Transportation Options: 

  • Are commercial flights operating? Yes
    Passengers should check with airlines for up-to-date schedules, work with them to address flight changes, and be prepared for possible cancelations.

  • Is public transportation operating? Yes
    Buses, ferries, and trains are operating but there are limits to passenger capacity on buses and all passengers must wear a mask.  

  • Transit passengers are not required to submit a PCR test in Turkey however they are advised to review the flight restrictions applied by the destination country regarding the PCR test requirements, age limits and the duration. 

  • Passengers failing to submit a digital or paper copy of a negative PCR test result are not permitted to board the flights. 

  • Given the strict travel and transit restrictions in the Schengen Zone, U.S. citizens who wish to transit via the Schengen Zone must have onward tickets to the U.S., and meet the Schengen Zone and U.K. exceptions as passengers in transit.  

  • Effective January 15, Istanbul will implement a new law that states the Istanbul Kart for anyone over six (6) years old has to be connected with your HES code in order to use public transportation.  We highly suggest you buy an Istanbul Kart for each person in your family and pair the Istanbul Kart with HES Code. 

  • Airlines and airports have implemented new procedures for travelers, and passengers must comply with these to travel. For example, masks must be worn in the airport and on airplanes, and arriving passengers are subject to health checks and PCR tests. Please check airport and airline websites for more information and specific guidance.

  • Turkey lifted the ban on importing and exporting of pets as of May 1, 2020. We refer you to the airline websites for more specific details.

  • Please note: There are a series of Presidential Proclamations related to the suspension of entry of certain additional persons who pose the risk of transmitting the COVID-19 outbreak. These restrictions do not apply to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.

  • The Government of Turkey requires everyone traveling in Turkey to present a Hayat Eve Sigar (HES) code. All persons must request a HES (Hayat Eve Sigar) Code for domestic and international flights, while staying in hotels, using inner city public transport, and at inter-city bus travel rest stops. This does not apply to foreign tourists.

  • Information on how to obtain this HES code is available at Hayat Eve Sigar web portal. The procedure is as follows:

    • FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TURKISH CITIZENSHIP: Send a text message to phone number 2023 that includes:

      • the letters “HES”

      • your Turkish Kimlik number

      • the last four digits of the series number of your ID

      • the number of days you will be traveling, (we recommend adding 7 days as a safeguard)
        NOTE:
          Put a single space between each item (e.g., HES 1234567 1234 09).

    • FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT TURKISH CITIZENS BUT ARE RESIDENTS AND POSSES A KIMLIK: Send a text message to phone number 2023 that includes:

      • the letters “HES”

      • your Kimlik number

      • your year of birth

      • the number of days you will be traveling (we recommend adding 7 days as a safeguard)
        NOTE:
          Put a single space between each item (e.g., HES 1234567 1972 14).

  • On November 12, the government announced that obligatory HES codes are required for entering Usak and Zonguldak provinces.

  • Airlines also have information on their websites in English about the HES code including:

  • If you require financial assistance through the U.S. Government’s repatriation loan program please review the Department of State’s information on emergency financial assistance and contact us.