Turkey is the perfect post Brexit motorhome escape if you need to spend three months out of the Schengen area. This diverse and seemingly endless country will reward you with breathtaking landscapes, huge skies and mystical cities.
Planning a motorhome tour of Turkey can feel daunting. A new continent with customs so different from our own can be challenging to negotiate. We’ll take you through all the stages of planning your trip, from kitting out your van, understanding legalities and getting there, to how to camp and budget for your trip.
We travelled to Turkey in our overland truck, but we didn’t travel anywhere or do anything that you wouldn’t be able to do in a motorhome or camper van.
This is an excerpt from an ebook. To access and download the entire 30+ pages of detailed and up to date information about visiting Turkey in a motorhome, you will need to purchase the ebook by clicking the link at the end of the excerpt.
Things to Know About Turkey
Turkey has cultural inuences from Europe, Caucasia and the Middle East alongside its own Ottomoan and Kurdish culture. Turkey is a officially a secular country with no official religion since Attaturk’s constitutional amendment in 1928.
Alongside the long-held desire to join the European Union, this makes for a fascinating and diverse country, where you’ll meet some of the friendliest and most welcoming people on earth.
Turkey now prefers to be called Turkiye, its Turkish name.
Religion
99% of the Turkish population is Muslim. There are conservative areas in the south east and south central region of Turkey, but many citizens are moderate Muslims, and in the cities and tourist areas, alcohol is served and the dress is very relaxed.
Things we may perceive to be limitations which derive from the Islamic religion are based purely on personal choice and family culture, and are not imposed by law in Turkey.
Infrastructure
Turkey’s economy has bucked the trend and grown in the early 2020’s, although ination is high. There is huge government investment in the infrastructure, particularly the road networks, which in the main, are excellent.
Rurally, you will see poverty, with the average salary around £400 a month. Prices are a lot less than in the UK, espcecially in off the beaten path areas. Expect to pay close to European prices on the coasts and in the cities.
Dress
There are no dress laws in Turkey but you should be mindful of where you are and the context in which your dress should be considered. In conservative and rural areas many women wear the hijab (headscarf) and cover their arms and legs. Visitors to mosques should be dressed modestly, and females should bring a scarf to cover their heads.
Weather
You can tour Turkey any time of the year as there are seven distinct geographic weather and climatic regions, meaning you can always find the right weather for your Turkish holiday.
For winter sun head for the Mediterranean coast, which is warmer and drier than the overcast Aegean coast. Temperatures can get to around 20 degrees celcius between November and March, warm enough for the beach, but it will be cold at night. Much of the rest or Turkey will be properly cold and wet, and lots of places see snow.
In summer, parts of Turkey regularly push past 40 degrees celcius, with little change between day and night temperatures. If you love the heat and travel during this time, head for the mountains, use campsites for shade and run a fan or air con if you have it – although most sites don’t offer more than 6amps, which may not be enough.
Language
In rural Turkey and non-tourist cities, few people speak English. A translate app works well here although some people are reluctant to speak into them!
A few words of Arabic go a long way, we use these daily and always get a smile;
evet = yes
hayir = no
lutfen = please
tesekkurler = thank you
merhaba = hello
Gule gule = goodbye
Rubbish
Sadly, Turkey is beleaguered by a huge rubbish issue, and a culture that does not seem to promote or support people disposing of their waste correctly.
Wherever you go you will encounter rubbish, and often the sheer volume makes it impossible to help and do a litter pick. You just have to learn to see past it.
Street Dogs
There are millions of street dogs in Turkey, abandonded and sometimes left to breed, if the municpality doesn’t have a programme in place.
In towns and cities, the dogs are usually cared for collectively and are often overfed, with street-side kennels provided for them to sleep in. In rural areas, this is not the case and we’ve seen hundreds of injured and skinny dogs begging for scraps.
n the main, these dogs are friendly but often very dirty, so we avoid petting them. If you do feed a street dog from your van, they will probably hang around and start barking in the night to ‘protect’ you – it’s a sort of double edged sword!
Be aware that rabies is still a problem in Turkey.
Is this your first time visiting Turkey? Get all the information you need in our Turkey Travel Guide, including what to pack, the best time of year to go, getting there and practical tips to help you have the best trip!
Is it Safe to Road Trip in Turkey?
Local Laws & Customs
Yes, absolutely – we think it’s one of the safest countries we’ve ever visited. There are a number of local laws and customs that you should be aware of;
It is illegal not to carry some form of photographic ID in Turkey. You should carry your passport with you at all times. In busy areas the Turkish authorities may stop members of the public to conduct ID checks.
Do not take photographs near military or official installations. Ask for permission before photographing people.
Drinking and buying alcohol is legal in Turkey, although many Muslim run shops and restaurants do not sell and serve alcohol. You’re more likely to be able to buy alcohol around tourist areas and the coast.
Homosexuality is legal in Turkey. However, many parts of Turkey are socially conservative and public displays of affection may lead to unwelcome attention.
It is an offence to insult the Turkish nation or the national flag, or to deface or tear up currency. If you’re convicted of any of these offences you could face a prison sentence of between six months and three years.
Controls carried out by the Turkish authorities, including those that take place at airports, may include the examination of electronic devices.
Sadly, many insurers have now stopped providing a green card for Turkey and those that do, will charge highly for it, and only offer third party.
You are required by Turkish law to have, at a minimum, third party insurance, called zorunlu trafik sigortasi.
Our latest research shows that fully comprenehsive insurance is not available for UK registered motorhomes. You may be able to purchase third party cover from a specialist UK underwriter – the costs we have seen are coming in around £500 for 30 days.
Your final option is to purchase third party insurance at the border in Turkey. It’s a very simple process; you arrive and let the customs officials know you need to buy insurance, and they will direct you to the Government approved insurance bureau.
You will be required to provide your passport, driving licence and V5 and your insurance certificate will be drawn up. Expect to pay around £100 for 90 days cover for a motorhome, and £15 for 90 days for a scooter. You can pay by cash in Turkish lira or card.
This cover only insures the car when it is being driven by the owner, as displayed on the V5. Ask the broker to add additional drivers if required.
The certificate is in Turkish, but you will find a number to call should you wish to extend your cover or require assistance.
Breakdown Cover
None of the major UK breakdown insurance companies include the Asian side of Turkey in their European cover. Once you cross the Bosphoros, you’re on your own.
But, if you do breakdown, then Turkey is the place to do it! Resourceful, helpful and knowledgeable, the highly skilled mechanics of Turkey have a fix for everything and don’t require you to make an appointment and return in 6 weeks!
If your van is driveable, make for the nearest sanaye sitesi, or industry site. All towns and cities have these areas, full of workshops, tyre places and motor factors. Google workshop or tyre shop and you’ll see a cluster together – that’s where you’re heading.
If you need to be recovered, locals will be able to help with phone calls. We’ve needed several repairs in Turkey and work that we would have paid hundreds for in the UK has costs 10% of what we would have typically paid.
Do you want to keep reading?
Planning Your Turkey Motorhome Adventure
Full of detailed and up to date information, this ebook will help you plan, prepare and visit Turkey in your motorhome.
Covering key subjects such as safety, insurance and services in Turkey, as well as advice on what you need to do before you leave home and things to be aware of when you get there, this book will fully equip you for an awesome Turkish adventure!
A long held frustration of ours is that as motorhomers we don’t need all the frills of travel insurance, just the medical and repatriation bits.
The best provider we have found is True Traveller. They give a good level of cover including some sports not covered by other insurers and you can purchase this when you’ve already started travelling. Remember your GHIC doesn’t cover Turkey.
Motorhome Security
Turkey is a fundamentally safe country and the rate of vehicle theft has dropped steadily since 2004.
If you’re intending to visit a city, find an aire, campsite or otherwise guarded or manned place to park for a few nights rather than parking in a regular car park.
Take the usual precautions and follow the advice in our post about staying safe in your motorhome. Otherwise, we don’t believe additional measures are necessary.
Personal Security
Turkish people are amongst the friendliest we have met in the world, and love to put themselves out to help. Unlike other countries, where payment is then expected, Turk’s are often insulted if you try to give them money.
Instead, they will place a hand over their heart and tell you it is an honour for them – and they really do mean it. Then they’ll invite you into their home for cay (sweet black tea, pronounced chai)!
Of course, you must assess each situation and undoubtedly, there are bad ‘uns in Turkey, just like in every other country. But, our overriding experience has been incredibly positive and we have learned to engage with openness instead of suspicion.
Theft is not a big problem outside of cities. When in busy places carry your bag on your front and be vigilant when using ATM’s. Be respectful of your environment, dress appropriately and don’t flaunt your wealth.
Documentation
You will require the following documents when travelling in a motorhome or campervan in Turkey;
Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive in Turkey and there should be a full blank page for the entry and exit stamps.
UK and EU residents do not require a visa to enter Turkey for up to 90 days in any 180 day period. Other nationalities should check here whether an evisa is required.
If you plan to remain in Turkey for a period of more than 90 days, you should either apply for a longer stay visa before you travel, or get a residence permit from the local authorities in Turkey before your 90 day stay has elapsed. You can find out more from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
V5, the original vehicle registration document. You will also need the V5 if you’re buying insurance at the border.
Vehicle green card or proof of insurance purchased in Turkey.
Driving License and 1968 International Driving Permit (although we have never been asked to provide the latter). You can drive on your UK license for up to six months in Turkey.
Preparing Your Motorhome for Morocco
Roadworthiness
Make sure your vehicle is in tip-top condition. The Turkish are a resourceful people, can seem to fix most things and will willingly help but this won’t be in any recognised garage and any work is unlikely to be warrantied. Prevention is always better than cure!
Ideally, have a service before setting off and make sure your tyres (including the spare) and windscreen are in good condition.
LPG
Refillable Systems
LPG at the pump is common in Turkey, with many more fuel stations than the UK offering this service.
Refillable systems use the clawgun fitting, the same one you use for France, Italy and Greece.
Using Turkish Gas Bottles
It is generally not possible ro refill UK bottles in Turkey unless you have bottles which are designed to be refilled like Safefill or Alugas.
Bottled gas, called tüp gaz (70% butane and 30% propane) comes in 12kg cylinders and is readily available from garage forecourts and DIY shops, although you will need specific Turkish fittings which can be bought at any DIY shop in the country.
Aygaz and Milangaz are the two main supplies of gas bottles, and a 12kg bottle costs around 310TRY (£15.50) to buy for the first time.
Electric & Solar
The electricity supply in Turkey is not like that of Europe. Most sites will offer a paltry 6amps or power off a ligthing circuit, and on top of that, the voltage is often irregular. Trips are frequent and may happen ten times a day or not at all; sometimes this depends on how many other vans are on site and how far along the supply you are!
Turkey is the perfect country for solar – if you fit the right amount of panels and batteries, you’ll never need to plug in again. Even if you prefer sites, the minute you head into the interior, you’ll find there are very few options for camping, making solar a must.
If you prefer to plug in, you’ll find that often you can only use one appliance at a time, especially those with a heavy draw, but you will be able to run your fridge, TV and charge phones without a problem.
You will need a domestic two-pin plug to plug in at all campsites and a long cable (at least 25m) as often EHU points are few and far between.
Make sure that you charge devices when on the move. We also carry several power banks which are always charged for emergency electrical failure, and a portable solar charger can help get through dull days.
Water
If you plan on wild camping and filling up roadside, you will need a universal tap connector or a 12v water pump and bucket, as the variety of different taps and fittings is huge.
We would also recommend fitting a filter either pre-tank or on a tap. We have a 3M E2 Water Filter Kit fitted, which means we don’t need to buy bottled water, where spring water is not available.
Money
The currency is the Turkish Lira. One lira is divided into one hundred kuruş.
Cash vs Card
Turkey is a cash driven economy. In the countryside, debit and credit cards are rarely accepted unless you are in a large supermarket for example. Carry plenty of cash with you and make sure you can access additional funds in case of emergencies.
ATM’s are widely available at both bricks and mortar banks and at portable ATM points. Most will charge 100TRY to make a withdrawal, with some charging as high as 7%!
Halkbank is the best bank to use as you can withdraw money with no fee. Ziraat Bank, Turkey’s state owned bank does not always charge, but this can be hit and miss. If you use your usual credit or debit card, you may be charged for making a cash withdrawal or purchase by your bank. Plan to use a pre-loaded currency card or travel friendly credit card.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Turkey is much less than that of Europe, especially if you stick to food grown locally. To help you plan your budget, here is a brief list of items with their 2022 cost;
Diesel 25TRY per ltr = £1.25p
Sites fees 200-300TRY inc EHU = £10 – £15
Dinner 50-200TRY = £2.50 – £10.00
Fresh milk 15TRY per litre = 75p
Bananas 25TRY per kg = £1.10
Chicken breast 68TRY per kg = £3.40
Eggs 12TRY per 6 = 60p
Local bread 7TRY = 35p
Potatoes 9TRY per kg = 45p
Bottled water 5MAD per 1.5ltr = 25p
Things like fast food (burker King and McDonalds), Coca Cola and other branded soft drinks, Magnums (who doesn’t like a Magnum?) and European chocolate are surprisingly cheap – at least 70% less than their equivalent cost in the UK.
Alcohol (where you can find it) is expensive, with a bottle of wine costing the same as the UK.
Shopping
Around big towns and cities you’ll find supermarkets like MMM Migros and Carrefour, who stock a good selection of Turkish and more western products, although it’s almost possible to buy pork products in Turkey.
Smaller towns will have shops like BIM and A101, who stock the basics including fresh break, fruit and vegetables and dairy.
The best fruit and veg comes from markets, village shops and road side stalls, where whatever is in season is abundant and cheap.
Data & Connectivity
Buying & Using a Turkish SIM Card
You will not be able to use your data, make telephone calls or send texts with your normal UK provider, unless you are happy with a second mortgage to pay the bill! The best option is to buy a local data only SIM card; you will find that 4G coverage is widespread and generally of a good quality.
Turkey has three big providers – Turkcell, Turk Telecom and Vodafone. We tried all three and Turkcell has by far the best coverage, and an easy to use app allowing you to top up without going into a town – although there are no shortage of shops and re-sellers!
All providers offer a Tourist Welcome Pack, the details of which are the same wherever you go. The SIM is valid for 28 days and comes pre-loaded with 20gb of data, 200 minutes and unlimted texts.
This is the only SIM you will be able to buy (legally), and you’ll need to take your passport with you at purchase. All Turkish operators are allowed to set prices at shop level, so you may find you pay more in a tourist area, or at the border.
We paid 350TRY (£17.50) for a Turkcell Tourist SIM. As long as you top up with data prior to the end of the 28 days, you can continue using this SIM.
Download the Turkcell app and set it to English, and you can then buy data packs online, as well as in any Turkcell shop or re-seller outlet. Sometimes, the transaction is declined in the app due to using a UK credit card, just keep trying and it will work.
The most data you can top up with is usually around 30gb, unless there is a special offer on. There is no unlimited data in Turkey. Expect to pay around 145TRY (£7) for 30gb – again this can vary by shop, but when I say I’ve paid 145TRY before, the seller generally accepts this and amends their rate.
You have a couple of options in terms of how you use your Turkish SIM;
Put it into your existing phone, although that means people back home won’t be able to call you on your usual number, but you could use WhatsApp or similar.
If you have a spare phone, consider using the SIM in that and use as a hot-spot for other devices. This maintains your UK number for calls & messages on your usual phone, although you will pay handsomely to make calls and send texts. Usually it is free to receive calls and texts but check with your provider.
Use a mi-fi device in your motorhome and when you’re out and about. This can also acts as a wifi network for your motorhome, meaning you only need to purchase one SIM.
Other than the fact that you are using a local SIM for data, nothing else changes.
Unless, you want to stream UK tv that is! Turkey does not allow the use of VPNs, but there are ways around this.
We advise using NordVPN as you can obfuscate the server, which means that not only can the BBC et al not see you are using a VPN, neither can the Turkish authorities. Follow thier instructions for using obfuscated servers in their app, and you’ll be able to stream UK tv.
Make sure to download a VPN to your phone or streaming device prior to entering Turkey, as you won’t be able to access the app or web page once in Turkey.
Getting There
Ferry Routes
Sadly there is no ferry from England to Turkey, or even from Europe (including Greece) to Turkey – wouldn’t that be simple!
Overland Routes
From Mainland Greece
There is one overland border crossing from Greece to Turkey, at Ipsala. This is a busy crossing, and it’s likely to take in excess of four hours to get into Turkey from Greece.
This is a popular route if you prefer not to drive all the way. A ferry from Ancona in northern Italy will take you into Igoumenitsa in around 20 hours – you can even sleep in your motorhome on deck.
Once in Greece, it’s a seven hour motorway drive on the E90 to Turkey.
From Bulgaria
There are three crossings between Bulgaria and Turkey; at Kapitan Andreevo, Malko Tarnovo and Lesovo. The latter is the quietest of the three crossings. Expect to spend 3-4 hours crossing into Turkey from Bulgaria.
At The Border
Be Prepared
Try and spend your last night before entering Turkey as close to the border as possible, and plan to cross early in the morning, to give yourself time for the red tape and to orientate yourself in Turkey once you arrive.
A couple of miles from the Turkish border, you’re likely to see lorries lining the roads as they wait to cross. These are freight, and you’re a motorhome, so just bypass them – with caution!
Make sure to have your passports, original V5 (often called the vehicle passport) and the vehicle owner’s driving licence and IDP to hand.
Follow the route for cars, and at the border itself, there will be one set of buildings for the country you’re departing, a stretch of no-man’s land, usually about a kilometer or so wide, and then the crossing for the country into which you’re entering.
Leaving the EU
Leaving the EU is relatively straightforward. It’s really important that you make sure you’re passport is stamped as you exit, to evidence you’ve left the Schengen area. If the border guard does not automatically stamp your passport, ask for them to do so.
It is less important when you depart Bulgaria, as they are not in the Schengen agreement, even though they are a member state of the EU.
Calculate your Schengen days carefully – the day you cross is counted as one day in the EU and also one day in Turkey.
Entering Turkey
The first time you cross an overland border outside the EU can be confusing. There often doesn’t feel like there’s any order, and you can be left standing around a bit.
As you approach the first checkpoint, which is usually passport control, you’ll be asked to stop and exit the vehicle. Customs police may want to look inside, and they may ask for your motorhome to be x-rayed.
There are limits to the amount of alcohol and cigarettes you can take into Turkey – although we’ve always taken way more booze, and even though we’ve been x-rayed, it wasn’t even mentioned!
At this point, only the driver can stay with the vehicle, and the passenger(s) have to exit and go through passport control separately as pedestrians.
Once the physical checks have been done, and the passengers have been stamped in, you’ll be moved a little further on to the next check point, where your motorhome needs to be temporarily imported. This is the bit that takes the longest, and it’s at this point you’ll need to produce your green card, or go and buy insurance.
Once everything is entered onto a computer, you’ll be allowed to go, although there is often a final stop for your documents to be checked just as you leave!
You don’t need to buy a visa, or pay to take your vehicle into Turkey, so if you’re asked to pay anything, question what it’s for.
You’re now free to drive into Turkey. After the border, there are usually places where you can access an ATM and a mobile internet provider for a SIM card, although you’ll pay a premium here.
Many Turkish motorways and roads are in excellent, well maintained condition, especially those close to larger cities and along the coasts. Many roads are quiet compared to the UK, but as you approach towns and cities, the traffic stars to get heavier.
Turkish drivers are a bit of a mixed bag; generally steady on motorways and main roads, but becoming careless and eratic in cities.
Avoid Turkish cities, where streets can be small and narrow and not suitable for motorhomes. Attempting to drive through the grand bazaar is not a gid idea! Find a place to park outside and get a metred taxi or dolmus (mini-bus service) into the town centre (sehir merkezi) – neither option is expensive.
Be aware that dolmus can stop suddenly on busy roads to pick people up from non-designated stops. Try not to get behind them!
Lorries and trucks may be seriously overloaded and you should take extra care around them.
Be mindful of poor overtaking practices, where cars will come past you in the worst places and then cut you up to get in again.
Because of this, you should also take extra care when overtaking, particularly where there is no hard shoulder.
Leave plenty of time to reach your destination, it always takes longer than you think!
Stick to the speed limit, there are often police with radar guns about.
Be prepared for police and army checkpoints at regular intervals – keep passports and vehicle documentation close to hand.
Your regular sat nav and Google Maps all work well in Turkey. We run both together, with the sat nav being configured for our truck. Invariably, both come up with the same route, leading us to believe that low bridges and height restrictions aren’t a thing in most of Turkey.
As always there are exceptions though. Be mindful in Istanbul where low bridges are a bit of a nightmare.
Police Checks
There are fairly regular police and army checkpoints along roads into and out of towns and cities, especially close to the borders with Armenia, Iran and Syria.
The road is diverted by traffic cones into a roofed structure, where your passport and vehicle documents may be checked. This is a routine part of life in Turkey and nothing to be worried about.
Fuel
In Turkey, diesel is called motorin. and unleaded is kurşunsuz benzin. There are two classes of diesel here, regular and euro. If you have a Euro 6 engine you must use the latter.
Fuel stations in busy areas feel similar to those in Europe and are self-service, although there are always forecourt staff on hand to assist. Most now require to you pay in advance with a card.
In rural areas, your tank will be filled for you and payment is usually in cash, unless you’re happy to pay a 2-3% surcharge to use a card.
Toll Roads in Turkey
You don’t have to use toll roads in Turkey, but around Istanbul and the coasts, they make life an awful lot easier.
There are currently two types of tolls systems in Turkey, but the older OGS system is being phased out and on many roads the booths and gates have been removed. The newer HGS system is an electronic chip that allows you to pay your toll automatically via a windscreen vignette.
To register your vehicle, head to the nearest PTT (Post Office) with your passport and V5, within 14 days of entering Turkey. You can still use toll roads in the meantime – where there is no payment option, your journey will be logged against your registration number and it will all be tallied up when you register at the PTT.
The PTT will register your vehicle and provide you with an HGS sticker for your windscreen, which costs 90TRY (£4.35). Once done, ask them to load your HGS account with lira – 1000TRY (£25) will likely be enough.
When you do pass through a motorway toll gate, it should display your balance. We believe that you need to be resident to top up using the app or ATM, meaning a PTT trip is necessary if you use up your initial load.
When you leave Turkey, the police will check whether you have outstanding toll fees to pay. If you do, they will collect the fee plus a fine for not paying it in the first place.
Some blogs say that you can buy the HGS sticker at Shell service stations, but every time we tried this they told us to go to the post office!
Motorhome stopovers in Morocco broadly fall into three categories. We found Park4Night to have the best options for finding places to stay.
Motorhome Campsites in Turkey
Motorhome campsites in Turkey are plentiful around all major towns on the tourist path, but are harder to find in out of the way spots. Although there has been a post-pandemic explosion in motorhome travel in Turkey, the provision of services has yet to catch up.
Do not expect European standards in Turkish campsites; most are basic and don’t offer frills. What you will get though is a great welcome and help with any problems you may have.
Sanitary facilities vary greatly – some sites only have squat toilets, and in many water is heated by solar, so you’re out of luck if it’s a dull day or late in the evening.
Most sites don’t have specific waste facilities, with black waste going down the loo and grey waste being dropped wherever you’re camping, at the request of site staff.
Ask the campground staff whether the water is safe to drink before filling up.
Expect to pay somewhere between €5 to €15 a night for a Turkish campsite, with prices rising along the Mediterranen and Aegean coasts. Most will only take cash.
Aires
Although you’ll see aires displyed on Park4Night, they are not usually like French or Spanish aires.
Often, this is an area for motorhomes in a restaurant or guest house car park, or in a national park, with limited or no facilities. You may be asked to pay a few lira for the space.
Wild Camping
In January 2023, a new law will come into force banning wild camping in Turkey. This is aimed to force people into using campsites, so the government can collect a new tourist tax. It may well be policed along the coasts and in areas like Capaddocia, but in remote places away from the coast – even a few miles inland – it’s likely that nothing will change.
Right now, occasionally you might get moved on (usually in a very freindly way) for ‘security’ reasons. This is usually if you’re close to the borders with Armenia, Iran and Syria, and if you’re close to historic sites.
If you find a quiet and secluded spot in the middle of no-where, the chances are you’ll go totally un-noticed, especially if you don’t practice ‘camping’ activities and don’t go in a large convoy.
Motorhome Services in Turkey
Drinking Water
We found fresh water pretty easy to come by across the whole of Turkey, and used Park4Night to identify places. Along most roads water taps are provided for locals to fill their bottles, and these invariably come from a local spring water source.
There are a few areas, Istanbul, the coasts and Cappadocia of note, where there is no spring water and limited opportunities to fill up outside of sites. Garages, shops and restaurants are usually happy to let you fill up, and often when we’ve tried to pay, it has been refused.
Tap water in Turkey is safe to drink although it doesn’t always taste very nice, and the locals would advise you against it. Fit a filter to be on the safe side, or buy bottled water if you can’t access spring water.
Motorhome Waste
In our three months in Turkey, we didn’t see any black or grey waste disposal points. There is so much waste land and rubbish in the country, we figured our bit of grey waste wouldn’t really make any difference!
We have a composting toilet, so emptying the urine container and bagging the solids was no problem – despite the rubbish lying around, there are loads of roadside bins.
Emptying a cassette toilet may be a little more challenging, and public toilets are few and far between. You may feel more comfortable emptying in a campsite.
Should You Visit Turkey in Your Motorhome or Campervan?
We wrote this ebook because so many motorhomers have contacted us saying they want to go to Turkey but are nervous about safety, the different culture and what could go wrong.
We felt the same way the first time we visited the country, but now it feels just like touring anywhere else. We wanted to write a guide that would help first-timers to Turkey find their feet – within a week you’ll have wondered why you were nervous at all!
If you’re bored of France or Spain, want a bit of adventure and need somewhere out of the Schengen Area, then Turkey is one of the top options. With the winter weather predictably warm and a cost of living lower than Spain, Turkey makes a great alternative to Morocco for over wintering.
Expertise: road trips, full-time travel, motorhoming, Europe, itineraries
Likes: living in a box, wine and croissants! Bio: Izzy has been a travel writer since 2019 covering everything from gap years to travelling in Morocco and Turkey in a motorhome. Izzy is the author of "Selling Up to Live in a Motorhome" and enjoys helping others to live their dreams.
