Turkey E-Visa Entry Review: A Dream Come True!
It's almost too good to be true, that's what my friend said when they heard Turkey had introduced e-visas for Vietnamese citizens with no strings attached. Even yesterday, at the airport, I was still filled with a nagging worry, wondering what if I wasn't allowed to enter. But now, sitting here, sipping a beer and watching the sun dip below the horizon over the sea, I'm finally ready to share my honest and up-to-date review for all of you.
The E-Visa Experience
I believe I was among the very first to travel to Turkey after the e-visa system launched on September 1st. I filled out the details and made the payment of 51 USD on the evening of the 1st. Just three minutes later, my e-visa arrived in my email. Since there are plenty of guides on how to apply for the e-visa, I won't go into those details here. With my flight ticket, printed visa, and a passport valid for over six months, I simply walked through Passport Control and got my entry stamp into Turkey.
Flight Booking Adventures
Once the visa was secured, it was time to book the flight. There are numerous airlines operating this route, but when I checked, I narrowed it down to two options: Thai Airways and China Southern. China Southern was the cheaper option, around 16-17 million VND, flying from Hanoi with a 15-hour layover. Thai Airways was a bit more expensive, around 19-20 million VND, flying from Saigon with a shorter 2-hour layover. Ultimately, I chose Thai Airways for personal reasons, as flying from Saigon was more convenient for me.
Initially, I was a bit concerned about the layover, fearing potential delays. However, since I didn't have any checked luggage, it only took me about 30 minutes to get to my next departure gate. The food was delicious, the service was excellent, and I didn't waste much time during the transit. My flight departed at 8:30 PM on the 11th, and I arrived in Istanbul at 5:00 AM on the 12th.
Getting Around Istanbul
From the airport, I took a shuttle bus to the central area of Sultanahmet. The ticket cost 275 TRY (Turkish Lira), and the journey took about an hour, bringing me to a stop right next to the Blue Mosque. I had booked a hostel nearby, so I just walked to check in. Istanbul is full of beautiful photo opportunities, and the pleasant weather made walking around incredibly enjoyable. After checking in, dropping off my bags, and freshening up, I explored the central district, visited cafes, browsed the main bazaar, had lunch, and then strolled to the pier.
On the way back, the sun was quite hot, so I hopped on the tram from the harbor back to my hostel, which was super convenient. I could pay for the tram fare by card right at the station.
Cash or Card?
It's a good idea to exchange around 50-100 USD at the airport into Turkish Lira (TRY) for easier payment of things like the shuttle bus. For most other places, like restaurants and cafes, you can easily use your card for payments. I purchased a SIM card from Turkcell for 1250 TRY, which gave me 25GB of data for a month. SIM card prices can vary between shops, so I recommend comparing prices at 2-3 places before making a purchase.
I only stayed for one night before heading off to explore Izmir, and then down to the southern coastal regions. I'm traveling solo, so there's no one to take photos for me, but on the flip side, my itinerary is incredibly flexible – I go where I please and don't book anything in advance. I'm staying in hostels to save costs, but if there weren't any female dorms available, I would have booked a private room.
I'll share more reviews of the fascinating places I visit once I've completed my trip. A big thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences before me. If you have any questions about your upcoming trip, feel free to message me, and I'll do my best to reply whenever I can.
