Turkey - currency etc.

Poppy9

I'm holidaying in Turkey for the first time this year. I am unsure of the best way to take spending money etc.

Normally I just take some local currency (in the Euro zone/US) and then use cashpoint machines to get money out - I have a Nationwide cashcard.

Sorry to sound so stupid but are cashpoints plentiful in Turkey? Will Nationwide charge me for each withdrawl? Or should I go for travellers cheques?

apt

Yes, there are plenty of cash machines and Nationwide will not charge you.

annod27

hi ive had the same problem deciding what to do as based on forums i have found they say to take sterling,euros and lira some say take a mix of all 3 some say just lira's some say sterling and lira i had never been so confused,but they all tend to say do not take travellers cheques,so ive gone with changing majority to lira and the rest ill take in sterling,but if i had card that i would'nt get charged i would of just changed a small amount to lira to last a day or 2 and a small amount sterling then just use the card and draw out money every couple of days when needed.hope i have not confused you more.

davetrousers

What do you mean by a Nationwide Cashcard? Is it the Flex Account?

Raven

Poppy9 wrote: »

I'm holidaying in Turkey for the first time this year. I am unsure of the best way to take spending money etc.

Normally I just take some local currency (in the Euro zone/US) and then use cashpoint machines to get money out - I have a Nationwide cashcard.

Sorry to sound so stupid but are cashpoints plentiful in Turkey? Will Nationwide charge me for each withdrawl? Or should I go for travellers cheques?

Hi there,


I'm sure you are aware that you will need a new crisp Bank of England £10 note (per person, not a £20 for two people) for your entry visa when you land.


Also worth noting if you purchase anything from the duty free shop when you arrive (ciggies, alcohol etc.) that these shops take Euro's, although they will take your card. (Useful if you still have Euro's left from your last trip)


If you bring sterling you will be able to change it locally at a better rate than you would get at Thomas Cook or The Post Office here in the uk.



As has already been said, if you are heading to any of the main resorts you wont have a problem finding an Atm.



Raven

kathandgeoff

Not an easy one this. We wnet to Marmaris last year & took Turkish Lira as it was our first time in Turkey & jkust assumed when in Turkey etc-- When we got there the shops seemed to want to trade in English currency.

This year therefore we sent to Side (very nice it was too!). We took some Lira & quite a lot of English money, guess what - the shops worked in Euros!

I would say take a bit of all sorts & as you say, take a card & withdraw from the ATM, as long as you're going to a place where they have los of ATMs & enjoy, it's a lovely country.

wallbash

Also In Side last July , it was warm.

And that was a problem , I was in a hotel a bus/taxi journey away from the town centre and an ATM. Did I want to travel in 40 plus heat to save a small amount of money on a transaction.
So I changed my money into Euros/ Lyria at an unfavourable rate. but 'hey' I was on hols and getting back to pool was higher on my list.

ellieo

hi
i take my nationwide flex card
i also take sterling as you get better deals round the markets and shops for a £10 note
i take a small amount of lira to last me a day or so as you will get a better rate there
never had any problems doing this way

jzr172

just got back from didim 1 week ago. they love english money, in the local town every thing was priced english an then shock when you pay in turkish you get there special converted rate:mad:.

We changed all are money over here got a rate of 2.17 when out there you could get 2.26 an if you changed more than 350 in one place you got 2.35. Which is a big difference.

Also be very careful which cash points you use as they like to copy your cards big time out there. My bank said its a big no no to use a card machine out there

Poppy9

To those that take sterling cash with them. What do you do with the money for the duration of the holiday? Do you carry it with you or do you leave it in hotel safe?

Thanks.