Using a credit card in Turkey

Turkey, a popular tourist destination, is a credit-card-friendly country. Visa and Mastercard credit cards are widely accepted. American Express and Diners Club International? Not so much.

Cash also remains a popular way to pay across the country, so a cash withdrawal could be an option. Just be wary of cash advance fees and cash advance APR that are common with credit cards.

If you’re taking along a variety of cards, debit cards and cash, read our full guide on spending money while traveling in Turkey.

Which credit card issuers are accepted in Turkey?

Visa and Mastercard are most commonly accepted card networks in Turkey, and American Express credit cards are accepted more widely than Discover cards — especially at expensive hotels and restaurants.

If you’re a Discover cardmember looking to make cash withdrawals, look for Citibank and Garanti ATMs. American Express owners can choose ATMs from Akbank, Vakifbank, Garanti and Turkiye Bankasi among others.

	Merchant acceptance	ATM acceptance
Visa	High	High
Mastercard	High	High
American Express	Medium	High
Discover	Medium	Low

Potential credit card fees in Turkey

Whether you’ll pay any fees on your purchases abroad depends on your card. For example, you could pay:

• Foreign transaction fees. This could be up to 3%, which means for every $5,000 spent in Turkey, you’ll pay $150 in fees.
• Currency conversion fees. ATMs and vendors could offer you the option to pay in US dollars. This is called Dynamic Currency Conversion and it comes with a poor conversion rate.

Can I incur both fees?

Yes. Avoid this by paying in local currency and getting a credit card without foreign transaction fees.

Compare cards for use in Turkey

Consider a credit card without foreign transaction fees or an airline cobranded card that saves you money on flights, checked bags or lounge access.

Sort by:

Name	Product	Foreign transaction fee	Annual fee	Purchase APR	Filter values
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card		None	$95	15.99% to 22.99% variable		Earn a signup bonus worth $1,000 plus up to $50 statement credit towards groceries with this popular travel card.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express® Gold Card		None	$250	See Pay Over Time APR		Rose Gold is back Earn up to 4x points on select purchases, a bevy of travel perks, and a welcome offer worth up to $600 based on our valuation with this upper-mid tier travel card. Terms apply, see rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
The Platinum Card® from American Express		None	$550	See Pay Over Time APR		One of the most valuable premium travel cards, featuring two welcome offers worth up to $4,500 based on Finder's valuation, multiple travel credits and unrivaled lounge access. Terms apply, see rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Chip and PIN credit cards

These are the most common types of credit cards used in Turkey. You could use a chip and signature card, but it may not be accepted everywhere. To avoid unnecessary frustration, ask your bank to provide a four-digit PIN for your card before traveling.

Is it safe to use my credit card in Turkey?

Using a credit card in Turkey is safe, but exercising caution is advised.

• Select ATMs with care. Choose an ATM attached to a bank. These ATMs are less likely to be tampered with and you can quickly retrieve your card if it gets eaten by the machine.
• Take two cards. Having a backup card could save you time, money and stress.
• Keep your card in sight. Always keep an eye on your card to avoid misuse.

How to prepare before traveling to Turkey

• Get a credit card without foreign transaction fees. This can save you up to 3% on every transaction.
• Visa and Mastercard are universally accepted. American Express is also accepted, but not as widely.
• Notify your bank before you travel. Otherwise, your bank may consider your activity outside the US fraudulent and block your card.
• Get your bank’s phone number. Quickly resolve any card-related issues by calling.
• Get a backup card. This way, you’ll be covered if something happens to your primary card.
• Get some cash. Having cash is a must if you’re planning to haggle, use a taxi or purchase items from street vendors. Making a cash withdrawal could be an option, but use a debit card to avoid paying fees.

Should I use my credit card to get cash in Turkey?

You’ll need cash if you’re planning to shop from street vendors, market stands, or if you’re going to use public transportation or taxis.

ATMs are widespread across Istanbul and other cities, but expect to pay high cash advance fees and APR if you’re using a credit card. Use a debit card to avoid cash advance fees and an APR.

Bottom line

You can use your credit card in most places in Turkey, including hotels, restaurants and most museums. Mastercard and Visa are most popular, but some merchants may accept American Express and Discover cards. However, you may still need cash to fully enjoy Turkey.

If you’re looking to make cash withdrawals, consider carrying a debit card to avoid cash advance fees and an APR. For all other card purchases, get a travel credit card without foreign transaction fees.

See more guides on using a credit card in other countries.

Frequently asked questions

• How do I send money to Turkey?

  Check out our money transfer page to find the best way to send money to Turkey.

• Which currency is used in Turkey?

  Turkey uses the lira with a symbol ₺ and a currency code TRY or simply TL.

  If you’re making a cash withdrawal, you’ll see banknotes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 TL.

• What is the US dollar to Turkish lira exchange rate?

• What is the most commonly used credit card network in Turkey?

  Visa and Mastercard are most widely used, closely followed by American Express.