Turkey Visa RequirementsFor South Africa passport holders
South African passport holders can apply for a Turkey e-Visa online before travel for stays up to 90 days within 180 days. The Turkey e-Visa costs $50 USD and is processed at evisa.gov.tr in minutes. Turkey does not require a traditional visa application; the e-Visa is a simple online process.
South Africa passport holders must apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) online before traveling to Turkey.
Apply for the Turkey e-Visa at evisa.gov.tr at least 48 hours before travel. Provide passport details, travel dates, and pay $50 USD by credit or debit card. The e-Visa is emailed to you as a PDF; print or store it on your phone to present at immigration. The e-Visa is valid for multiple entries within 180 days, with each stay up to 90 days. Entry is via Istanbul Airport (IST), Sabiha Gokcen (SAW), Antalya (AYT), or other international airports.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
For Your Visa Application
Passport Photo Page Scan
Required to complete the e-Visa application at evisa.gov.tr.
International Credit or Debit Card
Required to pay the $50 USD e-Visa fee at evisa.gov.tr.
Required at Entry
Turkey e-Visa Approval
The e-Visa issued at evisa.gov.tr is emailed as a PDF. Print it or have it on your phone to present at immigration alongside your passport.
Valid South African Passport
Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your Turkey entry date.
Return or Onward Ticket
Confirmed return or onward ticket out of Turkey.
Current Travel Situation
South Africa to Turkey: What You Need to Know
South Africa and Turkey have growing bilateral relations, with Turkey emerging as an important trade partner and diplomatic player across Africa. Turkish Airlines connects Johannesburg to Istanbul with excellent frequency, making Turkey both a destination and a key transit hub for South Africans connecting to Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Turkey has invested significantly in Sub-Saharan Africa and is a growing diplomatic presence on the continent through its embassy network expansion.
How to Get There
Turkish Airlines operates direct nonstop flights from Johannesburg (JNB) and Cape Town (CPT) to Istanbul (IST). This is one of the most direct connections from South Africa to Europe and is popular for both Turkish travel and onward European connections. Flight time Johannesburg to Istanbul is approximately 10 to 11 hours.
Money & Banking
Turkey uses the Turkish Lira (TRY). Cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas; ATMs are plentiful. Turkey has experienced significant currency depreciation in recent years, making it excellent value for foreign visitors. Budget 800 to 1,500 TRY (approximately 25 to 50 USD) per day for comfortable travel. Istanbul's street food (simit, lahmacun, balik ekmek) is inexpensive and delicious.
Practical Tips
Turkey offers extraordinary breadth: Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia with iconic sites (Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Bosphorus), Cappadocia for hot air balloons and underground cities, the Aegean coast (Bodrum, Cesme) for beach and nightlife, the turquoise Mediterranean coast (Antalya, Fethiye), and Pamukkale for calcium terraces. Turkey is excellent value: costs are very competitive for South Africans. Turkish cuisine is outstanding and widely affordable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do South Africans need a visa to visit Turkey?
South Africans need a Turkey e-Visa, which can be obtained online in minutes at evisa.gov.tr. The fee is $50 USD. The e-Visa allows stays up to 90 days within 180 days (multiple entry) and is valid for 180 days from issue. There is no need to visit an embassy; the entire process is online.
How does South Africa's relationship with Turkey affect travel connections?
Turkish Airlines is one of the world's largest airlines by destination count and operates regular nonstop flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Istanbul. Turkey has invested significantly in Africa through Turkish Airlines' expansion (the airline serves more African countries than any other carrier) and through diplomatic missions, making South Africa one of Turkey's key African partners. Istanbul is both a destination and a highly efficient transit hub for South Africans connecting to Europe.
Are there direct flights from South Africa to Turkey?
Yes. Turkish Airlines operates direct nonstop flights from Johannesburg (JNB) and Cape Town (CPT) to Istanbul (IST). These are frequent services making Turkey very accessible. Flight time is approximately 10 to 11 hours. Istanbul Airport (IST) is one of the world's busiest and serves as a hub for onward connections throughout Europe, Middle East, and Central Asia.
What currency does Turkey use?
Turkey uses the Turkish Lira (TRY). Turkey has experienced significant currency depreciation in recent years, making it very affordable for foreign visitors. Cards are accepted in cities and tourist areas; ATMs are plentiful. Budget 800 to 1,500 TRY (25 to 50 USD) per day for comfortable mid-range travel, though luxury hotels and Bosphorus-view restaurants will cost significantly more.
What are the top experiences in Turkey for South African travelers?
Istanbul (Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Bosphorus cruise, Galata Tower, vibrant Kadikoy neighborhood on the Asian side), Cappadocia (hot air balloon rides over fairy-chimney rock formations at sunrise, underground cities, cave hotels in Goreme), the Aegean coast (Bodrum, Cesme), the Mediterranean Turquoise Coast (Antalya, Fethiye, Oludeniz Blue Lagoon, Butterfly Valley), and Pamukkale's calcium terraces with ancient Hierapolis ruins are world-class.
What should South Africans know about Turkish cuisine?
Turkish cuisine is one of the world's great food cultures. Breakfast (kahvalti) features cheeses, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggs, and simits (sesame bread rings). Street food highlights include simit, lahmacun (thin flatbread with minced meat), doner kebab, balik ekmek (fish sandwich on the Galata Bridge), and midye (mussels stuffed with spiced rice). Turkish tea (cay) and Turkish coffee are central to social culture. Baklava, Turkish delight (lokum), and kunefe (cheese pastry soaked in sugar syrup) are outstanding.
Is it safe for South Africans to travel to Turkey?
Turkey is generally safe for tourists in the main tourist destinations. Areas near the Syrian and Iraqi borders in the southeast carry elevated risk; check travel advisories for specific southeastern provinces. Istanbul occasionally experiences demonstrations; avoid crowds and political gatherings. Standard urban precautions apply: beware of tourist scams around Sultanahmet and the Grand Bazaar. Turkey is Muslim-majority; dress respectfully at mosques (head scarf for women, remove shoes).
Can South Africans take a Bosphorus cruise in Istanbul?
Yes. Bosphorus cruises are a highlight of Istanbul. Short cruises (2 hours, Eminonu to second Bosphorus Bridge and back) depart frequently from Eminonu and Kabatas piers, operated by IDO (Istanbul Sea Buses). Full Bosphorus cruises (6 hours, to the Black Sea mouth and back) are also available. Private tours offer more flexibility. The cruise passes European and Asian palaces, forts, villas, and mosques, providing a unique perspective on the city straddling two continents.