ATMs in Turkey (Türkiye): locations, fees, and tips (UK guide)

Planning a holiday to Turkey from the UK? Whether you’re exploring the vibrant city of Istanbul or sunning yourself on a beach in Marmaris or Fethiye, you’ll need to sort out some spending money.

If you’ll be spending your Turkish lira in cash, you’ll need to know about how ATMs work in Turkey.

Read on for the full lowdown for UK travellers, including where to find ATMs and info on fees and exchange rates.

We’ll even show you a super convenient way to spend abroad using the Wise card, which works in 150+ countries.

Where do I find ATMs in Turkey?

You’ll find ATMs in Turkey at major airports, near bank branches, in popular tourist areas and resorts, and also close to major attractions. You shouldn’t have trouble finding one.

The main banks in Turkey have extensive ATM networks. The ATM locators for each bank are below:

• Isbank - ATM Locator
• Ziraat Bankasi - ATM locator
• Garanti Bank - ATM locator.

What are ATMs called in Turkey?

ATMs are generally called ATMs in Turkey, so you don’t need to worry about any confusing terminology or translations. You may also see the word bankamatik.

They look similar to the cash machines you’ll find in the UK. Just look out for the name of a bank and the ‘ATM’ or ‘Bankamatik’ sign.

Will my credit or debit card work in Turkey ATMs?

Most ATMs in Turkey accept both Visa and Mastercard, which are the most commonly issued cards in the UK. You’ll see which cards are accepted by looking at the symbols displayed on the ATM.

So, you should be fine to use your UK-issued card to withdraw cash in Turkey. Just make sure you check with your bank about any potential charges.

You can search for your nearest cash machine with these global ATM locators:

• Visa ATM locator
• MasterCard ATM locator

Turkey ATM Pins

ATMs in Turkey usually ask for 4-digit PINs,¹ which is the same as the UK. So, you can simply enter your card and PIN as normal.

Whether withdrawing cash or spending in Turkey, you should find that chip and PIN is pretty widely accepted. However, some retailers still use the swipe system, which is where they swipe the magnetic strip on the back of your card.

Turkey ATM max cash withdrawal limits

The maximum amount you can withdraw from a Turkish ATM will largely depend on your bank.

Most UK banks set withdrawal limits for how much you can withdraw a day, week or month (or in a single transaction). Crucially, many banks have separate limits for spending and withdrawing cash overseas. To find out your limits, check the terms and conditions for your account or card - or contact your bank.

However, the ATM itself may have maximum withdrawal limits. In Turkey, the limit tends to be around 1,500 to 5,000 TRY per transaction¹, although it varies between ATM operators.

Let your bank know before you travel

Nowadays, you generally don’t have to tell your bank that you’ll be spending or withdrawing cash abroad. You can usually just jet off on holiday and start using your card when you arrive.

But you might want to inform your bank anyway, just in case your transactions in Turkey are flagged up as fraud and your card is blocked.

Find an international travel card

It could even be worth getting an alternative spending card, one that is specially designed for international travel.

The Wise card is the ideal travel companion, as it works in 150+ countries and lets you withdraw up to £200 a month (max. 2 withdrawals) from overseas ATMs without any fees*.

You’ll also need to check that the ATM operator doesn’t charge its own fees.

Choose to withdraw in TRY, and your Wise card will do the currency conversion at the mid-market exchange rate. This means no expensive mark-ups eating into your spending money, just a small conversion fee*.

What are the ATM fees in Turkey?

Now, let’s take a look at how much it’ll actually cost you to withdraw cash in Turkey. Below, we’ll look at bank and ATM fees, along with currency conversion.

Exchange rate fees at ATMs in Turkey (DCC)

When you’re using an ATM in Turkey, you’ll usually be asked if you want the transaction to be converted into your local currency (GBP) or carried out in the local currency (TRY).

It’s always recommended to withdraw in the local currency, without a currency conversion. This will mean you get a better rate, as the conversion will be done by your bank or card provider back home.

However, if you choose to be charged in British pounds, the ATM will use its own exchange rate. It does this using something called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). Unfortunately, this rate will almost certainly be unfavourable, and can make the transaction expensive for you.

So the bottom line is - always press ‘no’ when asked about currency conversion.

Home bank ATM fees

Some UK banks charge fees for foreign transactions, including cash withdrawals. So always check before you travel, either contacting your bank or reading the terms and conditions for your account.

Turkey bank ATM fees

Some Turkish ATMs charge fees, which vary between banks and operators. You can expect to pay a fee of up to 10%¹ - which is an eye-watering percentage.

The good news is that some ATMs don’t charge fees. We’ll look at these next.

Can I get free cash withdrawals in Türkiye?

Some banks in Turkey do offer fee-free withdrawals.

While it may not be the same in every location and for every card, HSBC and Ziraat Bank are a couple of the banks which don’t tend to charge ATM fees.²

Some travellers also report that Halkbank, PTT and ING have fee-free ATMs too, but you’ll need to check this for yourself to see if it’s still the case.

Tips for avoiding ATM fees in Turkey

Always choose to be charged in the local currency

Some ATMs may offer you a ‘service’ of being charged in your local currency (i.e. GBP). While it may be a relief to see the figures on terms you’re familiar with, it’s always best to decline this option.

Being charged in the local currency helps you avoid hidden ATM rip-offs by giving you the best possible exchange rate. Choosing to see the transaction shown in GBP gives the ATM permission to give you an arbitrary (generally much more unfavourable) exchange rate for your withdrawal.

Check out the latest currency conversion below:

Check whether your home bank has partner banks in Turkey

If your UK bank has an overseas ATM network or partners with banks in Turkey, you may be able to benefit from low or no fees on ATM withdrawals. It’s always worth finding out before you travel.

Look for fee-free ATMs

Turkey may be a country with some of the highest ATM fees, but it also happens to be one of the rare destinations that has free ATMs too.

So, look out for free ATMs where you can, checking out banks such as HSBC, Ziraat Bankasi, Halkbank and ING.

Choose the right fee-free card

Some UK banks don’t charge ATM and foreign transaction fees. If you travel frequently, it may be worth switching banks so you can benefit from a fee-free card.

Another important tip - never use a credit card to make ATM withdrawals. Paying with a credit card is usually a lot more expensive than using a debit card, as fees are charged for cash transactions.

Plus, interest will likely start accruing right away, so you won’t benefit from your usual interest-free period.

Spend and withdraw worldwide with the Wise card

If you travel regularly, the Wise card is the perfect way to spend and withdraw cash worldwide.

You can spend like a local in 150+ countries worldwide. It automatically converts your pounds to the local currency at the mid-market exchange ratewhenever you spend.

And when you need cash, you can use it to withdraw up to £200 a month (max. 2 withdrawals) fee-free*.

You’ll just need to check whether the ATM operator charges its own fees.

Wise only ever charges small, transparent fees for currency conversion*.

Your Wise card awaits 💳

Plus, it’s fee-free if you already have the currency in your Wise account.

Sign up for a Wise account online and you can get your own Wise card for a one-time fee of just £7. With a Wise account you can send, spend and convert money like a local in 160+ countries and in 40+ currencies.

Sign up for a Wise account 🌍

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ATMs in Turkey FAQs

Which ATM is best for foreigners in Turkey?

Most ATMs in Turkey will have the option to display the screen in English. They’ll also accept both Visa and Mastercard, which are the two most commonly issued cards in the UK.

So as a UK traveller or holidaymaker, you should be able to use any Turkish ATMs without a problem.

Are there any fee-free ATMs in Turkey?

There are some fee-free ATMs in Turkey, including ATMs operated by HSBC and Ziraat Bankasi. Some ATMs by Halkbank and ING may also be fee-free.

What is the maximum withdrawal from an ATM in Turkey?

The maximum withdrawal amount at Turkish ATMs is around 1,500 to 5,000 TRY per transaction,¹ although it can vary.

Is it better to take cash or card to Turkey?

While cards are widely used in Turkey, cash is still preferred by many shops, bars and restaurants. So, it’s a good idea to take a mix of cash and card for your holiday. Read more about cash or card in Turkey so you can make an informed choice.

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Sources used:

1. ATM Fee Saver - Cash and ATMs in Turkey: Fees, limits, exchange & all you need for your travel
2. Backpack Moments - Money in Turkey: A Tourist Guide to ATMs, Cards and Exchange

Sources last checked on date: 14-Jun-2024