currency exchange

[Baggy]

We are coming out next weekend and are busy packing and sorting all the paperwork . . . generally speaking, is it best to exchange our money here or wait until we come out? If it''s best to wait, where in Kalkan is the best place to change stirling into lira?
Thank you

Linkback: https://www.enjoykalkan.com/forum/index.php?topic=3628.0

[RosiB]

The post offic - PTT - is best.

[Roxie]

Hi
Try the DVD shop or Merkez.
Rx

[onelove]

There is not a lot between any of them really

[devondad93]

For me, it depends on you whether you change your currency to where you are or just wait until you finally arrive on your destination. but first, hink about it. If you go to the Bank in the US to get exchange they are keeping a bit of all foreign currencies on inventory.

[emperor789]

Everyone says to do most of your exchanging over there but roughly what is the difference between the rates? Is it so much to make such a difference?
Hope someone can help
Phil

[Kalkankiwi]

Have been doing my own research on this subject as am in Kalkan for 3 weeks from next week. As regular visitors to Kalkan over the last few years we have always used our Nationwide flex account Visa debit card and always knew we got a good rate from the ATM's in Turkey but didn't realise how good it was until now. The comparison for today - 19/07/10 is:
 
The Post Office (in London) was selling New Turkish Lira (TRY) at a rate of 2.19 to the GBP. Hence £250 gets you 548 TRY.
 
Lloyds Bank: £250 buys you 547 TRY (Rate also 2.19 to the £)
 
Nationwide travel money service: £250 buys you 553 TRY but also charges you £3.50 to deliver the money, so negating any exchange rate advantage.
 
If I was to use my Nationwide Visa debit card in the ATMs in Kalkan I would have got 585 TRY for £250.  That equates to a rate of 2.34 TRY to the GBP. That works out at 37 TRY more than the UK banks or the Post Office will give you in the UK for your hard earned £250!! To see the rates that Visa charges go to http://corporate.visa.com/pd/consumer_services/consumer_ex_rates.jsp
 
The Nationwide Visa card would appear to give you a rate slightly more than you will get in Kalkan town for your £ and is similar to the 'Buy' rate on the EK web site. If you were on a budget of £100/day over 14 days you would have an extra  200TRY in you wallet using the card or slightly less if using the local Kalkan shops to exchange you £s compared to buying your travel money in the UK before you went.
 
200TRY buys you in Kalkan (for a family of 4) a very good meal with wine and drinks at one of the harbour restaurants or 50 or so Efes!!
 
KK

[emperor789]

Wow there's a reply!! Thanks for that there isn't anymore for me to know after that so cheers you've been a great help. we're out there for 2 weeks from the 13th August and can't wait.
Thanks again
Phil

[iminei]

 
If I was to use my Nationwide Visa debit card in the ATMs in Kalkan...

what is it with this card???
is it the same as the Santander zero card which promises no fees when using your card abroad?
or has the nationwide got some magic ingredient i am missing here?