Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: What's best to take cash to Turkey - sterling or Turkish lira?

Q I saw you on a TV programme a while ago, advising on best ways of exchanging currencies. I am going to Marmaris in Turkey in September and I seem to remember you saying - right at the end of the programme - "If you are going to Turkey, best take cash". Did you mean sterling or Turkish lira?

David Humphrey, York

A Very good timing, if I may say so, to visit Turkey; the country will be cooling off nicely in September, yet the sea will be at its warmest. Marmaris is a lovely destination in its own right, but also well placed for exploring deeper into Turkey.

Take cash in sterling. If you want to be sure that you have a bit of local currency to get from the airport to your destination, take £10 or £20 to your post office and ask for Turkish lira - the commission-free offer is well worthwhile for small transactions. But you will get a much better rate for sterling at bureaux de change in the centre of Marmaris (and other cities and resorts) than you will in Britain.

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