Turkish Lira (TRY): Notes, Coins, Exchange & How to Pay in Türkiye
The Turkish lira (symbol ₺, ISO code TRY) is the only legal currency in Türkiye. It circulates as 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 lira notes plus 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 kuruş and 1 lira coins. Cards are accepted almost everywhere in cities, but exchange rates move constantly — check a live rate on the day rather than trusting a printed figure.
Quick facts
| Currency name | Turkish lira (Türk lirası) |
|---|---|
| ISO 4217 code | TRY |
| Symbol | ₺ (introduced 2012) |
| Subunit | kuruş — 100 kuruş = 1 lira |
| Banknotes | 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 ₺ |
| Coins | 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 kuruş and 1 ₺ |
| Issuer | Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye |
| Foreign currency accepted? | No — lira only by law; some tours price in USD/EUR |
| Exchange rate | Floating — check a live rate on the day |
Card or cash?
Card. Contactless payment is standard in Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, Antalya and Cappadocia — restaurants, supermarkets, museums, pharmacies, taxis with a working POS and even many market stalls take Visa and Mastercard. American Express is patchy.
Keep a modest amount of cash for village markets, small lokantas, mosque donations, tipping, public toilets, and Cappadocia or Black Sea villages where connections drop. A few hundred lira covers a typical day of incidentals.
Getting lira without losing money
- Use an ATM attached to a real bank branch (Ziraat, İş Bankası, Garanti BBVA, Akbank, Yapı Kredi) rather than a standalone machine in a tourist street.
- Always choose to be charged in Turkish lira, never in your home currency — 'dynamic currency conversion' at the ATM or card terminal costs several percent.
- Withdraw larger amounts less often: most Turkish ATMs charge a flat per-withdrawal fee.
- Exchange offices (döviz bürosu) in Grand Bazaar, Eminönü and Taksim generally beat bank counters and always beat airport desks.
- Change only what you need at the airport — enough for a transfer and a meal.
- Damaged or heavily torn notes are sometimes refused; check what you are handed.
What things cost
Because the lira floats and inflation has been high in recent years, quoting exact prices in lira dates quickly. As a rough orientation, budget in your own currency: a simple lunch runs a few dollars, a sit-down dinner with drinks in Istanbul is comparable to a mid-range meal in southern Europe, and museum entries are a fixed foreign-currency price set by the Ministry of Culture.
For this reason our own tours are priced in US dollars and euros, so the amount you agree at booking is the amount you pay — currency movement between booking and travel is our problem, not yours.
Tipping in lira
- Restaurants: 5–10%, in cash on the table, even when you pay the bill by card.
- Guides: at your discretion; a common range is the equivalent of 10–20 USD per day for a private guide.
- Drivers: a few hundred lira for a long transfer day.
- Hotels: small notes for housekeeping and porters.
- Taxis: round up to the next convenient note.
Frequently asked questions
What currency is used in Türkiye?
The Turkish lira (₺, TRY). It is the only legal tender — shops must price in lira, although some tour operators and hotels quote in US dollars or euros.
Can I use US dollars or euros in Türkiye?
Not for everyday spending. Some hotels, tour operators and Grand Bazaar traders will take them at an unfavourable rate, but supermarkets, restaurants, taxis and museums expect lira or a card.
Should I exchange money before I travel to Türkiye?
No need. Rates at home are usually worse than in Türkiye. Bring a card, withdraw lira from a bank ATM on arrival, and change only a small starter amount at the airport if you want cash in hand.
Are credit cards widely accepted in Türkiye?
Yes. Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere in cities and resorts, including most taxis and many market stalls. American Express is accepted much less often, and rural areas are cash-first.
What is a kuruş?
The subunit of the lira: 100 kuruş make 1 lira. Kuruş coins are still issued but buy very little, so prices are usually rounded to whole lira.