Turkiye e-visa Review: The Newest Entry Experience 🥹🇹🇳
"It's just too good to be true," my friend exclaimed when we heard Turkey was opening up its e-visa program unconditionally for Vietnamese citizens. Even as I headed to the airport yesterday, I couldn't shake the worry of possibly being denied entry. Now, sipping a beer while watching the sunset over the sea, I'm here to share a fresh, honest review for those of you planning a trip.
VISA:
I'm probably among the earliest travelers to Turkey after the e-visa launch on September 1st. On the evening of September 1st, I filled out the application, paid USD 51, and received the e-visa in my email within 3 minutes. There are plenty of e-visa guides already, so I won't reiterate the process here. With my plane ticket, printed visa, and passport valid for over six months, I simply went straight through Passport Control and received my entry stamp.
FLIGHT TICKETS:
Once I had the visa, booking a flight became the next step. There were numerous airlines available, but I considered two main options: Thai Airways and China Southern. China Southern was cheaper, approximately VND 16-17 million, flying from Hanoi with a 15-hour layover. Thai Airways was slightly more expensive, around VND 19-20 million, flying from Ho Chi Minh City with only a 2-hour layover. I ended up choosing Thai Airways, mainly because flying from Ho Chi Minh City was more convenient for my personal reasons.
Initially, I was concerned about potential delays during the transit, but since I didn't need to recheck my luggage, the transfer to the new boarding gate took only 30 minutes. The food was delicious, the service was great, and the transit time was short. My flight departed at 8:30 PM on the 11th, and I arrived in Istanbul at 5 AM on the 12th.
TRANSPORTATION:
From the airport, I took a shuttle bus to the Suktanamet area, which cost 275 TRY (Turkish Lira) and took about an hour to reach the station near the Blue Mosque. I had booked a hostel nearby, so I walked to check in. Istanbul has many beautiful spots, and the weather was pleasant, making walking a delight. After checking in and freshening up, I explored the central area, visited cafes, explored the central market, had lunch, and then strolled to the pier. Later, due to the midday heat, I took the Tram from the pier back to my hostel, which was incredibly convenient; tickets can be purchased by swiping a card on the spot.
CASH OR CARD?
It's advisable to exchange around USD 50-100 into Turkish Lira (TRY) at the airport for easier payment of transportation fees. Restaurants and cafes generally accept card payments. I purchased a Turkcell SIM card for 1250 TRY, offering 25GB of data for a month. Each SIM store sets its own prices, so it's wise to compare prices at 2-3 different places before making a purchase.
I'll only be staying for one night before starting my journey to Izmir, and then the southern coastal region. I'm traveling solo, so I don't have anyone to take photos. However, the upside is I can customize my trip to go wherever I please, without pre-booking anything. I chose a hostel to keep expenses down, but if there isn't a female dorm available, I will book a private room. I'll share more reviews on interesting locations after the trip. Thanks to everyone who has shared their experiences. If anyone has questions, feel free to ask; I'll reply as soon as I can.
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