Travelling to Turkey, what money do I take

wee_den

I have been on other travel sites, but not posted, and wondering what currency to take to Turkey?

Going in 12 days and some are saying English Sterling, some Euros, and a lot are saying take very little Turkish money.

What, from those who have been recently, would you advise and any other advice would be gratefully appreciated as this is the first time travelling to Turkey and I normally go all inclusive to anywhere abroad and this is the first time I am going B&B and don't know how much to take for the fortnight for me & my son (age 12) for eating and entertainment? My brother is taking £2.5k for the fortnight which I thought was a bit rich because I always thought Turkey was cheap.

Thanks

macman

Euros will be of little use, as Turkey isn't in the EU or Euro zone...you'll need Turkish currency for any cash purchases.
But are you seriously considering taking £2,5K in cash and changing it locally? That's insane-why not use local cash machines or a credit/debit card with low or zero overseas transaction charges?

balletshoes

If you're going to a Turkish resort, you will be able to pay for things in pounds Sterling, especially in souvenir shops and markets.

I don't bother taking turkish lira before I get there, I take my bank card and pounds in cash, then change it up as I need it (I take enough from my bank account to last 4 or 5 days if using the atm because of the foreign card use fee). You'll be able to change your sterling for turkish lira just about everywhere in the resort, grocery stores, hotels, restaurants, bars, travel offices etc etc - they will all advertise this service, and most are commission-free.

Depending on where you are going in Turkey, prices are not that cheap anymore - expect to pay around the same as you would here in the UK on a night out, and then you won't go far wrong.

wallbash

Euros will be of little use, as Turkey isn't in the EU or Euro zone.

I take it you have never been to Turkey ??
Have been a number of times and have ALWAYS used the euro
The shop keepers will take ANY money offered but watch the exchange rate

But the OP hasn't said where in Turkey she/he is going

£2.5 K sounds well over the top, but some people spend more than we do .

wee_den

I'm going to marmaris for 14 days and it's my brother that is taking the £2.5k which I thought was a but rich, thanks fir the advice so far thou x

PompeyPete

If you've already got some €uro then take it if you want, but you'll get better value by paying in Lira, and any change you get will be in Lira.

If you've already got your transfer from the airport paid for, then you might as well wait until your get to your resort before changing any money.

Feral_Moon

Euros/Dollars/Sterling are all readily accepted and you can buy TL over there. If you use a decent credit card such as Halifax Clarity then you won't pay any fees for cash withdrawals or purchase transactions.

kiki21

We stayed in the Armutalan part of Marmaris last year. We withdrew sterling from the green ATM (TEB I think) using a Barclays debit card, we were not charged by Barclays and got a good exchange for TL locally with no fees/charges.