Communication and Services in Turkey

Country and International Dialing Code

The country code of Turkey is +90. To place an international call to Turkey, the standard dialing format is:

International Access Code + 90 + Area Code (city/town code) + Telephone Number

For example, to call the number 664 78 98 on the European side of Istanbul, you would dial:

Your international access code + 90 + 212 + 664 78 98

Calling Internationally from Turkey

The international dialing prefix in Turkey is 00. To call abroad from Turkey, the format is:

00 + Country Code + Area Code + Telephone Number

International calls can also be made with operator assistance. By dialing 115, you can reach Türk Telekom’s international operator and request assistance to connect your call.

Intercity Calls Within Turkey

The domestic long-distance prefix in Turkey is 0. To call another city, dial:

0 + Area Code + Telephone Number

Operator-assisted intercity calls can be made by dialing 131, where a Türk Telekom operator will assist in placing the call.

Local Calls Within Cities

For local calls, simply dial the 7-digit telephone number.

An important exception is Istanbul, which has two separate area codes:

212 for the European side
216 for the Asian side

When calling between these two sides, the area code must always be included.

Free and Special Services

International free calls such as 00-800 (Home Country Direct) services may be accessible from some public or private telephones.

Calling from Hotels

Telephone calls made from hotels are generally more expensive than standard rates. It is recommended to check the tariff before placing a call.

Most hotels offer direct-dial systems. In this case, you must first enter an external access code provided by the hotel, followed by:

Country Code + Area Code + Telephone Number

If direct dialing is not available, hotel operators can assist in placing the call.

Public Pay Phones

Public telephones are widely available throughout Turkey and operate using prepaid phone cards of 30, 60, or 100 units. For short international calls, a 30-unit card may be sufficient.

Phone cards can be purchased at:

PTT (Post Office) branches
Grocery stores
Street kiosks near public phones
Some hotel reception desks

How to Use Public Phones

Lift the handset and select the language on the screen
Insert the phone card in the indicated direction
Wait for the dial tone and enter the number
During the call, warning beeps indicate low credit
When prompted, replace or recharge the card if needed

Calls are generally cheaper during off-peak hours (18:00–06:00 on weekdays and weekends).

Mobile Phone Services

Turkey has multiple GSM operators, including:

Turkcell
Vodafone (formerly Telsim)
Avea (now integrated into Türk Telekom Mobile)

Visitors can use their own mobile phones by activating international roaming or by selecting a local network. Mobile phones can also be rented through service providers or travel assistance companies.

Emergency Numbers in Turkey

Emergency services are available nationwide and free of charge, 24/7:

112 – Emergency (general)
110 – Fire
155 – Police
156 – Gendarmerie
158 – Coast Guard
177 – Forest Fire

Emergency calls can be made from any phone, including public phones, even without a card.

Public and Social Service Numbers

154 – Traffic
182 – Psychological Support
170 – Labor and Employment
183 – Social Services (Women & Family)
184 – Health Hotline
185 – Water Services
186 – Electricity Services
187 – Gas Services
188 – Funeral Services
189 – Tax Information
174 – Food Safety / Consumer Hotline
181 – Environmental Services

Useful Operator and Information Numbers

115 – International Operator Assistance
131 – Domestic Operator Assistance
118 – Directory Assistance
133 – Paging Services

Postal Services (PTT)

Turkey’s postal system is operated by PTT (Post, Telephone, Telegram) and is generally reliable and well-organized. Post offices are marked with a distinctive yellow PTT sign.

Working Hours

Weekdays: 09:00–12:00 and 13:30–17:00
Larger central offices: 08:00–24:00

Postage rates vary depending on the type of mail (letters, postcards, or parcels). Mail can be sent directly from PTT offices, hotel receptions, or public mailboxes.

Email and Internet Access

Internet usage in Turkey is widespread and continues to grow rapidly. Visitors can access the internet through:

Hotel rooms (wired or Wi-Fi connections)
Hotel business centers
Internet cafés

Most four- and five-star hotels offer business facilities with internet access. Email services such as Yahoo, Gmail, and others can be used normally.

Fax Services

Fax services are available at:

Major PTT offices
Hotels and business centers

Television Services

Most hotels in Turkey provide satellite television. Cable and satellite providers such as Türk Telekom and Digiturk are widely used in urban areas. In addition, premium pay-TV services such as Cine5 and other digital platforms may also be available in some regions.