Discover a world of belly dancers, hookah bars and ancient cobblestone streets on your next holiday to Turkey. Buy Turkish Lira before you go, so you can start enjoying your well-deserved break from the second you land.

With Asda Travel Money, changing pounds to Turkish Lira is as easy as picking up your weekly grocery shop. While you’re in-store, make sure to stock up on other holiday essentials like sunscreen, too.

Benefits of buying Turkish Lira with Asda Travel Money

Buy Turkish Lira with Asda Travel Money and you’ll benefit from:

• Our Price Promise– we’ll beat the exchange rate of any competitors within 5 miles
• Free home delivery on orders over £500
• Same day travel money service for last-minute travel (subject to availability)
• Ease and convenience – simply buy Turkish Lira from one of our Asda Travel Money bureaux when you’re out shopping (subject to availability)
• Our Buy Back Promise– we’ll buy back your unused Euros (banknotes only) at the original transaction exchange rate up to a maximum value of £250. T&C’s apply.
• Get an even better exchange rate when you sign up to Asda Rewards

How to buy Turkish Lira

You can buy Turkish Lira with Asda Travel Money in three different ways:

In-store bureau

Just pop into one of our in-store Asda Travel Money bureaux and grab your Lira when you’re doing your weekly shop. You can even pick up your Turkish currency the day you order with our same-day travel money service – it’s ideal for those last-minute trips (subject to availability).

Convenient collection while you shop

You can buy Lira online and pick up your currency at one of our selected Asda stores with Click & Collect. It’s simple, convenient and hassle-free.

Home delivery

Order your Turkish Lira online and get your currency delivered right to your door. If you order before 2pm (Monday to Thursday) you can get next-day home delivery from just £4.99. It’s free delivery for orders over £500, too.

Buying Lira with a credit or debit card

When you buy Lira online or in one of our currency exchange bureaux, you can pay with your credit or debit card. We don’t charge any card handling fee when you buy currency with your card at Asda Money. But make sure you check with your provider as some may charge additional costs, such as cash advance fees.

*Prices checked as of November 2024. 

How much money do I need for Turkey?

The amount of Lira you need for a holiday in Turkey depends on where you’re going, the type of accommodation you’re staying in and how long you’re away for. For example, eating out in one of the major cities like Istanbul or Antalya will cost more than a meal in a small village or from a street food vendor in the market.

Many people who travel to Turkey choose to stay in all-inclusive accommodation, meaning meals and drinks in the hotel are already paid for. Even if you pick this option, you’ll still need some Turkish Lira for ice creams at the beach, shopping at the local markets and seeing the sights.

Here are a few things to consider:

• Turkish beaches are some of the cheapest in Europe[5].
• A stay in Istanbul may be more expensive than a cheaper beach resort, but it’s still amongst one of the most budget-friendly European destinations for a city break[6].
• Turkish street food is delicious and more cost-effective than eating in a restaurant. Try gözleme (Turkish pancakes), borek (filled pastry rolls) and Turkish kebabs.
• If you’re drinking, you’ll pay a premium for imported alcohol. The local Turkish beer – Efes – is just as good as the familiar imported brands.

How does the Lira exchange rate work?

When you buy Turkish Lira, you’ll see a Lira exchange rate converting Pounds Sterling to Lira. An example of this is GBP/TRY 44. This means you’ll get 44 Turkish Lira for each £1 you exchange.

The exchange rate directly impacts how much you get when you exchange currency, so it’s always worth keeping an eye out for when the exchange rate fluctuates.

Lira coins and banknotes

1 Lira is divided into 100 kuruş. The following coins and banknotes are used in Turkey [7]:

What countries accept the Lira?

You can spend your Turkish Liras throughout Turkey. Turkish Lira is also widely accepted in Northern Cyprus (the Turkish half of the island)[8].

When is the best time to buy Turkish Lira?

Buying Turkish Lira before you go to Turkey means you won’t need to worry about exchanging money after you land. You’ll also avoid the more expensive exchange rates found at tourist hotspots and airports.

Keep in mind that when you withdraw money from an ATM, you may need to pay a foreign withdrawal charge as well as local transaction fees.

Buying Turkish Lira before you fly reduces the hassle of finding an ATM, haggling with exchange offices or worrying about paying high tourist rates.

Why visit Turkey?

Turkey has something for everyone. Istanbul is one of the most exciting cities in the world, with the Bosphorus acting as the gateway between Europe and Asia. World-renowned sites include the Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, whilst the streets around Taksim Square come alive at night.

If you’re looking for some beach time you won’t be disappointed in Turkey. Head to Bodrum for glitz and glamour or make your way along the Turquoise Coast to spots like Kalkan or Kas for crystal clear waters, nightlife and authentic Turkish flavours. The hotels in the likes of Antalya, Side and Bodrum are pretty spectacular, too. For an otherworldly experience, travel to Cappadocia to discover the volcanic landscape, fairy chimneys, caves and underground cities.

Plus, no trip to Turkey would be complete without hours spent enjoying the local cuisine and street food delicacies.

Buying Lira on a Prepaid Travel Money Card

You can also use our Asda Travel Money Card to buy your Lira for Turkey. Simply:

• Buy a card online or in-store
• Activate your card and register it in our online app
• Buy Lira and load it on your card to spend in Turkey
• Spend using your card in any location where Mastercard is accepted
• Top up and manage your card online, over the phone or in the Asda Travel Money Card app

Pros and cons of taking cash

Pros

• You know exactly how much you have to spend
• You can be confident you’ll be able to spend money wherever you want to, including market stalls and street food vendors
• You’ll lock in an exchange rate before your trip and will likely get a more competitive exchange rate than paying on your card in Turkey
• You won’t be charged a foreign exchange fee, like you are when paying on a debit card or taking cash out of an ATM

Cons

• It’s easier to lose cash or get it stolen
• You may end up with cash left over after your trip (don’t forget to add our Buy Back Promise when you buy Lira for just £2.99). We’ll buy back any cash you’re left over with (banknotes only) at the original transaction exchange rate up to a maximum value of £250. T&C’s apply.
• You may get a better exchange rate with a top up travel card

Selling your Lira

With our Buy Back Promise we’ll buy back any cash you’re left over with at the same exchange rate you bought it from us (notes only) up to £250. Simply add it to your original order for an extra £2.99 when you buy your currency.

Lira FAQs

Is it a good time to buy Lira in the UK?

If you’re travelling to Turkey soon, now is a good time to buy Turkish Lira. It always helps to have currency in your pocket before you land to avoid poor exchange rates and foreign transaction fees in Turkey.

Can I use my bank card in Turkey?

Yes, you can use your bank card in Turkey and most vendors will accept card payments. But there is no guarantee you’ll get as competitive an exchange rate as you would when you buy Lira in advance. Plus, you may be charged by the bank in Turkey to withdraw money and your bank at home will likely charge you a foreign transaction fee too.

Can I use other currencies in Turkey?

The Lira is the only official currency in Turkey. In some tourist areas you may be able to use Euros or US Dollars, but it’s always best to have Liras in your pocket. This means you can be sure you’ll be able to pay everywhere you go.

Can I walk into Asda and buy Lira?

Yes, you can walk into one of our Asda Travel Money bureaux and buy Turkish Lira with us (subject to availability). You can also order your currency online for home delivery or click and collect from a selected Asda store.

What is the best day of the week to exchange pounds to Lira?

It always helps to keep an eye on fluctuations in the exchange rate to make sure you get the best deal for your travel money. According to recent data, you often get the best currency exchange rates on Fridays and Saturdays [9]. But this is just a guide and isn’t a definitive rule. Keep an eye on exchange rates throughout the week and choose the best time you think to buy your currency.

Is Asda a good place to buy Turkish Lira?

Yes, Asda is a great place to buy Turkish Lira. With our Price Promise, we guarantee to beat the exchange rate of any competitors within 5 miles of an Asda Travel Money bureau. You can order your currency online for home delivery (it’s free on orders over £500) or click and collect to pick up your Turkish Lira in one of our many selected Asda stores while you do your weekly shop.

Should I tip in Turkey?

Tipping is expected in Turkey in restaurants, but less so for hotel and bar staff. In a restaurant, tip around 10-15% depending on the level of service [10]. Simply leave the cash on the table.

Do you need a visa for Turkey?

You can visit Turkey for up to 90 days in any 180 day period without a visa, for either business or tourism [11].

What languages are spoken in Turkey?

Turkish is the official language in Turkey and is spoken by around 90% of the population. There are around 70 other languages and dialects spoken in Turkey including Kurdish dialects, as well as Arabic, Greek, Ladino and Armenian [12].

Planning another trip as well as your jaunt to Turkey? You’ll need to get the right currency for your chosen destination, and we can help you at Asda Travel Money. You can buy Euros to travel within the Eurozone or grab some Swedish Krona or Norwegian Krone for a trip to Scandinavia. You’ll need Polish Zloty for a visit to Poland or Hungarian Forint for a city break in Budapest.

We can also help arrange your currency if you’re travelling further afield, whether to the United States, Vietnam, Thailand, Australia, Canada, South Africa or Mexico.

[1] [2] [3] [4] numbeo.com

[5] euronews.com

[6] express.co.uk

[7] westernunion.com

[8] gonorthcyprus.com

[9] holidayextras.com

[10] turkeytravelplanner.com

[11] gov.uk

[12] ktb.gov.tr