Travel-holics have probably been going through some of the worst withdrawals these past few months. As the world suddenly closed down overnight, borders closed, flights were cancelled, and travel became a thing of the past. However some countries continued to allow tourism.
With universities almost completely online, I figured there was not a reason to stay home when I could be living in a new country instead. With lower rates of Corona than my home country, the USA, and open borders, Turkey seemed like a great place to spend the majority of my fall semester.
Any unnecessary movement increases the chance of spreading the virus, which means decisions should be taken with extreme caution. Here I'll explore some of the significant takeaways from my time in Turkey.
Getting In
Turkey does not have any restrictions to get in. While this makes planning much easier, it also means hotspot countries can travel to Turkey freely as well. As of October, there is no negative PCR test required to enter. Some nationalities will be required to buy a visa online.
How to Decide Which City
The Turkish government announced that around 40% of cases were in its largest city, Istanbul. With its huge population and tourist attraction, this comes as no surprise. With that information, other cities become more attractive. The city of Izmir, seated on the western coast, is where I initially decided to make my home. However depending on your interests, you might choose other cities or towns such as Ankara, Antalya, or even smaller villages. Depending on your comfort level, Istanbul may be a fine choice as well, just be wary of crowds and of course follow public health guidelines.
Things to Do and See
Many of Turkey's most famous tourist spots are open. This includes sights like Pammukale, Ephesus, the Hagia Sofia, and many others. Conveniently, many of the sights are also outdoors. If you are worried about indoor transmission rates, it's easier to see the outdoor sights and still keep socially distant, but of course consult health professionals and local guidelines.
Getting Around
Public transport is very well developed in both Izmir and Istanbul, the cities I spent the most time in. Face coverings are required, and technically they should be operating at a capacity that enables social distancing. Most people comply, and I have seen police tell people to wear masks. However this is not always enforced. There are relatively inexpensive bus tickets to major tourist sites and cities, but be wary of how / if restrictions are being followed. It's very hard to enforce mask wearing on overnight buses, per se.
Night Life and Eating Out
Lots of establishments are open, and eating outside is common and an easy option at most places. Food is pretty cheap, even in Istanbul, and there are tons of street vendors to try out street food like chestnuts, grilled corn, and simit. Most places seemed sanitary, and there is disinfectant everywhere.
Overall
I personally didn't feel unsafe or too at risk in Turkey. Granted, you should always follow public health guidelines and avoid large gatherings, clubs, etc. Turkey has been a great time for me overall, and I felt much safer than in the USA. However, keep in mind your country's laws and restrictions, and use that to make an informed decision.
About the Creator
Colleen M
Plant based student living in the UAE, and bouncing around to lots of places in between. In love with learning languages, cooking, and trying to minimize my impact on the Earth while living a life I love.
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