BootsnAll Travel Community

Sorry to start yet another Turkey related thread, but I figured I would post this question in its own thread instead of tacking it on somewhere else:

Is it possible to get a multiple entry visa when crossing by land (from Bulgaria) in to Turkey? Someone I talked to said there only were single entry visas, but the LP says that you can get a multiple depending on your nationality. I am travelling with both a Canadian and American passport, so I was wondering if it would make a difference which one I use (beside the difference in price, which is marginally more expensive for Canadians.)

I don't know if it's different for Americans or Candadians, but the only visa I could get when I arrived in Istanbul was a 3-month multiple entry visa. From what I recall, the only thing that was different for other nationalities was the cost.

Sorry I can't fully answer your question, as I flew into Istanbul, but I suggest you use your USA passport. Our visas cost $20 USD and the Canadians in front of me had to pay $60 USD for what appeared to be the same thing. We get a multiple entry visa valid for three months - I'm not sure if that was the only option or not. They didn't offer anything else and I didn't ask. Good luck at the border crossing with Bulgaria! Make sure you don't have anything "questionable" with you when you cross. I spent quite a bit of time at that border crossing locked in a small room with the rest of my fellow passengers, separated from our bags, while the drug dogs, corrupt officials, etc, gave our bus a good looking over. 6 hours later we were finally on our way. Granted, that was Bulgaria's finest conducting the interrogations and not the Turkish officials, but I'm told that it is a frequently sticky land crossing, due to the large discrepancy in what is legal and accepted on either side of that particular border. Turkey is GREAT, though. I wish I had had more time to see more of the country! Enjoy!

Thanks for the heads up about the contraband, I'll be sure to smoke me entire stash before crossing.

I know that the visa for Canadians is significantly more expensive, but I am considering going there on my Canadian passport anyway. My reason for this is that I want to apply for a visa for Iran once I am in Turkey. I figured the Iranians might find it strange if I present them with a Canadian passport in Turkey that has no Turkish visa. Does that make sense, or am I just being paranoid? This is my first time travelling with multiple passports, so I really dont know what the best approach is....

No, I think that is perfectly reasonable. Maybe it is the fact that I've never been there (and can't go...) but Iran seems to stick in my mind as a place that might be a little harsh when it comes to the entrance and regulation of Western visitors. Of course, I had that expected that of Turkey before I went there, too, and was totally wrong. I do think it will be important to keep a consistent passport, though. I'm not sure how things work with dual passports (but I want one...) but if my travel history is any indicator, it will probably be the Department of Homeland Security that gives you the most hassles on the entire trip. When are you heading over to Turkey?

Yeah I think it's best if I do this part of my trip on the Canadian passport...

My train leaves for Istanbul tomorrow night (I am in Bulgaria right now,) so I will arrive in Turkey on the morning of the 19th.