FAQ | Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about our trips and some answers that you may find helpful:

Book with us because you will:

  • Protect Yourself by booking with a legal fully licensed TURSAB operator.
  • Save Money as travel agencies get better rates than the customer.
  • Save Time by having us promptly organize all the hotels, tours, flights etc.
  • Tailor your dream vacation with our tailormade itineraries from a local expert planner

Yes. Our website is operated under our registered tour operator name “Gurtour Travel” with TURSAB License No: A-2338, which offers our clients the security of highest possible approval and recommendation from TURSAB – Turkey’s governing tourism body (A-type licenses are the highest possible grade of tourism license in Turkey). All legally licensed responsible tour companies in Turkey must be officially licensed under this authority.

*Please beware of unlicensed operators and websites without registered company contact information at the TURSAB site.

Please just enter our website www.istanbulturkeytravel.com and click the Tursab Digital Verification picture at the left – bottom of the website.

Simply fill in the associated booking form found under the related tours’/packages’ page or email us your requirements.

You should finalise your booking no later than 45 days prior to your departure. For summer and other high season travel times, 90 days is a good idea. For assistance please contact us.

Hotel rates in our site, are subject to change during special event periods like Fairs/Exhibitions, Symposiums, Congresses, Religious-Athletic and Artistic events, Carnival, Easter Christmas and New Year are considered as special events.During  Special Events a minimum staycan be required by the hotel

For any query please go to our contact us page for our telephone, email and address. Also our opening hours are shown there.

A -2338 7/24 whatsaap contact number is also given to all our guests who book any service with us. If you have a question or concern that needs to be addressed outside of the regular office hours, please call us at that number for immediate assistance.

In private tours, you will have your own private professional tour guide just for you and your chosen companions only for a more personalized experience of Turkey. (So you will NOT join any other people). This type of tour offers much flexibility and a more relaxed pace with greater opportunity for enjoying spontaneous moments and events and seeing more off the beaten track places, and the chance to learn more specifics about the history, religion, culture, art, architecture and cuisine.

In group tours, you will be sharing the guide and vehicle with approx. 5-20 other people depending on the day and location (usually up to 15 people in Ephesus, Pamukkale and Cappadocia and up to 30 people in Istanbul). The sightseeing and route are fixed so there is no flexibility or personalization with this type of tour. Shopping shops may also be included. Guarateed departured tours may be a good way to travel and meet people if you are travelling alone or for those on a budget.

Depending on your nationality, you may be able to buy a tourist entry visa stamp online in a simple process prior to arrival. Please check this with your nearest Turkish Consulate for the latest information or you may check the Turkish Government’s visa site at https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/.

No this is not included. We can only arrange the flights that originate in Turkey being a Turkish tour operator based in Istanbul-Turkey. So you can book the international flights to Turkey yourself with any airline.We can arrange all necessary domestic flights within Turkey if you wish. Please check the “What’s Included” and “What’s Not Included” on your emailed itinerary.

Once we know your exact travel dates, we can quote you the exact price of all the domestic flight tickets necessary for your trip separately at the time of booking. We can arrange these also but they are priced separately.  This is because domestic flight prices are subject to availability at the time of booking.For some short 2-3 day mini-trips, the domestic flights may already be included. Please check the “What’s Included” and “What’s Not Included” section of your emailed itinerary to check this.

Yes you can. All of our tours can be started any day of the year you like, in most cases, subject to availability. Or just let us know your exact start and end travel dates and we can shorten/lengthen any trip to suit your dates.

The vehicles used are fully air-conditioned non-smoking new-model vehicles (Mercedes,Wolksvagen,Isuzu) – so that you can enjoying touring in comfort.

No, these are not accepted at almost any bank in Turkey. Instead you can use the many ATM machines if you need to replendish cash. Main credit cards like Visa, MasterCard and American Express are also widely accepted in Turkey.

For any other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us by email.

Peak season is from mid-April to late-October. Mid April-June and September- October tend to be the busiest and with the nicest weather. Spring and Fall tend to have milder weather and less visitors making. July and August are the hottest months in Turkey.

In Turkey, shopping opportunities include local handicrafts, carpets and rugs, leather, embroidered items, ceramics and other souvenirs.

Please note that during national holidays and special events/festivals, availability at hotels may be very limited. It is advisable to book in advance for availability or consider alternative dates before/after.

Most of the Museums in Turkey closed on Monday.In Istanbul, the below listed sites are closed on the days shown below and are usually replaced with a visit to another nearby site instead on those days:

* Sundays: Grand Bazaar

* Mondays: St. Sophia, Beylerbeyi & Dolmabahce Palaces, most museums.

* Tuesdays: Topkapi Palace

* Wednesdays: Rumeli Fortress, Chora Church

* Thursdays: Beylerbeyi & Dolmabahce Palaces