Lonely Planet İstanbul Guide

Travellers with Disabilities İstanbul can be challenging for mobility-impaired travellers. Roads are potholed and footpaths are often crooked and cracked. Fortunately the city is attempting to rectify this. Government-run museums are free of charge for people with a disability. Public and private museums and sights that have wheelchair access and accessible toilets include Topkapı Palace, the İstanbul Archaeology Museums, İstanbul Modern, the Pera Museum and the Rahmi M Koç Museum. The last three of these also have limited facilities to assist accessibility for vision-impaired visitors. Airlines and most four- and five-star hotels have wheelchair access and at least one room set up for guests with a disability. All public transport is free, and the metro and trams can be accessed by people in wheelchairs. FHS Tourism and Event (www.accessibleturkey.org) is an İstanbul-based travel agency that has a dedicated department organising accessible travel packages and tours. Visas At the time of research, nationals of the following countries (among others) could enter Turkey for up to three months with only a valid passport (no visa required): Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden and Switzerland. Russians could enter for up to 60 days. Nationals of the following countries (among others) needed to obtain an electronic visa (www.evisa.gov.tr) before their visit: Australia, Canada, China, Ireland, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Taiwan, UK and USA. These visas were valid for between 30 and 90 days and for either a single entry or multiple entry, depending on the nationality. Visa fees cost US$25 to US$70, depending on nationality. Indian nationals needed to ‘meet certain conditions’ before being granted an electronic visa. Your passport must have at least six months’ validity remaining, or you may not be admitted into Turkey. See the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (www.mfa.gov.tr) for the latest information. Women Travellers Travelling in İstanbul as a female can be easy and enjoyable, provided you follow some simple guidelines. Tailor your behaviour and your clothing to your surrounds – outfits that are appropriate for neighbourhoods such as Beyoğlu and along the Bosphorus (skimpy