Turkish currency needed?

[konatyme]

We have 2 stops in Turkey on our Med. cruise in Sept. and are wondering about currency for souvenirs, etc. Probably won't spend much, but want to be able to buy a few inexpensive things in a bazaar or shop, so are wondering whether we need to have some Turkish currency. We are booked on ship's tours, so can't plan on an ATM stop. Anybody with recent experience?

[Hlitner]

The Turks are wonderful entrepreneurs and most shops that deal with tourists will accept other currencies including US Dollars and Euros.  That being said, you are likely to get an awful exchange rate.  If you have a credit card (MC or Visa) that does not charge foreign exchange fees this is often the best way to make purchases (even small purchases).  However....if given the option to pay in the local currency (i.e. Turkish Lira) or your own currency (these options are common with credit card transactions) you should always choose the "local currency."

 

Just a friendly warning about ship's tours.  They will often take you to shops/factories/etc that exist for tours.  In other words you are going to pay tourist prices.  The tour companies generally get kick-backs or might even own these stores/factories.  If you insist on taking ship tours you will generally have to accept this reality and pay the price.  If in ports like Istanbul and Kusadasi, and if you have free time, you are likely to do better shopping on your own (just keep in mind that in Turkey...bargaining is a fact of life and a true art).

 

Hank

[konatyme]

Thanks, Hank. Yes, on previous cruises we've avoided ship's tours and usually find private ones. I guess we were a little cautious about Turkey and so opted for a ship excursion. We would never buy from any shop that was part of the tour. There is some free time for a little shopping on our own and that's when we'd buy something, if at all. Good to know that we may be able to use our credit card (which has no foreign exchange fees) for even small purchases. I did know about choosing "local currency", but thank you for the reminder.

Pat