Money, safety and practical things
Last updated November 1, 2026
Everything on this page applies across Türkiye, not only Antalya.
Cash and cards
Credit cards work almost everywhere. American Express is rarely accepted, so bring a Visa or Mastercard. Contactless is the norm.
You will still want some cash for small shops, markets, taxis and tips. Take it out from an ATM in the city rather than bringing dollars. Use an ATM attached to a bank.
Whenever an ATM or a card machine offers to charge you in dollars, say no and choose lira. Your own bank’s exchange rate is always better than the one on the machine.
Tell your bank you are travelling, so the card is not blocked on the first purchase.
Exchange rate
The Turkish lira moves a lot. Do not rely on a number from a year ago. Check the rate the week you travel: xe.com.
Tipping
Less than in the US, and in cash. Card machines usually cannot add a tip.
| Where | How much |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | About 10%, left on the table |
| Cafés and bars | Round up or leave small change |
| Taxis | Round up to the next round number |
| Hotel porters and housekeeping | A small note per bag or per day |
Uber and taxis
Use Uber. In Türkiye it calls a regular yellow taxi, but the app sets the route and the fare, and you can pay in it. No language problem, no haggling.
Avoid hailing a taxi on the street. Drivers are known to take the long way round with visitors to run up the meter. It is not a safety problem, only a money one. If you do end up in one, make sure the meter is on and follow the route on your phone.
Safety
Türkiye is a safe country to travel in. Istanbul and Antalya both rank among the ten most visited cities in the world, each with close to 20 million visitors a year, and almost all of them go home without a single problem. Take the same care you would in any city: watch your bag in crowds, and use the meter in taxis. The emergency number for police, ambulance and fire is 112.
Plugs, water, pharmacies
- Plugs. European two round pins, 230 volts. Bring an adapter. Phone and laptop chargers handle the voltage; check anything else, like a hair dryer.
- Water. Tap water is treated and safe in small amounts, so this is not the concern it is in parts of South America. Brushing your teeth with it is fine. For drinking, stick to bottled water, which is cheap and sold everywhere.
- Pharmacies. Look for the red E sign, for eczane. They are easy to find, well stocked, and the pharmacist can usually help in English. One pharmacy in each area stays open overnight.