Do I need to bring Turkish Lira (cash) for a layover at Istanbul Atatürk airport?

Do I need to bring Turkish Lira (cash) for a layover at Istanbul Atatürk airport? - High dome of old mosque decorated with ornaments

We will be travelling from Europe to Asia with Turkish Airlines, with a layover at Istanbul Atatürk airport. While waiting at the transit zone for a few hours, we will probably spend some money on food and drinks.

Should we make sure to bring some local currency (Turkish Lira) or can we easily pay with Maestro, MasterCard or Euros?



Best Answer

In the transit zone, shops will accept credit cards and cash in a lot of different currencies:

  • Turkish Lira (TRL)
  • Euro (EUR)
  • US Dollars (USD)
  • Pound Sterling (GBP)
  • Swiss Francs (CHF)
  • Japanese Yen (JPY)

I have also found at least one ATM where I could retrieve TRL and EUR with my Maestro debit card. This is useful if you need Visa to enter Turkey, because it can only be paid with USD or EUR, not TRL !




Pictures about "Do I need to bring Turkish Lira (cash) for a layover at Istanbul Atatürk airport?"

Do I need to bring Turkish Lira (cash) for a layover at Istanbul Atatürk airport? - Ornamental dome and chandelier in old mosque
Do I need to bring Turkish Lira (cash) for a layover at Istanbul Atatürk airport? - Crop person showing postcard with photography of old city
Do I need to bring Turkish Lira (cash) for a layover at Istanbul Atatürk airport? - Rippling river with floating yachts near Turkish flags near mountain with green trees and buildings under cloudy gray sky in daylight



What currency is accepted at Istanbul Airport?

The currency in Turkey is the Turkish lira, TL. Once you land in Turkey you can exchange your money at one of the currency exchange booths at the airport.

Should I exchange money at Istanbul Airport?

Currency exchange rates at Istanbul Airport will be even worse than you can see on Global Exchange website. It means that the rates will be really bad. Even if banks at Istanbul Airport charge 4% commission, their exchange margin plus commission will still be much better deal!

Can I use my debit card in Istanbul Airport?

Payment through credit or debit cardsContactless or card payments are widely accepted in Istanbul. If you have a Visa or Master card, you don't need to worry about paying at different hotels or restaurants.

How can I spend long layover in Istanbul Airport?

5 Things to Do in Istanbul on a Layover
  • Take a Food Tour of Istanbul. Food tours are one of our favorite things to do in urban cities. ...
  • Visit the Blue Mosque. The Blue Mosque is one of the top Istanbul tourist attractions, and with good reason. ...
  • Shop in the Grand Bazaar. ...
  • Wander a Neighborhood. ...
  • Indulge in a Turkish Meal.




  • What money should you take to Turkey? Cash or Card




    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: Julia Volk, Julia Volk, Kübra Arslaner, Ali Khalil