Healthy Travel in Turkey

To stay healthy while you travel in Turkey, don't overdo it.

Eat and drink in moderation and get plenty of rest. If you're not feeling well, rest in your hotel room rather than pushing onward. (If you push onward and get sicker you'll have to rest even longer and you'll lose even more travel time.)

SUN & HEAT
Use sunblock lotion regularly and wear a hat to avoid sunburn. Drink liquids regularly (at least every hour) in hot, dry weather--even if you don't feel thirsty--to avoid dehydration. Surprisingly, mild dehydration can bring on stomach upsets, dizziness and diarrhea which are often mistaken for food ailments. The cure is simple: remember to have a glass of water or a soft drink every hour!

FOOD
Consult your doctor concerning Travelers Diarrhea. Changes in food can disturb digestion, so go easy on the spicy food. Be careful not to overeat. In fact, you should "undereat," especially early in your trip. Once your digestive system becomes familiar with new intestinal flora, you can try new foods.

DRINK
Drink bottled spring water, available everywhere. Go easy on tea and coffee, which can contribute to dehydration and sleeplessness, and can aggravate digestive problems. If you use alcoholic beverages, do so sparingly, if at all. Alcohol increases the risk of dehydration and stomach upset.

MEDICAL CARE
All Turkish cities have hospitals, and towns have clinics, often with staff who speak at least some English. Besides government hospitals, Istanbul has hospitals founded and supported by foreign communities: American, French, German, Italian.

Travel Details

Turkey Travel Planner Homepage

Turkish Ambulance

You probably won't need one of these.... Note the symbol of the Red Crescent Society, Islamic equivalent of the Red Cross.