One Way ticket to Istanbul? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

namante · 06-30-2009, 08:59 PM

I've got a one way ticket to Istanbul booked for the 8th of this month. I fully plan to leave after the 3 month tourist visa expires, however I don't know what my next destination will be as of yet so I haven't booked a flight out. I've heard some people say that they may not let you board the plane if you only have a one way ticket... has anyone had an experience with this? Should I buy the cheapest one way ticket from Istanbul to wherever or just risk it?

**space virgin** · 07-01-2009, 03:21 PM

I flew into Izmir with a return flight leaving out of Athens, so technically I didn't have a departure from Turkey booked when I arrived... and it wasn't a problem.

It shouldn't be an issue but maybe if you're asked tell them you're headed to the train station to book a train to Greece or Bulgaria.

And if you're American, PLEASE NOTE that you will be REQUIRED to pay for your visa-on-arrival with $20 AMERICAN DOLLARS. (Same thing if you're British you'll need to pay with pounds, or EU member with Euros.) Don't try to pay with Euros or British Pounds. I learned this the hard way after going to Turkey after several weeks in India and the UK.

**epicballa** · 07-01-2009, 06:21 PM

I doubt it will be an issue. I took a ferry from Greece and just told the border agent I was taking a train to Romania from Istanbul. This was after they "lost" my passport for 45 minutes. Interesting since there were 50+ people on my ferry and I was the only American

namante · 07-01-2009, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by space virgin

And if you're American, PLEASE NOTE that you will be REQUIRED to pay for your visa-on-arrival with $20 AMERICAN DOLLARS. (Same thing if you're British you'll need to pay with pounds, or EU member with Euros.) Don't try to pay with Euros or British Pounds. I learned this the hard way after going to Turkey after several weeks in India and the UK.

Hmm... that I din't know... I'm coming from 3 months in Korea, so I don't have a single US dollar on me. How did you handle it? Is there be a currency exchange or US currency ATM available before you get your visa? Also, you said it was only for US citizens? If I were to enter on an Italian passport can I avoid the trouble?

**epicballa** · 07-02-2009, 05:30 AM

You'll need Euros if you use an Italian passport.

**space virgin** · 07-03-2009, 12:20 AM

Seriously, it was 45 minutes of pure panic until my friend ponied up $20 for me. I had Pounds, Euros and even some Indian rupees-- they wouldn't take any other currency except USD because I had an American passport.

I'd say stash the equivalent of $20 (plus or minus) in whatever currency corresponds to the passport you'll be entering on. Just tuck it away somewhere.

namante · 07-03-2009, 12:41 AM

So there's no currency exchange anywhere before the visa booth? We've got a total of 7 of us arriving in Istanbul over the next few weeks, 6 of us from South Korea and 1 from Canada so I think we may end up landing with a combined total of $6 USD in $2 bills (why we have 3 $2 bills, i don't know)

I guess I'll be cashing out some Won for USD before I board the plane... thanks for the heads up!

**space virgin** · 07-03-2009, 01:01 PM

I can't speak to the Istanbul airport, but I'm pretty sure there are no currency exchange platforms before the visa booth-- it's situated pretty much right after you get off the plane and before customs/immigration so everything is in the arrival hall after you go through that.

There *might* be one in Istanbul but it's highly unlikely; usually at all of the airports around the world that I've flown into, there's absolutely nothing before you get to the customs & immigration area.

**simply_angelic** · 07-04-2009, 06:48 AM

BUT just before you fly in (from where ever you are coming from) there is also likely to be a currency exchange....I'd change it in the airport to american before you fly.

Kyle28 · 07-08-2009, 09:23 PM

Well I realize it's after the 8th now, but I also have a one way ticket booked for Istanbul for later this month. How'd your experience go? I don't think there will be any issues with a one way ticket (that's why I bought it) but if you had problems, it'd be interesting and helpful to hear about them.

astro25e · 08-06-2009, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by space virgin

And if you're American, PLEASE NOTE that you will be REQUIRED to pay for your visa-on-arrival with $20 AMERICAN DOLLARS. (Same thing if you're British you'll need to pay with pounds, or EU member with Euros.) Don't try to pay with Euros or British Pounds. I learned this the hard way after going to Turkey after several weeks in India and the UK.

Interesting, maybe they changed the laws, but when I went last summer each country had two currencies they could use. As an American, I could have used British Pounds or US dollars. On the other hand, the Canadians in my group could only use Euros or Canadian dollars. And the amount the canadians paid was like 60 canadian dollars I think, even though it said a differenet amount on the gov't website. So just be aware! I didnt have any american money left since I had been studying in Britain, but pounds were fine, 10 pounds to be exact. This information was just on a sign in the airport, and I didnt actually find it on an embassy website beforehand. So it was no help to most people at all. The canadians were screwed until we found someone to lend them enough Euros.

**space virgin** · 08-06-2009, 10:35 PM

^ Lucky you-- I thought pounds would work, but it was a no-go for me. That was March of 2008.

smiithjones · 02-03-2011, 11:49 AM

I'm sure there are no currency exchange platform booth, visa - this is quite right in after you before the plane, customs / immigration so everything is in the entry hall, you have passed.

milfordplaza · 02-02-2012, 10:40 PM

You'll need Euros if you use an Italian passport.