New Year Abroad 2026: Visa-Free & Visa Routes from Turkey

Short answer: For New Year 2026, 31 December falls on a Thursday and 1 January 2027 on a Friday. Take one day off on 31 December and you get a four-day break from Thursday to Sunday. If you'd rather avoid visa appointments, Azerbaijan (Baku), Georgia (Batumi), Morocco, Tunisia and Thailand are visa-free with a standard (burgundy) Turkish passport. European cities require a Schengen visa, and you must apply at least 15 days before travel. If you want New Year in Europe, you need to move fast.

New Year 2026 calendar: how many days off?

In Turkey, the only New Year public holiday is 1 January. 31 December is a normal working day.

One day of leave gives you four days off. That's why most New Year trips abroad depart between 26 and 30 December and return around 2–3 January. For a longer trip, you'll also need leave for 28–30 December.

Visa-free New Year routes

The information below comes from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs page "Visa Requirements for Turkish Citizens" as of 4 November 2026. It applies to the standard (burgundy) Turkish passport.

Baku: a short, easy getaway

You can travel to Baku with just your ID card, which makes it one of the easiest options. During New Year week, the liveliest parts of the city are the walled streets of the Old City (Icherisheher), the night lights of the Flame Towers and the seaside boulevard. Ateshgah and Yanar Dag on the Absheron Peninsula also often feature on day trips. Our 3-night, 4-day New Year special visa-free Baku tour is built around these stops.

Batumi: New Year on the Black Sea coast

Batumi is another destination you can reach with your ID card. Just don't forget the travel insurance that has been mandatory since 2026. Batumi Boulevard along the coast, Piazza Square and the Ali and Nino statue are the city's landmarks. The 3-night Batumi programme departing 30 December fits the four-day New Year window exactly.

Morocco: welcome the new year in the desert

If you can take a longer break, Morocco is a good choice. A typical programme is built around Jemaa el-Fnaa Square in Marrakech, Essaouira on the Atlantic coast, and routes heading towards the Sahara. Nights in the desert can be cold in winter, so remember to pack a warm coat. The 6-night Morocco and Sahara Desert tour departing 27 December enters via Casablanca and begins with Marrakech.

Tunisia: Carthage and Sidi Bou Said

Tunisia is another visa-free option that fits a four-day New Year break. In a short programme you can see the capital Tunis, the ancient ruins of Carthage, Sidi Bou Said with its blue-and-white houses, and the Bardo Museum. One note: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs specifically flags Tunisia's currency rules. Check the current rules on the Ministry's Tunisia page before you travel.

Thailand: summer at New Year

Thailand is for anyone who wants somewhere warm in the middle of winter. Since 15 September 2026, burgundy passport holders can stay up to 30 days for tourism. You need to complete the official TDAC form within three days before arrival. Flights are long and usually overnight, so programmes start early, around 26 December. The 6-night Thailand tour departing 26 December starts in Phuket. According to the product page, you need to be at the airport on the evening before the departure date.

Visa routes you can still make in time

Russia: Moscow and St. Petersburg with an e-visa

Burgundy passport holders need a visa for Russia. However, according to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you can get the visa electronically from the official website of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You don't need to visit a consulate, but you do need to allow time. The page for the Moscow–St. Petersburg New Year programme on our site asks you to apply at least 20 working days before the tour starts. Don't miss this deadline if you want to see the New Year lights on Red Square and a snowy St. Petersburg.

Europe: a Schengen visa is required

For New Year in Prague, Paris, Barcelona, Vienna or Amsterdam, burgundy passport holders need a Schengen visa. Under the EU Visa Code, you can apply no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 calendar days before travel. A decision is normally made within 15 days, but this can take longer. Appointments are hard to find in December. If you don't have a valid Schengen visa and it's the first weeks of November, look for an appointment today. Otherwise, the visa-free routes are the safer choice.

If you already have a valid visa, our Europe tours page lists 3-night New Year programmes departing 30 December for Prague and Paris and 29 December for Barcelona. The Paris programme departs on a direct flight from Antalya.

If you'd like to welcome the new year at sea in the Mediterranean, a long Celestyal New Year programme starting from Barcelona on 19 December 2026 is also on the list. This route also requires a Schengen visa.

Checklist for choosing a New Year tour abroad

• Passport validity: Many countries require a passport valid for at least 6 months on entry. Check your children's passports too.
• Countries you can visit with your ID card: You can travel to Azerbaijan and Georgia with the new-type ID card, but only when travelling directly from Turkey.
• Insurance: Health and accident insurance has been mandatory in Georgia since 2026. Check the product page to see which insurance the tour includes.
• What's included: The New Year's Eve dinner, optional excursions, museum entries and city taxes aren't included in every programme. Read the "Included" and "Not Included" sections on the tour page.
• Departure fee (yurt dışı çıkış harcı): Usually not included in tour prices. You pay it at a bank or at the airport.
• Departure time: On long-haul flights, the meeting time may be the evening before the departure date. Check the itinerary on the product page.

To see all New Year programmes in one place, visit our international tours page. For dates and availability, message us on WhatsApp.

Frequently asked questions

How many days off is New Year 2026? The only public holiday is Friday, 1 January 2027. Thursday, 31 December is a working day. If you take that day off, you get four days off from 31 December to 3 January.

Where can I go visa-free for New Year? According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Morocco, Tunisia and Thailand are visa-free with a burgundy passport. In the Balkans, Serbia is also visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Is Montenegro still visa-free? No. Since 1 November 2026, Turkish citizens with a burgundy passport need a visa. For details, see our Montenegro visa guide.

Which countries can I visit with my ID card at New Year? You can travel to Azerbaijan and Georgia with the new-type ID card on tourist trips made directly from Turkey.

When should I apply for a Schengen visa for New Year in Europe? At least 15 calendar days before travel, but because December is so busy you should apply much earlier. You can apply up to 6 months in advance.

Do I need a visa for Thailand? Burgundy passport holders don't need a visa for tourist stays of up to 30 days. You must fill in the Thailand Digital Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival.

How do I get a Russian visa for New Year? Burgundy passport holders need a visa, but you can get it electronically from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Tour programmes may ask you to apply at least 20 working days in advance.