What Currency Can I Use in Turkey? Your Guide to Money in Turkey

Turkey is a fascinating country located at the crossroads between Europe and Asia. With its rich history stunning landscapes and mouthwatering cuisine, it’s no wonder that Turkey is such a popular travel destination. As you plan your upcoming trip, you’re probably wondering – what currency can I use in Turkey?

I recently took a trip to Turkey myself, so I wanted to share my firsthand experience to help other travelers figure out the best way to handle money matters in Turkey. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what currencies are commonly accepted, currency exchange, using credit cards, withdrawing cash, tipping, and more money tips for your trip to Turkey.

Turkish Lira (TRY) is the Official Currency

The official currency of Turkey is the Turkish lira (TRY). The lira is divided into 100 kuruş. Banknotes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20 50 100 and 200 liras. Coins come in 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 kuruş.

All prices in Turkey are generally quoted in liras. As a tourist, using the local currency wherever possible will always get you the best deals and prevent you from getting ripped off.

U.S. Dollars and Euros Also Accepted

While the Turkish lira is the official currency, U.S. dollars (USD) and euros (EUR) are also widely accepted especially in major tourist areas like Istanbul Cappadocia, etc.

In my experience, I found that many shops, restaurants, hotels, and other vendors in popular tourist spots accepted USD and EUR in addition to the lira.

However, you’ll always get a better exchange rate if you pay in liras. Paying in USD or euros usually means the vendor will apply a less favorable exchange rate, so you may end up paying more compared to if you had paid in liras.

Get Local Currency from an ATM

The best way to get Turkish lira is to withdraw it from an ATM once you arrive in Turkey. ATMs offer better exchange rates compared to airport currency exchanges.

I made sure to notify my bank before leaving that I was traveling to Turkey. Then when I arrived, I headed straight to an airport ATM to withdraw lira.

Throughout my trip, I got cash out from ATMs whenever I needed it. My debit card didn’t charge any foreign transaction fees, so it was very convenient.

Just be aware of your bank’s ATM withdrawal limits and fees. Some banks impose caps on how much you can withdraw in one day, and they may charge fees for international ATM usage.

Use Credit Cards for Major Purchases

While cash is king for small purchases in Turkey, I used my credit card for major expenses like hotels, tours, and nicer restaurant meals.

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted by most businesses in tourist areas. American Express isn’t as commonly accepted.

One tip – call your credit card company to let them know your travel dates and destinations before leaving. That way they won’t suspect fraudulent activity when they see international charges appearing.

Also check if your credit card charges foreign transaction fees. If so, consider getting a card without foreign fees to save on your Turkey trip.

Tips for Exchanging Foreign Cash

If you do end up with some foreign cash that you need to exchange, avoid airport currency exchange booths as they offer terrible rates.

Your hotel is usually a safer bet for exchanging money. Rates won’t be as good as the bank, but they’re better than the airport.

For the best exchange rates, visit an authorized bank once you’re in Turkey. Banks can also exchange your leftover lira back to dollars or euros when your trip ends.

And one important tip – hold onto any receipts from currency exchanges. You may need them to exchange your lira back to dollars/euros at the end of your trip.

Tipping Etiquette

Tips are appreciated in Turkey for good service. Here are some typical tipping guidelines:

• Restaurants – Around 10% is standard. If service was exceptional, 15% is appropriate.

• Taxis – Round up the fare or add a couple lira for a tip.

• Tour guides – For a full day tour, around $5-10 USD is a suitable tip.

• Hotels – About $2-3 USD per night for housekeeping is fine. Bellboys usually expect $1-2 USD per bag.

How to Save Money

Turkey offers terrific value for your money. Here are some tips to stretch your travel budget even further:

• Stay in hostels or budget hotels
• Take overnight buses/trains for long distance travel
• Eat street food or at local restaurants
• Haggle at bazaars and markets (politely of course!)
• Buy a Museum Pass for entry to historical sites
• Book activities like tours and hot air balloon rides in advance for discounts

The Turkish Lira – A Look at Its History

A quick interesting fact – the Turkish lira is one of the oldest currencies still in use today. It was originally introduced in 1844 during the Ottoman Empire.

The lira has undergone many changes and revaluations throughout its history, most recently in 2005 when six zeros were dropped due to high inflation.

Today, the lira remains relatively stable and is issued by the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey. All Turkish banknotes feature portraits of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Turkey.

The Bottom Line

• Get Turkish lira from an ATM
• Use credit cards for big purchases
• Exchange foreign cash at banks, not airports
• Remember local tipping etiquette
• Use lira over USD/euros when possible