Where to exchange money to Turkish lira in Istanbul — airport or city?
Based on 2 discussions with 3 participants · Last activity: 5 days ago
TL;DR
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.
What the community said
Booking with a balance due on arrival tends to be significantly cheaper than full prepayment — the difference can reach around €800. Payments on-site generally go through without issues.
5 days ago Savings up to ~€800 paying balance on arrival
Exchanging USD to Turkish lira at Istanbul airport is convenient — exchange offices operate around the clock. After exchanging, you can head directly to your hotel.
5 days ago Istanbul Airport currency exchange (24/7)
Arriving in Istanbul with only USD is fine — airport exchange offices let you get lira right away. It also helps to book a hotel near public transport stops to avoid relying on taxis.
5 days ago