Best places to exchange currency in Istanbul

Istanbul is a city that has enchanted its visitors for centuries. Here, culture and history come together in a fascinating mix of east and west. Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, you’ll soon see why this magnificent city enthralled ancient emperors as much as it does modern tourists.

You’ll want to be prepared while you’re there. They don’t mind bartering in Istanbul, especially if you stop in one of Istanbul’s famous bazaars. For that, you’ll want to have plenty of Lira in your pocket to bargain with - which means you are going to need some cash.

Use this guide to avoid the rip-offs and find the best places to exchange your cash while you stay in Istanbul.

Things to know before exchanging currency

Comparing fees from one service to another may seem fairly straightforward, but getting the best deal when you’re looking to convert your money isn’t quite so simple.

Here are four things to look out for when you exchange your money in Istanbul:

1. Check the rate the currency exchange service is offering you with the real rate online. When it comes to getting a fair deal on your currency exchange, your most powerful tool is right in your pocket. Locate an online currency converter on your smartphone, and have the mid-market exchange rate at your fingertips. The mid-market rate is important, as it is the only ‘real’ rate. It’s the rate banks use to trade with each other, and acts as a benchmark to measure the fairness of the deals you’re offered in Istanbul.
2. Avoid services around airports and hotels. If you've just arrived in the city, it can be tempting to use the services conveniently located when you arrive. These will rarely offer the best rates, so a better alternative if you need cash is to use an ATM.
3. ATMs are good options, but better still is to research if your home bank has a partnership with any Turkish banks. ATMs can offer decent overall rates. Of course, not quite the mid-market, but usually a fairer rate than you’ll be offered at a cash exchange bureau. To get the best possible deal, use the ATMs of a bank your home bank has a partnership with. If so, you might find you can withdraw cash from certain ATMs for a lower fee.
4. Don’t let foreign ATM do any conversion for you. If the ATM asks you whether you would like to be charged in your home currency, you should say no. This is a common foreign exchange rip off, as the ATM will then assign a poor exchange rate to charge the withdrawal. Ask to be charged in the local currency instead.

It’s best to avoid switching your unwanted cash back to your home currency - it means you’ll have to pay fees and charges twice. So make a plan to use up all the money you exchange - spending the last of your cash in one of Istanbul’s atmospheric bazaars shouldn’t be a chore.

Where to exchange money

Changing cash isn’t going to be a problem in Istanbul - but finding the best lira rates might be more of a challenge. Be wary of hidden charges and fees, which you can spot by calculating the amount of lira you’ll receive after conversion and comparing this figure amongst your options.

Tourist exchange offices tend to be clustered around the major sites like the Grand Bazaar. They’re mainly small desks without websites. Major international currency exchange firms are poorly represented in Istanbul.

Some options are listed below so you can review their exchange rates before choosing - but you can also simply visit one of the tourist districts and check out the offered rates against your currency converter for the fairest deal.

Exchanges at Ataturk Airport

Locations

Ataturk Airport in Istanbul is home to several different exchange services. Unusually for airports, different companies operate under one roof so shop around. Usually the airport won’t offer the best deals, though - so know your mid-market rates in advance.

| --- | --- |
| Locations | Phone Number |
| Akbank T.A.S. has branches both land and airside. | Atatürk Havalimanı Akbank +90 (0212) 4654247 |

Opening Hours

According to flight schedules - call ahead if you have any questions.

Özerhan Döviz

Locations

An exchange bureau in the Beşiktaş neighbourhood

| --- | --- |
| Location | Contact Information |
| Levent, Çarşı Cad. No:10 D:1, 34330 Beşiktaş/Istanbul | +90 (0212) 325 7576, info@ozerhandoviz.com |

Opening Hours

Call or email ahead for hours.

Para Çevirici

Locations

Para Çevirici has an office in the Kadıköy area of Istanbul.

| --- | --- |
| Location | Contact Information |
| Osmanağa Mah, Çilek Sk, Güneş İş Mrk, K:3, Kadıköy / İstanbul | +90 (216) 338 0836, info@akillisoft.com |

Opening Hours

Call or email ahead for hours.

Alternatively - save the hassle and get an even better deal by using Transferwise. If you or a friend has a Turkish Lira bank account, you can transfer money between accounts using the real mid-market exchange rate. No need to negotiate the currency exchange offices - instead use that time to enjoy all Istanbul has to offer.