Currency & Exchange in Turkey
The currency used in Turkey is called " Lira ".
Turkey Currency
Money: The official currency is the New Turkish Lira (TRY), which was introduced on 1 January 2005, whereby six zeros were dropped from the TL and the sub-unit New Kurus was created. Currency can be exchanged at banks, exchange booths, post offices, airports and ferry ports; banks have the worst rates and highest commissions, but will exchange lesser known foreign currencies. Banks open mainly Monday to Friday, but some are open daily in tourist areas. ATMs are widely available in major cities and tourist areas. Most bank branches have ATMs which accept Cirrus and Plus. Major credit cards are widely accepted; the most popular are Visa or MasterCard, but American Express is accepted in many of the more expensive places. Travellers cheques can be exchanged at some banks and currency exchange offices, but are not as welcome as cash or credit cards. US dollars or Euros are preferred. Some pensions and hotels in the most popular destinations accept US dollars as payment.
Changing Money
Exchange offices offer a fast service
outside normal banking hours and at better rates than banks or hotels. They do not charge
commission and only change foreign cash currency. Passports are not required. Turkish
currency is Turkish Lira (TL)
Credit Cards
Credit
cards are accepted almost in every offer. Major accepted credit cards are Visa,
Mastercards, Eurocard and American Express. Exchange offices in touristic places are generally open until midnight.
Working Days -
Hours
Banks
8:30 - 12:00 (closed Sat. and Sun., open daily in tourist areas)
13:30 - 17:00
Shops
9:30 - 19:00 (In tourist areas, closing times vary, some close around midnight)
Government Offices
8:30 - 12:30 (closed Sat. and Sun., open daily in tourist areas) 13:30 - 17:30
Covered Bazaar Istanbul
8:00 - 19:00 (closed on Sunday)
Offical Holidays
Jan.1 New Year's Day.
Apr.23 National Independence and Children's Day.
May.19 Ataturk Commemoration and Youth and Sports Day.
Aug.30 Victory Day (final rout of invading forces in 1922).
Oct.29 Republic Day (anniversary of the declaration of the
Turkish Republic).
