Holiday money in Turkey

InhaleMood

Hi all,
I've not been abroad for a while and unsure on the best options for Turkey.
I'm reluctant to get a credit card just for this purpose. 
I do have a Wise account, but no card at the moment. 
I also have a First Direct account. 
Can anyone help with the best option?
Wise/First Direct/cash?

elsien

I would always take two ways  of accessing money while abroad, just in case. I had issues with one card once and didn’t have a back up so it was a bit hairy for awhile. 

Doesn’t answer your specific question, but something worth thinking about.
Whether that’s credit card debit card or something else is up to you

InhaleMood

elsien said:

I would always take two ways  of accessing money while abroad, just in case. I had issues with one card once and didn’t have a back up so it was a bit hairy for awhile. 

Doesn’t answer your specific question, but something worth thinking about.
Whether that’s credit card debit card or something else is up to you

Thank you, yes we'll have at least different 3 debits cards and a credit card. 

NoodleDoodleMan

"I'm reluctant to get a credit card just for this purpose."

There are some "user friendly" credit cards ideally suited - no fees when used to pay for goods and services - just remember to select Without Conversion when the card reader is presented for payment.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/

You First Direct debit card is fee free when taking currency from an ATM - however the bank/network which owns the machine will most likely take their commission percentage.

geordiejon

we went to turkey last year and took cash and chase card, the atm's take between 4.5 and 5 percent for withdrawals.
my wife used her first direct card and the percentage was the same.
we were all inclusive but went out in town a few times and found cash was best.

Voyager2002

Some ATMs don't charge and give good rates, so it can be worthwhile shopping around.

Otherwise, take sterling cash: the money changers are generally very good (obviously not the ones in airports). Just make sure that you know current exchange rates.

InhaleMood

That's great, thank you all.
I think I'll stick with the First Direct card and taking sterling over and changing it up there. 
We are all inclusive as well, but really keen to get some street food!

zagfles

A lot of places aimed at tourists will take GBP and even price stuff in GBP/EUR, sometimes at a better rate than paying in Lira, because they prefer a currency that doesn't depreciate so fast - their inflation rate is sky high

f4phixeruk

Was in Turkey last November. All the 'Bazaars'/ tourist shops were priced in Euros. Only places we found using Turkish Lira, were the local supermarkets MM Migra and the such

jimjames

zagfles said:

A lot of places aimed at tourists will take GBP and even price stuff in GBP/EUR, sometimes at a better rate than paying in Lira, because they prefer a currency that doesn't depreciate so fast - their inflation rate is sky high

Visited in 2019, GBP exchange rate was 7TL, in 2022 it was 21TL and this year 44TL, since Feb it's now 47TL

I've found money change places in the main streets to be best for getting lira, just have a look round first as some give better rates than others

zagfles

jimjames said:

zagfles said:

A lot of places aimed at tourists will take GBP and even price stuff in GBP/EUR, sometimes at a better rate than paying in Lira, because they prefer a currency that doesn't depreciate so fast - their inflation rate is sky high

Visited in 2019, GBP exchange rate was 7TL, in 2022 it was 21TL and this year 44TL, since Feb it's now 47TL

I've found money change places in the main streets to be best for getting lira, just have a look round first as some give better rates than others

It was about 200,000 to the pound when I first went in 1997, felt very rich with a wallet full of 1 million notes