Antalya

According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mongolian citizens with ordinary passports may stay up to 30 days visa-free for tourism. The passport must be valid for at least 60 days beyond the stay — 90 days from entry for a 30-day stay. Border officers may ask for a return ticket and hotel booking.

Tip: You clear Turkish immigration in Istanbul when connecting — the Antalya leg is a domestic flight.

There is no scheduled direct Ulaanbaatar–Antalya flight. A single Turkish Airlines ticket via Istanbul checks your bags through and makes the airline responsible if you miss a connection. Remember Istanbul's two airports (IST and SAW) are far apart.

The all-inclusive resorts of Belek, Side, Lara and Kemer are easiest with children: food, drinks, water park and kids' club in one price. Book July–August early in spring. Private hospitals are expensive, so travel insurance is a must.

Tip: May–June and September–October bring a warm sea, less heat and lower prices — the best time for families.

The tram from the airport to the centre takes 30–45 minutes and costs 42 TL with an AntalyaKart or 50 TL tapping a bank card. The card itself costs 100 TL. It runs roughly 06:00–23:00.

The Havaş bus to the city costs 220 TL. A taxi to the centre is about €13; insist on the meter or book through BiTaksi. For resorts in Belek, Side or Kemer a pre-booked transfer is easiest, and most resorts offer one.

If your phone supports eSIM, install a Türkiye plan from Airalo, Holafly or similar before the flight — it works as soon as you land in Istanbul. Wi-Fi is everywhere in resorts and cafés, but you need data on the beach and on excursions.

Tip: Download Antalya in Google Maps and Turkish in Google Translate for offline use.

Turkcell's tourist pack is about 1,300 TL in town for 20 GB + 200 minutes, more at the airport. It is registered with your passport; pay in lira — prices quoted in dollars or euros are marked up.

Pay on trams and city buses by tapping an AntalyaKart or a bank card — no cash on board. A single ride is 42 TL with an AntalyaKart. The Nostalji tram runs along the seafront by the old town towards the Konyaaltı museum.

A dolmuş is a minibus on a fixed route: wave it down and pay the driver. Yellow taxis must use the meter; insist on it or use BiTaksi.

Resorts and travel agencies run day tours with transport and a guide to Aspendos, Perge, Side, Pamukkale and Köprülü Canyon. On your own, a rental car is the most flexible; bring an international driving permit.

The currency is the Turkish lira (TRY). Resorts and shops take euros and dollars but at a poor rate — pay by card in lira or in cash lira. If a card machine offers to convert to dollars, decline and choose lira. ATMs of state banks such as Ziraat, Halkbank and VakıfBank charge lower fees.

Foreign-visitor tickets for state museums and ancient sites are priced in euros and paid by card: Aspendos €15, Perge €11, Pamukkale €30. If you plan many sites, consider the Mediterranean MuseumPass.

If service isn't included, leaving a small percentage in restaurants is customary. Small tips for room cleaners and bar staff in resorts are appreciated. Bargaining in markets is normal.

Piyaz — Antalya's bean salad with tahini, eaten with şiş köfte; gözleme — stuffed flatbread; fresh fish; oranges, pomegranates and bananas — Antalya is fruit country. Kaleiçi and the Konyaaltı seafront are full of restaurants.

Tip: In Kaleiçi skip restaurants without prices on the menu, and ask the price first.

Lokantas (ready-meal canteens), pide, lahmacun and döner are cheap and fast. Water and fruit from supermarkets (Migros, BİM, A101) cost far less than at the resort. Don't drink tap water — buy bottled.

Police, ambulance and fire share one number — 112, free, 24 hours.

In high summer avoid the midday sun; hats, sunscreen and lots of water for children. Follow the beach flags: red flag — no swimming. Choose beaches with lifeguards. If a summer forest fire breaks out, follow official instructions.

In Kaleiçi beware of carpet shops, 'free tea' invitations and unmetered taxis. Akdeniz University Hospital (public) and private hospitals such as Memorial and Medical Park have international patient desks; call your insurer's assistance line first.

Don't enter during prayers. Women cover their hair with a scarf and keep shoulders and knees covered; men avoid shorts. Shoes come off.

Swimwear is normal at resorts and on the beach, but not in town, shops or restaurants. Topless or nude sunbathing is not allowed. Don't photograph people without permission.

Turks are hospitable — accepting an offered tea is polite. Insulting Atatürk, the Turkish flag or state symbols is a criminal offence.

BiTaksi — call metered taxis. Antalyakart — card balance and top-ups. Google Maps — tram and bus routes.

Google Translate's camera mode translates menus and signs; download Turkish for offline use. Check opening hours and tickets for state museums and ancient sites on muze.gov.tr.

Antalya–Istanbul flights leave from the domestic terminal; in Istanbul you pass exit immigration when changing to the international flight. On one ticket your bags go through to Ulaanbaatar. Get to Antalya Airport early — it is busy in summer.

In shops showing 'Tax Free', show your passport and get the form; have it stamped by customs at your departure airport (Istanbul) and reclaim the VAT. Carry the goods unopened.