passport validity

[sophieenglan]

im travelling to turkey in beginning of june, and i only have a 5 year passport that runs out in 2010. is this valid for travel or do i need a 10 year passport?

[heathfield]

Rest easy. Your passport need only be valid for a period of six months from the date of your arrival in Turkey.
You'll also need a visa, available on arrival in Turkey. The cost depends on your nationality, but for a British citizen it's �10.

[auntiebertie]

Sorry but Heathfield is incorrect.
The 6-month rule is an urban myth.
It was probably made up by travel agents to save their staff having to find out the factual requirements for each country - it is much easier to tell everyone '6-months'.

Anyway for Turkey the requirement is that your passport is valid for at least three months from your date of departure from Turkey. So with a passport expiring in 2010 you have not problems.

[heathfield]

I stand corrected, Auntie.

But maybe you could contact the Foreign & Commonweath Office and query their advice for travellers to Turkey.

The FCO website plainly states, ('Passport validity:. Your passport should be valid for at least six months on entry into Turkey'.