Russian travel blogger Sasha Konovalova has warned holidaymakers against five common mistakes people make immediately after landing in Turkey. Writing on her personal blog on the Dzen platform, Konovalova outlined practical errors that can spoil a trip or cost tourists extra money.
Konovalova identified hasty currency exchange at the airport as the first major mistake. She advised travellers heading to Turkey to bring euros or US dollars and exchange their money at exchange offices in town rather than at airport arrival terminals.
According to the experienced traveller, not every exchange bureau in Turkey accepts Russian roubles, and exchange rates at airports are rarely favourable. She urged visitors to check whether local booths accept roubles before travelling and to carry alternative international currencies as a precaution.
Turkey remains one of the most popular Mediterranean holiday destinations, drawing millions of international visitors annually to coastal resort hubs such as Antalya, Bodrum, and Marmaris. The national currency is the Turkish lira, but exchange offices in major resort cities widely handle foreign currencies.
Mobile connectivity and SIM cards
The second mistake Konovalova highlighted was purchasing a local physical SIM card upon arrival. Instead of buying a traditional SIM card at airport counters or local phone shops, she recommended connecting a digital eSIM before or during travel.
She noted that setting up an eSIM takes only two minutes and requires no passport registration. Because the digital profile provides immediate internet access, travellers stay connected without paying for unused traditional call packages.
An eSIM, short for embedded subscriber identity module, is a digital chip built directly into smartphone hardware. It allows users to activate cellular data plans from international or local providers online, eliminating the need to swap plastic cards or present official identity documents in person.
Hotel check-in and beach safety
Konovalova also urged tourists not to create a scene if early check-in is unavailable at their accommodation. When encountering delays at hotel reception desks, she suggested spending the waiting time relaxing by the swimming pool or the sea instead of arguing with hotel staff.
However, she cautioned holidaymakers against losing their composure when arriving at the beach. Recounting her own experience, she admitted that seeing the sea made her rush straight into the water and stay swimming until mealtime, which resulted in severe sunburn on her very first day.
Sun protection is an important consideration for travellers visiting Turkey, where summer temperatures regularly exceed 30 degrees Celsius. Health experts routinely advise holidaymakers to apply high-factor sunscreen and avoid direct sun exposure during peak afternoon hours to prevent heatstroke and painful skin damage.
Excursion traps and guidance
The final error Konovalova named was giving in to the charm of local hotel guides and purchasing numerous excursion packages at the start of the holiday. She advised travellers to refrain from buying tours on emotion during their initial orientation meetings.
She explained that tour representatives organize meetings at the beginning of a stay precisely when guests are at their most energetic and positive. At that moment, tourists have not yet had time to look around or appreciate the value of a relaxed, lazy resort stay.
Dzen is a major Russian online blogging platform and content recommendation network where creators publish travel guides, personal opinions, and lifestyle advice. Konovalova previously published a travel guide describing the ideal holiday type for each sign of the zodiac.
