Can foreign UnionPay cards be used for cash withdrawals and card payments in Istanbul?

From messages by 3 participants in 1 source · Last activity: 9 days ago

TL;DR

Do not rely on an RSHB UnionPay card as your only payment method in Istanbul: both ATM withdrawals and shop payments can be unreliable. Carry a reserve of Turkish lira; one report noted a TRY 50 fee for withdrawing TRY 100 at Türkiye Bankası.

What the community said

RSHB UnionPay payments at cafés and shops can be hit-or-miss: one café tried three payment terminals before a transaction went through, while other businesses may decline the card immediately. Keep Turkish lira cash as a backup.

9 days ago 3 payment terminals

UnionPay acceptance at DeFacto is not guaranteed for RSHB cards. Ask staff to try the card on the terminal before completing your purchase, as terminal/acquiring-bank setup may matter.

25 days ago DeFacto

A withdrawal of TRY 100 with an RSHB UnionPay card reportedly worked at Türkiye Bankası, but the fee was TRY 50. Small withdrawals can therefore be very expensive.

28 days ago Türkiye Bankası — TRY 100 withdrawal, TRY 50 fee

One traveler could not get cash from RSHB UnionPay after trying several ATMs, and the card was declined at most tested venues, including Burger King. Arrive with enough Turkish lira cash rather than depending on this card.

29 days ago Burger King