The prices are very reasonable in Turkey, but the exchange rate varies daily and can be dramatic. Sterling, dollars and euros are accepted eagerly, use these for large purchases as it is possible to get larger discounts on goods. However, we recommend that you use the local currency for smaller items especially eating and drinking. A charge is made by some businesses for changing your money on the spot.
A word of warning! Do not deface or destroy the banknotes as this is very offensive to some Turkish people as they feel that it defiles their hero, Ataturk, whose picture is on each note.
The Turkish name for money is para. If you are bargaining for goods, the expressions 'chock para' means 'too much money', 'chock pahala' means 'too expensive' and 'para yok' means 'I have no money' useful if you don't want to buy anything
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