The short answer

Turkey’s currency is the Turkish lira (TRY, ₺). Use a card with no foreign transaction fees for most spending, carry some lira for small purchases, and always choose to pay in lira, not pounds or euros.

Cards or cash?

  • Cards — Visa and Mastercard are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, shops and taxis in cities and resorts. Amex is less widely taken.
  • Cash — useful for markets, small cafés, village shops, tips and the dolmuş (shared minibus). Lira notes come in ₺5 to ₺200.
  • Euros and pounds — many resort businesses quote prices in euros or pounds, but you’ll nearly always get a better deal paying in lira.
  • US dollars — banks and exchange offices may refuse US$50 and US$100 notes because of counterfeits. Don’t accept them in change.

Get a better rate

  1. When a card machine or ATM offers to charge you in pounds or euros, decline and pay in lira. Converting at the till usually costs you more.
  2. Use ATMs belonging to major banks, ideally inside a bank branch. Avoid stand-alone machines in tourist streets, which often charge high fees.
  3. Change money at a bank or a licensed exchange office (döviz bürosu) in town rather than at the airport.
  4. Tell your bank you’re travelling so your card isn’t blocked.

What things cost

Prices in lira rise often because of inflation, so we don’t list lira prices that would quickly go out of date. As a rule, food, public transport and local services are cheaper than in the UK or Ireland, while hotels in Istanbul and on the coast in peak season can match or beat UK prices.

Major state-run sites charge foreign visitors fixed prices in euros. For example, the visitor route through Hagia Sophia’s upper gallery costs €25. If you’re visiting several Istanbul museums, compare the official Museum Pass Istanbul (valid five days from first use) against single tickets.

Tourist tax

Turkey charges an accommodation tax on overnight stays. The normal rate is 2% of the room price; it has been cut to 1% from 1 May to 31 December 2026. Some hotels include it in online prices and some add it at check-out.

Tipping

Where What’s usual
Restaurants About 10% if service isn’t already on the bill; leave it in cash if you can
Cafés and bars Round up or leave small change
Taxis Round up to the nearest note
Hotel porters A small note per bag
Hammam attendants 10–15% of the treatment price
Tour guides and drivers A tip at the end of the day is appreciated

Bargaining

Haggling is normal in bazaars and markets, especially for carpets, leather, ceramics and souvenirs. It isn’t done in supermarkets, chain shops, restaurants or anywhere with fixed price labels. Stay friendly, decide your maximum before you start, and be ready to walk away.