Local Tip
Sultanahmet's exchange offices, unlike most in Istanbul, may not show both buying and selling rates clearly, says Turkey Travel Planner; it prefers the Grand Bazaar's gold dealers near the Mahmutpaşa entrance, where the gap between the two can be tiny.
Where to change money in Istanbul
Exchange offices (döviz bürosu) are easy to find in Istanbul. Turkey Travel Planner (updated December 2024) says most post buying and selling rates prominently, except in Sultanahmet and similar tourist hotspots, and that few now charge commission; it advises avoiding any that do.
- Grand Bazaar gold dealers, Mahmutpaşa entrance Inside the covered bazaar (Kapalıçarşı), the gold traders near the Mahmutpaşa entrance run what amounts to Istanbul's informal gold market; Turkey Travel Planner says currency changes hands there in volume and the buy-sell gap can be minimal.
- Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar, Eminönü The same guide says offices at the Spice Bazaar usually pay better than those in tourist districts, though the Grand Bazaar may still come out ahead.
- Laleli tram stop A short way west of Beyazıt Square on the Bağcılar-Kabataş tram, heading towards Aksaray, the Laleli stop is ringed by exchange offices with rate boards.
Changing money at the airport
Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) on the Asian side both have exchange offices and ATMs, say Turkey Travel Planner and Wise, which don't name the operators. Turkish Travels (November 2025) finds that airport desks almost always pay less than city exchange offices, and Wise calls airport exchange potentially very expensive.
ATMs and cards in Istanbul
Cards work almost everywhere in Istanbul's tourist districts, even at a lot of market stalls and kiosks, YouTrip found in August 2026; keep lira for dolmuş minibuses, street food, public toilets and small tips. YouTrip and ATM Fee Saver (March 2026) both list Halkbank, ING and PTT as lower-cost for foreign cards and Garanti BBVA, Akbank, QNB and Yapı Kredi as expensive; confirm the fee on screen. Pay in lira, not sterling: Turkish Travels and Turkey Travel Planner warn that choosing pounds at a card reader or ATM brings dynamic currency conversion at a worse rate.
Paying for transport in Istanbul
One Istanbulkart covers buses, trams, the metro, funiculars, Marmaray commuter trains and ferries. Buy it from a machine at a metro entrance or an office at a main interchange, then add credit at those machines or at news kiosks and local shops that offer it.
Good to know
- Changing more than US$100's worth of currency? Bring your passport: Turkish rules make the office log its number for every such exchange.
- Without Ministry permission an office may charge nothing beyond what its posted buying and selling rates produce, and it must hand you a purchase or sale slip every time. Count your lira before leaving.
- Leave any 50 or 100-dollar US notes at home: the Foreign Office says Turkish banks and exchange offices may refuse them because of a reported surge in fakes.
- The Foreign Office says street robbery and pickpocketing are frequent in Istanbul's tourist hotspots, and urges caution with strangers who offer to swap currency or steer you towards a restaurant or nightclub.
Key Areas in Istanbul
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Exchange bureaux, banks and cash machines, as mapped by OpenStreetMap. The map loads only when you ask for it.
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Istanbul travel money FAQ
Where is the best place to exchange money in Istanbul?
Turkey Travel Planner favours the gold dealers by the Grand Bazaar's Mahmutpaşa entrance, the Spice Bazaar in Eminönü and the offices around the Laleli tram stop over those in Sultanahmet.
Is it worth changing money at Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen?
Only for a small first sum: both airports have exchange offices and ATMs, but airport desks tend to pay less than those in town, so buy most of your lira at the Grand Bazaar or Laleli.
Do Istanbul taxis use the meter?
They must by law, but Turkey Travel Planner (June 2025) says some drivers try to agree a price instead, or run the meter and take a roundabout route. Ask for the taksimetre and, as the Foreign Office advises, use a registered taxi and note its number before getting in. Turks round the fare up rather than tip.
Checked September 2026. Fees, fares and opening times change, so check locally before relying on them. Sources: Turkey Travel Planner · Wise · Turkish Travels · YouTrip · ATM Fee Saver · Wikipedia
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