Lira or euros — what should you use?
Turkey's currency is the Turkish Lira (TRY), and it's what you'll need for local restaurants, market stalls, minibuses and small shops. That said, along the tourist coast — Antalya, Side, Belek, Alanya — many hotels, larger restaurants and tour operators happily accept euros, US dollars or British pounds in cash, and often price rooms and packages directly in those currencies. The practical approach: keep a mix. Use Lira for anything local — a çay by the beach, a dolmuş fare, a market souvenir — and euros are fine for hotel bills or organised excursions quoted in foreign currency. Card payments (Visa/Mastercard) are widely accepted in hotels, supermarkets and most restaurants, converted at the bank's exchange rate on the day.
Where to get Turkish Lira after you land
You don't need to arrive with Lira in your pocket — cash machines and exchange offices are available throughout the arrivals area at Antalya Airport, and in every resort town. Where you withdraw or exchange makes a real difference to the rate you get.
Airport ATMs
ATMs (bankomat) in the arrivals hall and just past customs dispense Lira using your regular debit or credit card, at close to the interbank exchange rate. This is usually the best-value option — check with your bank beforehand about foreign withdrawal fees, and if the machine asks, choose to be charged in Lira rather than your home currency (decline the "Dynamic Currency Conversion"), since your own bank's rate is almost always better.
Currency exchange offices
Exchange desks (döviz) inside the terminal are convenient but rarely competitive — the rate at the airport is typically the worst you'll find on your whole trip, simply because you're a captive audience. If you do want to exchange cash, wait until you're in town: exchange offices on the main streets of Antalya, Side or Alanya post their rates on a board outside and are usually far better value than anything at the airport.
Book your fixed-price transfer before you fly and skip one more thing to arrange with cash in hand.
See how Agne Tours works →Tipping in Turkey: what's normal
Tipping culture in Turkey is genuine but modest — nobody expects the 15-20% common in Western countries. In restaurants, rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% in cash is standard and appreciated, especially since a service charge is rarely added automatically. Hotel staff — porters, housekeeping — are usually tipped small amounts per service (a few Lira, or a euro or two), rather than a lump sum at checkout. For drivers and guides on tours or transfers, a small cash tip at the end of the trip is a nice gesture rather than an obligation — it's genuinely optional and never built into the price.
How you pay for your Agne Tours transfer
There's no meter and no on-the-spot negotiation with Agne Tours. You agree your price with Johann on WhatsApp before you fly, based on your route, vehicle and group size — that's the number you pay, regardless of traffic or a delayed flight. Keep some cash on hand in case it's needed on the day, and if you'd like to tip your driver for good service, it's always appreciated but never expected.
Practical tips for your first day
- Carry a mix of small Lira notes for tips, çay and small purchases — big notes can be hard to break in small shops.
- Avoid the currency exchange desks inside the airport terminal — the rate in town is almost always better.
- Tell your bank you're travelling to Turkey beforehand, so a card payment or ATM withdrawal isn't flagged and blocked.
- Have your transfer price agreed in advance by WhatsApp — one less thing to pay for or negotiate with a pocket full of unfamiliar currency.
Your transfer price is fixed and agreed before you land — see rates for Lara, Side or any of our Antalya Airport destinations.