Telephone Calls

To dial abroad from Turkey, dial the international code 00 followed by the country code, and then the number including the local area code, but removing the first 0. For example, a London number with an area code of 0207 would be dialled from Turkey as 00 44 207 followed by the number. To dial Turkey from abroad dial the international code 00 followed by the country code, 90 and then the number including the local area code, but removing the first 0. For example, a Fethiye number with an area code of 0252 would be dialled from abroad as 00 90 252 followed by the number. There are public phone booths which accept cards or tokens (jeton) which can be bought from post offices (PTT) or local shops. Network coverage is extremely good and it is very rare to be in an area where your mobile does not work.

Mobile Phone: A mobile (cell) phone is very useful in Turkey. As a foreigner, you can use your mobile phone and together with your foreign SIM card without any problem, that's roaming. However, if you buy a new Turkish SIM card, there is a "probability" that your mobile phone might not operate, depending on duration of your stay. That's because the government asks handsets to be registered with the mobile operators in order to prevent illegal import of handsets, and if the handset is not registered, it might be blacklisted only in Turkey. Also, hopefully, there is a probability that your handset might not be blacklisted during your stay in Turkey, if your stay is shorter than the blacklisting process does not happen during your stay. Nevertheless, if you intend to stay a long time in this lovely country, and you need to make or receive a lot of calls, here's how you register and buy a card: Take your mobile phone and your passport to a shop of a Turkish Network Operator (Avea, Turkcell or Vodafone) at the airport. Buy a SIM card, and the clerk will register the SIM card's mobile phone number with your handset's IMEI number, and with your personal information. There is no charge levied for phone registration, and no customs documents are required, just your passport!

Emergency Numbers
Emergency 112
International Operator 115
Directory Assistance 11811
Reversed Charge Calls 131
Police 155
Gendarme 156
Fire Department 110