Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum

Information and Services in Turkey Section => Banks, Interest, Money Transfers, Insurance => Topic started by: gazztop on June 23, 2010, 11:15:15 AM

Title: Money advice
Post by: gazztop on June 23, 2010, 11:15:15 AM
I am coming over in just over a week on holiday.
What is best to bring GBP, turkish lira, travellers cheques or credit card ?
I was told probably to take english money or go to the cash machines over there ?

Any advice would be appreciated.
Title: Money advice
Post by: marina on June 23, 2010, 11:57:26 AM
We usually take a bit of turkish lira to see you through the first day, then bring sterling to change over there as you'll get a better rate than in UK.  

After that we use the cash machines.  I know the one by the water taxis/bridge to promenade (you'll see it when you get there) gives you the option of taking out lira, sterling or euros. (Believe others do too) We usually get sterling if it's available as it's a straight transaction out of your bank account and you can then change if for the rate you get in resort.
Title: Money advice
Post by: gazztop on June 24, 2010, 11:11:07 AM
We were thinking along those lines but its good to be reassured thanks
Title: Money advice
Post by: kevin b on June 24, 2010, 11:17:28 AM
Bring enough tl for 1 or 2 days & the rest in gbp & change it at a bank with passport for better rate than the street exchangers.beware the cash machines in Calis have been hit by scammers lately.
Title: Money advice
Post by: marina on June 24, 2010, 11:42:54 AM
Think if you are using the cash machines, just take the same kind of precautions you would at home.  There's usually the two of us go together and the one by the water taxis is in an enclosed booth so not so easy for someone to come looking over your shoulder and ask if you need any help (especially with two of you in there!) which I think is what has been happening.
Title: Money advice
Post by: amanda bullock on June 24, 2010, 14:58:16 PM
so is it better to draw out sterling at the atm's? would this get you a better rate when you change it in calis?
Title: Money advice
Post by: marina on June 24, 2010, 15:13:26 PM
quote:
Originally posted by amanda bullock

so is it better to draw out sterling at the atm's? would this get you a better rate when you change it in calis?



Well I know when we've used the atm's and used our Nationwide card to draw sterling it's just been a straightforward cash withdrawal (i.e. no extra charges. Whether other banks use the same policy I don't know, though can't imagine why they should charge if you're only getting sterling from a UK bank account) and we've then been able to change that sterling for the rate in the resort rather than depend the rate that the bank will use if you withdraw lira, so have always thought we got a better deal that way.
Title: Money advice
Post by: saoirse on June 24, 2010, 15:21:25 PM
you get a better rate by just withdrawing the lira using your nationwide-have regularly checked the rate in Turkey on the day of withdrawl against that which appears on nationwide statement
Title: Money advice
Post by: marina on June 24, 2010, 15:26:47 PM
Really?  Must check things more often!  

Will try that next time and see what we get, though I do know that Nationwide is one of the best for using abroad.
Title: Money advice
Post by: Jacqui Harvey on June 24, 2010, 16:27:27 PM
We use our Nationwide card and get lira, there are no card charges and we use the machine by the bridge, or the Banks in Fethiye as they usually have guards (with guns) outside.  Don't bother with a credit card.  I know cards like Santander don't charge for overseas purchases, but the shops will charge you to use them 8% extra is the going rate.
Title: Money advice
Post by: Phloppy on June 25, 2010, 10:08:50 AM
Hi All - just been reading the information regarding cash, credit cards, ATM's, etc., All very interesting and informative. I know where the ATM is at the water taxi's but, can anyone tell me if it is OK to use my Halifax Visa debit card at that ATM..??  I think it needs to be a VISA/PLUS ATM machine for my card to work..(???).

Cheers,

Phill
Title: Money advice
Post by: marina on June 25, 2010, 10:15:37 AM
Hi Phil,  I think it takes all Visa cards, but maybe someone else on here who uses it regularly can confirm that.
Title: Money advice
Post by: Phloppy on June 25, 2010, 10:22:10 AM
Hi Glenys - thanks for the advice  :) I would hate ti get across there and find out I can't withdraw any cash  :-\
Title: Money advice
Post by: marina on June 25, 2010, 10:27:47 AM
 :)ooh no, that wouldn't do.  But with a Halifax visa card you shouldn't have a problem.

Enjoy your holiday - I'm sure you will.
Title: Money advice
Post by: scouser2 on June 25, 2010, 14:31:13 PM
Using Barclays connect visa can be expensive.They charge minimum £1-50 for using the machine to withdraw money, they charge you commission for exchanging to TL and they also give you a greatly reduced exchange rate.We now only use our Barclays to withdraw GBP.
Hope this info helps.
Title: Money advice
Post by: Jacqui Harvey on June 25, 2010, 17:26:27 PM
I am sure it will work but, the Halifax Debit card is one of Martin Lewis's "cards from hell"  Go to http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money
which will give you all the best information about travel money, when you answer the questions on his pages, the last page you will be taken to tells you how much it will cost to use a Halifax card.
Title: Money advice
Post by: lance on June 26, 2010, 09:25:18 AM
There is a new ATM opp the police station in Gunlukbasi so there are now two there . ;)
Title: Money advice
Post by: kevin b on June 26, 2010, 09:47:42 AM
HSBC atm at new KIPA supermarket also
Title: Money advice
Post by: number2 on June 26, 2010, 14:50:43 PM
I've been using my Halifax visa debit card for 3years now, and the only time i have had any bank charge was when i drew out lira, i have never had bank charges for drawing out sterling, and the best place to draw the money out is the ATM at the HSBC bank in Fethiye, you don't have far to go if the machine decides not to give it back. Alan
Title: Money advice
Post by: dycedon on June 26, 2010, 15:03:10 PM
Lance where is the other one in Gunlukbasi and you say opposite the police station, is it outside one of the shops ??
Title: Money advice
Post by: gazztop on June 28, 2010, 14:57:59 PM
Cheers for the advice everyone
should be sorted and spending by friday night