Türkiye (Turkey)
Currency in Turkey: what to use and how to exchange
Turkey uses the Turkish lira (TRY, ₺), with notes of ₺5–200 and about ₺56 to €1 in September 2026 (check). Carry small lira notes for taxis, markets and tips, withdraw from bank ATMs rather than exchange booths, and keep a card for hotels and larger restaurants.
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GuideTürkiye (Turkey)
Key facts
- Currency
- Turkish lira (TRY, ₺); notes ₺5–200
- Rough ratecheck
- About ₺56 = €1 (Sep 2026, check)
- Best way to get cash
- Bank ATM (Ziraat, İş Bankası, Garanti, Yapı Kredi); decline the ATM's own conversion
- Cash still needed for
- Taxis, small shops, markets, tips, dolmuş, some rural guesthouses
- Cards
- Accepted in hotels, chain restaurants and supermarkets; carry a backup
- Old lira notes
- Pre-2005 denominations are worthless; only current series accepted
- Airport exchange
- Works but rates are the worst you will see; change only a small amount on arrival
Details
The lira is a floating currency and has moved a lot in recent years, so treat any printed rate as a snapshot. Check the rate on the day you land, and again before a large cash withdrawal. Prices in shops are in lira; some tourist businesses quote euros or dollars for tours and balloon rides, but you can usually pay in lira at the day's rate.
The safest pattern is a card for big, traceable payments and cash for everything small. Hotels, chain restaurants, supermarkets and museum ticket offices take cards. Taxis, dolmuş minibuses, market stalls, small cafés and tips are cash-first, so keep a stack of ₺20, ₺50 and ₺100 notes. A ₺200 note can be hard to break early in the morning.
Withdraw from a bank ATM rather than a standalone exchange booth. Bank machines give a rate close to the interbank rate and charge a fixed fee per withdrawal; the fee is worth it if you take out a larger amount less often. When the machine offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and choose lira — the conversion it offers is usually worse. Exchange offices (döviz) in bazaars and city centres can beat airport rates for cash, but compare before handing over money.
Old lira notes from before the 2005 redenomination are worthless. If someone offers you a 'good rate' on the street, walk away; street exchange and unofficial guides selling tours on the pavement are the two most common money traps for visitors.
- Withdraw larger amounts less often to reduce fixed ATM fees.
- Keep small notes for tips: 5–10% in restaurants, round up taxis.
- Photograph your card numbers and keep them separate from the card.
- If a price is quoted in euros, ask for the lira price too.
| Payment | Where it works | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lira cash | Taxis, dolmuş, markets, small cafés, tips | Keep ₺20–100 notes; ₺200 is hard to break |
| Debit or credit card | Hotels, chain restaurants, supermarkets, museums | Tell your bank you are travelling; carry a backup card |
| Bank ATM | Everywhere in cities and most towns | Decline the ATM's own currency conversion |
| Exchange office (döviz) | Bazaars, city centres, some hotels | Compare rates; airport booths are the worst |
| Euros or dollars | Some tour operators, balloon companies, hotels | Lira is usually cheaper; ask before assuming |
Rates and card acceptance change; confirm on arrival (check).
Tips
Turkey runs on UTC+3 all year with no daylight saving, so banking hours and ATM availability follow a predictable clock wherever you are.
English is common in tourist trades but not universal in banks and small shops; a translation app helps at the counter.
Budget travellers should plan for cash-heavy days in smaller towns, where the nearest working ATM may be a bus ride away.
- Change a small amount at the airport for the first taxi, then use a city ATM.
- Use bank-branded ATMs inside a branch lobby when you can.
- Keep a few coins for public toilets and ferry turnstiles.
Questions people ask
What currency is used in Turkey?
The Turkish lira (TRY, ₺), with notes of ₺5–200 and coins below that. About ₺56 = €1 in September 2026 (check). Prices in shops are in lira; some tour operators quote euros or dollars.
Where is the best place to exchange money in Turkey?
A bank ATM is usually the best rate for card withdrawals — decline the machine's own currency conversion. For cash, exchange offices (döviz) in bazaars and city centres beat airport booths. Compare two or three before changing a large amount.
Is it better to bring cash or use a card in Turkey?
Use a card for hotels, chain restaurants and supermarkets, and carry lira cash for taxis, dolmuş, markets, small cafés and tips. Bring a backup card and some emergency cash in case an ATM rejects your card.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check