Turkey Visa Rip-Off?

Pollycat

Buzby wrote: »

Of course it is a rip-off! it is a tax levied mainly on British travellers. In my book that's racism - either everyone is charged or nobody.

For info - the Visa charge is ONLY if you have a UK Passport, anyone else goes in free. It appear a former Prime Minster (M Thatcher) hacked off the Turks and they responded with this charge for a mall selection of countries they disliked. It has always been £10, as it was an act of their Parliament and cannot be increased without an amendment.

Yes, it is Dalmation airport, but again the Thomson terms state 'immediate departure' passengers are exempt. So I'm really looking for factual accounts, not opinion.

Oh God!
The 'racism' card. :rotfl:

dzug1 wrote: »

Some double standards being spouted here

A Turk visiting the UK - or even in transit - needs a visa that costs a lot more than £10. Many other nationalities don't. Isn't that discrimination on grounds of passport?

In fact the Turks are discriminating in favour of UK passport holders by not matching the fees

The post above makes sense. :T

Buzby wrote: »

Thomson is indeed the cruise company. A selective charge based solely on your point of origin passport is a rip off. The scam element is this misleading information suggesting you have to pay an entry fee (when you should not) is a scam.

It's not a rip-off.

And it's not a scam either.
At worst (assuming you've not misread the information) it's an error in Thomson's documentation.

Buzby wrote: »

Interestingly, the Travel Visa Company (linked from the Thomson website states;

"If you hold a British Citizen Passport* and are travelling to Turkey for tourist purposes, you will not need a Visa prior to travel! A 90-day sticker type Visa must be obtained on arrival. Any travellers wishing to stay longer than 90 days must contact the Turkish Embassy in London directly"

This contradicts Thomson's terms - but then no mention is made of customers only transiting - anyone done it?

What is the relevance of the above quote?
It just agrees with what you say is printed on your Thomson invoice.
That that information contradicts what is in Thomson's T&C's is something that needs to be pointed out to them and corrected by them if necessary.

PompeyPete

This link more or less explains whether a visa is required or not...

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1839073&highlight=turkey+visa

It's the same as I understood it too...

a. Cruise Only - No visa required as you are only transiting Turkey. Join the transit queue at Dalaman Airport.

b. Stay/Cruise - You pay your £tenner on arrival at Dalaman. Join the Visa queue and pay your crisp £tenner.

c. Cruise/Stay - You need a visa, but you'll pay for it via your onboard account. Join the transit queue.

d. Get in the wrong queue at Dalaman Airport - Pay a £tenner, and rip yourself off!

FreddieFrugal

PompeyPete wrote: »

c. Cruise/Stay - You need a visa, but you'll pay for it via your onboard account. Join the transit queue.

Thanks for that, didn't know. Hopefully would have been told at some point before we got there.

jillie1974

Buzby wrote: »

Of course it is a rip-off! it is a tax levied mainly on British travellers. In my book that's racism - either everyone is charged or nobody.

For info - the Visa charge is ONLY if you have a UK Passport, anyone else goes in free. It appear a former Prime Minster (M Thatcher) hacked off the Turks and they responded with this charge for a mall selection of countries they disliked. It has always been £10, as it was an act of their Parliament and cannot be increased without an amendment.

Yes, it is Dalmation airport, but again the Thomson terms state 'immediate departure' passengers are exempt. So I'm really looking for factual accounts, not opinion.

actually, the visa is for everyone.
UK passport holders pay £10
other EU passport holders pay €10/15
US citizens pay $15

Are you doing a cruise that takes in other Turkish areas?

balletshoes

Buzby wrote: »

Of course it is a rip-off! it is a tax levied mainly on British travellers. In my book that's racism - either everyone is charged or nobody.

For info - the Visa charge is ONLY if you have a UK Passport, anyone else goes in free. It appear a former Prime Minster (M Thatcher) hacked off the Turks and they responded with this charge for a mall selection of countries they disliked. It has always been £10, as it was an act of their Parliament and cannot be increased without an amendment.

Yes, it is Dalmation airport, but again the Thomson terms state 'immediate departure' passengers are exempt. So I'm really looking for factual accounts, not opinion.

Buzby you really need to read, you could learn from it. there is a huge list of countries who,s citizens have to pay for visas to enter turkey, and british citizens are among the countries who pay the least for their visa.

The UK charges more for visit/holiday visas for those countries who require one for their citizens to visit the UK (theres a big list of them as well)

Pollycat

balletshoes wrote: »

Buzby you really need to read, you could learn from it. there is a huge list of countries who,s citizens have to pay for visas to enter turkey, and british citizens are among the countries who pay the least for their visa.

The UK charges more for visit/holiday visas for those countries who require one for their citizens to visit the UK (theres a big list of them as well)

Why let the facts get in the way of a good (?) racism rant? :cool:

Still curious which airport (or even country :rotfl:) the OP is flying into.

balletshoes

OP did you not read the last thread you posted about this, a couple of months ago?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4584681

and you're still labouring under the misapprehension that only GB passport holders pay for a holiday/visit visa when entering Turkey?

Pollycat

balletshoes wrote: »

OP did you not read the last thread you posted about this, a couple of months ago?

Obviously not. :cool:

balletshoes wrote: »

and you're still labouring under the misapprehension that only GB passport holders pay for a holiday/visit visa when entering Turkey?

Some people won't listen to a voice of reason - even when you post a link that proves them wrong.

louby40

We've been to Turkey for the past 5 years and everyone that enters pays for a Visa - whatever your nationality.

I suppose the Turkish don't lol!!

We have 4 kids so it costs us £60 everytime! We love Turkey and are happy to pay!

Louise

FreddieFrugal

louby40 wrote: »

everyone that enters pays for a Visa

Italians don't. Which my Italian girlfriend is very smug about.