Banking & Money

Is the 'Letim' virtual travel card still usable for tourists in Istanbul, Turkey (registration and top-up issues)?

The 'Letim' card is a virtual card issued via a mobile app, but as of early August 2026 the service stopped registering new users and some users report failed top-ups.

2 sources · 9 days ago

Where to exchange USD/EUR cash for Turkish lira in Istanbul (best exchange offices near Grand Bazaar, Laleli, Istiklal)?

The best rates are usually found at exchange offices on Laleli street across from the Grand Bazaar and along Istiklal Avenue — rates run roughly 46-53 TRY per USD, so it's worth comparing a couple of spots before exchanging.

2 sources · 12 days ago

Where can I exchange or use old/damaged US dollar bills in Turkey?

The Central Bank branch in Antalya will reliably exchange old dollar bills; some pharmacies (e.g. in Beldibi) also accept them, but only as payment for goods, not for currency exchange.

2 sources · 12 days ago

Are there ATMs at Sabiha Gokcen Airport and can you pay by card everywhere in Istanbul?

There are ATMs at the exit of Sabiha Gokcen Airport, but not always in the transit zone — it's best to carry some cash since not every place accepts cards.

2 sources · 19 days ago

Can foreign travelers still collect a Zolotaya Korona cash transfer at PTT in Istanbul or pay with a sanctioned UnionPay card?

Reports from 25–26 July indicate that Zolotaya Korona cash pickups at PTT may have stopped working after new sanctions, while payments with Rosselkhozbank UnionPay cards also became unreliable. Bring a backup payment method and emergency cash.

1 source · 5 days ago

Can international Visa or Mastercard cards be used with Apple Pay for contactless payments in Istanbul?

Travelers report being able to add a card obtained through Plati po Miru to Apple Pay and pay by phone. However, some foreign Mastercard cards can be declined at certain shops, so carry the physical card and some Turkish lira as a backup.

2 sources · 24 days ago

Can you pay by card at currency exchange offices in Istanbul, or is cash required?

Card acceptance at Istanbul currency exchange offices is inconsistent — some accept cards, some don't. A common workaround is asking someone else in line to pay by card for you in exchange for cash.

1 source · 26 days ago

What to do with leftover Turkish lira before leaving Istanbul?

Best to save leftover lira for your next trip since airport prices are inflated, but you can spend cash lira at duty-free shops. Note that currency exchange points in Turkey often only accept cash, not cards.

2 sources · 5 days ago

Can foreigners open a bank deposit account in Istanbul, Turkey?

Yes, foreigners can open a deposit account at a Turkish bank, but the local banking system works differently from what most expats are used to, and navigating the terms without knowing Turkish can be tricky.

2 sources · 29 days ago

What currency should you bring to Istanbul: Turkish lira, US dollars, or euros, and do tours need to be paid in euros?

For everyday spending in Istanbul, Turkish lira is the most practical, with US dollars as a backup. You usually do not need to bring euros just for tours, because many operators recalculate the price and accept payment in dollars or lira.

2 sources · 11 days ago

How can international travelers get cash in Istanbul without using their home bank card?

A practical workaround mentioned here is to preload a virtual Ozon or Yandex card, send money to yourself through the KoronaPay app into a TRY or USD balance, then collect cash in Istanbul at a PayPorter or postal branch after completing the paperwork.

1 source · 38 days ago

Can you book and pay for a hotel in Istanbul on Booking.com with a virtual bank card, and will the hotel ask for the physical card at check-in?

Travelers commonly use a virtual Visa or Mastercard to pay for Istanbul hotels on Booking.com because Mir cards are not accepted there. However, if the hotel’s booking conditions say the card must be shown at check-in, the property may still ask for the physical card even after online payment.

1 source · 39 days ago

Do Belarusian Visa and Mastercard bank cards work for payments in Istanbul, including cards from BNB Bank, Technobank, and Alfa Bank Belarus?

These messages do not include confirmed success or failure reports; travelers are only asking whether Belarusian cards work in Istanbul. The practical takeaway is to verify Turkey merchant payments with your bank in advance and carry a backup payment method or cash in TRY.

3 sources · 8 days ago

Is there a currency exchange open late at Istanbul Airport, and where is it located?

Yes — at Istanbul Airport, travelers report a currency exchange after all arrival procedures, just before exiting to the street, between exits 9 and 10. If you land around midnight, that is the key area to check.

1 source · 40 days ago

Where can you withdraw cash in Istanbul with a foreign bank card or collect a money transfer, and which banks charge lower fees?

Travelers report that Ziraat ATMs are usually the most reliable option in Istanbul, although declines can still happen. AquaBank was mentioned with a lower fee of about 6% versus 10–15% at some other banks, and for collecting a transfer, the post office in Kadıköy was described as the most dependable place.

1 source · 22 days ago

Are exchange offices around Istanbul Grand Bazaar open on Sundays, and is it a good idea to exchange money on weekends?

Some exchange offices around Istanbul Grand Bazaar may open on Sundays, but weekend rates are often worse. If possible, exchange money on a weekday, or avoid doing it early on a weekend when rates may still be unsettled.

1 source · 46 days ago

What’s the best way for Russian travelers to pay in Istanbul: UnionPay card, cash, or Korona transfer, and which card account currency works best?

Travelers say Korona transfers often give a better rate for Istanbul spending, and it’s smart to carry backup cash. For UnionPay cards, CNY or RUB accounts are usually preferred, while USD accounts are seen as the least выгодные because of extra conversion.

1 source · 14 days ago

Do foreign bank cards work for payments in Istanbul shops?

Physical foreign cards work inconsistently in Istanbul — Vaikiki accepts them, Migros does not, Şok is hit-or-miss. Keep cash as backup.

2 sources · 31 days ago

Do Russian cards (MIR/UnionPay) work in ATMs and card terminals in Istanbul?

Russian cards are hit-or-miss in Istanbul. ATMs at Vakıfbank and Ziraat tend to work better than POS terminals. RSHB UnionPay card is a reliable option for cash withdrawals.

2 sources · 6 days ago

What is the current euro and dollar to Turkish lira exchange rate in Istanbul?

Exchange rates change daily. Currency exchange offices on Istiklal Avenue and around the city typically offer better rates than banks. Always check the rate on the day you exchange.

1 source · 49 days ago

How to withdraw cash from ATMs in Istanbul with a foreign bank card?

ATMs in Istanbul only work with physical chip cards — contactless withdrawal is not supported. For payments in stores, contactless via phone or Huawei Watch sometimes works at POS terminals.

2 sources · 20 days ago

Can you receive money transfers at PTT post offices in Istanbul?

PTT branches in central Istanbul generally handle money transfers, but in outlying districts like Esenyurt staff may be unfamiliar with the process. Results vary by branch and staff member.

1 source · 1 day ago

How to withdraw cash or receive money transfers in Istanbul as a foreign traveler?

In Istanbul, cash withdrawals work best via UnionPay cards, while Zolotaya Korona (Golden Crown) transfers can be picked up at PayPorter locations or select PTT post offices.

1 source · 17 days ago

Where to exchange money in Istanbul — airport vs Taksim vs Beyoglu?

Sabiha Gökçen airport has exchange offices for small amounts (e.g. to buy an İstanbulkart). Taksim and Beyoglu districts have numerous exchange offices with competitive rates.

1 source · 3 days ago

Can you pay by QR code in Istanbul using foreign banking apps?

Travelers are actively looking for QR code payment options in Istanbul using apps like Letim, but no confirmed working solution was shared in these discussions.

2 sources · 52 days ago

Where to pick up international money transfers (Zolotaya Korona / PayPorter / RTT) in Istanbul?

Money transfers can be picked up at PTT post offices or PayPorter locations in Istanbul. PTT is the most reliable option — find branches on Google Maps. PayPorter is a franchise network with frequently outdated listings.

2 sources · 52 days ago

How to receive a Western Union or money transfer in cash in Istanbul?

Send money via a transfer app and collect cash at PTT post offices or PayPorter locations in Istanbul. PTT branches are mostly closed on Sundays — use PayPorter as a backup.

1 source · 15 days ago

Where to exchange money to Turkish lira in Istanbul — airport or city?

You can exchange USD or EUR at Istanbul airport on arrival and head straight to your hotel. Paying the balance in cash on-site is often cheaper than prepaying online.

2 sources · 6 days ago

Can you exchange currency at Istanbul Airport (IST) before reaching the city?

Yes, currency exchange is available at Istanbul Airport, including before customs. Note that old-series dollar bills may be refused at some exchange points.

2 sources · 3 days ago

How to send a bank transfer from Turkey to Russia?

Online transfers from Turkey to Russia are not available. Only Ziraat, İş Bank, and Denizbank allow SWIFT transfers to their Russian subsidiary banks — but only in person at a branch, by filling out a paper form.

2 sources · 10 days ago

Which banks in Istanbul accept UnionPay cards for cash withdrawal and payments?

UnionPay cards work at ATMs and POS terminals of Garanti BBVA, İş Bankası, Akbank, Ziraat, and VakifBank. TEB and QNB Finansbank do not support UnionPay.

2 sources · 4 days ago

What currency to bring to Istanbul and how to exchange money?

Bring euros and US dollars, exchange to Turkish lira as needed — the rate shifts daily in favor of foreign currency. A travel card like UP can also be useful.

2 sources · 8 days ago

Where to exchange dollars to Turkish lira near Çemberlitaş in Istanbul?

Currency exchange is available near Çemberlitaş, but rates are poor. Recent rates: buying USD ~46,800 TRY, selling ~45,800 TRY.

1 source · 3 days ago

Can you exchange a small amount of cash at Istanbul airport, and where is the best exchange rate?

You can exchange even a small amount of cash at Istanbul airports with no minimum threshold — enough to buy an Istanbulkart and take the metro. Best rates at IST are between exits 9 and 10; Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) generally has decent rates throughout.

2 sources · 3 days ago

Which foreign bank cards work in Istanbul and how to pay without a local card?

UnionPay cards work almost everywhere in Istanbul. For Russian travelers, only specific cards (UP from RSHB, ATB) function abroad, plus services like Letim. Opening a Turkish bank card as a foreigner is possible but requires a Turkish tax ID and a willing branch.

4 sources · 8 days ago

Should I buy Turkish lira before traveling to Istanbul?

Buying Turkish lira in Russia is a bad deal — exchange money in Istanbul or en route through a third country instead.

1 source · 1 day ago

Where to find the best currency exchange rates in Istanbul?

Istanbul has many currency exchange offices, with the best rates typically found on or near Istiklal Avenue. Compare rates between offices before exchanging. Avoid island exchanges — rates are worse than in the city center.

1 source · 7 days ago

Where to exchange USD to Turkish lira in Istanbul — best rates and tips

Best rates are found at exchange offices near Sirkeci (around 46 TRY/USD) and the Grand Bazaar area (45.55). Old-series USD bills are accepted but may require searching for a no-surcharge exchanger.

2 sources · 8 days ago

Does a Russian UnionPay card work in Istanbul — for payments and ATM withdrawals?

ATM withdrawals work reliably (e.g. at Vakıfbank ATMs, ~250 RUB flat fee per transaction). Card payments are hit-or-miss — roughly 50/50.

3 sources · 1 day ago

Do UnionPay cards work in Istanbul ATMs and stores?

UnionPay cards are unreliable in Istanbul — most ATMs and supermarkets don't accept them, though they may work in some cafes and at Istanbul Card top-up terminals.

1 source · 4 days ago

Best way to pay and withdraw cash in Istanbul as a tourist

The Letim service lets you withdraw cash from ATMs and pay via QR code in major stores — more convenient and cost-effective than exchanging through intermediary currencies. Some large stores like Vaikiki accept foreign currency and give change in lira at a decent rate.

2 sources · 11 days ago

Do currency exchange offices in Istanbul accept old US dollar bills?

Most exchange offices around the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul refuse old US dollar bills or offer very unfavorable rates. Bring new-series bills to avoid problems.

2 sources · 31 days ago

Which ATMs in Istanbul accept UnionPay cards without fees?

Ziraat Bank ATMs accept UnionPay without their own fee; Vakıf and İş Bankası also reportedly work. Your card issuer may still charge a flat fee per withdrawal, so withdraw larger amounts.

2 sources · 16 days ago

Should I bring euros, dollars, or Turkish lira to Istanbul?

Bring euros or dollars and exchange them in Istanbul — both are widely accepted. Avoid 500€ notes as they can be hard to exchange.

2 sources · 5 days ago

How to get cash Turkish lira in Istanbul via money transfer services like KoronaPay?

You can send a transfer to yourself via KoronaPay and pick up cash Turkish lira (or USD/EUR) at a Turkish post office. Rates are often better than exchange offices, but cash availability at a specific branch isn't guaranteed.

1 source · 7 days ago