Originally Posted by
ChrisBub
Firsthand experience with Xanax and co-codamol - they didn't check. I asked where to show customs letter of prescription and they just waved me through. Same happened in Singapore and others. However, like you, I'm also cautious and chose Cyprus (intra-EU, no customs issues) over Egypt or Turkey this week for just this reason. I didn't want to go through the worry of taking the medications with me even though I know most likely it won't be checked out really considered if it's personal use. But there are always those scare media stories that make me never want to set foot in Dubai, for example, just in case.
But making sure of the prescription, checking on the Turkish customs website to see if you can get a letter of approval from them to bring in your medication (Singapore has this system), getting a written note from doctor as well as the prescription, + original boxes, are all likely to help with if not removing the issues entirely, make it more likely they will simply bin the medications and send you on your way rather than arrest you.
As you asked for first hand experience though, mine is that I was never asked, nor checked going through customs in Istanbul.
Turkey should in theory exit lockdown in a week or two and tourists now can still go to museums, stay at hotels etc. The bad side of things is that you can eat at restaurants (they're closed), or have a Turkish coffee (cafes also closed). In Cyprus it's more or less the same at the minute, but I stay in the hotel and I'm mostly here just for sun and working remotely, and you can get in the sea and drive around too (with a permission form from the hotel).
Best of luck with your trip!
This is a very helpful comment. I've never been to this part of the world, so it's good to read about your experiences.
I was just diagnosed with ADHD last year after years of not knowing. The Adderall is sort of like putting on reading eyes. I feel like I can "see" for the first time in my life. It's unfortunate, that carrying the medicine that helps is now a major new travel concern for me. I left the Adderall at home last year when I went to Mexico for two months, because I read a few articles about tourists being arrested for it, even though technically they should be fine with a prescription. Ugh, it is unfortunate for humans that more countries aren't more tolerant about this stuff. The "drug war" is stupid.. it mostly seems to criminalize mostly upstanding people anyways. However, like you, I also respect local laws when I travel.
I'm curious about Cyprus. Are you from the EU? I read it's open to U.S citizens, but I'm not 100% sure. Cyprus is also on my list of a possible destination. Like you.. I would be going there for sun and working on a book remotely with my labtop. How does Cyprus compare to Turkey in terms of costs? My sense is it's much more expensive? But I have no idea since I've been to neither of these countries. I was also looking at Croatia too as an option.
hmm I was going to do U.S -> Frankfurt -> Istanbul with Lufthansa.. I just checked for Cyprus looks like Lufthansa doesn't offer any flights? At least not when I search for flights originating from the U.S
I was leaning toward Turkey.. because I've never been.. the culture and food looks interesting... the flights are easy and cheap from the U.S.. and overall costs in Turkey especially accom. looks cheap.. it's too bad just the worries about customs. :/