Is it better to buy Turkish Lira in the UK or in Turkey?

For most travellers, pre-ordering TRY in the UK (home delivery or airport/store collection) is simpler and often cheaper than walk-up exchanges abroad. Compare providers first and avoid airport kiosks.

How much cash should I take to Turkey?

Bring a small float for 2–3 days (e.g., ₺2,500–₺4,000 for a couple), then rely on a low-fee travel card for everyday spending and ATMs as needed.

Are travel money cards accepted widely in Turkey?

Yes, cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas for shops, hotels and restaurants. Keep some cash for markets, taxis and tips.

What fees should I watch for?

Check delivery fees and cut-offs when ordering cash; for cards, watch ATM limits, weekend FX mark-ups and reload fees. At ATMs, decline dynamic currency conversion and pay in TRY.

Turkey Travel Money Guide – How to Get the Best TRY Rate for 2026

Updated 3 November 2025 • Read time: ~6 minutes

Heading to Turkey in 2026? Here’s the quick, practical guide to buying Turkish Lira (TRY) at a good rate, how much cash to take, and when travel money cards make sense. Avoid airport mark-ups, check delivery times, and compare rates before you go.

Quick take: Pre-order TRY online (home delivery or store collection) and carry a small amount of cash for arrival. Use a low-fee travel card for day-to-day spending and ATMs. Always compare providers first.

Compare Turkish Lira (TRY) rates
Live rates from trusted UK currency suppliers – updated every 15 minutes.

How much cash should I take?

Traveller type	Suggested cash (first 2–3 days)	Notes
City break / couple	₺2,500–₺4,000	Small shops, taxis, tips, markets; use card for larger spends
Family (7–10 days)	₺5,000–₺8,000	Mix of cash + card; keep a small emergency buffer
Resort / all-inclusive	₺1,500–₺3,000	Mainly tips, taxis and small purchases; rely on a travel card

These are broad guidelines — actual needs vary by itinerary and spending style.

When to buy TRY

1–3 months ahead: Split into 2–3 purchases to average the rate.
< 4 weeks: Buy most now and keep a small top-up closer to departure.
Never at the airport: Walk-up rates are typically 5–10% worse.

Cash vs card in Turkey

Cash (TRY)	Travel money card
Great for markets, taxis, tips, small cafés	Ideal for contactless, hotels, bigger shops
No card network dependency	Near-market FX rates; app controls; freeze if lost
Risk of loss/theft; order in advance	Watch weekend mark-ups, ATM limits and reload fees

Best of both: Carry a sensible cash float for arrival and small spends, plus a low-fee card for everyday payments and ATMs.

Compare TRY cash rates
Compare travel money cards

Fees & practical tips

Delivery times: Many UK providers need 1–3 working days for TRY.
Card settings: Enable magnetic-stripe/contactless as needed; turn on app alerts.
ATMs: Some ATMs offer “conversion” — decline dynamic currency conversion and choose to be charged in TRY.
Safety: Split cash between travellers/bags; keep photos of card numbers/support numbers separate.

Common mistakes to avoid

Leaving the order to the day before (limited stock, slower delivery).
Accepting ATM “conversion to GBP” (usually a worse rate).
Relying solely on a high-fee UK bank card abroad.
Buying at the airport for convenience (paying the highest margin).

Bottom line

For Turkey in 2026, a mixed approach wins: pre-order some cash TRY and carry a low-fee travel card for everything else. Compare providers, avoid airport rates, and check delivery cut-offs so your money is ready before you fly.

Compare Turkish Lira rates
Live rates from trusted UK currency suppliers – updated every 15 minutes.