Is it worth getting it ahead of time at the consulate in nyc? How long does it take at the airport in Istanbul? Will I save a lot of time if I get it in the US?

Everything I've read recently says you get a tourist visa after landing in Turkey at the airport, at a desk just before customs/immigration.....costs $20US cash....bring a crisp US$20 bill......not a lengthy process

Lots of excellent info at:
TurkeyTravelPlanner.com

In a word, no. Unless there is a huge queue, show your passport and pay your $$ and get a stamp. In my case in January, it took about 30 secs from entering the visa area to walking out and joining the queue for the immigration agent.

I've never had to wait long for a Turkish visa on arrival.

If there's a few people in line it's not the most organised process but I've never had to wait longer than 10 minutes, there's usually two desks going.

I very much doubt that the extra cost and incovenience of getting a visa in advance would ever be worth it if you qualify to get one at the airport on arrival (which you will as, I presume, a US citizen going on a short holiday in Turkey).

Usually it's pretty quick, and generally I have arrived at the luggage reclaim area before my luggage has; occasionally there is a moderately lengthy queue but there are usually several people serving. Pay in cash, and have the correct change in US dollars (if you are a US citizen) for every passenger.

Despite one of the comments above, I have always found arrival formalities at Istanbul Atat�rk Airport to be fairly well organised. Just don't get into the queue for passport control (immigration) before you have bought your visa, or you'll have to go back and start again!

Great, thanks for all of your help. Looks like I'll just wait till I get there.

I found it interesting when looking at guidebooks to plan my trip that the visas for each country are charged in that country's currency rather than local currency. Canadians require CAD (and a lot of them!), Europeans Euros. Is exact change needed? Do other countries do this as well?

Dr. PITUK

I would take exact money in the currency required (pounds for British citizens, for example). I think one can now pay for a Turkish visa on arrival by card, but I'd prefer to pay in cash if at all possible.

Ordinary visas (i.e. ones that the traveller must obtain before travel by application to an embassy or consulate) often have their prices quoted in the currency of the issuing country, but they are usually paid for by card, or sometimes in the local currency with the amount determined (obviously enough) by a conversion factor, which may or may not be current or advantageous to the purchaser.

Time was when many visas were issued gratis, but that seems to be rather rare this days.

They don't particularly care as long as it's the correct money. As an Australian they don't take my local currency as an option, but I've paid in all of British Pounds, US Dollars and Euros for my visa. I was told those three were the only options

So true, here's how the visa window looks:

I've always paid in either USD or EUR, there's a monitor at the visa window which give the price in each of these currencies:

...many thanks Mr. R..... seeing the photos is so helpful...will get us to the right place when we land in IST in a few weeks.....thanks!

I agree - STRAIGHT to the VISA window, hand them your passport and the cash. I do not believe I was even asked any questions. Then straight to immigration and out into the wild.

ETA - watch out with the Taxis here. One of the worse places I have been - masters of the slight of hand. I went back and forth between the same two places a dozen time over a week and the prices varied between 7-8 (honest) and all the way up the price range to 60. WHen it was close, I just paid it and smiled. Life is to short to get to worked up... Have fun!!!

Thanks! Those photos are really helpful. My countries aren't there, but I'll come with a range of currencies .

Thanks

Dr. PITUK

When I went through the visa line, it doubled back on itself quite a bit -- all of that open space between the line and wall was filled. I still don't think that it took much more than 15 minutes to get through.

The visa thing took about 5 minutes, the least hassle after two flights, a 12 hour stopover and several visits through security and border control. Just hand them a $20 (or whatever your currency is) and get the stamp. Open the passport to the stamp page for faster processing.

The people in Istanbul were great, but those unsmiling guys working in passport control could use a charm enhancement.