Currency and Cost in Kalkan, Turkey

The currency used is the 'Turkish Lira' written as; 1TL. Smaller change is known as "Kurus", pronounced 'Kuurush'. Turkish Lira notes start from 5TL and go up to 200TL. The exchange rate for Turkish Lira to the pound is currently highly favourable for UK visitors and 2023 rates averaged around 30TL to the british pound. 

Because of Turkey's currency crisis, the pound is worth around 90 per cent more against the Turkish lira than a year ago. However this also means that there is a large rise in inflation meaning prices and living costs have risen too.

Exchange rates however, are almost always better in Kalkan, and a good strategy is to take enough local currency for your first day or so, and change the rest once you arrive. There are exchange facilities at Dalaman Airport, however, the exchange rate is often very poor compared to the local post offices and should probably be avoided. The best rates for currency exchanged in the UK are generally found by pre-ordering online and collecting from your UK departure airport, however the UK post office and others, such as Marks and Spencer, can offer attractive rates also.

When the Post Office and the Banks are closed, you will be able to exchange cash at several shops in the Old Town which display their daily rates on a board outside. They tend to open very long hours, often until after midnight, 7 days a week during the holiday season (May to October) and offer competitive rates.

Traveller's cheques are not widely accepted in Turkey.

Where to change your currency in Kalkan, Turkey

Normal opening hours 09:00 - 17:00 week days.

Closed 1 hour for lunch from 12:00 or 12:30

All banks named below are situated on the same main road which goes uphill from town above the two roundabouts;

• Yapi Kredi
• Is Bank
• Deniz Bank
• Garanti Bank
• Ak Bank
• Ziraat Bank 

These banks all have cash machines which accept Maestro, Mastercard, Visa, Cirrus and current account debit cards. You can also exchange cash inside the bank. 

Post Office: Open 09:00 - 17:30. Closed for lunch from 12:30 - 13:30. 

The Post Office (PTT) is situated downhill from the lower of Kalkan's two roundabouts on the left hand side. You can change money here as well as send post and make telephone calls.  

Euros can be exchanged for local currency, but they are not generally accepted for payment, and where they are, you can expect a punitive rate of exchange back into local currency (Turkish Lira). 

Approximate cost of holiday essentials

In July 2023, the costs for a taxi ride were as follows;

With inflation persistently in double figures and the exchange rate worsening, the taxi driver co-operative has decided that fares must go up due to the massive increase in fuel costs.  There are now fixed prices determined by where you are travelling to, rather than being metered charges.
 

Local bottled beer 500 ml                  Approx:  £1.95 / 60TL

Bottle of Turkish wine 750 ml            Approx:  £5 / 170TL

Loaf of bread                                  Approx:  £0.60 + / 20TL

Litre of milk                                   Approx:   £0.75 / 25TL