Money in Turkey: ATMs, Card Payments & Tips

Money in Turkey: ATMs, Card Payments, and Tips

A practical guide to handling your finances safely and affordably in Turkey. Avoid high fees and get the best exchange rate for your currency.

Golden Rule: Always Choose Local Currency (TRY)

When an ATM or card terminal offers to process your transaction in your home currency (e.g., EUR, USD), always decline this offer. This is "Dynamic Currency Conversion" (DCC), which uses a very poor exchange rate. Always choose to be charged in Turkish Lira (TRY) and let your own bank handle the conversion.

Card Payments vs. Cash

Card Payments

Major shops, restaurants, and hotels widely accept credit and debit cards. The same golden rule applies: always choose to pay in TRY.

Cash (Nakit)

Cash is essential for local markets (bazaars), taxis, dolmuş (minibuses), and tipping. It's wise to always carry a reasonable amount of cash.

Turkish Currency: Lira and Kuruş

The currency of Turkey is the Turkish Lira (Türk Lirası), symbol ₺, code TRY. One lira is divided into 100 kuruş.

Banknotes

200 ₺, 100 ₺, 50 ₺, 20 ₺, 10 ₺, 5 ₺.

Coins

1 ₺, 50 Kuruş, 25 Kuruş, 10 Kuruş, 5 Kuruş.

How to Use an ATM in Turkey

Using a Turkish ATM is simple, but there's one key difference that can confuse first-time users.

Choose the Right ATM: Prefer ATMs of well-known banks (see list below).
Insert Card & Select Language: Choose "English".
Enter PIN and select "Cash Withdrawal".
DECLINE CONVERSION (CRUCIAL STEP): If offered a transaction in your home currency (e.g., EUR), always press "Decline" or "Continue Without Conversion".
TAKE YOUR CARD (IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE!): Most Turkish ATMs return your card BEFORE dispensing the cash. Take your card immediately!
Take Your Cash & Receipt: After you take your card, the machine will dispense the cash.

Warning!

Because the card is returned before the money, it's easy to rush, take the card, and walk away, leaving your cash behind in the machine. Stay focused!

Recommended and Avoidable ATMs

Safe and Low-Fee Options

These banks' ATMs are reliable, and many of them do not charge an extra fee for foreign cards:

Ziraat Bankası, Halkbank, VakıfBank (State-owned banks, usually fee-free)
PTT (Turkish Post Office ATMs, often fee-free)
ING Bank (Often has no-fee agreements with European banks)

Avoid If Possible

These are independent ATM operators known for their high fees and aggressive DCC offers:

Euronet (Blue and yellow machines)
Planet Cash and other unbranded ATMs

Using FinTech Cards (Revolut, Wise, etc.)

These cards are excellent for travel due to their great exchange rates. Note: While the card provider itself may not charge a fee, the local Turkish ATM might. For the best result, use these cards at one of the fee-free ATMs listed above.

Fees and Common Issues

ATM Fees

Most private Turkish banks will charge a fee for withdrawals with a foreign card (typically 5-8% of the transaction amount). This fee will be displayed on-screen before you confirm the transaction.

Problems & Solutions

Card gets stuck: If this happens during banking hours, go into the branch immediately. Otherwise, call your home bank's emergency number instantly to block the card.