which currency to use in Turkey

[clive f]

going to Turkey in June, and have had conflicting opinions on which currency to use out there, one travel agent has said that they only use the euro now, which seems strange as the Lira is shown in the newspapers exchange rates, so has anyone been recently and can give some advice?

also, how much do things like a beer or a coffee cost out there?

[scirocco265]

Can't really remember prices of things, but it wasn't very expensive (depending on where you go). I felt the same so hedged my bets and talk both. No-one was interested in the Lira, always quoted in Euro etc. Would personally always take Euro from now on.

[Tyre Smoke]

We took about £100 of Lira and ££££. Exchange places more than happy to take pounds as are the traders. They are desperate to join the EU so are quoting Euros everywhere to 'integrate'. Also help appease the Germans (again!!) who are everywhere.

[LaserTam]

I have been many times. Generally get some Lira changed up here, plus take some sterling. The exchange rates out there are pretty competetive compared to UK, so just shopped about a bit and changed up more while I am s there. Traders would take camels if you had them. I have always decided against the Euro, because the exchange rate was so poor.

[wattsie_2004]

Went to Istanbul in October. Took Lira then, which was universally accepted wherever we used cash - transport, food, grocery shops, the market etc. However the hotel bill was paid on a Euro credit card which was equally welcomed.

Lira gave a better rate of exchange - at the time. And good food was stupidly cheap!

[clive f]

thanks guys

[Xenocide]

Euro or USD. Lira is useless.

[bazking69]

They'll take anything, GBP and Euros being their favourite as well as USD and of course YTL.

Alot of places, particuarly the big tourist towns, are increasingly shying away from the YTL in favour of foreign currency. Some of our best bargaining has been had with queens heads. However the hotel that we stay at in Bitez and book direct now insist on payment in Euros which is a bit of an arse for us Brits.

We just take a wallet of GBP out and change up some YTL change as we go incase we need it, but year on year we seem to be changing up less and less into YTL and using straight GBP more and more but getting any change in YTL.

[Amateurish]

I've been twice and it was YTL for everything except hotels which are Euro on the credit card. Just pick up some cash from the cashpoint when you arrive - no need to change money in advance. IIRC you have to pay a visa fee on entry - £10 which you can pay in Sterling?