It's generally better to use Turkish Lira (TRY) for most expenses in Turkey to get the best rates and avoid markups, though carrying some Euros (EUR) or Pounds (GBP) for exchange or specific tourist spots is practical; always pay in Lira if given the choice, especially when using cards, and use ATMs in Turkey for better exchange rates than in your home country.
While the Turkish lira is the official currency and is accepted nationwide, there are businesses that will accept euros, or even request it as the preferred currency. The businesses accepting euros are often bigger and can often be found in larger cities, border areas or tourist hubs.
What currency is best to take to Turkey from the UK?
Euros/Dollars/Sterling are all readily accepted and you can buy TL over there. If you use a decent credit card such as Halifax Clarity then you won't pay any fees for cash withdrawals or purchase transactions.
The best currency to use is lira but you will usually get a better rate over there so I would say take sterling and exchange for lira when you get there. Don't bother with euros or you will lose out.
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.
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.
It's generally better to take British Pounds (GBP) to Turkey and exchange them for Turkish Lira (TRY) upon arrival for better rates, as local exchange offices often offer much better deals than in the UK. While some tourist spots accept GBP, paying in Lira ensures better value and avoids hidden markups, especially when using cards with no foreign transaction fees like a Wise or Revolut card, or a dedicated travel card like Hays Travel.
While it may not be the same in every location and for every card, HSBC and Ziraat Bank are a couple of the banks which don't tend to charge ATM fees. Some travellers also report that Halkbank, PTT and ING have fee-free ATMs too, but you'll need to check this for yourself to see if it's still the case.
No, British citizens usually don't need a visa for tourism or business in Turkey for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, but your passport must be valid for at least 150 days (about 5 months) from your arrival date and have a blank page. For other purposes like work or study, or if you have a different type of British passport, you will need a visa, so check the official Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website or GOV.UK's Turkey page before traveling.
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.
It's a good idea to budget for at least 150 Turkish Lira per day – that's about £20, and should cover the basics. Bargaining (haggling) is very common in Turkey, particularly in bazaars, and it can be a lot of fun! In Northern Cyprus, it's not as common, although you can often barter in markets.
How to sell your lira. It's simple to sell back your Turkish lira for GBP. Regardless of where you bought your travel money from, you can exchange your TRY for pounds in one of eurochange's 240+ UK branches or online. Selling back with eurochange means no hidden fees, professional service, and fair, transparent rates.
