Foreign exchange guide to Turkey and the Turkish lira
What's in this Turkey currency guide?
The official currency of Turkey (country code: TR) is the Turkish lira, with symbol ₺ and currency code TRY.
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The lira is subdivided into 100 kuruş.
Global interest in the lira has picked up considerably since the turn of the millennium. By 2016, the lira was the 16th most traded currency in the world. It had been 30th most traded in 2001.
Precious metals remain an important cog in Turkey’s economy. “Turkey is home to the entire gold value chain from mining and refining, to jewellery design and investment,” says the World Gold Council, and this therefore links short and medium-term changes in the lira’s value to the broader commodities cycle.
Short-term changes in the lira are also driven by risk sentiment. As a riskier, emerging market currency, the lira will fall in value against the major currencies of the world (especially JPY, USD, CHF, GBP and EUR) during periods of economic uncertainty or when geopolitical risk is elevated.
It is fair to say about the lira’s long-term value that it is stuck in perpetual decline.
Ravaged by above-100% inflation, the lira lost 97% of its value against the dollar between the mid-1990s and early 2000s. In 2003, with a single dollar buying 1.5 million lira, the Turkish government decided to redenominate, and this took place in January 2005, striking six zeros from the lira.
Post-redenomination, the historic downtrend in the lira persists, barring some stability between 2005 and 2008.
Between January 2008 and January 2017, the lira lost 71% of its updated value as TRY/USD fell from its post-redenomination high of 0.8772 (USD/TRY 1.14) to its post-redenomination low of 0.2538 (USD/TRY 3.94).
Save money and time by Ordering your Turkish lira online from Travelex, you get better rates and can pick up the TRY cash locally or even on travel day at the airport.
Another popular option is to use a Pre-paid Travel Card. Your Debit/Credit Card provider will charge you 2% from market mid-rate, but your bank may also charge an extra 3% as an “Overseas Transaction Charge” plus “Overseas ATM” fees for withdrawing cash.
For card purchases if offered a choice of currencies always select to Pay in Turkish lira otherwise you may get much worst exchange rates.
From the ancient port city of Ephesus (Efes) to the soaring Byzantine dome of Aya Sofya, Turkey has more than its fair share of world-famous ruins and monuments. A succession of historical figures and empires – including the Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans – have all left their mark on this former stopover along the Silk Road. Experiencing their legacy takes you from the closeted quarters of the sultan and his harem in İstanbul's sprawling Topkapı Palace to the romantic and mysterious Lycian ruins on Mediterranean beaches.
In Turkey cash machines that dispense Lira are everywhere, usually with around a 2% conversion, and probably a $5 transaction fee from your bank per transaction. The Euro is accepted in some places, and the American dollar almost nowhere. Turkey businesses have a bit of a 'get a little more if you can' attitude so check your bills and if you would prefer not using your credit card perhaps purchase a Prepaid Travel Card before leaving. The Turkish haggle so if you are a stern haggler you can get items up %40 of the price initially quoted.
Your home-bank account will be debited for the amount you withdraw from a Turkish ATM (plus a service charge, of course). Because bank card fraud is a big problem in Turkey, there is a chance that your home bank may limit or deny use of your ATM/cash/debit card in Turkey so let your bank know in advanced you are going there.
Turkey is well connected by air throughout the country, although many flights go via the hubs of İstanbul or Ankara. Domestic flights are a good option in such a large country, and competition between the following keeps tickets affordable.
Turkey's intercity bus system is as good as any you'll find, with modern, comfortable coaches crossing the country at all hours and for very reasonable prices. On the journey, you'll be treated to hot drinks and snacks, plus liberal sprinklings of the Turks' beloved kolonya (lemon cologne).
Public buses are a good and economical way to travel between cities in Turkey, but they are not as comfortable as intercity trains in Europe. The buses are generally 20-30 passengers and serve both as regional transportation and city buses which means people get on and off, paying for driver for the distance they travel. You can purchase a guaranteed seat, but when you board you may find it full. Just get the driver to ensure you get a seat.
Bus fares are subject to fierce competition between companies, and bargains such as student discounts may be offered. Prices reflect what the market will bear, so the fare from a big city to a village is likely to be different to the fare in the opposite direction. Unmarried men and women are not supposed to sit together, but the bus companies rarely enforce this in the case of foreigners. You may be asked if you are married, without having to produce any proof of your wedlock, or both travellers may find their tickets marked with bay (man).
Most Turkish cities and towns have a bus station, called the otogar, garaj or terminal, generally located on the outskirts. Besides intercity buses, otogars often handle dolmuşes (minibuses that follow prescribed routes) to outlying districts or villages. Most have an emanetçi (left luggage) room, which you can use for a nominal fee.
Don't believe taxi drivers at otogars who tell you there is no bus or dolmuş to your destination; they may be trying to trick you into taking their taxi. Check with the bus and dolmuş operators. Because most bus stations are some distance from the town or city centre, the bus companies often provide free servis (shuttle buses). These take you to the bus company's office or another central location, possibly with stops en route to drop off other passengers. Ask 'Servis var mı?' ('Is there a servis?'). Rare cities without such a service include Ankara and Konya.
Driving around Turkey gives you unparalleled freedom to explore the marvellous countryside and coastline, and to follow back roads to hidden villages and obscure ruins. Bear in mind that Turkey is a huge country and covering long distances by car will eat up your time and money. Consider planes, trains and buses for long journeys, and cars for localised travel. Public transport is a much easier and less stressful way of getting around the traffic-clogged cities.
Turkey's diverse landscapes, from Aegean olive groves to eastern steppe, provide a lyrical setting for its many great ruins. The country's most magical scenery is to be found in Asian Anatolia, where beautiful vistas are provided by the vertiginous Mediterranean coastline, Cappadocia's otherworldly 'fairy chimney' rock formations and wavy valleys, the alpine pastures of the Kaçkar Mountains, and golden beaches such as 18km-long Patara.
In the touristy areas and you look like a tourist you will be flocked by people trying to sell you all manner of things. If you do not want anything they offer it is fine to ignore them, they will eventually move onto the next tourist. Drink bottled water, its cold and cheap and since it can be hot all the time in Turkey have some on you at all times to avoid dehydration.
The best thing about sampling Turkey's delicious specialties – ranging from meze on a Mediterranean harbour to a pension breakfast featuring ingredients fresh from the kitchen garden – is that they take you to the heart of Turkish culture. For the sociable and family-orientated Turks, gathering together and eating well is a time-honoured ritual. So get stuck into olive oil–lathered Aegean vegetables, spicy Anatolian kebaps and dishes from Turkey's many other corners – and as you drink a tulip-shaped glass of çay and contemplate some baklava for dessert, remember that eating is deepening your understanding of Turkey.
The below interactive chart displays the USD/TRY change and UP📈 DOWN📉 trends over the past 1 Year.
The domestic currency in Turkey is the Turkish lira.
The three letter currency code for the Turkish lira is TRY — symbol is ₺.
It is the domestic currency in   Turkey.
No, the Turkish lira is freely available and convertible. See guide: What is a closed currency?
Here are some popular conversion amounts for USD to TRY (US dollar to Turkish lira)*.
*Converted at the current USDTRY interbank exchange rate. Calculate actual payout amounts for Send Money and Travel Money exchange rates.
To get a good (and fair) exchange rate when sending money to Turkey you need to find and compare exchange rates for International Money Transfers (IMTs).
The available FX rates for sending money abroad can be very different to the mid-market (wholesale) rate which you see reported online and in the News.
You should especially compare your own bank's exchange rates to those available from Money Transfer specialists to see how much you can save - we make that calculation easy in the below table.
When sending money to Turkey it’s important to compare your bank’s rates & fees with those we have negotiated with our partner money transfer providers. To get a better deal you should follow these 4 simple steps :
Use the above calculator to compare the exchange rates of FX specialist providers rates versus your bank's standard rates you can hopefully save around 5% and maybe more - end result is more Turkish lira deposited into the recipient bank account and less margins and fees kept by the banks!
Managing your money effectively while living and working abroad can be challenging, but there are several steps you can take to ensure that your finances are in order.
By following these tips and managing your money effectively, you can reduce financial stress and enjoy your experience living or doing business in Turkey.
The area (㎡) of prime property that $US1million buys in Turkey's capital city Istanbul in Q1 2018 is 110㎡.
This is compared to equivalent areas for Hong Kong 22㎡, London 27㎡, Singapore 37㎡, Paris 45㎡, Shanghai 50㎡, Tokyo 70㎡, Berlin 74㎡, Mumbai 94㎡, Dubai 138㎡ and San Paulo 172㎡.
Here we list some key points for expats and businesses to consider when managing financial dealings in Turkey:
Understand Turkish lira currency exchange rates: Exchange rates can have a big impact on your finances, so it is important to keep an eye on the TRY exchange rate and consider using a currency exchange service or a credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees to get the best exchange rate.
Use a local Turkish lira bank account: A local TRY bank account can make it easier for you to manage your finances and pay bills while you are in Turkey. It may also be more convenient to use a local TRY bank account to make purchases and withdraw cash.
Research local laws and regulations: It is important to understand the local laws and regulations that apply to financial transactions in Turkey. This can help you avoid legal issues and ensure that you are complying with local requirements.
Consider the tax implications: It is important to understand the tax implications of living or doing business in Turkey. This can help you plan your finances and ensure that you are paying the correct amount of tax.
Seek financial advice: If you are unsure of how to manage your finances in Turkey, it is a good idea to seek the advice of a financial professional who is familiar with the local financial system. This can help you make informed decisions and avoid financial pitfalls.