Turkey holidays

Brits heading to Turkey could be fined before they even get off the plane

Brits planning a holiday to Turkey could be slapped with a £60 fine before they even leave the plane due to a new law many may not yet be aware of. The penalty is linked to legislation that fines passengers for unbuckling their seatbelts too early.

The law came into effect at the beginning of May 2025, following complaints made to the Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation. It’s expected to be enforced through on-site inspections, as confirmed by the aviation body.

The aim of the law is to prevent people from unbuckling and grabbing their luggage before the captain has switched off the seatbelt sign. This practice is already prohibited in many countries, but a surge in complaints has reportedly led to this legislation.

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Airlines will now have to remind passengers to keep their seatbelts fastened during and after landing until the plane reaches its parking position. They must also explicitly warn passengers that any violation will be reported to the aviation authority and a fine will be imposed, according to HospitalityInside.

The exact amount of the fine hasn’t been officially confirmed, but Turkish broadcaster Halk TV suggests it’s likely to be around 2,603 liras – roughly £60. Reports also indicate that similar fines could be issued to those caught rushing towards the exits while disembarking the plane.

Turkey continues to be a popular holiday spot for Brits, with over 4.4 million UK visitors in 2024, as per recent statistics. This marked a significant 16.6 per cent rise from 2023. On average, international tourists spent around 10.7 days in the country, contributing an average of £784 each to the local economy.

Turkey is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Brits, but many people make a mistake when it comes to exchanging their money that can make their trip more expensive

Turkey is fast becoming a favourite holiday spot for Brits, with its sun-soaked resort towns and bustling cities like Istanbul drawing in millions of us each year. In fact, a whopping 4.4 million UK tourists jetted off to Turkey in 2024 alone, making it the eighth most popular destination for British holidaymakers. While it’s still playing catch-up with hotspots like Spain, France, and Greece, the number of visitors is on the rise each year, and it could soon break into the top five.

But there’s one common blunder many Brits make when heading to Turkey that can make their holiday pricier than they bargained for. With just one simple change, you could save a pretty penny on your trip.

A Turkey travel guru named Katherine has shared some insider tips for those planning a trip to Istanbul in a TikTok video, but her top piece of advice applies no matter where in the country you’re headed.

She warns against exchanging your local currency for Turkish Lira before you set off, as you could end up getting a poor exchange rate and spending more dosh than you planned.

Instead, she suggests swapping your cash for Euros or Dollars first, then taking that to Turkey and changing it into Turkish Lira once you’re there.

She explained: “Never change Lira in your home country or the airport in Turkey. Instead, bring Euros or Dollars and exchange small amounts [while you’re here], because Turkish Lira is pretty unstable.

“The best exchange spots [in Istanbul] are the Grand Bazaar or Istiklal Street. I always go to the one right across from the Swarovski store at Istiklal.”

Whilst that money-saving tip works throughout the nation, Katherine’s additional guidance focuses specifically on getting around Istanbul.

She advised that you should never pay for public transport using your credit card or contactless payment, as you’ll face a staggering 40% surcharge. Instead, you should purchase a travel card known as an Istanbulkart, which is available at any metro station.

Lastly, Katherine cautioned against hopping into “random airport taxis,” as you could end up paying five to ten times more than the journey should actually cost.

Taxi applications such as Uber, Bitaski, and InDrive offer far superior alternatives for travelling around the city, as you can opt to pay through the app.

Turkey travel guidance

When travelling to Turkey with a full British citizen passport, the passport must expire at least 150 days after the date you arrive and have at least one blank page inside.

You can visit Turkey for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, whether you’re visiting for business or tourism. Longer stays require a short-term residence permit. If you’re considering taking money to Turkey for exchange, it’s crucial to understand the currency rules.

While there’s no cap on the amount of foreign currency or Turkish Lira you can bring into Turkey, you’re restricted from taking Turkish Lira equivalent to more than $5,000 USD out of the country.

Brits looking for hot and sunny holiday destinations won’t need to go far with Europe’s sunniest beach less than 5 hours away – and with plenty of cheap flights available

Brits looking for sun, sea and sand on their holidays may want to consider a trip to Europe’s ‘sunniest beach’ where they’ll find balmy temperatures of 32C and a daily average of 10h 26m of sunshine.

Ölüdeniz Beach in Fethiye, Turkey, has been crowned as the must-visit for sun-seekers, impressing not only with its weather but also its golden sands and swim-friendly waters. In fact, those azure shores are also home to the iconic ‘Blue Lagoon’ that you’ll no doubt have seen in your social media feeds.

The breathtaking coastal spot topped new rankings from the experts at Saga Holidays, who looked at factors such as sunshine hours and average temperatures across both high seasons and low seasons. (So whether or not you’re tied to the school holidays, you can enjoy a sun-soaked getaway!).

The nearest airport to the beach is Dalaman, which is about a 45-minute drive from Ölüdeniz Beach. The good news for Brits is that there are heaps of budget-friendly flights to Dalaman direct from the UK. For example, easyJet has flights from £17.99 each way, while Ryanair has one-way flights from £29.99 in August. In fact, you can find returns from £54 according to Skyscanner, although it’s worth noting that the cheapest rates often don’t include extra hand luggage allowance.

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It’s not just the sunshine that makes Ölüdeniz Beach a must-visit for the summer holidays. The Blue Flag beach boasts postcard-worthy turquoise waters, fine sandy shores, and a lush green backdrop that wouldn’t be out of place in a storybook. Of course a beautiful beach like this is always popular, so it’s worth noting that it can get quite busy during the peak summer months.

There are three sandy parts to the beach – one of which is free – but for the other two there’s a small entry fee if you want to visit, with some amenities available such as sunbeds you can hire, and a series of watersports to enjoy (again you’ll need to pay an extra fee if you want to hire equipment for the likes of paddleboarding or kayaking).

On Tripadvisor the beach gets a mixed bag of reviews. Although visitors all generally agree that it’s beautiful and the surrounding mountains make for a beautiful backdrop, because the beach has become so famous, some holidaymakers have slammed the beach for getting too crowded. If you want to check it out for yourself, then it’s well worth getting up early so you can enjoy the quieter moments of the day before the larger crowds arrive.

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Alternatively you could visit in low season between November and April when temperatures range around 19C – so while it may be a little chilly for getting into the water, you can still enjoy those breathtaking views while out on a scenic stroll.

It wasn’t the only beach to impress in Saga’s rankings. Anthony Quinn Bay on the Greek island of Rhodes came a close second with a three-minute difference in terms of hours of sunshine, and 32C temperatures during the peak summer months.

You can check out the full list of Europe’s top 10 sunniest beaches below:

1. Ölüdeniz Beach (Blue Lagoon), Fethiye
2. Anthony Quinn Bay, Rhodes
3. Nissi Beach, Ayia Napa
4. Playa de las Teresitas, Tenerife
5. Agia Fotia Beach, Crete
6. Playa de Maspalomas, Gran Canaria
7. Lay’s Mile Beach, Limassol
8. Elafonissi Beach, Crete
9. Tsamadou Beach, Samos
10. Praia do Barril, Tavira

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Rebecca Kitchener, 38, goes on holiday to Marmaris every year – but reckons this year could see “the end” of the popular British tourist spot after new restrictions

A British holidaymaker has claimed that new curfew regulations in Turkey, including early closing times for bars and a ban on late music, will “ruin” the area as over 25 venues have been forced to shut. Frequent visitor Rebecca Kitchener, 38, fears this year could spell “the end” for Marmaris, a favourite destination for Brits.

Historically, Brit tourists have been drawn to the region for its bustling late-night scene and exuberant nightlife. However, this year’s enforcement of fresh restrictions, such as no music after midnight and premises shutting by 12.30am, could signal disaster, according to Rebecca.

Further rules prohibit tabletop dancing and the use of sparklers. It’s believed these measures aim to curb harassment and unruly behaviour, whilst also showing more consideration for local residents.

But Rebecca, known as @rebeccaeliza86 on TikTok, visited Armutalan earlier this month for a two-week break with her kids and friends and noted the negative impact of the newly imposed limits, saying “it’s had it”.

The medical secretary from the Valleys, South Wales, said: “I think it’s really sad, I love all of that. When I went in June, we still had a good two weeks but the rules did put a dampener on it.

“The sparklers, the bar dancing – that’s Marmaris. You couldn’t be out in a bar much later than 12am in the UK, but you expect different when you’re on holiday.

“One minute you’re having an amazing time, then 12am hits and it’s boom, music off, lights out, your night is over.”

Marmaris features just one street, Bar Street, that can stay open until 4am, while other venues must shut by 12.30am, a curfew strictly enforced by local authorities.

Rebecca, who holds Armutalan close to her heart, has found that the area has been severely affected by these restrictions. Marmaris TV, a Turkish news outlet, has reported that due to rule infringements, as many as 25 venues across Marmaris have faced temporary or permanent closure.

The report, translated, said: “Sanctions continue to be applied against rule violations starting from three days [enforced closure] and repeatedly leading up to license cancellation.”

Rebecca said: “When I went, at 12am you hear this siren thing and the police were driving along warning people. They were handing out fines.”

Though she’s inclined to visit again, Rebecca observed that it’s “completely different” now.

She continued: “It’s dead compared to what it was. You used to have to book a seat to get to sit down in a bar – now they’re empty.

“People go for the atmosphere and the good vibe – everyone sings and dances and makes friends. It’s ruined Marmaris for the young people and I think the area will lose a lot of money.”

Turkiye Today confirmed that Marmaris District Governor’s Office has said there will be ongoing inspections throughout the summer to guarantee compliance with legal and moral standards by all businesses.

The cost of a trip to the beach in parts of Turkey including Bodrum have shot up in recent years, despite free access to the coast being enshrined in the law of the land

The sky-high price of spending an afternoon basking in the sun on some of Turkey’s best-known beaches has been revealed.

Each year, around 1.5million visitors flock to Bodrum city, which sits on the far south-western edge of Turkey and enjoys sunny days and warm seas. In recent years its reputation as one of the best value resort cities on the Aegean has been dented, as sky-high inflation rates across the country hit the pockets of citizens and visitors alike.

Since 2018, the country’s economy has been plagued by currency depreciation and high inflation, which has eroded households’ budgets. While annual inflation eased to 48.6 percent in October, down from 75.5 percent last May, the country’s cost-of-living crisis continues to weigh heavily on many. A recent report found that a quarter of retirees in the country have been forced back in work.

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READ MORE: ‘Brit’ tourist ‘attacked’ on busy beach after refusing to use sunlounger

While the struggle is being felt most keenly by those living on low wages in the country, price rises are also very noticeable to tourists. This week Ersin Süzer, a famous columnist in Turkey, has shone the spotlight on the cost of a day at the beach in Bodrum.

While access to almost all beaches in Turkey is enshrined in law, in reality bars, restaurants and clubs are taking over more and more of the coastline in areas such as Antalya and Bodrum. Often, sun loungers crowd out sun worshippers who simply want to lounge on the sand.

In recent months, the ‘towel movement’ has sprung up, with angry locals heading to certain beaches en masse to protest against large developments. Among them is Omer Onal, a 71-year-old bookshop owner. He told Balkan Insight how frustrating the situation has become: “We can’t even demonstrate on the Ayayorgi coastline because there is no public path, only a beach club entrance.”

The issue of who controls the beach – and who is welcome to visit – came to a head in Damlatas Beach in the Alanya district of Antalya earlier this month. A tourist was beaten by resort staff after refusing to hire a sunbed because it was too expensive, it was reported.

To avoid a similar shock, it’s best to know how much you might be asked to pay when in Turkey.

Here is the minimum cost of spending a day at some of the better-known beaches of Bodrum, according to Mr Süzer.

• Lucca Beach: £84 (Minimum spend)
• Bobo by Stay: £114 (Minimum spend)
• Match Girl Hotel: £172 (Minimum spend)
• Mandarin Oriental: £134 (Entrance fee)
• Edition Hotel: £101 (Entrance fee)
• Buddha Bar and Beach: £189 (£63 entrance fee, £126 minimum spend)
• No 81 Hotel: £67 (Minimum spend)
• Flamm Hotel Beach: £67 (Minimum spend)
• Scorpios Beach: £143 (£58 entrace fee, £85 minimum spend)
• Highlight Hotel: £67 (Minimum spend)

A fight broke out on Damlatas Beach in the Alanya district of Antalya, Turkey over the price of sunbed rental, according to local media reports. The scrap was watch by beachgoers and captured on video

A tourist who decided not to buy a sunbed was beaten up by a resort worker on a popular Turkish beach, it has been reported.

The fight broke out on Damlatas Beach in the Alanya district of Antalya and was watched by crowds of tourists. A sunseeker had been enjoying the rays and asked a resort employee how much sun lounger rentals cost, Milliyet reported.

The tourist decided the price was too high and forgoed the sunbed, opting instead to put his things on the sand. The worker then asked him to remove his belongings and leave the resort. At this point, the fight broke out.

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The violence was caught on video. The clip shows several men swarming around a man in swimming trunks who falls to the floor as they beat him. He struggles to get off the sand onto his feet as they continue the pummelling. Several sunworshippers lounging on towels nearby watched on, clearly shocked by the outbreak of violence.

Alanya District Governor Fatih Ürkmezer said that the sunbed business had been closed following the fight.

“Judicial and administrative procedures regarding the attack on a tourist that occurred in a beach business in Alanya in recent days, which does not reflect our city and our understanding of tourism, have been initiated immediately,” he told local media, clearly concerned about the impact the fight and video of it could have on tourism to the area.

“Approaches that are contrary to the understanding of hospitality of both our city and our country will not be tolerated in Alanya, one of the cities where tourism first began in Turkey.”

Business owner Serhan Koçaroğlu sent a written statement to the press following the incident, giving his version of events. He claimed that the incident occurred outside the beach borders of his business and that the beaten man had provoked the attack. Mr Koçaroğlu also said that the tourist was Russian and not British, as some local media outlets have suggested.

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“A Russian tourist, under the influence of alcohol, threw a sunbed at our Turkish customer sitting in a lodge on our beach. When I went to intervene, I was physically attacked by the tourist in question,” Mr Koçaroğlu said.

“The scuffle that broke out when some citizens and Turkish customers on the beach reacted after they saw me being beaten was recorded. There is no footage of the beginning of the incident. Also, it is not legally possible to have security cameras on the beach.”

Mr Koçaroğlu said that he decided not to contact police following the incident as he did not want to damage the reputation of Alanya, Milliyet reported.

The sunbed scuffle was the first major lounger-related incident to make news of the summer season. However, there are bound to be plenty more as families head out to swimming pools and beaches across southern Europe for a spot of sunshine.