Europe to Turkey 40–80% OFF
Cheap flights discovered by AI^✨

AJet is the rebranded low-cost subsidiary of Turkish Airlines (formerly AnadoluJet), which began aggressive expansion into Europe in 2024/2025. They offer significantly lower fares—often €80-120 roundtrip from cities like Frankfurt, Vienna, or London—by operating with a no-frills model similar to Ryanair. While the planes are modern, be aware that baggage allowances are stricter and catering is paid, unlike the full-service experience on the parent company Turkish Airlines. It’s an excellent option for direct flights to Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) or Ankara if you travel light.

Be wary of the “friendly local” who approaches you in Sultanahmet offering to practice English or go for a drink; this often leads to the infamous “bar scam” where you are hit with a €500 bill for a few drinks. Also, avoid the “dropped shoe brush” trick, where a shoeshine offers a “free” shine as thanks for returning his brush, then demands payment. Finally, always ensure taxi meters are turned on (say “meter lutfen”) or use the BiTaksi or Uber app to lock in the route and avoid rigged meters.

Modesty is required for both men and women when entering active mosques like the Blue Mosque or Süleymaniye. Women must cover their heads with a scarf and wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees; leggings or tight pants should be covered with a skirt or wrap. Men must also cover their knees (no short shorts) and shoulders. Most major mosques provide free loaner scarves and wraps at the entrance, but carrying your own lightweight scarf is more hygienic and convenient for a day of sightseeing.

No, you should avoid drinking tap water in Istanbul and other parts of Turkey. While the water is treated, the old pipe infrastructure often compromises quality, and the mineral content can upset stomachs not accustomed to it. Locals almost exclusively drink bottled water or large delivery jugs. Use tap water for showering and washing hands, but stick to sealed bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth to avoid any risk of “Istanbul belly” ruining your trip.

Only if you stay longer than 120 days. Turkey has a strict IMEI registration law where foreign phones using a local Turkish SIM are blocked after 120 days unless a high tax (over €900) is paid. For a standard 1-2 week holiday, you are perfectly fine buying a tourist SIM from Turkcell or Vodafone at the airport. However, if you are a digital nomad planning a 6-month stay, it is actually cheaper to buy a cheap local Android phone than to pay the registration tax on your European iPhone.

Alcohol is legal and widely available in restaurants, bars, and supermarkets, though it is heavily taxed. You will find beer, wine, and Raki (the national anise-flavored spirit) easily in tourist areas like Beyoğlu, Bodrum, and Antalya. However, prices are high compared to general food costs—a beer often costs €4-6. Note that shops cannot sell alcohol after 10 PM, and conservative neighborhoods (like Fatih in Istanbul) may have fewer establishments serving alcohol compared to secular areas like Kadıköy or Beşiktaş.

Overstaying the 90-day limit results in fines and potential entry bans. Upon departure, immigration officers will calculate your overstay; if it’s short (a few days), you will pay a fine (calculated in TRY but often substantial) at a specific airport desk. If you refuse to pay or the overstay is long, you will be banned from re-entering Turkey for 3 months to 5 years. Turkey enforces the “90 days in 180 days” rolling rule strictly, so track your dates carefully if you are a frequent visitor or digital nomad.

We use AI monitoring to track pricing anomalies across thousands of routes, including premium carriers like Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa. Often, airlines drop prices temporarily due to unannounced sales or inventory adjustments—for example, a Business Class seat from Frankfurt to Istanbul might drop from €900 to €450 for a few days. Our team manually verifies these deals to ensure they are bookable and practical before sending them to our members. You get the alert via our free newsletter and book directly with the airline to lock in the savings.