Turkey is a popular holiday destination for UK tourists, but there’s one common mistake many people make when heading to the country that can make their trip more expensive
Turkey is rapidly emerging as a top holiday destination for UK tourists, with its sun-drenched coastal resorts and vibrant cities such as Istanbul attracting millions of visitors annually.
Indeed, an impressive 4.4 million UK tourists travelled to Turkey in 2024 alone, positioning it as the eighth most sought-after destination for British travellers.
Whilst it’s still catching up with established favourites like Spain, France, and Greece, visitor numbers are climbing each year, and it could soon secure a place in the top five.
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However, there’s one frequent mistake many tourists commit when travelling to Turkey that can make their getaway more expensive than anticipated. With just one straightforward adjustment, you could save considerable money on your journey, reports the Mirror.
A Turkey travel expert called Katherine has revealed some insider secrets for those planning a visit to Istanbul in a TikTok clip, though her primary recommendation applies regardless of your Turkish destination.
She cautions against converting your home currency to Turkish Lira before departure, as you might receive an unfavourable exchange rate and end up spending more money than intended.
Rather, she recommends converting your cash to Euros or Dollars initially, then taking that currency to Turkey and exchanging it for Turkish Lira upon arrival.
She stated: “Never change Lira in your home country or the airport in Turkey. Instead, bring Euros or Dollars and exchange small amounts [while you’re here], because Turkish Lira is pretty unstable.
“The best exchange spots [in Istanbul] are the Grand Bazaar or Istiklal Street. I always go to the one right across from the Swarovski store at Istiklal.”
While this money-saving tip is applicable nationwide, Katherine’s further advice zeroes in on navigating Istanbul.
She recommends avoiding the use of credit cards or contactless payments for public transport due to a hefty 40% surcharge. Instead, opt for an Istanbulkart, a travel card available at any metro station.
Additionally, Katherine warns against jumping into “random airport taxis,” as you could end up paying five to ten times the actual fare.
Apps like Uber, Bitaksi, and InDrive provide better alternatives for getting around the city, with the option to pay through the app.
Turkey travel guidance
For British citizens travelling to Turkey, your passport must have at least 150 days remaining from the date of arrival and contain at least one blank page.
Visits to Turkey for up to 90 days within a 180-day period do not require a visa for business or tourism purposes. Longer stays necessitate a short-term residence permit.
If you plan to bring money to Turkey for exchange, it’s vital to understand the currency regulations.
Whilst there’s no limit on the amount of foreign currency or Turkish Lira you can bring into Turkey, you’re prohibited from taking out more than $5,000 USD worth of Turkish Lira from the country.
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