Travel Money

Turkey don't use euros so why would you take them? Take lira or sterling.

Take sterling ,you always get a better exchange rate locally. I live in North Cyprus (locally currency is TL ) todays exchange rate 6.18
https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=1&From=GBP&To=TRY

Ren29 wrote: »

I’m traveling in a couple of weeks to Turkey and I was told to take Euros, as the people prefer these, especially in the bazaar, help, what would you take? As the exchange rate from GBP to Euros is really bad. Also if all
Inclusive for 2 weeks, how much spending money would you take? Any help is appreciated

Be careful at in bazaars in tourist areas in Turkey. It doesn't matter what currency you use [even Lira], you'll probably get fleeced. Shop around, don't accept the first price.....even better shop at local shops away from the in your face tourist areas.

eDicky wrote: »

Ignore such foolish advice, Turkish lire is the national currency, discuss price in no other format. If traders 'prefer' euros it's because they can inflate the price more easily, they don't mind if you already lost money buying them with pounds.

A lot of tourist areas will only have goods priced in €uros, that can be a bit of problem, especially for a new arrival or those that leave their commonsense back at the airport. You need to know what the current €uro to Lira exchange rate is in order to discuss accurately

I wanted a couple of leather belts at the tourist market in Side in February. The belts were priced in €uros, so I said how much in Turkish Lira? The bloke got his calculator out, pressed a few buttons and told me.....he was way off the mark, and not only that, the belts were overpriced. Do your homework, shop around, and pay in Turkish Lira.

Ditto on little things like the dolmus [shared mini-bus]. The driver will take €uro, but it'll be more than what you'd pay in TL.

If you use a taxi, and only have a big note to pay with, make sure you tell the driver the denomination of the note. That'll avoid any 'misunderstanding.

Pay for your drinks as you go.....no surprise then when you get the bill. If you're in a restaurant check that the drink prices are on the menu.

Buy a bottle of wine with your meal.....ensure they 'cork' the bottle in front of you.

When you change cash at a kiosk, make sure you check what you've been given is correct before leaving the counter. Don't accept torn notes.....they won't, why should you? Don't let the exchange bloke touch the money again after he's counted it out to you.

Turkey is a great country for a holiday, don't get caught out by little things that could spoil it.