Compare Turkish lira travel money rates

Get the best Turkish lira exchange rate by comparing travel money deals from the UK's top foreign exchange providers

Turkish lira
We found 18 travel money suppliers offering £750 worth of Turkish lira for delivery and accepting payment by debit card
You receive ₺28,837.43 Exchange rate 38.4499 Insured delivery Free Buy Now
Travel FX
You receive ₺28,837.28 Exchange rate 38.4497 Insured delivery Free Buy Now
Manor FX
You receive ₺28,756.56 Exchange rate 38.4536 Insured delivery Free Buy Now
The Currency Club
You receive ₺28,753.95 Exchange rate 38.4501 Insured delivery Free Buy Now
Sterling
You receive ₺28,699.43 Exchange rate 38.2659 Insured delivery Free Buy Now
Covent Garden FX
You receive ₺28,547.25 Exchange rate 38.063 Insured delivery Free Buy Now
ACE-FX Delivery
You receive ₺28,408.28 Exchange rate 38.4501 Insured delivery £8.99 Buy Now
Rapid Travel Money
You receive ₺28,392.90 Exchange rate 37.8572 Insured delivery Free Buy Now
Currency Online Group
You receive ₺28,223.25 Exchange rate 37.631 Insured delivery Free Buy Now
eurochange
You receive ₺28,223.25 Exchange rate 37.631 Insured delivery Free Buy Now
NM Money

Best Turkish lira exchange rate

The lira has been the official currency of Turkey since 1923 after it was introduced by the newly-formed Turkish government in the aftermath of World War I. In recent times, the lira has experienced periods of extreme volatility due to economic and political instability, which have caused its value to plummet and led to a significant devaluation in the Turkish lira exchange rate.

If you're travelling to Turkey, it's important to shop around and compare currency suppliers to maximise your chances of getting a good deal. We can help you to find the best Turkish lira exchange rate by comparing a wide range of UK travel money suppliers who have Turkish lira in stock and ready to order online now. Our comparisons automatically factor in all costs and commission, so all you need to do is tell us how much you want to spend and we'll show you the top suppliers who fit the bill.

Compare before you buy

Some of the best travel money deals are only available when you buy online. By using a comparison site, you're more likely to see the full range of deals on offer and get the best rate.

Order online

Always place your order online, even if you plan to collect your currency in person. Most supermarkets and high street currency suppliers offer better exchange rates if you order online beforehand.

Combine orders

If you're travelling with others, consider placing one large currency order instead of buying individually. Many currency suppliers offer enhanced rates that improve as you order more.

Turkish lira rate trend

Over the past 30 days, the Turkish lira rate is up 0.85% from 38.4499 on 18 Feb to 38.7767 today. This means one pound will buy more Turkish lira today than it would have a month ago. Right now, £750 is worth approximately ₺29,082.53 which is ₺245.1 more than you'd have got on 18 Feb.

These are the average Turkish lira rates taken from our panel of UK travel money providers at the end of each day. You can explore this further on our British pound to Turkish lira currency chart.

Turkish lira banknotes and coins

Turkish lira are governed and issued by the Central Bank of Turkey (Türkiye Cumhuriyet Merkez Bankası), while Turkish lira banknotes and coins are produced by the Turkish State Mint and Printing House Corporation which has facilities in Ankara and Istanbul.

One Turkish lira can be subdivded into 100 kuruş (kr). The word 'kuruş' (pronounced 'koo-roosh') means 'fraction' in Turkish.

There are six denominations of Turkish lira banknotes in frequent circulation: ₺5, ₺10, ₺20, ₺50, ₺100 and ₺200. Each denomination features a portrait of a notable Turkish figure on the obverse, and a design inspired by different periods of Turkish history or culture on the reverse.

Coins are available in six denominations: 25 kr, 50 kr and ₺1 which are used most frequently, and 1 kr, 5 kr and 10 kr which are used less-often due to their low values. Although they remain legal tender, 1-kuru coins are no longer minted because the cost of their production is more than their face value. Consequently, most cash transactions in Turkey tend to be rounded up to the nearest 5 or 10 kuruş.

The symbol for Turkish lira (₺) has an interesting history. Unlike most currency symbols which are centuries old, the lira symbol was created by a Turkish citizen after a country-wide competition in 2012. The symbol is based on the letters 'T' and 'L' crossed in the middle by two lines to form an anchor-like shape which is supposed to represent the stability of the lira. The two horizontal lines symbolise Turkey connecting to Europe in the West and Asia in the East.

Turkish lira banknote denominations
DenominationSterling equivalent
₺5£0.13
₺10£0.26
₺20£0.52
₺50£1.30
₺100£2.60
₺200£5.20
Turkish lira coin denominations
DenominationSterling equivalent
1 kr£0.0003
5 kr£0.001
10 kr£0.003
25 kr£0.01
50 kr£0.01
₺1£0.03

Tips for saving money while visiting Turkey

Naturally, the cost of a holiday in Turkey will vary depending on where you go and what you do. You can expect to pay more for goods and services in major cities like Ankara and Istanbul which have a higher cost of living than many other parts of Turkey, and resorts on the Aegean Coast tend to be more expensive than those on the Black Sea, but overall Turkey is considered to be an affordable holiday destination for British travellers.

  • Plan your itinerary: There are hundreds of free attractions to visit in Turkey: from the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, to the Pamukkale in Denizli which is known for its white terraced pools of mineral-rich hot springs, and the ancient city Ephesus in İzmir which is home to some of the best-preserved ancient structures in the world including the Odeon theater and the Temple of Artemis. Research free attractions in whatever city you're staying in and plan your itinerary around these.
  • Use public transport: Local buses are the most affordable way to travel around towns and cities in Turkey, followed by metros. All major cities in Turkey have fast and reliable metros that allow you to travel around the city on a single ticket or a rechargeable card. Or, if you prefer travelling by road, consider using Dolmuş instead of hiring a private taxi or rental car. Dolmuş is a shared taxi or minibus service that operates on a fixed route. It can be a flexible and affordable way to get around, especially in smaller towns and more rural areas.
  • Haggle for prices: Haggling is common practice in Turkey, so don't be afraid to haggle for a better price on goods and services. Find out the value of whatever you want to buy by looking around or asking locals, then start by offering a lower price than you're willing to pay. Be prepared to negotiate, and above all; be patient and respectful and you could end up with a bargain!
  • Research your accommodation: Instead of booking a hotel, consider staying in a pension. Pensions in Turkey are small, family-run guesthouses that offer budget-friendly accommodation for travellers. They are usually located in historic neighborhoods or in the countryside and they provide an authentic experience compared to staying in a hotel. Pensions usually have basic amenities such as shared bathrooms and simple furnishings, but they provide a comfortable and clean place to stay at an affordable price.
  • Eat like a local: Turkey is famous for its affordable and delicious street food. Kebab houses can be found everywhere and they serve a variety of grilled meat dishes including doner kebab, shish kebab, and adana kebab which are typically served with rice, salad, and bread. If your accommodation has a kitchen, consider shopping in the local markets and creating your own Turkish-inspired dishes.
  • Take cash: Using cash will help you to stick to a budget more easily than paying by card, and you'll also avoid foreign transaction fees. If you do take a card with you, look out for ATMs that are affiliated with your UK bank to avoid ATM fees, and if you're asked whether you want to pay in pounds or Turkish lira - always choose Turkish lira. If you pay in pounds the merchant can set their own exchange rate which won't be in your favour.