Turkey Currency & Travel Money | Turkish Lira | Thomas Cook (2024)

The currency of Turkey/ Türkiye is the Lira (TL / TRY).

We always advise changing your £ sterling before you travel to Turkey (officially Türkiye) for the best rates. Plus, if you order your travel money online you’ll receive it in a couple of business days! There are exchange kiosks at Turkey's airports and in some hotels, but rates are usually less competitive and you may be hit with commission charges.

Using cards in Turkey / Türkiye

In popular tourist destinations like Istanbul, Marmaris, Antalya and Bodrum, you’ll have little difficulty using your credit or debit card in shops, restaurants, hotels, nightlife venues and major attractions. However, it's always worth contacting your bank before any transactions to make sure you won’t be charged a fee.

Withdrawing cash

A cash machine or ATM is known as a ‘bankamatik’ in Turkey. Most ATMs don't charge for withdrawls – but your own bank might, plus a foreign exchange fee, so you'll need to factor that into your budgeting. If you think you’ll need to withdraw cash regularly, make larger withdrawals and fewer trips to the cash machine to minimise the fees. Make sure you're vigilant whenever you withdraw money from a cash machine as fraud is common.

In more remote areas cash machines may not be widely available, so always bring enough cash in case of an emergency. If you need to exchange sterling for Turkish currency, you can visit a bank or travel agent, although remember to have your passport in hand.

Other handy money tips for your holiday to Turkey/ Türkiye

Remember travellers' cheques? Don't take them toTurkeyas they're not usually accepted any more. But don't worry, you can still get extra security for your money with a travel money card, which you load up with Turkey currency and use just like a credit or debit card.

Before you jet off, don’t forget to notify your bank to let them know about your upcoming trip. That's because sometimes banks will block transactions if they suspect suspicious activity, especially if you’re using your card abroad several times a day.

Turkey Currency & Travel Money | Turkish Lira | Thomas Cook (2024)

FAQs

Should I exchange money before I travel to Turkey? ›

If you're worried about showing up in Turkey with absolutely no local currency, you could always exchange some of your spending money before you leave. It's worth noting, though, that the exchange rates at home are often not as good as the rate you'll get upon arrival in Turkey.

What is best currency to take to Turkey? ›

One thing to note is that due to the volatility of the Turkish Lira, euros is often accepted in Turkey and can even be requested as the main currency. It's often a good idea to take a combination of Lira and euros in cash and currency on the Travelex Money Card.

Is it better to buy Turkish Lira in Turkey? ›

You always get a better rate for Turkish Lira in Turkey than you will in your home country. 2. The rates in the resorts are never as good as they are in a town or city. Invariably, tourist resorts and airports will offer you less.

Is it better to take USD or Lira to Turkey? ›

The best currency to take to Turkey is the local currency, the Turkish lira. US dollars are also highly exchangeable at local banks and currency exchange offices. However, instead of converting physical banknotes, the cheapest way to pay in Turkey is to use a multi-currency travel debit card like Revolut or Wise.

Should I carry cash in Turkey? ›

Yes. Cash is very widely used in Turkey so you'll need to have some lira with you when you're there.

What is the best currency to take to Turkey 2024? ›

You can't use pounds in Turkey. Prices will be shown in lira, and you'll need to use TRY notes if you pay in cash. If you use a card, you'll find your bank or travel money card can convert pounds to lira automatically, which can also be a convenient option.

How much does $100 dollars make in Turkey? ›

US Dollars to Turkish Liras conversion rates
USDTRY
100 USD3,226.93 TRY
500 USD16,134.66 TRY
1,000 USD32,269.32 TRY
5,000 USD161,346.61 TRY
7 more rows

Are American dollars accepted in Turkey? ›

Euros and US Dollars might be accepted in some businesses, especially in tourist areas, but it's not universally accepted.

Can I tip with US Dollars in Turkey? ›

Tip in the local currency

Whenever you tip during your trip to Turkey it is important to use the local currency, that is - Turkish liras. Otherwise you'll leave your service providers with cash they can't use without paying high fees on currency exchange.

How much is $1 US in Turkey? ›

1 USD = 32.586402 TRY Apr 23, 2024 08:39 UTC

Check the currency rates against all the world currencies here. The currency converter below is easy to use and the currency rates are updated frequently.

Do Turkey prefer euros or lira? ›

In Turkey, the preferred currency is the Turkish lira. It holds the highest level of acceptance throughout the country. While some places may also accept euros and other currencies, opting for the local one consistently provides a more favourable exchange rate and better value.

How much do you tip in Turkey? ›

Turkish food is one of a kind worldwide, so tipping at restaurants has become much more common and expected throughout Turkey. A tip of 10% - 15% is considered appropriate at most places. You can leave it in cash on the table or ask the waiter to add it to the bill.

What things are cheap in Turkey? ›

Prices may vary depending on location and quality, but you can generally find many goods cheaper than in other European countries. Popular items to buy include textiles, ceramics, and leather goods which are offered at very reasonable prices, particularly when purchasing handmade goods from local markets and bazaars.

Is 200 lira a good tip? ›

A good tip in Turkey currently is between 150 – 200 turkish lira which is around 5$ or€. Always remember, the quality of service should dictate the tip, but this amount would certainly be appreciated by the recipient.

Is 7000 Turkish lira enough for a week? ›

Is 7,000 Turkish Lira enough to visit Turkey for 2 people for 7 days? Generally it's enough when you don't overspend yourself and don't want to do all at once.

Should I exchange money before I travel or when I get there? ›

To get the best currency exchange rates, you'll want to change money before you leave the country.

Is it better to exchange money before you travel? ›

One of the best ways to minimize currency exchange fees is to visit your bank or credit union before you leave the U.S. to exchange dollars for the currency of your destination.

Is it better to exchange currency before going to a foreign country? ›

Order Foreign Currency Before You Go. Ordering currency from your bank before you travel is almost always better than using the airport currency exchange. Sally French is a travel rewards expert who joined NerdWallet in 2020.

Where is the best place to exchange money for Turkey? ›

If you want to buy Turkish lira holiday money online from the Post Office, you can enjoy great rates and 0% commission. You could pop into thousands of participating branches or get yourself a Travel Money Card.

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