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Money &
Valuables
Turkish Lira:
The
national monetary unit is the Turkish lira (TL). The coinage is in 50,000 100,000
and 250,000 liras denomination. Bank notes are of 500,000, 1,000,000, 5,000,000
10,000,000, and 20,000,000 Liras.
Exchange offices in tourist areas are generally open until midnight,
and the exchange rates for foreign currencies are published daily. All major credit cards are
accepted.
Exchange
Services and Rates:
You can exchange major currencies in two ways. You can use banks or
exchange offices (DÖVİZ),
both of which can be found in the city center.
Generally choosing
these exchange companies will be profitable than the banks.
Money
exchange offices are open for longer hours than banks and do not
charge commission. Many are open also on Saturdays.
Cash Dispensers:
Cash dispensers
(ATM-Automatic Teller Machines)
usually not let you choose which language to carry out the transaction
in. Also, in smaller places, you might have trouble finding one that
takes your card.
You can exchange money in the branches of banks (Monday-Friday, open
from 8:30 am to noon & from 1:30 PM to 5 PM) which are entitled to
exchange money.
However, they charge a commission. In the receptions of the hotels you
can do it as well but they charge you even a higher commission. There
are also privately owned small exchange offices on the main streets of
the big cities. (** In Istanbul best rates are found in the small
offices on Beyoglu St. Taksim Area). They are open at noon and usually
do not charge a commission. The Turkish word for exchange is Döviz.
Exchange rate changes from one bank to another, from one office to
another. Travelers' checks are seen as a burden to change so only more
expensive hotels and shops accept them but not at good rates of
exchange. There is no currency black market in Turkey. So keep away any
susceptible person who says so.
Big hotels, the more expensive shops and car rental agencies accept your
credit card but make sure in advance because not all establishments
accept all cards. Shopkeepers may require you to pay the credit card fee
from 3% to 7%, or the charges for making credit card arrangements with
the bank. There are ATMs which pay out money from your account when you
insert your credit or cash card and secret password. But these are the
big city advantages and you must be certain they will work. You would
better show your card to the bank's officers first.
WARNINGS:
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When traveling do not bring your valuables because at any time, or
anywhere, you could be robbed (just as in your home country).
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I recommend you to use the hotel safety deposit boxes in any part of the world.
Photograph
taking
Do not photograph anything military, whether or not you see signs
reading "Fotoğraf çekmek yasaktır" or "Fotoğraf çekilmez". If you want to
take close-ups of people, ask for their permission beforehand. In the
museums please look for the signs posted for photography. In certain
places like the rock carved churches of Cappadocia Region photography is
strictly forbidden.
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