Turkish Currency & Money Exchange Guide (2025): What Travelers Need to Know

Understanding how money works in Türkiye is key to a smooth travel experience — from avoiding high exchange fees to knowing when and where to use cash or card. In 2025, the Turkish lira continues to fluctuate, making smart currency exchange and spending habits more important than ever. This guide covers everything travelers need to know: where to get the best exchange rates, how to safely use ATMs, and tips for budgeting your trip across Türkiye.

Whether you’re budgeting for a backpacking adventure or a luxury resort stay, this article covers everything you need to know about money in Türkiye in 2025.

💱 What Currency Is Used in Turkey?

• Official Currency: Turkish Lira
• Symbol: ₺ or TL
• Currency Code: TRY

💰 Banknote Denominations:

• ₺5, ₺10, ₺20, ₺50, ₺100, ₺200

🪙 Coin Denominations (Kuruş):

• 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 kuruş and ₺1 coin

📉 Currency Exchange Rate (as of 2025)

The Turkish lira is highly volatile, so the exchange rate can change rapidly. As of May 2025:

• 1 USD ≈ 32-34 TRY
• 1 EUR ≈ 35-37 TRY
• 1 GBP ≈ 41-43 TRY

💡 Tip: Always check live rates on platforms like XE.com or use currency converter apps before exchanging money.

🏦 Best Ways to Exchange Money in Turkey

1. Exchange Bureaus (Döviz Bürosu)

• Found in airports, tourist zones, and city centers
• Offer better rates than airports
• No commission in most cases
• Open extended hours in big cities

✅ Best for cash exchanges
❌ Avoid in airports and tourist traps

2. ATMs (Bankamatik)

• Widely available in all cities, towns, and airports
• Most offer English menu options
• Use only major banks: Ziraat Bankası, Garanti BBVA, Akbank, İşbank
• Avoid third-party ATMs (Euronet etc.) due to high hidden fees

✅ Convenient & safe
❌ Foreign cards may incur 2–5% bank fees

3. Cash Withdrawals with Travel Cards

Use low-fee travel debit cards like:

4. Currency Exchange at Hotels or Shops

• Worst exchange rates
• Meant for convenience, not value

❌ Not recommended unless it’s an emergency

💳 Credit & Debit Card Use in Turkey

• Widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, shopping malls
• Contactless payments are common
• Smaller shops and bazaars may prefer cash
• Preferred Cards: Visa, Mastercard
• American Express: Limited acceptance

💡 Always choose to pay in TRY, not your home currency, to avoid dynamic currency conversion scams.

📱 Mobile Payment & Digital Wallets

Türkiye is rapidly digitalizing payments. Locals often use:

• TROY (Turkey’s national card system)
• Apple Pay & Google Pay (in select establishments)
• Trendyol Pay and Hepsipay (for locals)

Tourists can use their international wallets only if linked to a supported bank/card. Still, cash remains king in small towns and bazaars.

🚫 Common Money Scams to Avoid

1. “Commission-Free” Exchanges That Trick You

They may hide bad rates instead. Always calculate the amount you receive in advance.

2. Taxi Overcharges

• Always insist on the meter.
• Use apps like BiTaksi or Uber (in Istanbul).

3. Counterfeit Bills

• Don’t accept old or torn notes
• Avoid exchanging money on the street
• Inspect ₺200 and ₺100 notes carefully

💸 How Much Cash Should You Carry?

• Major cities: Carry less cash, cards accepted
• Small towns/rural areas: Cash is essential

✈️ Should You Exchange Money Before Traveling to Turkey?

• No need to carry large amounts of lira into Türkiye.
• Bring USD, EUR, or GBP and exchange locally for better rates.
• Always declare amounts over €10,000 (or equivalent) at customs.

🏧 ATM Safety Tips

1. Use ATMs attached to bank branches, not standalone machines.
2. Cover your hand when entering your PIN.
3. Reject dynamic currency conversion offers at ATMs.
4. Keep a small emergency stash of EUR/USD in your bag.

🧾 Tipping & Gratuity in Türkiye

Tipping isn’t mandatory, but it’s appreciated:

Always tip in Turkish lira, not foreign coins or bills.

🧠 Key Turkish Phrases for Currency & Payments

📲 Useful Apps for Currency & Money

• XE Currency – live exchange rate tracker
• Wise – borderless banking + low-cost transfers
• BiTaksi – pay taxis with card or cash
• Getir/Trendyol – shopping & food delivery with in-app payments
• Google Pay / Apple Wallet – for supported cards