BY MOPED AND MOTORCYCLE
Motorized bikes offer an enjoyable, relatively inexpensive way to tour coastal areas and countryside, particularly where there axe few cars. They don’t use much gas, can be put on trains and ferries, and arc a good compromise between the high cost of car travel arid the limited range of bicycles. Exercise extreme caution— driving in Turkey can be tricky at best. Your trip to Turkey is not the best time to learn how to ride a moped or motorcycle. They’re uncomfortable for long distances, dangerous in the rain, and unpredictable on rough roads and gravel. Always wear a helmet, and never ride with a backpack. Expect to pay about I S$20-35 per day; remember to bargain. Motorcycles normally require a license. Ask if the quoted price includes tax and insurance, or you may be hit with an additional fee. Avoid handing your passport over as a deposit; if you have an accident or mechanical failure you may not get it back until you cover all repairs.
BY THUMB
Let’s Go strongly urges you to seriously consider the risks before you choose to hitch. We do not recommend hitching as a safe means of transportation.
Those who decide to hitchhike in Turkey generally offer to pay half of what the trip would cost by bus. Most Turks, however, refuse payment. Hitchers in Turkey signal with a hand wave or the standard thumb. Travelers in remote parts of Turkey will find that drivers may offer them rides even when they’re just waiting for a bus. No one should hitch without careful consideration of the risks involved. After all, any bozo can drive a car.
If you’re a woman traveling alone, do not hitch. It’s too dangerous. Safety issues are always imperative, even for those who are not hitching alone. Safety-minded hitchers avoid getting in the back of a two-door car and never let go of their backpacks. They will not get into a car that they can’t get out of again in a hurry. If they ever feel threatened, they insist on being let off, regardless of where they are. Acting as if they are going to open the car door or vomit on the upholstery may get a driver to stop. Hitchhiking at night is particularly dangerous.
BY CAR
Turks drive on the right-hand side of the road, except in Northern Cyprus, where traffic runs on the left side. The speed limit is 50kph (31mph) in cities, 90kph (55mph) on the highways, and 130kph (80mph) on toll roads (oto yolu). Road signs in English make driving somewhat easier. Archaeological and historical sites are indicated by yellow signposts with black writing; village signs have blue writing.Before taking your own car to Turkey, consider the effects of poor roads. If you get into an accident, you must file a report with the police (traffic police ® 118). The Touring and Automobile Association of Turkey (TTOK) can provide more information.
DRIVING PERMITS AND CAR INSURANCE
INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT (IDP). If you plan to drive a car while in Turkey, you should have an International Driving Permit (IDP). Though Turkey allows travelers to drive with a valid American or Canadian license for a limited time, it may be a good idea to get an IDP anyway in case you’re in a situation (e.g., an accident or stranded in a small town) where the police do not know English; information on the IDP is printed in 10 languages.Your IDP, valid for one year, must be issued in your own country before you depart. An application for an IDP usually needs to include one or two photos, a current local license, an additional form of identification, and a fee.
CAR INSURANCE. Some credit cards cover standard insurance. If you rent, lease, or borrow a car, you will need a green card, or International Insurance Certificate, to certify that you have liability insurance and that it applies abroad. Green cards can be obtained at car rental agencies, car dealers (for those leasing cars), some travel agencies, and some border crossings. Rental agencies may ask you to purchase theft insurance for countries that they consider to have a high risk of auto theft.
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