded places like Bazaars (markets) have pick pocketers so be careful.

Video Background score credits (order of appearance) used through Inshot app

Music: The Universe Needs You
Musician: Sapajou
URL: https://soundcloud.com/sapajoubeats/the-universe-needs-you-free-copyright-music

Music: Redwood Trail
Musician: music by audionautix.com
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode

Music: Inspire
Musician: ASHUTOSH

Music: Someday
Musician: Alexander Delarge
URL: https://icons8.com/music/

Music: Marathon
Musician: Sapajou
URL: https://soundcloud.com/sapajoubeats/marathon-free-copyright-music

Music: Illuminate You
Musician: Weary Eyes
URL: https://icons8.com/music/

Music: Remember
Musician: @iksonmusic

Music: Solo Acoustic 5
Musician: music by audionautix.com
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode

Turkish Music
Winds of Anatolia - Zeytinyagli 
Seyyah - Huzzam Oyun Havasi

Видео DUBAI TO TURKEY 10 DAYS WINTER TRAVEL MAR'21 PANDEMIC | Istanbul Cappadocia Ephesus Pamukkale канала Trips Don't Lie