Which foreign bank cards work in Istanbul and how to pay without a local card?
Based on 4 discussions with 8 participants · Last activity: today
TL;DR
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.
What the community said
Payment by Russian card transfer at the Grand Bazaar is inconsistent — unlike Kemer and Antalya where it's common, Istanbul vendors are less predictable. It's safer to carry Turkish lira or a UnionPay card.
1 day ago Grand Bazaar, Istanbul
Zolotaya Korona (Golden Crown) transfer points in Turkey may not exist at the addresses shown in the app. However, the main PTT post office branch in any city reliably offers this service, even if it's not listed in the app.
1 day ago PTT main post office branch
UnionPay is the most reliable card for payments in Istanbul, accepted at most shops, cafes, and markets. Travelers report successful use across multiple visits with very few declines.
2 days ago UnionPay
Russia's Faster Payment System (SBP) does not work in Istanbul with Russian cards.
3 days ago
Among Russian-issued cards, only UP cards from Rosselkhozbank (RSHB) and ATB work abroad, including Turkey. Alternative payment services like Letim and 'Plati po Miru' also work. Other Russian cards are not accepted internationally.
7 days ago UP (RSHB), Letim, Plati po Miru
Foreigners can open a Turkish bank card, but it requires a Turkish tax ID (vergi numarası) and finding a branch willing to serve non-residents. Not all branches accept foreigners, so expect to visit several.
20 days ago Turkish tax ID (vergi numarası)
If a Turkish vendor has no card terminal, you can send payment directly to their Turkish bank card via IBAN transfer — a practical workaround for cashless payments.
22 days ago IBAN bank transfer