I shall be joining the Jewels of Turkey tour can anyone advisewhether it is better to have hard currency or traveller cheques when converting to lira.
I'm aware that there are outlets such as Hat Doviz ( in Istanbul) who accept currency but do they accept Traveller Cheques as well?
Re: Money Exchange in Turkey
Great choice of trip - we did Jewels of Turkey just over 12 months ago and it was wonderful. As far as currency is concerned, ATMs are widely available throughout Turkey. Travellers cheques proved more difficult to cash outside Istanbul and one bank tried to charge $US20 to cash a $50 travellers cheque so we simply went to the ATM at the front of the bank instead. Perhaps consider a combination of plastic cards, cash and small amount of cheques. Hope this helps.
Re: Money Exchange in Turkey
Hi Ian,
Thanks for your question (and for your reply bb). In Turkey you can change money in both banks and exchange offices.
You can change hard currency in exchange offices but not travellers cheques.
You can change both currency and travellers cheques in any bank around the country. As you found bb, in some banks you may need to pay commission for the travellers cheques.
There is not much difference between the rates in banks and exchange offices, however exchange offices are not available everywhere.
I hope this helps, have a great time,
Re: Money Exchange in Turkey
Hi Ian,
Just something to keep in mind - try having a lot of small notes as nobody seemed to have change when we were there so you end up paying more for things like taxis etc.
Cheers
Hitch