What currency should you bring

Currency in Turkey

You can exchange currency anywhere in Turkiye, in almost 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- will all tell you they have the best exchange rates. No, they don’t. It’s worth noting that banks have currency exchange stalls at 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, a travel agent, or a kiosk.

Currency rates on 30 October. 2026

• 1 Dollar is 50 TL
• 1 Euro is 56 TL
• 1 Sterling is 67 TL

Exchange offices are available in larger cities such as Istanbul and Antalya; their transparent, flashing currency-rate displays make them easy to spot.

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 platforms where people write, “Turks love sterling or euro.” The truth is, they don’t care which currency you pay in as long as you pay. Most tourists struggle with currency exchange rates. Salespeople find it easy to show prices in your currency so you can understand them better, and the selling process can be much smoother. This is why we display our prices on this site in foreign currency.

ATMs are everywhere; you can withdraw cash in Turkish Lira, dollars, or euros from most of them. Most cash machine screens also offer English in most parts of Turkey, especially in tourist areas.
If you use cash machines often, we suggest checking the commission rates with your bank to avoid surprise bills when you return home.

Where, what Currency?

Although foreign currency is widely accepted across Turkey, you may still have issues in certain areas.

You can use and exchange Sterling, Dollars, and Euros in the main tourist areas, such as Istanbul, Antalya, Dalaman, Fethiye, Marmaris, Kusadasi, Cappadocia, etc.

In non-tourist areas, it’s wise to be prepared, as you may find it challenging to use your currency.

Take with you small banknotes in fives and tens. These will make it easy to use your currency for small purchases.

Scottish Bank Notes
Scottish banknotes are unfamiliar, so you may have trouble using them; the same goes for 50 sterling banknotes.