Cash or card in Turkey: Which is the best way to pay?

Going on a trip to Turkey soon? You might be getting ready and working out your travel budget as we speak. However, another important factor you should consider in this process is the difference in spending habits between the Turkish and UK citizens.

Credit and debit cards are becoming more popular in Turkey, but it might not be possible to rely solely on them. Although it can depend on where exactly you’re travelling to, having some cash on you can come in handy. We’ll go into more detail to help answer the question - which is more convenient, cash or card in Turkey?

We’ll also show you a cost-effective way to handle your spending in Turkey. For any international payments, whether online or in person, you can rely on the Wise card. You can even withdraw Turkish lira like a local for low fees at a mid-market exchange rate.

Find out more about the Wise card 💳

How cash-centric is Turkey?¹

You can use cash to pay for everything in Turkey and around 30% of payments are cash transactions. Although cash has statistically lost its popularity, it’s still a big part of Turkish culture. It’s essential for small payments, open markets and tips.

On the other hand, payment cards are being used for over 50% of transactions in Turkey. Mobile payments are also becoming more common, but since some global wallets can’t be used in Turkey, residents rely on local services (more on that later).

Cash etiquette in Turkey²

It’s not mandatory to tip in Turkey, but it’s very appreciated and pretty much standard practice. Tips are always given in cash, since it’s usually not possible to add them to a bill and pay by card.

If you’re in a restaurant or a cafe, know that adding at least another 5-10% when paying is the norm. However, the exact tip amount will depend on the place and the size of your bill.

You can also tip all hotel staff, from room service to housekeeping. It’s common to give them up to 20 lira for helping you with something.

Want to work out exactly how much you should tip in lira? Use our exchange rate currency converter.

Cash or card in Turkey - the comparison

We’ve listed some common situations where you’ll be paying for things in Turkey. Here’s whether you’ll be able to pay by card, in cash or both:

Paying for…	Card	Cash
Taxis³	Usually	Yes
Convenience stores	In larger cities, yes	Yes
Turkish bath (Hamam)⁴	Usually no	Yes - often preferred, especially coins
Public transport⁵	Depends on the transport and the city	Yes
Bazaars	Sometimes	Yes

Using your card in Turkey at an ATM⁶

It’s usually not difficult to find ATMs in Turkey. If you’re visiting a popular tourist area, there will likely be many of them. Also, Turkish ATMs accept international cards, so that won’t be an issue.

Turkish ATMs mostly accept 4-digit PINs. Some of them don’t charge any fees, but that’s not necessarily a good sign. This just means that they have incorporated their fee in the exchange rate.

When it comes to the withdrawal limit, it can vary between ATMs. Usually, you’ll be able to take out between 1,500 and 5,000 TRY per transaction.

Will my UK debit card work in Turkey?⁷

Yes, your UK debit card is likely accepted in Turkey for both spending and withdrawing money. Cards issued by global providers such as Visa and Mastercard are commonly used.

Can I use my UK credit card in Turkey?⁷

Credit cards issued in the UK can usually be used in Turkey. Make sure you ask your server or vendor what payment methods they accept.

Reasons to use cash in Turkey

Turkish people still prefer cash payments, even though cards and mobile wallets are in use. It’s not uncommon for family-owned taverns or small businesses to not even have card terminals.

Cash is a popular payment method, but it will also come in handy for leaving tips. When you give a cash tip, you’re making sure that the specific person that served you receives your money. It’s common to leave tips in restaurants, taxis, hotels or when you’re on a guided tour.

Finally, cash is essential for shopping at local bazaars. Don’t forget about the art of bargaining, which is a key part of shopping in Turkey.

Reasons to use credit or debit cards in Turkey

Cards are very popular in Turkey, so you’ll likely be able to use them mostly everywhere in big cities. They are also much more secure than carrying around large amounts of cash with you.

Are contactless card payments common in Turkey?⁸

Since cards are becoming more popular in Turkey, contactless payments are now common too. You can use them for everything from paying in stores and restaurants to buying museum passes.

The limit for contactless transactions is 250 lira. Everything over that requires your PIN.

Your Wise card can also be used for contactless payments in Turkey. If you don’t want to carry cards with you, you can get the Wise virtual card with the same features.

Other payment methods in Turkey

Besides using cash or cards in Turkey, other payment methods are also available.

Mobile wallets⁹

International digital services like Google Pay, Apple Pay, and PayPal are not available in Turkey. However, there are some Turkish alternatives like BKM Express and Paycell.

Paycell offers digital payments and electronic money services. One of them is Paycell Money Transfer, which allows EU and UK residents to send money to Turkey.¹⁰

With the BKM Express digital wallet, locals pay without sharing any card information with the merchant. It’s a safe and quick way of paying.¹¹

For an additional layer of security, you could try adding your Wise virtual card to your wallet. It has all the benefits of a regular Wise card, but it exists in your phone only. You can freeze your Wise virtual card after every transaction, so top-notch security is guaranteed.

What is the best way to pay in Turkey: cash or card?

Both cash and cards can be used in different situations in Turkey. They’re used almost equally and each has its advantages.

Cash is accepted everywhere and it’s essential for things like tipping or shopping at local bazaars. Don’t forget about bargaining, which is a key part of shopping in Turkey.

Digital and card payments are becoming very popular in Turkey. Paying with your credit card or phone is certainly much safer than carrying a lot of cash with you.

Our advice is to take both your card and cash to Turkey and take advantage of each option.

Spend like a local in Turkey with the Wise card

Want to spend like a local in Turkey, without worrying about exchange rates and hidden fees? The Wise card, from the money services provider Wise, might be just the thing for you.

The Wise card can be used for international payments. It automatically converts the currency at the mid-market exchange rate with only a small, transparent currency conversion fee.

You can also use it to easily withdraw cash from the ATMs in Turkey. You can make 2 withdrawals of up to 200 GBP each month for free per account. After that, there is a charge of 0.5 GBP per withdrawal. There’s also a 1.75% fee on any amount you withdraw above 200 GBP.

Spend like a local with Wise 💳

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Cash or card in Turkey - FAQs

To summarise, here are some of the most frequent questions about using cash or cards in Turkey.

Should I exchange money before I travel to Turkey?

There’s no need to do that, you’ll be able to find plenty of exchange offices and ATMs once you get there.

How much money do I need for a week in Turkey in pounds?

That largely depends on your spending habits and travel style. However, you can always withdraw more money if you end up needing it.

Is 100 lira a good tip in Turkey?

That depends on how big your bill was. For reference, 100 lira is around 2.5 pounds.

Can you use contactless in Turkey?

Yes, you can tap to pay in Turkey.

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Sources used:

1. Statista - Digital payments in Turkey - statistics & facts
2. Visit Turkey - How much to tip?
3. Turkey Travel Planner - Taxis in Istanbul & Turkey
4. Suleymaniye Hamam - FAQ
5. NCFW - Türkiye to extend contactless fare payments to public transport networks in 40 provinces
6. ATM Fee Saver - Cash and ATMs in Turkey: Fees, limits, exchange & all you need for your travel
7. Monito - Does Turkey Accept Credit Cards? Credit Cards and Alternatives in Turkey in 2023
8. Suits Me - Contactless limit for cards around the world
9. Pay.com - 5 top payment methods in Turkey
10. Paycell - About
11. BKM Express - What is BKM Express?

Sources last checked on date: 31-May-2024