Money in Turkey
 

Is it best to use Turkish Lira, Euros or U.S. Dollars in Turkey? We have some Euros left over from a trip to Italy in November. Would this be acceptable for a cab ride from the airport to hotel? Earlier posts indicate that ATM machines are plentiful in Istanbul, and that is usually the way we get cash during our travels.

You'll have to use Turkish currency just about everywhere, except for those few businesses willing to make the conversion for you. Definitely not in a taxi. And before you enter into such a conversion be sure you know the current conversion rate or risk losing money in the process. Getting money from ATMs will eliminate a lot of this problem. Change your Euros at a local bank in Turkey.

Turkey has introduced a new currency this month, called yeni lira (TRY) or new lira. I yeni equals 1 million old lira, which is now a coin. Old notes will remain valid alongside the new to the end of 2005.

Hi Carroll,

You will be able to use all three currencies at the Grand Bazaar, Spice Mkt., Arasta Bazaar, the surrounding carpet shops, and many hotels. Some places will even give you change in the currency you paid with.

We got our Turkish lira from an ATM right at the line where we waited to pay for our visas. Easy! ATMS are everywhere.

Generally, you will have to use the Turkish currency.

In some places where tourists like to shop, they may accept EUROS or US Dollars. But in my dealings with shop keepers, I found you might not get the best rate when using foreign currencies.

My advice would be to get familiar with the lira, and be comfortable using it for everything. Sure, if you have a few extra EUROS, bring them along and pay for a souvenir or carpet. But you will do yourself a favor by dealing with the native currency, in my opinion.

I've always cringed at the idea of using US currency in a foreign country. But when planning our trip to Turkey, we had quotes from two hotels and from the Cappadocia Balloon company, giving us considerably better rates if we would pay cash in US dollars. So we did.

Patrick - touche. Very interesting. I guess it pays to be flexible.

But it was good that you were able to compare. I worry that sometimes people blindly pay the sticker price in EUROS or USD and don't notice what Turks are paying...