Tips for spending money in Turkey please
Discussion
nickfrog said:
Any other tips welcome, not massive amounts needed as all inclusive.
Just whack everything on a FX conversion fee free credit card like Halifax Clarity or Barclaycard Reward. I put 20.84 Turkish Lira on a credit card in a supermarket back in June, which translated to 51p at exchange rate of around 41 at the time. Now it's 44.5 Lira to the Pound. This is totally hard edge but...
If you can actually get a Turkish credit card. Use that for everything and ask installments (monthly) wherever possible, quite common there with zero or really low fixed interest rates on their local currency. Than pay that monthly for the next 12 months, you will have a massive laugh if you can check TRY Vs GBP rates over a year, their currency is dropping massively.
If you can actually get a Turkish credit card. Use that for everything and ask installments (monthly) wherever possible, quite common there with zero or really low fixed interest rates on their local currency. Than pay that monthly for the next 12 months, you will have a massive laugh if you can check TRY Vs GBP rates over a year, their currency is dropping massively.
I’ve just spent a couple of days with work in Istanbul and used nothing but Revolut and dollars. They’ll take anything - ‘money is money’ as one man at the bazaar told me. Even the little local street food kebab places take card. Uber works fine as well, as long as you have data; use a Hong Kong Three E-sim for that.
I’d definitely be using a preloaded card like Revolut, though. I don’t trust the Turks at all and was scammed there some years back - interesting place but I don’t like the people at all.
I’d definitely be using a preloaded card like Revolut, though. I don’t trust the Turks at all and was scammed there some years back - interesting place but I don’t like the people at all.
Edited by Crumpet on Monday 16th September 01:31
They seem to ask for euros in the main cities and holiday resorts. Then when they convert back to Lira they use a rubbish rate.
It was also very expensive on my recent trip to Antalya.
I agree on the rip offs too - especially taxi drivers who would usually try it on.
I’m not really in a rush to return as it feels as it gets quite tiring. I’d rather just have a higher but clearly marked price without feeling that you are at risk of being fleeced at every turn.
It was also very expensive on my recent trip to Antalya.
I agree on the rip offs too - especially taxi drivers who would usually try it on.
I’m not really in a rush to return as it feels as it gets quite tiring. I’d rather just have a higher but clearly marked price without feeling that you are at risk of being fleeced at every turn.
In terms of cash we took half Euros and half Turkish Lira.
For an inclusive hotel, or resort, we much preferred the Lira. Staff don't care too much on what currency it is.
The lira was great, as the demonations are better for tipping. E.g. 100 euros for a round of drinks as a tip is £2.23, and you they have notes of 20/50/100/200/500 Lira. So a good range. We tipped every time pretty much as it got better service but more importantly, the staff were working their absolute pants of in really hot temperatures.
For an inclusive hotel, or resort, we much preferred the Lira. Staff don't care too much on what currency it is.
The lira was great, as the demonations are better for tipping. E.g. 100 euros for a round of drinks as a tip is £2.23, and you they have notes of 20/50/100/200/500 Lira. So a good range. We tipped every time pretty much as it got better service but more importantly, the staff were working their absolute pants of in really hot temperatures.
Crumpet said:
I’d definitely be using a preloaded card like Revolut, though. I don’t trust the Turks at all and was scammed there some years back - interesting place but I don’t like the people at all.
Revolut is a bank account, not a prepaid card.Edited by Crumpet on Monday 16th September 01:31
Jordie Barretts sock said:
Crumpet said:
I’d definitely be using a preloaded card like Revolut, though. I don’t trust the Turks at all and was scammed there some years back - interesting place but I don’t like the people at all.
Revolut is a bank account, not a prepaid card.Edited by Crumpet on Monday 16th September 01:31
Jordie Barretts sock said:
Revolut is a bank account, not a prepaid card.
Its not quite a bank and unless you're foolish enough to get you salary paid into it its effectively pre-paid as you need to top it up from a proper bank account.https://help.revolut.com/business/help/more/genera...
Just back from marmaris in June. Buying any items out of shops we just paid English notes. The lira was used for the bus and water taxis or juice etc out a shop. Otherwise they are more than happy to take English. Can pay in euros aswel. Infact most things was priced in English anyway, if it had a price...
I paid a couple trips on monzo.
Plenty exchange places to change out there if you need more lira. Rates were much better out their.
I paid a couple trips on monzo.
Plenty exchange places to change out there if you need more lira. Rates were much better out their.
SP_ said:
Waste of time is basically what Revolut seems to be. Go for Chase / Starling / etc, or get a credit card like halifax clarity for additional protection.
Having said that someone cloned my Chase card a couple of months ago, and Chase refunded me after a few questions. Very impressed.
Revolut has its place. I have the DD set up for my toll tag on it. Also, it charges no commission and has a favourable exchange rate. It also automatically pays in the local currency. Having said that someone cloned my Chase card a couple of months ago, and Chase refunded me after a few questions. Very impressed.
Jordie Barretts sock said:
SP_ said:
Waste of time is basically what Revolut seems to be. Go for Chase / Starling / etc, or get a credit card like halifax clarity for additional protection.
Having said that someone cloned my Chase card a couple of months ago, and Chase refunded me after a few questions. Very impressed.
Revolut has its place. I have the DD set up for my toll tag on it. Also, it charges no commission and has a favourable exchange rate. It also automatically pays in the local currency. Having said that someone cloned my Chase card a couple of months ago, and Chase refunded me after a few questions. Very impressed.
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