What to Pack for Turkey? - List of essential items

If you are planning to visit Turkey, then we recommend you read this post to know “What to pack for Turkey“. We have covered the list of all the essential items that you must take with you when touring Turkey.

Turkey sits in its own little world where “East meets West”. It is surrounded by serene seas, famous for its unique language, local delicacies, bazaars, and history, and a blob of honey on top of the kanafeh.

You may also be interested in knowing the tips of travelling light.

What to Pack for Turkey? – Essential Items

Below we have shortlisted and discussed the essential items for Turkey that are meant to help you and ease your trip.

Shades

Sunglasses, hats, caps, and sunscreen are the must-have essentials for a really sunny Turkey! They protect you from getting tan and will add a vibrant accent to any of your trendy outfits while wandering around in Turkey. You will surely enjoy the country by keeping these three items, every time in your daypack.

Clothing

Remember this proverb: do in Rome as the Romans do, before traveling to Turkey.

Wear modest attire to respect their culture. Because you can lessen a lot of unwanted attention by following their cultural guidelines. However, you could technically wear whatever you want and prepare yourself to face unwanted eyes on you.

Moreover, consider its Mediterranean climate and urban vs countryside culture when deciding what to pack for Turkey. Typically, the eastern side is more conservative than the western side. Further, Istanbul is very different from the towns along the coast.

Quick packing tips are:

1 scarf – to cover your shoulders, as a headscarf (while visiting mosques, not mandatory but recommended)
1 Pashmina shawl/scarf – not only useful for layering but also keep you warm on a boat ride down the Bosphorus
1-2 long skirts – if you want to visit mosques or holy sites (knees and shoulders must be covered in these sacred places)
1-2 full-length dresses – if you plan to use public transit or go to conservative areas
1 chic jumpsuit – perfect for exploring Istanbul’s night and doesn’t wrinkle easily
2-3 jeans or pants
2-3 lightweight t-shirts – good for hiking and great for layering
1 swimsuit – beaches in Istanbul, Antalya, and Bodrum. Also for hammams (bathhouses)
Undergarments as required
1-2 nightsuits
1-2 light jackets or sweaters

Note: Laundry is always better than stuffed packing *

Comfy Shoes

Istanbul is famous for its huge bazaars (markets). You have to walk a lot to explore its beauty. While hikers love Cappadocia.

Thus, quick pack:

1 pair of comfy flats or flip flops – walking in Istanbul bazaars or beaches
1 pair of anti-slip sports or hiking shoes – hiking at Cappadocia or exploring the countryside

Carry a Backpack

A carry-on backpack is an ideal travel mate for packing for Turkey. You can wear it comfortably on your shoulders, thus, will take care of your shoulders, back, and spine. Moreover, its hands-free feature is great for ease of movement and you’re not at the mercy of ‘helpful’ touts. Being able to carry your own bag is the ultimate freedom as a solo traveler as well as for family travelers (to teach their offspring to not rely on others).

Moreover, Turkey is a land of varied street quality and uneven footpaths, cobblestones, hiking tracks, uneven paths in the countryside, etc. Thus, a carry-on backpack keeps you safe from pain and frustration.

Finally, carry-on backpacks save you from high fees on check bags, luggage storage, and long frustrating check-ins.

Toiletries

You can buy most of them in Turkey, at easy access and affordable rates. Pack only brand-specific toiletry or makeup items.

Quick pack:

Deodorant – for keeping you and others fresh
Basic Makeup – keep in mind the sun of Turkey
Toothpaste & toothbrush – Travel size
3-in-1 shampoo + conditioner + body bath – Travel size
Razor & grooming kit
Quick Dry Towel
Wet wipes

Extra Tissue Roll or Toilet Paper

While planning to go to Turkey, keep in mind that most of their public toilets have no western commodes and hence no toilet tissue rolls. You have to use squat toilets in Turkey, most of the time. So, be prepared for them and take an extra handy toilet paper with you.

Also, don’t forget to have some change with you because most of the public toilets in Turkey charge you a lira to use them.

Tech Gear

Frequent travelers Quick packing list of tech gear:

Power converters or adapters – Note: Turkey operates on 220 volts, 50 Hz, and plugs are round-prong European-style
A Smartphone with helpful travel apps
Tough waterproof camera
Tablet & necessary chargers
Portable battery pack + cords
GPS/personal wifi hotspot (if not use the local sim)

Bug Spray

Depending on the season, you must pack bug spray with you. Moreover, keep a handy insect repellent kit with you, for keeping you and your family safe from bugs and insects.

A Daypack

For carrying your essential items, handy and safe – you must consider a daypack first as compared to a tote or crossbody bag.

Firstly, a daypack comes with its comfy hands-free feature. Secondly, it saves you from pickpockets in Istanbul bazaars. They are hard to be snatched as compared to tote or crossbody bags. Finally, they come with well-organized pockets and also mesh pockets for keeping your items well-composed and handy.

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is not considered important until you actually need it. Traveling comes with its risks like luggage being stolen, flight cancelation, and medical emergencies like you can be injured at any point of time during your whole travel. So, you need to make sure that you’re covered in case of any emergency.

Final Words

Turkey’s main cosmopolitan city, Istanbul, is a perfect blend of the old and modern world.

Turkey must do things including a cruise across the spiritual Black Sea, embracing the surreal beauty of Cappadocia from hot air balloons, and seeing the exquisite sunset over the spires of the Blue Mosque.

We tried our level best to sort out the generally important items to be included in a quick packing list for Turkey. Remember this can be changed from person to person and from situation to situation.

So, Yeah! What are you waiting for? Book the flight!

Comment below if you like our effort and add more to our quick and ultimate packing list for traveling to Turkey!

What to Pack for Turkey? – The Essential Item List