Travel Money

[gaz987654321]

Hi Everyone  

Arrive in Calis for 2 weeks at the Bahar on monday and was wandering the best way to go about changing my GPB to Lira. Lira is fairly scarce in the UK atm, and the best rate I can get here is 3.3 (at M&S if they have them in).

Would it be best to bring the GBP and change it in turkey? If so where would you recommend I go to change it and what sort of rate should I expect? Would prefer to bring the actually cash as my Santander card puts a nasty 2.5% on top of abroad ATM withdrawals.

Thanks in advance, can't wait to see the beautiful sunsets i've heard so much about!

[Div67]

As you say rates are very poor here just now due to a lack of Lira in the country, below is a link to a Turkish bank site and the rate today is 3.54, so changing over there is better, always has been to be honest. As for the take Sterling or a Card,,,, If (God forbid) you lose the Sterling through your own fault or theft you have lost it for good, so the extra charges with the card aint all bad as in a safety aspect. You can also withdraw Sterling over there and some banks dont charge for that, but if you do take Sterling a safety deposit box before you even unpack is the order of the day, lol

http://kur.doviz.com/serbest-piyasa/sterlin

[gaz987654321]

Thanks for your reply, as you said, I was planning on taking a little Lira to get a safety deposit box as soon as we arrive. Arrive around midnight so will be going first thing in the morning to get it all changed.

Anyone any suggestions on a particular exchange shop to go to in Calis?

[nick11]

Go to Zumriut jewellers on the Main Street going down to the sea front. Always gives a reasonable rate. Also a nice guy. I have always got a better rate than the change office just down the road.

[jackstee]

The Banks actually give the best rate

[gaz987654321]

Thanks, will have a look at them both when I arrive!

[Highlander]

Would second nick11's recommendation - Zumrut every time for us for the reasons given.

[Clioman2]

wouldn't necessarily get it all changed on the first day as you're intending; it can fluctuate during the holiday and sometimes in your favour...

[Clioman2]

Gaz
   this happens every year  http://www.calis-beach.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=55515.0
Please be warned. Also happens at the Dolphin roundabout machines. If your hotel room has a safe i would recommend that you take Sterling and change it as you go along. Any you don't spend comes home with you and you don't lose anything changing it back.....

[sadler]

We always take sterling and change it at Zumrut a bit at a time.  A couple of days ago, we changed some with Zumrut and the chap from the exchange shop stopped us and asked us what deal we got.  I think we got something like 0.04 more than he was advertising.  He told us that we should haggle with him, as the amount shown on his board was for "tourists".  He asked if we had got a receipt from Zumrut and added that of course we wouldn't as it was illegal for Sedat to change money.  He also said that it was very funny that Sedat always changes up his sterling with him at the end of the day.  Very strange, left us feeling slightly uncomfortable.