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

Exchange boards typically do not show different rates for old vs. new USD bills — you need to ask the cashier directly before exchanging.

Istanbul has plenty of exchange offices. Old-series USD bills are generally accepted — some travelers found places with no surcharge, though it takes a bit of searching. UnionPay card is also a solid alternative to cash.

Exchange offices near Sirkeci offered around 46 TRY per USD — better than the Grand Bazaar area where the rate was 45.55. Worth walking around to compare a few offices.

USD is not officially accepted in Turkish stores — the local currency is lira. While some informal arrangements exist, most vendors will direct you to an exchange office.

Some Istanbul shopping mall stores accepted USD at roughly 46 TRY per dollar. Convenient, but the rate may be slightly worse than a dedicated exchange office.