April 23, 2020
Location: Turkey
Event: Health Alert – Message to U.S. Citizens – COVID-19 Updates and Information on Travel
Update
Traveling to the Airport for Direct Flights to the United States: The Istanbul Airport Taxi Coop (Phone: +90 850 780 7734 or +90 533 315 7133) and the HAVAIST bus service (https://hava.ist/en) are providing local transit to the Istanbul airport during the curfew. Travelers must arrive at the airport at least four hours before their scheduled flight time, and should review all information on the Turkish Airlines website here: https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-us/announcements/evacuation-flights-during-curfew/. You do not need a travel permit to travel within Istanbul.
Frequency of Health Alerts: With the departure of three direct flights to the United States, we are planning to send Health Alerts only when there is significant new information, which may not be daily. If you need to reach us at any time, please email or call us at the contact information listed at the end of this message.
General Information:
Curfew: Much of Turkey is currently under a four-day curfew that started Thursday, April 23, and ends Sunday, April 26, at midnight. Markets, bakeries, and grocery stores will be open limited hours on April 23 and 24, and customers are permitted to buy essentials within walking distance or have them delivered. Motor vehicle use is not permitted except for those with disabilities. Essential services including hospitals, pharmacies, and airports remain open.
Commercial Flights via Europe to the United States: Limited commercial flights to the United States transiting Europe are still operational.
From Istanbul: Multiple flights per week on Belavia airlines via Minsk, connecting to the U.S. through Frankfurt or Amsterdam. You must book this flight through a travel agent to ensure your luggage is checked to the United States.
- Alabanda – www.alabanda.com.tr, +90 312 440 56 00; info@alabanda.com.tr
- BTO Bilimtur – www.btotravel.com, +90 312 468 75 80, bto@btobilimtur.com.tr
- Midillis Travel and Tourism – www.midillis.com, +90 212 458 08 00, info@midillis.com
Information about transiting Minsk, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt:
https://by.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
https://nl.usembassy.gov/health-alert-update-regarding-covid-19-u-s-consulate-general-amsterdam-netherlands-3/
https://de.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
Actions to Take:
- If you are traveling by road to reach an airport in a different province, please contact the local governor’s office to obtain permission to travel by land for your international departure. In addition, inform us by filling out this form with your name, date of birth, passport number, current location, and flight information (number, date, time). Please also include your mobile phone number. We will share your information with Turkish authorities in order to double-track your request for transit to the airport.
- Carry identity and travel documents with you at all times.
- Comply with local authorities at check points and clearly state your intention to seek immediate departure from Turkey.
- Visit the Turkish General Directorate of Civil Aviation for up to date information on Turkey’s international flights.
- Visit the Turkish Airlines Coronavirus webpage for information on Suspended flights, Travel restrictions, Zero change fee, Flexible change, Online transactions, and their Announcements.
- Visit the TCDD press release on suspension of inter-city trains.
- Visit local resources for more information:
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Turkey.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy (Ankara, Turkey)
110 Ataturk Boulevard
Kavaklidere, 06100
Ankara, Turkey
+90-312-455-5555
Ankara-ACS@state.gov
https://tr.usembassy.gov/ - U.S. Consulate General (Istanbul, Turkey)
Poligon Mahallesi, Sariyer Caddesi No: 75
İstinye 34460 Sariyer- Istanbul / Turkey
+90-212-335-9000
ACS_Istanbul@state.gov
https://tr.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/istanbul/ - U.S. Consulate (Adana, Turkey)
+90-322-455-4100
Girne Bulvari No:212 Guzelevler Mah.
Yuregir, Adana – TÜRKİYE
Tel: +90-322-455-4100
CA-Adana@state.gov
https://tr.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/adana/ - U.S. Consular Agency (Izmir, Turkey)
Izmir@state.gov - State Department – Consular Affairs
1-888-407-4747 or 1-202-501-4444
Turkey’s Country Page
Turkey’s Travel Advisory
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts
Follow the Embassy’s primary social media accounts: Twitter and Facebook
