Currency for Istanbul
 

What is the best currency to use in Istanbul - dollars, euros, or lira?

The official currency is the lira... so I would exchange to that. But they will probably accept euro's and/or dollars, but you will then probably loose some on the exchange rate.

I was in Istanbul this summer for a few days and had a hard time exchanging my money once I was there. I came with US dollars (I spent the summer in Israel and so I didn't have any Euros on me) and expected to be able to use them. Well, you can technically use them, but be prepared to get ripped off. At least that's how I felt.

Also, some of the main tourist spots such as Topkapi Palace only accepted Lira. I didn't know what else to do, so I ended up taking money out of a bank machine. I didn't really know how much I was paying - but I was left with no choice!

I would definitely recommend changing some of your money before hand - so you don't end up in the same situation as I did.

Use an ATM to obtain new turkish lira. Did not have any problem.

For our trip in two weeks, all the hotels offer a 10% discount for payment in cash, and all accept US$. So my plan is to take enough cash to pay hotels, and then get lira from ATMs for daily expenses, using credit cards/AmEx where accepted. Doing this, we will avoid transaction and currency exchange fees. Only downside is carrying large amounts of cash, which makes me somewhat nervous . . . .

Currancy in Turkey is YTL, New Turkish Lira (without 6 zeros now )
At touristy places and resorts, shops, hotels etc. woul'nt mind any currancy to accept with the current exchange rate or sometime little less.

The best option is to change your currancy at airport in Istanbul. Banks are open 7/24 and much better exchange rate than your home. Also in Istanbul and big cities there are exchange booths called "Doviz Burosu" where you can change money. Banks and most post offices are ofcourse other option. Anywhere in Turkey jewellery shops who sells gold are also kind of exchange office both for locals and tourists.

Probably in whole Europe exchanging money or using foreign currancy for shopping Turkey is the easiest....

Even now there are ATM's paying foreign currancy to avoid exchange commissions.

RSN: Expecting museums to accept foreign currancy is a bit naive as they are government managed and tickets are issued in YTL (new Turkish lira )
As one can not spent Euros at Tate or National History Museum and such, in Turkey museums will not accept other currancy than Turkish Lira.....

Happy travelling, happy spending :-)

Murat