It's often a good idea to take a combination of Lira and euros in cash and currency on the Travelex Money Card. The Travelex Money Card is an easy way to convert pounds to lira and euros. Depending on what currency is being used more you can easily top up your card with more currency on the go.
The best currency to take to Turkey is the Turkish Lira (TRY), as it is the official currency and widely accepted for all transactions. While some places, especially in tourist areas, may accept euros or US dollars, using the local currency will typically provide better exchange rates and make transactions easier.
What money is used in Turkey? The currency is Turkish Lira (Türk Lirası). This is the official tender used in the whole country. You will see how much things cost quoted with TL or TRY and the symbol ₺.
Many hotels, restaurants, and shops accept euros in addition to the official currency, which is the Turkish lira (TRY). However, it's important to note that the exchange rate might not always be favorable, so you could end up paying more than if you used lira.
It's usually best to have both cash and a card when travelling in Turkey. You'll need cash for small shops and markets, taxis and buses, while it's often easier to pay in hotels and restaurants with a card.
What money should you take to Turkey? Cash or Card
Is 100 lira a good tip in Turkey for tourists?
As a rule of thumb, you are expected to tip between 5% to 10% in restaurants, cafés, and bars. Hotel staff, depending on their roles, might expect tips ranging from 20 to 100 Turkish Liras (TL) for their services. Taxi drivers generally do not receive tips, but it's customary to round up the fare.
There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency or Turkish lira you can take into Turkey. You must not take Turkish lira worth more than 5000 US dollars out of the country. If you have other currency worth more than 5000 US dollars to take out of Turkey, you must declare it to Turkish Customs.
As of January 1, 2023, Turkey has officially rolled out a 2% tourist tax, affecting almost all forms of paid accommodation and organised travel services.
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.
Can you use euros in Turkey? The lira is the official currency of Turkey and is accepted everywhere in the country. You may see prices quoted as euros in some tourist attractions in Istanbul and you can pay in euros or Turkish Lira.
The local currency in Turkey is the Turkish lira and each lira is divided into 100 kuruş. Some businesses in tourist areas might accept other currencies as well, such as euros, US dollars or pounds sterling. Although that can seem appealing, you should know that they're most likely including a markup.
Food and Restaurants: Prices vary widely based on location and type of dining. Enjoying a meal at an inexpensive restaurant will cost around 50 TRY, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant might set you back about 300 TRY. Supermarket Shopping: Prices in supermarkets are reasonable.
Due to the exchange rate practice, Turkiye has one of the lowest drug prices in Europe. There is a significant difference in the reference price of a product in Euros, which forms the basis for prices in Turkiye, and the actual price in Turkish lira because of the exchange rate.
Is it better to exchange money in the UK or Turkey?
Exchange rates are almost always better if your currency exchange is done in Turkey, and a good strategy is to take enough local currency for your first day or so, and change the rest once you arrive.
Do you declare cash you carry into or out of the UK?
You must declare cash of £10,000 or more to UK customs if you're carrying it between Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and a country outside the UK. If you're travelling as a family or group with more than £10,000 in total (even if individuals are carrying less than that) you still need to make a declaration.
How many hours is the flight from the UK to Turkey?
Flights from London to Turkey take 4 hours and 5 minutes if you land in Istanbul. Flights from Manchester to Istanbul take about 4 hours and 20 minutes. If you are looking for cheap flights to Turkey from London, the most affordable options will appear from Stansted Airport to Sabiha Gökçen International Airport.
Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Turkey. Most terrorist attacks have occurred in southeast Turkey, Ankara and Istanbul. You should remain aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.
