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Turkish lira rules
The lira is the national currency of Turkey and is also used in Northern Cyprus. Each Turkish lira (₺, TL or TRY) is made up of 100 kurus (pronounced “koo-roosh”).
Turkey has been using the lira in various forms since 1844 - although it was re-valued in 2005 after decades of high inflation meant people counted their pocket change in millions and their salaries in billions. One new lira is equivalent to 1,000,000 old ones.
Turkish lira banknotes and coins
Turkish currency now comes in a range of denominations, comprising:
Kurus coins: 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50
Lira coin: 1
Lira notes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200
There are no customs limits on the amount of Turkish lira you can take into Turkey, but you mustn’t take more than US$5,000 worth of lira out of the country. When you order Turkish lira online, you won’t receive coins, only notes.
How do I get the best deal on Turkish lira?
Finding the best place to buy Turkish lira could mean getting a lot more for your pounds - here's how to make sure you get the best Turkish lira exchange rate
Check the exchange rate before you buy
Travel companies have to make their money somewhere, so if they're not charging you a commission fee they might well give you a worse rate. Make sure you compare deals before buying.
Add up all the costs
Commission, delivery charges, credit card charges - all of these are sometimes added to the bill when you buy currency. Make sure you include them when working out who's cheapest.
Don't buy lira with a credit card
Credit card companies see buying foreign currency as the same as withdrawing cash from an ATM, which means they charge fees and interest immediately (and often at a higher rate).
More lira can mean a better deal
You can get a better Turkish lira exchange rate if you make a bigger transaction with some providers. So, check to see if spending a few more pounds could benefit you.
Where's best to buy Turkish lira?
Where's best to buy Turkish lira?
Online
Rates are frequently better online, and you can have your currency delivered straight to your door. But you need to plan a little ahead to take advantage.
The high street
If you can find a good exchange rate from a high street bureau de change you can take your Turkish lira home with you immediately and save on delivery fees.
In Turkey from an ATM
If you can wait until you land, the right travel credit card, pre-paid card or specialist current account you can get you an excellent exchange rate withdrawing cash from an ATM in Turkey. Just watch out for any ATM fees and remember to pay/withdraw money in the local currency when given the choice.
At the airport
Airports know they have a captive audience, and charge high rents for store space, so exchange rates there are rarely the most competitive. Only use airport exchanges in an emergency.
How far will your Turkish lira go?
The short answer is quite a long way. The cost of living in Turkey is 43.1% lower on average than the UK according to Numbeo.
Mercer's latest cost of living study ranked Istanbul (130th) and Ankara (208th) as cheaper to live in than most other major cities on the planet.
Tourists can expect to pay less than £2.20 for a coffee, get a meal for two for around £27 and pick up a local beer for about £2.20.
Prices in Turkey
What you can expect to pay for food and drink when eating out in Turkey.
Prices in Turkey
| Item | Cost in lira |
| Restaurant meal for two | 1700 |
| Local draught beer | 150 |
| Cappuccino | 146.04 |
| McDonalds meal | 350 |
| Coca Cola | 60.67 |
Source: Numbeo Cost of living in Turkey. Updated February 2026.
Pros and cons of buying Turkish lira ahead of your trip
Pros
Cons
What are the top alternatives to buying travel money?
What are the top alternatives to buying travel money?
Travel credit cards
Travel credit cards - i.e. the ones with no foreign transaction fees - offer two key advantages over travel money:
Great exchange rates - when you spend on a travel credit card you get the American Express, Mastercard or Visa exchange rate, which is about the best you can find as a regular consumer
Purchase protection – for purchases costing £100 to £30,000, you're covered by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, meaning if something goes wrong you can make a claim with your card provider should the vendor fail to pay up
However, not everywhere accepts travel credit cards and using them at a cash machine abroad can come with hefty fees. It can also be easier to overspend on a credit card, leaving you with debts on which interest is charged.
Travel money cards
Currency cards and travel bank accounts let you spend overseas without being charged a foreign transaction fee. Their key strengths are:
Great exchange rates – the best card providers will pass on the Amex, Mastercard or Visa rate to you without adding extra charges
No charges for some ATM withdrawals overseas - if you need extra cash on holiday, some providers let you make a number of withdrawals per month or withdraw up to a certain amount without being charged. Watch out for local ATM fees though, as these might still apply
The downsides include that there can be limits on how much you can withdraw abroad using a travel money card, and that they're not accepted quite as widely as cash. Some travel current accounts also come with fees.
Prepaid travel cards
Prepaid travel cards can be loaded with currency and used abroad without paying foreign exchange fees. You can load a prepaid card with a specific foreign currency or a variety of different currencies, depending on your travel plans. The key advantages are:
Low or no fees to use abroad – prepaid travel card providers can charge far less than traditional banks for overseas usage
Safer than carrying cash - you can cancel or freeze the card if it's lost or stolen, protecting your balance
However, you’ll need to watch out for general usage fees, which often apply when you load the card with cash and may also be charged monthly.
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