Turkey Travel Protection & Assistance Services

A trip to Turkey immerses you in a rich culture packed with history and influences from its unique geographical ts unique position straddling Europe and Asia. Expect to be mesmerized by a wide range of landscapes, from seaside resorts to bazaars. The vast differences could send you into culture shock when you land in Turkey. Being prepared with everything from the right travel documents to travel insurance for Turkey helps your trip go smoothly.

Traveling to Turkey: What Do You Need?

Being well-prepared for your trip prevents last-minute scrambling and travel delays. You don't need any specific vaccinations for your trip to Turkey, but you need the correct documents.

Passport

Check your passport expiration date before you travel to Turkey. It needs to be valid for at least 6 months past the date you enter the country. If your passport is close to expiring, renew it now to avoid being denied entry. You also need a blank passport page for your entry and exit stamps.

Visa

If you're making a quick trip to Turkey and are an ordinary U.S. passport holder, you likely won't need a visa. Tourist visas are only required if you're staying in the country for more than 90 days within a 180-day period. You may need a work or study visa if you're going to Turkey for a specific purpose other than visiting.

Do You Need Travel Protection for Turkey?

Is travel protection mandatory for Turkey? No, it's not a requirement for the trip. However, it's still a good idea to buy travel protection with assistance services for Turkey. You could encounter situations before and during your trip where extra protection comes in handy. Having travel protection with assistance services in place before your trip can help you recover the costs that often come with trip cancellations, interruptions or health issues.

Coverage for Medical Emergencies

Medical emergencies don't take a holiday just because you're on vacation. While many cities in Turkey are pedestrian-friendly, you may encounter uneven sidewalks and other tripping hazards that could result in injuries. Traveling often exposes you to germs that could cause you to become ill. Unexpected medical emergencies, such as heart attacks, may also happen while you're abroad.

Your regular health insurance likely won't cover you once you leave the country. If you have medical coverage in Turkey, your plan might not pay as much as normal. Getting sick or injured while you're away could result in unexpected medical bills. While health care in Turkey is relatively affordable compared to other countries, the costs could still add up and cause financial hardships.

Travel insurance with assistance services for Turkey picks up where your regular health insurance leaves off while you're traveling abroad. While it generally doesn't cover pre-existing conditions, travel insurance with assistance services may reimburse you for medical expenses associated with sicknesses or injuries that start during your trip. Common covered expenses include physician services, hospital charges, local ambulance service and medication.

Coverage for Travel Delays and Cancellations

You can plan your trip down to the tiniest details, but you can't control all the variables that could impact your trip. Even the healthiest of travelers could become injured or sick before departure day, forcing the trip to be canceled or delayed. Canceling or rearranging travel plans at the last minute almost always has financial consequences. If you can't take the trip, you might lose some or all of the money you spent on travel arrangements.

Travel insurance with assistance services for Turkey helps reimburse you for your expenses if your trip is canceled or delayed due to a covered reason. It typically only pays when an unforeseeable event causes the issue. Common examples include a car accident on your way to the airport, job loss, jury duty, labor strikes affecting public transportation and carrier cancellations and delays.

You may also be able to choose add-on coverage for Trip Cancellation for Any Reason with the Premium Plan (not available to NY residents). With Generali Global Assistance, this coverage reimburses you for up to 75% of your penalty for canceling the trip, regardless of the reason.

Additional Support and Assistance

Many travel protection plans offer additional types of support and coverage once your trip begins. For example, Trip Interruption coverage helps reimburses you for nonrefundable costs if you can't complete all your travel plans due to a covered reason. No one wants to deal with unexpected problems while traveling, but knowing you have extra support can give you peace of mind.

Other coverages and reimbursements may be available for:

Lost, stolen or damaged luggage
Clothes and personal items if your baggage is delayed
Emergency medical evacuations
Accidental death and dismemberment
Covered damages to your rental vehicle

How Do You Get Travel Insurance with Assistance Services for Turkey?

Generali Global Assistance offers multiple travel insurance with assistance services plans that help cover you on your trip to Turkey. Compare the Standard, Preferred and Premium Plans to choose the one with the right coverage options for your needs.

No matter where you buy travel protection for Turkey, read the terms of the coverage. It's important to understand any exclusions that apply to the plan.

Turkey Travel Tips

The following tips help make your trip to Turkey safe and enjoyable:

Follow local customs to ensure appropriate behavior. Many areas of Turkey are deeply rooted in tradition, and locals expect you to respect the culture. Avoid saying anything offensive or discussing hot topics, such as politics. Conservative dress is appropriate, especially when visiting mosques and other religious sites. Learning a few common phrases in Turkish can also be a sign of respect for the culture. It's uncommon for Turkish natives to know English, so learning even a little Turkish can make communication easier.
Explore unique food options. Because of its unique location in Europe and Asia, Turkey offers a diverse fusion of food options with influences from both. Being adventurous and trying these new foods can make the trip more enjoyable. Be prepared to clean your plate — it's often considered a sign of disrespect if you leave food on your plate in Turkey. Tipping 10% to 15% at restaurants in Turkey is common, so plan for that extra expense when you enjoy meals out.
Bargain respectfully. It's common for people to bargain when buying items in Turkey. Don't be afraid to negotiate prices of the souvenirs you want to buy, but don't try to go too low as that can be considered impolite. It's a good idea to have cash and credit cards on hand for your purchases. Many Turkish businesses accept credit cards, but you may find smaller shops that prefer cash.
Plan a mix of stops. Istanbul is a popular tourist destination in Turkey. The diverse city offers a range of tourism options. Ankara, the capital of Turkey, is known for its cultural options, including many performing arts options. Spending time away from cities in quieter regions, such as Cappadocia and Mardin, lets you enjoy the contrast in Turkey's landscape. If you prefer coastal vacations, plan stops along the Mediterranean coast, such as Kaputas Beach and the Turquoise Coast.

Having your documents in place and securing travel protection for Turkey helps keeps you protected for your upcoming travel plans. Generali Global Assistance offers travel protection plans for Turkey, that can help give you peace of mind so that you may travel with confidence and make the most of your trip.