Currency for Turkey

[Aldoscott]

Can anyone recommend the best currency to take to Istanbul & Ephesus?

 

Thanks

[Summer1961]

US dollars are accepted in most places, but when we visited Istanbul in Fall 2009 they only acceted Turkish Lira at Haya Sofia (sp?). You can get some a a local ATM.

 

Enjoy your visit!

[mferranti]

They'll take dollars and euros just about everywhere, along with the Turkish currency. Even the post office accepted all 3 as of a few weeks ago.

[Blanco-Grande]

The ship will convert currency for a small fee

[pris993]

Euros are the local currency now, you will find some still take dollars.

[Valley Girl of VA]

The tram only takes Turkish Lira so if you plan to ride it like we did, make sure you get some. What we did was to go to a Change store - they are all over and just changed either Euros or Dollars for a few lira. Also, if you buy anything, you can request your change in lira. We had guides so we didn't need to get lira for any of the museums. Before you buy anything in the Grand Bazaar, etc, tell them what currency you will be paying in then get a price.

[texancruzer]

Aldoscott: are you on the Nov. 7th Equinox cruise ? If so, you should come over to the roll call and join the other 100+ of us over there.

 

Lots of discussion on whats going on during our cruise.....etc,

 

Depending on what you are doing in both Istanbul and Kusadasi - you may need some Turkish Lira.

 

If you are taking a tour and nothing else you probably won't need any lira.

If you are wandering around on your own - I would get some lira.

 

Most places where you would shop will take euros, dollars or lira. We even used our master card in the Grand Bazaar last time.....

 

But all government sites like Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern will only take lira.

 

There are ATM's EVERYWHERE - just pull out some lira from one of those. Best exchange rate you will get. The change store will be one of the worst exchange rates and when we were there the ship did not have Turkish Lira at all.

 

Anyway - come join us on the roll call......

[Redtravel]

I spent 2 weeks in Turkey last year. They do NOT want dollars. In tourist places, euros may be accepted. In those places, prices are vastly inflated. Turkish lira is the official currency. A lira is worth about 60 cents. Reputable places take credit cards. Bargain for almost everything. Start by offering 1/4 of the price and usually settle for less than 1/2. For example, I tried to buy a souvenir bracelet in Istanbul. Asking price was 4 euros( $5.50) for one. The settled price was one lira ($0.60) for 2. The only place that I paid the posted price was in a restaurant, museum, or tram. ....and I probably could have bargained for these too. Lots of great things to do in Turkey. Have fun.

[billie5]

Euros are the local currency now.

 

This is incorrect. The Turkish lira (formerly called the new Turkish lira) is the local currency in Turkey. However, others are correct that in most (but not all) tourist situations dollars and euros will be accepted.

 

Incidentally, if you still have any of the older Turkish lira (issued before 2005), they are currently worthless as a currency.

 

Bill

[Albert Ross]

Can anyone recommend the best currency to take to Istanbul & Ephesus?

 

Thanks

The Turkish lira is their currency

 

 

 

Euros are the local currency now, you will find some still take dollars.

no the euro is not the currency, it is the Turkish lira

[Keith1010]

Can anyone recommend the best currency to take to Istanbul & Ephesus?

 

Thanks

 

Turkish Lira is needed for entrance fees.

 

Other than that British Pounds (I see you are from Scotland), Euros and USA currency is widely accepted.

 

Keith

[dzcruisers]

We were there in Sept. Cab drivers, street vendors, and lots of other places want Turkish Lira. If they exchange your dollars and euros for you it is at a most unfavorable rate. From our experience you are better off getting Turkish Lira and using that. A lot of them that would take dollars and euros wanted to do it on an even exchange $1. = 1 Turkish Lira when in reality $1. US is about 1.75 TL. Maybe from this you can see where it is better to have Turkish Lira. It costs you a lot less.

We found the restaurants took TL or Visa or mastercard. We did not find places that took American Express.

We were there for 5 days at the end of our cruise.

[sandancer]

Euros are the local currency now, you will find some still take dollars.

Have just returned from 3 weeks in Turkey and Turkish Lira was universally used. Euros are accepted but definately not the local currency. Turkey is not in the Eurozone.

[golferbogie]

Can anyone recommend the best currency to take to Istanbul & Ephesus?

 

Thanks

Just got back from the Constellation with stops in Turkey and Greek Islands. In Turkey, most places take Turkish Lira or Euros. Official sites mostly only take Lira. Many money changers and ATM's around with choice of currency you get.

[jem57]

we travel to turkey frequently,we were there last week,turkish lira,euros and in the shops they will accept english pounds but not scottish:)

[Valley Girl of VA]

I agree that the Change Store has the worst exchange rate but for us who only wanted 8 TL, it was better than going to the ATM and having to get a minimum amount.

[dzcruisers]

I agree that the Change Store has the worst exchange rate but for us who only wanted 8 TL, it was better than going to the ATM and having to get a minimum amount.

 

Some of the merchants that take euros or dollars have worse exchange rates than the Change store.