Currency in Turkey
You can exchange your currency anywhere in Turkiye, almost in any shop, and you can also use your money to shop in Tourist areas.
Whatever you do, do not exchange your currency in your home country.
Banks, Tour Operators, Post offices, you name it, all will tell you that they have the best exchange rates. No, they don’t. It would be right to note that banks have currency exchange stalls upon your arrival at the Turkish Airports; they are a rip-off and will take advantage of you. So, try to avoid them like the plague.
Your best move would be to exchange your currency in Turkey. Wait until you get to your hotel, then head to town. You can change in any shop, whether it is a jewellery shop, travel agent, or kiosk.
Exchange offices are available in larger cities such as Istanbul and Antalya; they are easy to spot with their transparent flashing Currency rate displays.
Please remember that, unlike in Europe, you can shop with your currency, Sterling, Dollar, or euro, as long as you don’t expect a change in your currency.
You might come across some platforms where people write; Turks love sterling or euro. The truth is, they don’t care which currency you pay as long as you pay. Most tourists struggle with currency exchange rates. Salespeople find it easy to tell you the prices in your currency so that you can understand them better, and the selling progress can be much smoother. This is one of the reasons why we are displaying our prices on this site in foreign currency.
ATMs are everywhere; you can withdraw cash from most of them in Turkish Lira, Dollar, or Euro. English is also an option on most Cash machine screens in most parts of Turkey, especially in the Tourist areas.
If you use the cash machines often, we suggest you check the commission rates with your bank to avoid surprise bills when you return home.