Consider all the details of travel to Turkey by car. Such an adventure is ideal for tourists who do not like to lie on the beach for the entire package vacation and buy shopping excursions from hotel guides at three times the price. In this material, we will find out what prices are waiting for you in the country and on the road, we will build the best routes through Crimea, Georgia and Bulgaria, we will collect documents, and give practical advice that will help you make a trip through Georgia leaving Russia faster.
Turkey is a vibrant country with incredibly hospitable people, delicious cuisine, varied landscapes and many places to visit. The local currency is called TRY or Turkish lira. This is an incredible area that deserves to be seen and felt. Of the additional advantages for motorists, there are good roads and the presence of toll autobahns. Looking ahead, no matter what you say - their roads are excellent.
It is quite possible to independently get to Turkey by car from St. Petersburg, Moscow and other cities of the Russian Federation, and further this will be discussed in detail.
What is required for the trip?
Getting to Turkey by car in 2021 is not a problem at all. Naturally, the suitcase must be folded in accordance with the duration of the planned vacation. There is a basic travel must-have list.
Among its components:
- passport with free places for stamps (it must be valid for at least 4 months);
- map and GPS navigator;
- light clothing and footwear;
- insurance (green card);
- driver's license;
- bank cards and money;
- voucher;
- first aid kit;
- replacement of all consumables on the machine (especially antifreeze);
- gadgets, applications on a smartphone with a road map.
It is worth stocking up on portable electrical appliances (for example, tiles), tents, camping chairs, dishes, canned food, a camera. It is better to take money in dollars, euros or Turkish lira (but its rate is unstable). We recommend taking half of the amount in dollars, the other half in small bills - lira. Lari can be bought when passing control at the border with Georgia, do not change a lot, after Mtskheta you can pay in rubles almost everywhere.
How to get to Turkey by car through neighboring countries to Russia, we will tell you in the next section.
Route to Turkey via Georgia
It is very easy to get to Turkey by car through Georgia in 2021 if you know a number of nuances before starting your trip. When entering the border, you should not talk about what plans the vacationers have. It is enough to point out that the purpose of the trip is tourism. Customs can be cleared most quickly at night.
Typically, the verification time takes a total of about two hours in the afternoon. Inspection of the car will also be carried out, but rather superficial. Car registration and international liability insurance must be available. Get ready for a thorough search at the border in Kabardino-Balkaria and North Ossetia.
In Vladikavkaz, we advise you to fill up a full tank of gasoline and take a canister with you on the road, then the prices will be higher.
When traveling along the Georgian military road, before reaching Batumi, we recommend buying wine in a standard glass container (this wine is better), in the resort town the drink will already cost 2 times more. And do not try to go to the Kakheti wineries, the same thing can be bought at half the price in local supermarkets.
It is cheaper to spend the night, and more romantic, in car camps, the cost is 8 lari per night.
When driving through the tunnels, we recommend that you drive carefully, you cannot see anything and there can be lying around on the road from bottles to garbage cans. If a wheel has been punctured, the friendly Georgian people will help at any moment, many locals passing by offer their help. You should only refuel at Lukoil or Wissol.
Route from Georgia to Turkey by car
- Moscow;
- Rostov-on-Don;
- Vladikavkaz;
- Upper Lars;
- Tbilisi;
- Borjomi (lovers of the "Tarhun" drink can come here, only here its natural taste has been preserved);
- Batumi;
- Samsun;
- Corum;
- Antalya.
By the way, after the checkpoint between Georgia and Turkey, the pass immediately begins, and here you need a good antifreeze.
When entering the last country, you will need a 4700 green card for a month (you can buy it in Russia or at the border when passing control), the rights are of the usual sample. Having reached the Mediterranean Sea, you can breathe out and start looking for hotels for spending the night, since there are a huge number of them here. A day of accommodation will cost 100 liras in a decent room of 2-3 stars.
The roads here are excellent, in the city you can keep the speed of 80 km / h (there are restrictions up to 50 km / h), outside we easily accelerate to 90 km / h, but be careful on serpentines. There are no complaints about the quality of the fuel, we recommend refueling with the Opet or Shell brand. Diesel prices are around 70 rubles, gasoline 82 rubles. At gas stations, you can pay with a Sberbank card.
How long does it take to get to Turkey via Georgia? 3700 km. Travel time depends on the individual driving characteristics and the duration of stops at each point. On average, the journey will take about three days.
How much to go from other cities?
| Point of departure | Distance (km) to the Sarpi checkpoint on the Georgian-Turkish border | Travel time |
| Moscow | 2020 | 1.5-2 days |
| Krasnodar | 687 | 14 hours |
| Stavropol | 788 | 13 hours |
| St. Petersburg | 2743 | 1.5-2 days |
| Rostov-on-Don | 943 | 14 hours |
| Voronezh | 1523 | 23 hours |
| Samara | 2027 | 27-33 hours |
| Kazan | 2030 | 1.5-2 days |
| Ekaterinburg | 2947 | 2-3 days |
| Nizhny Novgorod | 2166 | 1.5 days |
How to get there via Sochi?
Traveling to Turkey by car through Sochi is a simplified and convenient, but rather expensive travel option. First of all, you need to clarify the schedule of the ferry that transports cars. The duration of such a boat trip ranges from 12 to 18 hours; you will need to stay in the common passenger hall. At the port of Trabzon, upon arrival, guests are met by a customs point, but inspection there does not take more than 15 minutes.
Such a sea trip will cost travelers from $ 350 to $ 450. You will have to pay additionally for paperwork. The price will depend on the brand of the car and can range from $ 30 to $ 150. But with this option, communication with transit countries is completely avoided. You can transport motorcycles (7,000-8500 rubles), cars (from 15,000 rubles), SUVs (from 17,000 rubles), minibuses (from 20,000 rubles).
Additionally, the cost of the passenger ticket itself ranges from 1,800 to 3,000 rubles. The price includes food, but passengers note that it is very specific, so it is worth bringing food with you.
Route map to Turkey on your own by car
Registration and nuances of crossing the border
Russians do not need a visa to visit this glorious country. This applies to cases where the duration of stay does not exceed two months. To extend your stay, you can cross the border and drive back. Be sure to have an international insurance certificate and all documents for the car with you.
You can export the national currency from the country in the equivalent of up to $ 100. And when importing an amount exceeding $ 5,000, it will need to be entered into the customs declaration. Alcohol can be transported no more than 1 liter of strong or 2 liters of wine. It is forbidden to import weapons.
Some highways in the country are toll roads, and there is practically no speed limit on Turkish roads. Traveling to Turkey by car is an opportunity to gain new and interesting experiences and visit other countries along the way.
Prices in Turkey
To save money as much as possible, both travelers and locals use little tricks. There are two types of markets: stationary and on certain days of the week. The latter offer products much cheaper.
- Fruits and berries per kilogram will cost 2-3 lira ($ 0.33-0.49);
- fast food (for example, a tortilla with cheese, potatoes or cottage cheese) - 3 lira ($ 0.49);
- olives and olives - from 9 to 18 lire ($ 1.47-2.94);
- cheese: white soft - 10-15 lire ($ 1.63-2.45), hard yellow - 20-30 lire ($ 3.27-4.90);
- corn - 5 lire for 5 pieces ($ 0.82);
- nuts - depending on the variety 35-45 lire ($ 5.71-7.35);
- meat is sold only in the form of beef, lamb and chicken - the price is about 40-60 lira ($ 6.53-9.80);
- vegetables cost about 1 lira ($ 0.16) on average.
Food prices change according to the season. In Turkey, fuel is quite expensive, so the 95th will cost 4.5 lira ($ 0.73), diesel - 3.8 lira ($ 0.62). It is better to bring your own cigarettes, as here they are of terrible quality and will be expensive.
Where to go and what to see?
Traveling on your own in Turkey by car is an opportunity to build your own routes while exploring the area. For history buffs, a visit to Istanbul with its ornate houses and temples is a must. Most of the attractions are grouped in the Fatih area, although areas such as Beyoglu (where Taksim Square is located) and Besiktas (with Ortakoy and Dolmabahce Palace) are equally fascinating.
The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Museum are of great importance, but exploring everyday life here is also fun. Food is a central part of the culture, so the menu should be studied as seriously as the map.
What is worth doing in Istanbul?
- Walking through the Grand Bazaar: Completed in 1461, the Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. It is known for its jewelry, ceramics, carpets, spices and lanterns. People love to just stroll down each of the 60 streets to explore the unique Turkish culture.
- Immersion in the history and architecture of Hagia Sophia: The cathedral is of great cultural and historical importance for Istanbul. In 537 A.D. it was a cathedral, later became an imperial mosque (1453-1931), before it turned into a museum in 1935. The entrance fee is TRY 40 ($ 13.60).
- Visit to the Sultan Ahmed Mosque: better known as the Blue Mosque, named after the blue plates on the inner walls. It is important to note that since this is a place of worship, visitors must dress and behave appropriately when visiting. Both men and women should not be dressed in revealing clothing and will be asked to take off their shoes and remain in silence.
Where should you go?
For people looking for where to go by car in Turkey besides the capital, it is proposed to visit the famous for its beautiful, unspoiled beaches, Dalaman... It offers ideal conditions for those who want to do nothing but relax and soak up the sun.
- For authentic Turkish cuisine worth heading to Kalkan and sample local cuisine.
- In addition, you can get acquainted with mythology while visiting the homeland of the Father of Christmas - St. Nicholas in Maire.
- See Turkey's response to Atlantis: the sunken city Kekova.
- Blending mythology and historical facts, the Rock Tombs sacred tombs in the Delta Dalyan will immerse tourists on a fascinating journey.
The Goreme Open Air Museum is a must-see. It is one of the first two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Turkey.
The historic monastic complex in Cappadocia (how to get there) consists of rock-cut churches, chapels, monasteries and frescoes from the Byzantine Empire. Entry costs TRY 20 ($ 6.80). The highlight of the museum is the Karanlik Kilise (Dark Church) as it houses some of the finest examples of Byzantine art. Entrance to the Dark Church is another 10 TRY ($ 3.40).
Be sure to take a course to Pamukkale, the entrance ticket costs 36 liras or $ 15. You can stay nearby for the night in a good hotel, we recommend Sunrise Aya Hotel (the night will cost about 2100 rubles)
As for visiting attractions, almost everywhere you can pay by bank transfer, for visiting museums it will be more profitable to buy a Museum card, the cost is 230 liras.
The presented ways to get to Turkey by car are not the only ones, so it will not be difficult for Russians to get to the country. But the cost is about the same as going by plane + subsequent car rental.
