What currency should travelers bring to Antalya, where is the best place to exchange money, and are older US dollar bills accepted?
Based on 1 discussion with 3 participants · Last activity: 12 days ago
Based on 1 discussion with 3 participants · Last activity: 12 days ago
TL;DR
For Antalya, it’s usually best to bring USD or EUR and exchange them into lira in Turkey at exchange offices or banks with a decent rate. Older US dollar notes are often accepted, but some exchange counters offer a worse rate or refuse worn bills, so newer notes are safer.
If you want the best rate in Antalya, it’s usually better to bring USD or EUR and exchange them into Turkish lira after arrival rather than buying lira in Kazakhstan first. Pre-bought lira often comes with a weaker rate and a bigger spread.
Older US dollar notes are often accepted in Turkey, but exchange offices are usually more cautious with older series, especially pre-2006 bills, and with torn or heavily worn notes. In practice, newer $50 and $100 bills usually get a better rate than old or damaged ones.
For everyday spending in Antalya, it’s smart to keep some money in Turkish lira for transport, small shops, markets, and some cafés. A practical approach is to hold most of your cash in USD or EUR and exchange it into lira in smaller amounts as needed.