For the visitors in İstanbul, the best way to shop and go around is to have Turkish Liras although there are some places to accept other currencies.
There are many opportunities and options to exchange money for you, but when it comes to money issues, you need to trust the places so that you do not have less rate of exchanging money.
You will find the Lira notes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 Liras. There is also a 1-lira coin, which is equivalent to 100 Kurus.
Exchange offices should be in the center of the city and provide services currency and gold for years so that you can trust them. The districts such as Sultanahmet, Taksim, and the Grand Bazaar are good choices.
For example, in Taksim, you can go Ye-ye Doviz and Nizam Doviz. For the Grand Bazaar, Merkez Doviz and Haznedar Doviz are the places you can trust when exchanging money.
Laleli District
Because of its being closeness to Istanbul University, you can see many university youths here. Also, there are many tourists who want to visit the Suleymaniye Mosque that is walking distance from Laleli.
The most famous landmark in this area is the Laleli Mosque. Also, there are many shopping places where people can buy cheap clothes, shoes, and accessories in bulk.
Especially when walking through Ordu Street, you can see many hotels, shopping centers, and small retail stores.
Some people connect Laleli to the Russian culture somehow because of its atmosphere. It is a good choice to see the taste of Russia in Istanbul or shop for cheap clothes.
I know that you need to exchange money in order to shop in Laleli. There is nothing to get worried since you have great opportunities here to exchange your money at any of the currency exchanging in the area.
Some of them are Ordu Street, or just near Laleli Mosque.
If you need to exchange money afternoon, you have two choices: Temiz Doviz and Atasal Döviz. They are open until 21:00 and 22:00 respectively.
For the best rates, you can consider these options: RUB,EUR,USD,GBP,CHF,INR, and NZD.
As a tourist or someone living in İstanbul who do not know about Laleli, you can get by using modern tramway and metro.
If you will choose modern tramway from any other point of İstanbul, you should get off the nearest tram stops are Laleli and Aksaray. However, if you want to take the metro, the nearest the metro station to Laleli is Vezneciler Station.
Here are five famous exchange places in Laleli:
Aklar Doviz
When you exchange money, the first thing to consider should be trust. After overcoming trust issue, you can easily exchange your currency.
Aklar Doviz is so advantageous in this sense as it provides currency and gold exchange services for more than 24 years.
You can go there to exchange money during the opening hours that is from Monday to Friday between 06:30 am and 07:30 pm.
Address: Beyazıt Mahallesi., Ordu Cad. Kalaycı Şevki Sok. No:20, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 212 518 3689
Martur Doviz
Serving since 1993, Martur Doviz makes us feel comfortable when it comes to trust issue.
If you go there from Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 20:00, and Saturday between 09:00 am and 05:00 pm, you can exchange your money.
Address: Ordu Caddesi, Çara Plaza D:207, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 212 516 2656
Elmacıoğlu Döviz
Elmacioglu Doviz is also one of exchange center providing currency and gold exchange services since 1993.
It is okay to go there between 09:00 am and 06:00 pm Monday to Friday 09:00 – 18:00.
Address: Ordu Caddesi, No. 60/B Laleli, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 212 522 0151
Temiz Doviz
Although it does not have that long past like Elmacioglu Doviz, Temiz Doviz has been known as registered currency and gold exchange company since January 1998.
It is located on the famous street in Laleli that is known as Ordu Street. During the opening hours, that is from Monday to Saturday between 09:00 am and 09:00 pm, you can visit there.
Address: Mesih Paşa, Ordu Caddesi No:271, 34130 Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 212 513 6100
Atasal Döviz
Atasal Doviz has the service of currency exchange on Ordu Street. The advantage of Atasal Doviz is to open also on weekends.
For your information, the opening hours of Atasal Doviz is like this: From Monday to Sunday between 09:00 am and 10:00 pm.
Address: Ordu Caddesi, No:263, Laleli, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 212 518 5050
Spice Bazaar ( Egyptian Bazaar)
Egyptian Bazaar is one of the famous places for the visitor who wants to see historical places of Ottoman times and Byzantines times. That is why there are many places to exchange money for many tourists.
It is located right near Eminonu, which is famous for balik ekmek , and just walking distance to the New Mosque (Yeni Cami). You can also walk from this bazaar to High Sophia Museum and the Blue Mosque.
Because this takes many tourists, sellers might let you use the currency of your own country, but I suggest you convert your money to Turkish Liras so that you decrease the risk of paying more because of the exchange rate.
There are many currency exchange kiosks in this area when going from Spice Bazaar all the way to Ankara Road near Istanbul Railways Museum.
For the best rates, you can consider these options: EGP,EUR,GBP,CHF,AUD,CAD,TWD, and CNY.
If you want to visit Spice Bazaar and see historical and natural beauties around it, there are three practical ways for you to get there:
- You can take modern tramway, which is the most common way because of its pace. You should get off the nearest tram stop to Spice Bazaar that is Eminonu station.
- If you are planning to reach Eminonu and Spice Bazaar area from the Asian side of İstanbul or some places near Zeytinburnu district, you can use Marmaray.
Marmaray is one of the newest public transportation vehicles in İstanbul, and I strongly suggest you experience it because of its being fast and the way it follows. It goes under the Marmara Sea when coming from the Asian side of Istanbul to Eminonu.
You can get off Marmaray Sirkeci and just walk a maximum of ten minutes to reach Spice Bazaar.
Here are five famous exchange offices in Spice Bazaar that you can easily trust.
Muteber Doviz
Muteber Doviz services currency exchange to tourist after being established in 1992 by Mustafa Tabar.
The opening hours are from Monday to Saturday between 9:00 am and 06:00 pm.
Address: Hamidiye Cad. Doğubank İş Hanı No:29 D:33, Fatih, İstanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 212 522 1212
Angun Doviz
Angun Doviz is the other choices to serve currency and gold exchange in the Spice Bazaar.
You can visit to exchange money from Monday to Saturday between 09:00 am and 07:00 pm.
Address: Hobiyar Mh. Yenicami Cd. 2/1 Sultanahmet Meydanı Eminönü, 34112 Fatih, İstanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 212 522 1111
Zeki Doviz
Zeki Doviz also serves currency and gold exchange serves from Monday to Saturday between 09:00 am and 07:00 pm.
Address: Büyük Postane Cad. 23/B, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 212 520 3232
Narin Doviz
From Monday to Saturday between 09:00 am and 07:00 pm, Narin Doviz can serve you currency and gold exchange services.
Address: 74 Sabuncu Hanı Sokak, Tahtakale, 34116, Fatih, İstanbul
Tel: +90 212 528 4980
Yalim Doviz
With its two branches in the Eminonu area, Yalim Doviz services currency and gold exchange for people.
You can visit this place from Monday to Saturday between 08:00 am and 07:00 pm.
Address: 59/B Ankara Caddesi, Hobyar, 34112 Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 212 513 4545
The Grand Bazaar
By thousand of the tourist, the Grand Bazaar has visited landmarks a lot. Therefore, it is not surprising to face many places to currency exchange there.
In fact, there are many currency exchange kiosks located all around the Grand Bazaar. If you want to question the price they offer, or if you hesitate from any reason feel free to compare rates before deciding which is your right money changer. It is the usual way before making the last decision for everybody.
Especially, the Mahmutpasa entrance is famous for offering the best rates in the gold dealers’ section, which is near the Mahmutpasa entrance.
For the best rates, you can consider these options:
USD, AUD,CAD,GBP,JPY,SAR,DKK,MYR,SGD,PHP,INR,HKD, and CNY / RMB.
There are two most famous ways how to get the Grand Bazaar:
- You can take modern tramway and get off Beyazit station. After that, you can reach the Grand Bazaar by walking.
- If you want to prefer taking the metro, the situation you need to get off is the situations named Vezneciler and Marmaray Sirkeci. It is very easy and practical to walk from these situations to the Grand Bazaar
Here are five exchange offices in order to exchange your currency with the best rate:
Merkez Doviz
During its opening hours, that is from Monday to Saturday between 08:00 am and 06:00 pm, you can take currency and gold exchange services from Merkez Doviz.
Address: Beyazıt Mh., Keseciler Cd. 105-107, 34126 Fatih, İstanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 212 520 4034
Kur Borsa Doviz
Kur Borsa Doviz is also one of the best places where to take currency exchange service in the Grand Bazaar.
You can exchange your money from Monday to Saturday between 09:00 am and 05:00 pm.
Address: Molla Fenari Mahallesi, Çuhacı Han Sokak No 8, 34126 Fatih, İstanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 212 511 2256
Haznedar Doviz
Haznedar Doviz is another famous one to exchange currency and gold for years in the Grand Bazaar.
For your information, opening hours from Monday to Friday between 09:00 am and 06:00 pm.
Address: Mollafenari, Çuhacı Han Sk. No: 8, 34120 Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 212 514 2474
Gazi Doviz
Gazi Doviz serves currency exchange from Monday to Saturday between 09:00 am and 06:00 pm.
Address: Mollafenari, Ç. Nuruosmaniye Cad. No:28, 34000, Fatih, İstanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 212 511 5868
Yazici Altin Doviz
Yazici Altin Doviz is one of the exchange centers you can trust without any hesitation as it provides currency and gold exchange services since 1996.
If you want to visit this place to exchange money, the opening hours are from Monday to Saturday between 09:00 am and 6:00 pm and for Saturday, it is between 9:00 am and 04:00 pm, which is a very good advantage because generally exchange centers are closed on Saturday.
Address: Kapali Çarsi Kavaflar Sk. No: 61 Beyazit, Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 212 514 8282
Beyoglu/Taksim
Taksim Square is famous for its nostalgic tramway and diversity of many shopping stores together with many restaurants serving traditional Turkish food.
Because it is located in the center of Europe side of Istanbul, many tourists and visitor book a hotel room in Taksim for their Istanbul trip.
If you are one of them or go to Taksim Square to travel around, you will face many money exchange centers.
For the best rates, you can consider these options:
USD,EUR,GBP,CHF,AUD,SEK,NOK,DKK,JPY,SAR, and CAD.
There are two ways to go there easily for you:
- You can use modern tramway and get off Karakoy station. After that, you can climb through Galata Tower and reach Taksim Street. As a second way to go Taksim Street from Karakoy street, you can take the nostalgic tramway to climb there.
- You can take the metro for example when coming from Mecidiyekoy or Yenikapi metro station. You should get off Taksim station and now you are in Taksim Square.
Here are five options for you to exchange money in Taksim Square:
Ye-Ye Doviz
Ye-Ye Doviz is one of the currency exchanging center that you can trust since it serves currency and gold exchange company since 1992.
The opening hours are between from Monday to Saturday between 09:00 am and 08:00 pm.
Address: İstiklal Caddesi 131/B, Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 212 252 7358
Nizam Doviz
Nizam Doviz is the center of Taksim Street you can easily reach from Monday to Saturday between 09:00 am and 07:30 pm.
Address: Katip Mustafa Çelebi, İstiklal Cad. No:31, 34433, Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 212 252 6428
Cetin Doviz
Cetin Doviz services currency exchange from Monday to Saturday between 09:00 am and 07:30 pm.
Address: Katip Mustafa Çelebi, İstiklal Cad. No:31, 34433, Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 212 252 6428
Cozum Doviz
It serves as a currency exchange in its opening hours which is Monday to Saturday between 09:00 am and 07:00 pm.
Address: Katip Mustafa Çelebi, Meşelik Sk. No:1, 34433 Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 212 244 62 71
Aral Doviz
Unlike other places, Aral Doviz serves as currency and gold exchange.
You can visit Aral Doviz from Monday to Saturday between 09:00 am and 06:00 pm.
Address: Gümüşsuyu, Sıraselviler Cad. No:17, 34437, Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 212 530 3554
Sultanahmet
Sultanahmet is one of the popular places with many of Istanbul’s famous landmarks like Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, and the Byzantine Hippodrome.
There are many places as a hotel you can stay when traveling around Istanbul. Because the place takes many tourists, there are many exchange centers where you can exchange money.
For the best rates, you can consider these options:
USD,EUR,GBP,CHF,SEK,AUD,SGD,MYR,INR,PHP, and HKD.
Here are five famous exchange office you can find in Sultanahmet:
Aydin Gold Exchange Office
In the center of Sultanahmet, just near the modern tramway road, you can see Aydin Gold exchange office, which services currency and gold exchange.
It opens from Monday to Sunday between 09:00 am and 09:00 pm.
Address: Divanyolu Caddesi Divan Center No:56/38, 34122, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 212 513 8698
Arkent Doviz
Arkent Doviz services currency exchange for those who visit Sultanahmet and places around. You can visit there weekdays; from Monday to Friday between 09:00 am and 07:00 pm.
Address: Sultanahmet Mh., Divan Yolu Cad. No:32, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 212 520 4121
Ser Kıymetli Madenler
Ser Kiymet Madenler is one of the currency offices in Sultanahmet that people do not hesitate to exchange because it provides more than 30 years in service.
Ser Kiymetli Madenler services currency and gold exchange from Monday to Friday between 07:00 am and 05:00 pm.
Address: Molla Fenari Mh. Şeref Efendi Sk. Şener Center No:28/5 Nurosmaniye, 34120, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 212 522 9309
Dadas Doviz
Dadas Doviz services currency and gold exchange in its opening hour that is from Monday to Saturday between 08:00 am and 06:00 pm.
Address: Mollafenari, Vezirhan Cd. No:36, 34120, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 212 514 5958
Agaoglu Doviz
For currency and gold exchange, Agaoglu Doviz is one of the good choices you can take services easily.
Opening hours for Agaoglu Doviz is from Monday to Saturday from between 9:00 am and 06.00 pm.
Address: Yeniçeriler Caddesi No: 25-b Beyazit, Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 212 638 3737
Other Exchange Offices in Istanbul
Ozerhan Doviz
Besiktas district is like a bridge between Ortakoy and Dolmabahce Palace when climbing Taksim Square and Besiktas Ali Sami Yen Stadium.
Generally, it is preferable for the young generation with a variety of coffee and restaurants options, but you can also see many tourists coming here to spend time in front of the Marmara Sea.
There are some places to exchange money in Besiktas including Ozerhan Doviz. It is a small exchange bureau in the Besiktas neighborhood that you can trust without any hesitation.
It is located in the center of Besiktas Carsi, so you can easily realize the bureau after getting off the boat when coming from the Asian side of Istanbul, like from Uskudar or Kadikoy, or after getting off the bus from Mecidiyekoy or Ortakoy.
There are no certain opening hours. That is why it would be better if you call or send an email before you go there to learn when it is more suitable for them.
Address: Levent, Çarşı Cad. No:10 D:1, 34330 Beşiktaş/Istanbul
Tel: +90 (0212) 325 7576
E-mail: [email protected]
Para Cevirici Exchange Office
When it comes to the Asian of İstanbul, Kadikoy is one of the places you can go at most. There are several exchange offices in the center of Kadikoy or some places just walking distance to the center.
You can visit Para Cevirici to exchange your money when you are in an emergency.
Address: Osmanağa Mah, Çilek Sk, Güneş İş Mrk, K:3, Kadıköy / İstanbul
Tel: +90 (216) 338 0836
What About Exchanging Money at the Airport?
When it comes to exchanging currency in one of the airports in İstanbul. Unfortunately, most airport money changers charge a commission, which can be as high as 5%.
That is why many people do not try to exchange many in airports so that they can have the money changer with the narrowest difference between buying and sell rates.
The advantages of exchanging money at the airport, it is opened 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That means you’ll always be able to buy your foreign currency, whatever time you’re flying.
Using ATMs to Exchange Money in Istanbul
Especially if it is necessary and emergence to exchange money, and there is no currency office around you, ATMs can help you. Almost every ATMs of each bank exchange money for you but the rate will be surely high.
Therefore, although it is not preferable, you can use this way when you are in an emergency situation. Also in the airports, you can use an ATMs alternatively to get some quick cash until you reach your destination.
