Money & Currency

The national currency is the Turkish Lira (₺ / TRY). The exchange rate fluctuates greatly — check the current rate before traveling.

Reference Rates (as of early 2026)

1 € ≈ 35–38 ₺ (fluctuating). 1 CHF ≈ 38–41 ₺.

Withdrawing Money

• ATMs (Bankamatik): Available everywhere — at airports, in cities, at tourist spots. The Turkish bank often charges a fee of 15–30 ₺ per withdrawal.
• Best Cards: Visa and Mastercard are accepted everywhere. DKB, Barclays, Revolut, and Wise offer cheap foreign withdrawals. American Express is rarely accepted.
• Exchange Offices (Döviz Bürosu): Present in every city, better rates than hotels or airports. Keep the receipt!

Payment

• Credit Cards: Accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops, and supermarkets almost everywhere. Small shops and bazaars prefer cash.
• ALWAYS pay in Lira! Paying in Euro results in a 5–15% loss due to poor rates. Also at the ATM: choose "withdraw in local currency" (decline DCC).
• Cash: Always have some cash on hand (200–500 ₺) for Dolmuş, bazaars, small eateries, and rural areas.