How much lira should I take to Turkey for 2 weeks?
For a 2-week trip to Turkey, a reasonable budget (excluding accommodation/major tours) is roughly 15,000–25,000 TRY per person, covering daily expenses, meals, and entry fees. Budget around 1,000–2,000 TRY daily for a comfortable experience, though this can vary based on spending habits and locations like Istanbul vs. smaller coastal towns.
Accordingly, if your goal is to spend a vacation in Turkey, it is better to have around 2000 Liras in cash with you to pay expenses such as transportation in the city, entrance of tourist centers, food, souvenirs, etc.; in this way, you can have the remaining amount in cash in Dollars to pay expenses such as shopping ...
So it's worth getting to know what each Turkish lira note equates to in pounds, so you have a rough idea of costs. While 100 Turkish lira sounds like a lot, for example, bear in mind that it generally equates to a few pounds – or less – depending on the exchange rate.
200 is a lot and I'm sure it doesn't feel nice to be taken advantage of just because you're a tourist...but I usually encourage tourists to tip here, even 50 lira will be acceptable and appreciated even though it's literally a dollar.
A two week trip to Turkey on average costs around $1,857 (₺79,898) for one person and $3,713 (₺159,796) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
What money should you take to Turkey? Cash or Card
Is 7000 Turkish lira enough for a week?
Generally it's enough when you don't overspend yourself and don't want to do all at once. Just my advice here is, don't come now and wait at least beyond September. Either make your plans for end of September or October, when the weather is still Okey and the crowd is a bit less.
Tipping is expected in Türkiye, especially in touristy areas. If you're happy with the service you receive in restaurants, tip 10-15%. But check whether a service charge has already been included in your bill first.
In neighborhood coffeehouses or small restaurants, a cup of Turkish coffee typically costs 7-20 TRY. In more popular cafés or tourist areas, this price can rise to 40-60 TRY. In luxury hotels and fine-dining restaurants, specially prepared Turkish coffee can exceed 100 TRY.
It's the only legal tender in Turkey. Local shops, transport services, and restaurants mostly deal in Lira. Paying in Lira avoids the poor exchange rates offered at shops that accept Euros.
Do you need cash in Türkiye? Credit cards and debit cards are accepted all over Türkiye, but it's also a good idea to have some lira with you. If you're visiting a market like the Grand Bazaar, you may find that cash is preferred.
Shipping costs / expedited shipping: There could be shipping and mailing costs associated with different gifts. For example, if you mail holiday cards, this could be the only time of the year that you buy stamps. And, if you need your gift to arrive before a specific date, be prepared to pay a premium for the service.
You can apply for your e-Visa any time before your travel. However, you are advised to create an e-Visa application at least 48 hours before your departure.
British citizens visiting Turkey for up to 90 days in a 180 day period won't need a Visa. To enter Turkey, your passport must have an 'expiry date' at least 150 days after the date you arrive and at least 1 blank page.
Bellboys usually receive 20–50 Turkish Lira depending on the number of bags. Housekeeping staff should get 20–30 TL per night. You can also give one larger tip at the end of your stay. For concierge services such as booking tickets or arranging a car, 50–100 TL is suitable.
You can enter Türkiye with any amount of cash in any currency, including the local currency, Turkish lira (TRY). And unlike with some other countries, you don't need to make a declaration to Turkish customs when you arrive. This is unless you're carrying other restricted, prohibited, taxable or dutiable goods.
Generally speaking, many establishments in Turkey accept debit cards, especially cards affiliated with major international payment networks like Visa or Mastercard.
Waitrose has the best Turkish lira rate right now at 51.8178. You'll need to order online to guarantee this rate; it may be lower if you turn up unannounced and buy over the counter.
