Before booking your trip to Trabzon, here is a quick rundown of the practical information that can save you unpleasant surprises on arrival.

Entry and visa. Holders of an ordinary (non-diplomatic) Saudi passport are visa-exempt for tourism and business purposes, under a Turkish presidential decree allowing stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This exemption remains in effect as of the time of writing (2026). That said, entry rules can change, so it's always wise to confirm the latest status through official Turkish channels or your airline well before departure — especially since additional agreements between the two countries also cover exemptions for diplomatic and special passport holders, a separate category from the ordinary passport most travelers carry.

Currency. The official currency is the Turkish lira (TRY), which has swung significantly in value over recent years — the US dollar exchange rate surpassed 47 lira in July 2026, with forecasts pointing to continued depreciation. Don't rely on any approximate figure; check the live rate through a trusted app right before you travel, and again on arrival if possible. Bank cards are widely accepted around the city, but it's wise to carry some cash for local markets and remote mountain areas where card machines aren't always available. Avoid exchanging money at the airport if you can, since rates there are usually less competitive than city-center exchange offices or banks.

Weather. Trabzon is a Black Sea coastal city with a humid subtropical climate, meaning rain is possible in nearly any month. Summer (June–August) is the warmest and relatively driest season (around 26°C on average) and the peak tourist period. Spring and autumn are milder but wetter (especially May, September, and October), while winter is cold and damp in the city (around 5°C) and snowy in the highlands. Golden rule: pack a light raincoat regardless of when you travel.

Language and communication. The official language is Turkish, and English isn't universally spoken outside hotels and major tourist restaurants, but the heavy influx of Saudi and Gulf visitors in recent years has pushed many shops and restaurants in the city center to hire staff who speak Arabic, or at least understand basic phrases. Translation apps on your phone are very useful in areas further off the usual tourist trail.

SIM card and internet. It's worth buying a local SIM card or an international data package on arrival to navigate easily using map apps, especially since trips to Sümela Monastery, Uzungöl lake, and the mountain plateaus rely heavily on location tracking, and network coverage can weaken in some remote mountainous areas.

Why Trabzon specifically? It's worth noting that Trabzon recorded more than 344,000 Saudi visitors in a single year — a record that reflects growing confidence among Saudi travelers in this destination, backed by direct flights from several Saudi cities and a tourism infrastructure that keeps expanding to accommodate the demand.

With this essential information in hand, you're ready for a smooth trip to one of the Black Sea's most beautiful cities.