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Travelling to Türkiye in 2026: What you need to know
Türkiye has been quietly climbing the global tourism rankings for years — and the numbers back it up. In 2025, the country welcomed nearly 64 million international visitors and generated a record $65.2 billion in tourism revenue. It jumped from 8th to 4th place globally in visitor numbers since 2017. That’s not luck, that’s consistency. Travelling to Türkiye in 2026, all details:
For Hungarians specifically, the trend is just as clear: 252,000 visited in 2024, rising to 267,000 in 2025. If you’re based in Hungary or passing through, travelling to Türkiye is one of the most accessible and rewarding trips you can make from Budapest.
Is Türkiye safe to visit right now?
Straight answer: yes. Despite ongoing geopolitical noise in the region, Türkiye’s tourist infrastructure is running smoothly. Resorts, cities, and transport links are operating normally. Nearly 64 million visitors in a single year doesn’t happen in a country where things aren’t working.
Getting there from Hungary
Direct flights connect Budapest to Istanbul and several coastal resort areas. A new direct route from Budapest to Ankara is also in the pipeline, which will open up central Türkiye more conveniently than before. Also interesting, direct flights between Debrecen Airport and Istanbul.
Two main airports serve Istanbul — Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW). Which one makes more sense depends on where you’re headed next, so check both when booking.
No visa needed for EU passport holders. Tourists can stay up to 90 days.
Why food is becoming a reason to travel to Türkiye: not just a bonus!
Turkish cuisine isn’t one thing. It shifts dramatically by region: light olive oil dishes along the Aegean coast, hearty meat-based plates in Anatolia, heavily spiced food in the southeast, and some of the best street food anywhere in Istanbul. UNESCO has recognised Turkish coffee and tea culture as intangible cultural heritage, which gives you a sense of how seriously Türkiye takes its food traditions.
The numbers reflect this internationally too: in 2026, Türkiye has 171 restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide. Istanbul now appears on the global food map not just as a city worth visiting, but as a destination in its own right for serious food travellers.
If you’re short on time in Istanbul, don’t skip: a proper Turkish breakfast (not the hotel buffet version), a simit from a street cart, fresh fish sandwiches by the Galata Bridge, and a meze spread at a local meyhane.
What does it cost?
Travelling to Türkiye remains one of the best value decisions you can make from Hungary. Accommodation, meals, and entry fees are significantly cheaper than most Western European alternatives. Yes, prices have risen in nominal terms, but the forint still goes a long way, especially outside the main tourist hotspots.
Card payments are widely accepted in cities and resort areas. Carry some Turkish lira in cash for markets, smaller towns, and street food vendors.
Beyond Istanbul and the beach
If you’ve already done Istanbul and the Aegean coast, there’s plenty more.
Cappadocia for the landscape and cave hotels, Ephesus for one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world, Mardin for architecture and atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Türkiye, and the Lycian Way if you want one of Europe’s great long-distance hiking trails.
2026 also brings a full calendar of cultural events and food festivals across the country, partly tied to the ongoing “Deliciously Türkiye” campaign.
FAQ – Travelling to Türkiye in 2026
Do Hungarians and EU citizens need a visa for Türkiye?
No. EU passport holders can enter visa-free and stay up to 90 days as tourists.
When is the best time to go travelling to Türkiye?
April–May and September–October for mild weather and smaller crowds. Summer is great for the coast, and winter works well for city breaks.
Is travelling to Türkiye expensive?
Not by regional standards. It’s still one of the most affordable destinations reachable from Budapest, with good infrastructure and a wide range of accommodation options.
Are there direct flights from Hungary to Türkiye?
Yes, to Istanbul and several coastal airports. A new Budapest–Ankara route is also being introduced. Debrecen Airport also introduced a Wizz Air flight to Istanbul.
What should I eat in Türkiye?
Start with a traditional Turkish breakfast, work your way through meze and lahmacun, and finish with proper Turkish tea. The rest will follow naturally.