What currency does Turkey/Türkiye use?

Planning your trip to Turkey/Türkiye? Turkey is a much loved holiday destination, renowned for its wide range of experiences that cater to every type of traveller. From the sun-soaked beach resorts along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts to the dynamic and captivating energy of Istanbul, there’s truly something for everyone to enjoy.

One of the first things to know before visiting is that the official currency of Turkey is the Turkish lira (TRY). Whether you’re shopping in bustling bazaars, dining at local restaurants, or exploring hidden gems, understanding the Turkish lira will help you make the most of your travel experience.

Currency in Turkey/Türkiye

First introduced in 1844, the Turkish lira is the official currency of Turkey. The abbreviation for the Turkish lira is TRY and symbolised with a ₺ sign.

In 2005, Turkey underwent a major currency reform to address years of depreciation. The Turkish new lira (TRY) was then introduced and replaced the previous version at the rate of 1 new lira to a 1 million old lira. This marked a significant milestone in stabilising the country’s economy.

One lira is made up of 100 kurus, a denomination that carries historical significance as Kurus had previously been the primary unit of currency within the Ottoman Empire.

Is the Turkish lira used anywhere else?

The lira is the national currency of Turkey, and it's also used in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. It’s not used anywhere else in the world except these two places.

What is the exchange rate for Turkish lira?

The Turkish lira is a volatile currency, for the latest rates see our Turkey currency exchange rates.

Turkish lira denominations

Turkish lira comes in various denominations of notes and coins.

Turkish lira notes​

Notes are available in the following denominations:

• 5₺
• 10₺
• 20₺
• 50₺
• 100₺
• 200₺

Every Turkish banknote features a picture of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the first president of Turkey, known as the ‘Father of Turks’.

Turkish lira coins

Coins come in the following denominations:

• 1 kr
• 5 kr
• 10 kr
• 25 kr
• 50 kr
• 1₺

How much spending money do I need for Turkey/Türkiye?

One reason that Turkey is so popular with British travellers is that your money goes a long way here. You’ll notice that most things cost a great deal less than at home—including food, drinks, experiences, and shopping.

Turkey is also famous for market sellers that offer imitation designer goods including clothing, bags and sunglasses. Just be aware that you may not be buying the real thing.

Where can I get Turkish lira?

You’ll always get the best exchange rates by pre-ordering your travel money. At Travelex, it’s easy to buy Turkish currency online, for home delivery or collection at one of our UK stores.

Or, choose the Travelex Money Card—an easy, secure way to manage your holiday currency. Load the card, then use it in ATMs in Turkey or for contactless payments where Mastercard prepaid is accepted. If you lose the card, you can freeze it or cancel it and as it’s not connected to your bank account you won’t face losing any more money.

Order your currency as cash or on the card. Once you own a card, you can manage your spending, top up and change currency using our Travelex Money App.

How to spend your lira

One thing to note is that due to the volatility of the Turkish lira, euros are often accepted in Turkey and can even be requested as the main currency. It's often a good idea to take a combination of Lira and euros in cash and currency on the Travelex Money Card.

The Travelex Money Card is an easy way to convert pounds to lira and euros. Depending on what currency is being used more you can easily top up your card with more currency on the go.

Any unspent money can then be converted into different currencies for your next trip or back into pounds.

Should I use cash or card in Turkey/Türkiye?

It’s usually best to have both cash and a card when travelling in Turkey. You’ll need cash for small shops and markets, taxis and buses, while it’s often easier to pay in hotels and restaurants with a card.

Ready to buy some Turkish lira?

So now you know all about the currency Turkey uses. Why not get ready for your trip and buy your Turkish Lira today?

There’s so much to see and do on your Turkish adventure, so don’t miss our Turkey travel guide which covers both the big cities of Turkey and its holiday resorts.