Money & Payments
Learn everything about money, card payments and cash in Türkiye. Simple tips help you avoid surprises during your holiday.
Currency in Türkiye
The official currency in Türkiye is the Turkish Lira (TRY, ₺). All prices in shops, restaurants and supermarkets are shown in Lira. Coins and banknotes are available in common values and are easy to recognise.
In many tourist areas along the Turkish Riviera, Euro is also accepted, for example in hotels, on excursions and in some restaurants. However, prices in Euro are often slightly higher than the daily exchange rate.
Exchange rates can change every day. For the best value, it is usually better to pay in Turkish Lira and to check the current rate before you exchange larger amounts.
As a simple rule: use Lira for daily spending in Türkiye and keep some Euro as a backup.
Cash or Card Payments?
Both cash and card payments are common on the Turkish Riviera. In most places you can choose freely, but some situations still work better with cash.
| Where | Best payment |
|---|---|
| Hotels & resorts | Card or Euro accepted |
| Restaurants (tourist areas) | Card or cash (Lira / Euro) |
| Local restaurants | Cash in Lira preferred |
| Supermarkets | Card widely accepted |
| Bazaars & markets | Cash in Lira |
| Small shops & kiosks | Cash in Lira |
| Taxis | Cash in Lira |
| Excursions & tours | Card, Euro or Lira |
- Best payment
- Card or Euro accepted
- Best payment
- Card or cash (Lira / Euro)
- Best payment
- Cash in Lira preferred
- Best payment
- Card widely accepted
- Best payment
- Cash in Lira
- Best payment
- Cash in Lira
- Best payment
- Cash in Lira
- Best payment
- Card, Euro or Lira
ATMs & Currency Exchange
ATMs are available in almost every town and resort. Most machines accept international Visa and Mastercard and offer an English menu. Withdrawing Turkish Lira directly from an ATM is often one of the easiest options.
Exchange offices (Döviz) usually offer better rates than hotels or the airport. You will find them in city centres and shopping streets. Compare a few offices before you exchange larger amounts.
Banks also exchange money, but opening hours are limited and the process can be slower than in an exchange office.
At Antalya Airport, exchange rates are usually less attractive than in the city. It is often better to change only a small amount at the airport and the rest later in town.
Practical advice: always keep some cash for small purchases, tips and taxis, and pay larger amounts by card when possible.
Tipping in Türkiye
Tipping is a friendly gesture in Türkiye and always optional. It is not automatically added to the bill, so guests decide freely based on the service.
| Service | Usual tip |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | 5–10% of the bill |
| Taxi drivers | Round up the fare |
| Private transfer drivers | 5–10 € per trip |
| Tour guides | 5–10 € per person |
| Hotel staff (housekeeping) | 1–2 € per day |
| Hotel porters | 1–2 € per bag |
- Usual tip
- 5–10% of the bill
- Usual tip
- Round up the fare
- Usual tip
- 5–10 € per trip
- Usual tip
- 5–10 € per person
- Usual tip
- 1–2 € per day
- Usual tip
- 1–2 € per bag
