Turkish Money

The local currency is the New Turkish Lira (YTL Yeni Turkish Lira) useually pronounced as yeteler. The Kurus (koroosh) are the coins of which 100 make 1 YTL. See examples below.

The prices are very reasonable in Turkey, but the exchange rate varies daily and can be dramatic. Sterling, dollars and euros are accepted eagerly, use these for large purchases as it is possible to get larger discounts on goods. However, we recommend that you use the local currency for smaller items especially eating and drinking. A charge is made by some businesses for changing your money on the spot.

Shop around for a good exchange rate, the commission charged for changing your money, varies from place to place. Check our recommended exchange office, where you will be given a VIP card for a better rate, if you take in one of our vouchers

A word of warning! Do not deface or destroy the banknotes as this is very offensive to some Turkish people as they feel that it defiles their hero, Ataturk, whose picture is on each note.

The Turkish name for money is para. If you are bargaining for goods, the expressions 'chock para' means 'too much money', 'chock pahala' means 'too expensive' and 'para yok' means 'I have no money' useful if you don't want to buy anything.