Useful Information

Currency Regulations Limits: There is a limit on the cash amount of foreign currency that may be brought into Turkey, more than 5,000 USD worth of Turkish currency may not be brought in to or taken out of the country. Currency: The currency in Turkey is Turkish Lira, however starting from 01.01.2005 six zeros are deleted from Turkish Lira. Even the Turkish people are having difficulties as to get used to it therefore we highly recommend you to pay attention to the following tips: - Name of the currency is YTL. - 1 YTL= 1,000,000 TL, six zeros are dropped from Turkish Lira. - The subunit of YTL is YK / 1 YTL= 100 YKr. - YTL banknotes: 1, 5, 10, 20, and 100 YTL. - YTL coins: 1,5,10,25,50 Yeni Kuruş (YKr) and 1 YTL. General Information Banking Hours: Banks are open during the week days from 08:30 am. to 05:00 pm. Some are open at weekends as well. Branches in major hotels are available. Drinking Water: Bottled water is recommended although the water is chlorinated in major cities. Electrical Appliances: The electric current in Turkey is 220 volts AC in all parts of the country. The major hotels in the main cities have adaptors and converters available for guest's use. Time: Turkish standard time is two hours ahead of Greenwich mean time; one hour ahead of central European time and 7 hours ahead of U.S., eastern standard time. Passport & Visa While planning your trip to Turkey do not forget to check your passport if it is valid for at least 3 months. Depending on your nationality most probably your stay as a tourist is limited up to 3 months (for one entrance). More on passport, visa, customs and tax refund... Incase you loose your passport you should immediately contact your countries embassy or consulate in Turkey. Credit Cards & Traveler's Checks Major Credit Cards and Traveler's checks are accepted in big cities however you may need to carry some cash with you. US dollars and Euro's are also widely excepted. Turkish money is a convertible one but DO NOT exchange your money to Turkish lira's in your home town, the rate you get is much lower than what you get in Turkey. You could easily exchange money on arrival at airports or borders. Checks: Euro checks can be cashed immediately; so can traveler's checks upon producing identification. Credit Cards: The most widely accepted credit cards are Euro card, Diner's Club, Visa and MasterCard. You may exchange traveler's checks at Post Offices in touristy places and at certain banks. Exchange rates for foreign currencies are published daily. You could check the value of your currency from the Currency Converter. You may exchange your money either in Post or Bank offices (open daily (Except Saturday and Sunday) between 09:00 to 17:00), Exchange offices (In touristy places are generally open until midnight), or at your hotel. You would get the best rate at the exchange office and the lowest at your hotel