Getting your money sorted before and during a trip to Türkiye is straightforward once you know the local landscape. The lira has fluctuated significantly over recent years, which means exchange rates change fast - but it also means your euros or dollars go further than you might expect. Here is what you need to know to avoid losing money to bad rates, high ATM fees, or unnecessary card charges.
The Turkish Lira: Currency and Denominations
The official currency is the Turkish lira (Türk lirası), abbreviated TRY and written with the symbol ₺. Coins come in 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 kuruş denominations, and 1 lira and 5 lira coins. Banknotes circulate in ₺5, ₺10, ₺20, ₺50, ₺100, ₺200, ₺500, and ₺1,000 denominations.
In practice, the ₺1,000 note is the workhorse for larger purchases, while ₺50 and ₺100 notes handle most everyday transactions. Keep a supply of smaller notes - ₺10s and ₺20s - for market stalls, minibuses (dolmuş), street food vendors, and tips.
Prices can look large due to inflation: a cup of çay might be ₺30, a taxi from the airport ₺500 or more. Don’t be alarmed - divide by the current exchange rate and you’ll usually find things are reasonably priced.
Exchanging Money
Döviz bürosu (currency exchange offices) are the best places to exchange cash in Türkiye. They are widespread in Istanbul’s tourist neighbourhoods (Sultanahmet, Beyoğlu, the Grand Bazaar), in resort towns along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, and at major transport hubs. Rates at exchange offices consistently beat those at banks and airports.
A few practical tips:
- Avoid airport exchanges - they offer some of the worst rates you’ll find anywhere in the country. If you land with no lira at all, withdraw a small amount from an airport ATM instead.
- Compare the board rate before handing over cash. Rates between neighbouring exchange offices can differ by a few percent, which adds up on larger sums.
- No commission is standard. If an office advertises “no commission,” that’s normal, not special - the spread between buy and sell rates is where they make money.
- Euros and US dollars are the easiest foreign currencies to exchange everywhere. British pounds are accepted at most exchange offices in tourist areas. Other currencies may be harder to convert outside of Istanbul.
ATMs: Availability and Fees
ATMs are plentiful throughout Türkiye - you’ll find them in every city, town, and most resort villages. Major networks include Garanti BBVA, İş Bankası, Yapı Kredi, Ziraat, and Akbank, all of which work reliably with international cards.
Watch out for the dynamic currency conversion (DCC) trap. Many Turkish ATMs prompt you to accept a conversion in your home currency. Always choose to be charged in Turkish lira - the ATM’s conversion rate is typically 3–7% worse than your bank’s rate.
Typical ATM withdrawal limits are between ₺5,000 and ₺10,000 per transaction, though this varies by machine and by your home bank’s settings. If you need to withdraw more, try multiple machines or multiple transactions.
Your home bank will likely charge a foreign transaction fee (commonly 1–3%) plus a flat withdrawal fee. Cards from fee-free travel banks (Revolut, Wise, Charles Schwab in the US, Starling in the UK) eliminate most of these charges and are worth having for a longer trip.
Card Acceptance
Visa and Mastercard are accepted across the vast majority of hotels, restaurants, shops, and supermarkets in cities and resort areas. American Express has limited acceptance and is mainly confined to upmarket hotels and international chains.
Expect to use cash in these situations:
- Local bazaars, market stalls, and the Grand Bazaar (many vendors prefer cash)
- Small guesthouses (pansiyon) and family-run restaurants outside tourist hubs
- Dolmuş (shared minibuses) and rural transport
- Entry fees at smaller archaeological sites and mosques
- Street food vendors and çay bahçesi (tea gardens)
Contactless payments work at most modern terminals. Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted at a growing number of larger retailers and chain restaurants.
Planning a budget before you exchange anything? Our trip cost calculator gives an estimate in US dollars.
Tipping Norms
Tipping is appreciated but not aggressive in Türkiye. A brief overview:
- Restaurants: 10% is a reasonable norm at sit-down restaurants. Check whether a service charge (servis ücreti) is already included.
- Taxis: Rounding up the fare is common; a formal tip is not expected.
- Hammams: 20–30% on top of the service fee is standard and important - the attendant (telak) relies on this income significantly.
- Hotels: ₺50–100 per bag for porters; ₺100–200 per night for housekeeping in mid-range to upmarket properties.
For a full breakdown of tipping customs and cultural etiquette, see our tipping and etiquette guide.
Cash or Card: Our Recommendation
Bring both. Cards are convenient for hotels, restaurants, and larger purchases - they also give you a traceable record of spending. Cash is essential for markets, local transport, small vendors, and anywhere outside the main tourist trail.
A practical approach for most trips:
- Before you leave: Get a fee-free travel card (Wise or Revolut) loaded with your home currency. This is especially useful for ATM withdrawals.
- On arrival: Withdraw ₺1,000–2,000 from an airport ATM to cover your first taxi and tips, then exchange the bulk of your cash at a döviz bürosu in the city at better rates.
- During your trip: Keep ₺300–500 in small notes on hand for daily cash needs. Top up at city ATMs as needed, and avoid airport or hotel exchange desks.
The lira’s ongoing weakness against major currencies means your spending power is generally strong - but it also means staying aware of the current rate before you convert large sums. A quick check of the live rate on a financial site before exchanging will always give you a benchmark for negotiating or choosing between exchange offices.