Money in Turkey: Currency, Cards, ATMs and Tipping

Practical, up-to-date advice on paying your way in Türkiye

In short: Turkey’s currency is the Turkish lira (TRY, ₺, also written TL). Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas, but you will still need some cash for markets, small shops, villages and the dolmuş. When a card machine or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, choose lira. We don’t list exchange rates or prices, because they change often.

Last checked: 11 November 2026.

The Turkish lira

  • Name and symbol: Turkish lira, code TRY, symbol ₺ (shops often write TL). 1 lira = 100 kuruş.
  • Banknotes: ₺5, ₺10, ₺20, ₺50, ₺100 and ₺200, issued by the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye.
  • Coins: small kuruş coins, plus ₺1 and ₺5 coins.
  • Look after your notes: the UK government’s travel advice notes that defacing Turkish banknotes is illegal.

Cards and cash

  • Cards: Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas.
  • Cash: keep some lira for markets, small shops, villages and dolmuş minibuses. In Istanbul, use an Istanbulkart for public transport; see getting around Istanbul.
  • Always pay in lira: if a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in pounds, euros or dollars (“dynamic currency conversion”), say no and choose lira. Home-currency charging usually gives a worse rate.
  • Euros, pounds and dollars: some tourist businesses accept or quote them, but usually at a poor rate. You can always pay in lira, Turkey’s only legal currency.

ATMs and changing money

  • ATMs: use cash machines attached to a bank rather than standalone machines.
  • Exchange offices: called döviz bürosu. Rates at airports and hotels are usually worse than at exchange offices in town.
  • Buying lira before you go: you usually get a better rate inside Turkey, at a town exchange office or a bank ATM, than at home or at the airport.
  • Large dollar notes: the UK government advises that banks and exchange offices may refuse US$50 and $100 notes because of counterfeits.
  • Street offers: be wary of strangers offering to change money.

Bringing money in and out

According to UK government travel advice, there is no limit on the foreign currency or lira you can bring into Turkey. You may not take out more than the equivalent of US$5,000 in lira, and other currency worth more than US$5,000 must be declared to customs when you leave.

Tax-free shopping

Visitors who live outside Turkey can reclaim VAT on goods they take home in their luggage. Shop where you see a “Tax Free” sign and ask for the tax-free form when you pay. When you leave, have the form stamped by customs, then claim your refund from the refund operator’s desk at the airport; a handling fee is deducted.

Tipping

  • Restaurants: around 10% is common, unless a service charge is already on the bill.
  • Taxis: people usually round up the fare rather than tip.
  • How: tips are usually given in cash.

Planning the rest of your trip? See visas and entry requirements, is Turkey safe? and getting around Turkey.

Sources we checked (November 2026): Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye: banknotes · UK FCDO: Turkey entry requirements · UK FCDO: Turkey safety and security · Wikipedia: Turkish lira · Turkey Travel Planner: money · Wise: money and banks in Turkey · Chase: paying in Turkey · İşbank: ATMs · istanbul.com: tax-free shopping · Antalya Airport: tax refund · istanbul.com: tipping · Yabangee: tipping in Turkey

Money in Turkey: questions

What currency does Turkey use?

The Turkish lira (TRY, ₺), divided into 100 kuruş. Banknotes come in ₺5, ₺10, ₺20, ₺50, ₺100 and ₺200, and coins include ₺1 and ₺5.

Should I buy Turkish lira before I travel?

You usually get a better rate inside Turkey, at a town exchange office (döviz bürosu) or a bank ATM, than at home or at the airport.

Can I pay in euros or pounds?

Some tourist businesses accept them, but usually at a poor rate. You can always pay in lira, which is normally cheaper.

Should I pay in lira or my home currency on a card?

Choose lira. Charging in your home currency (dynamic currency conversion) usually costs more.

How much should I tip in Turkey?

Around 10% in restaurants is common unless service is already included. Round up taxi fares, and tip in cash.

Header photo: a Turkish one-lira coin. Photo: Mark Morgan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped).