Electricity
Current is 220 V throughout Turkey.
Weights and measurements
The metric and kilo system is used in Turkey. 1 inch = 2.54 cm. 1 mile = 1.6 km. 1 pound (lb.) = 454 gr.
Postal services and communications
> Yellow PTT (Post, Telephone and Telegraph) signboards are found at all post offices. Post offices are open from 08:00 ? 16:30. Central post offices are open until 20:00 You can buy stamps, coins and telephone cards from the post office. Acele Posta Servis (APS) is more expensive than airmail, but it is expedient. >They have coins and card-operated telephones available for use. The cards have 30, 60 and 100 units and are the most economic way of calling locally or abroad. Telephone numbers in Turkey are comprised of two parts; the prefix and the actual number (7 digits). Istanbul has two prefixes: 0212 for the European side and 0216 for the Asian side. The prefix is not dialled for calls on the same side. For intercity calls, first dial the city prefix (for instance 0312, for Ankara), then the number. If you are calling out of the country, dial 90, which is the international prefix for Turkey, + 3-digit city prefix + telephone number. For calls abroad from Turkey, dial 00 + country code + prefix + telephone number.
Banking transactions and currency
> On January 1, 2005, Turkey dropped six zeros from its currency and launched a new tender, the YTL (New Turkish Lira). For one year, both the old and new currencies will be in circulation. At the end of 2005, the old TL banknotes and coins will be withdrawn from circulation. In addition, the YKR or "new kurush" coinage reunites Turkey with its former sub-unit.Denominations: YTL banknotes: 100 New Turkish Liras, 50 New Turkish Liras, 20 New Turkish Liras, 10 New Turkish Liras, 5 New Turkish Liras and 1 New Turkish Lira.
Denominations: YKR coins: 100 YKR, 50 YKR, 25 YKR, 10 YKR, 5 YKR and 1 YKR
For more information, see için www.tcmb.gov.tr
> All banks carry out currency exchange transactions. Almost all of them have signboards at the door indicating exchange rates. You must have a photocopy of your passport with you to change currency. Most of the large private banks have ATM machines and some of them provide cash when foreign credit cards are inserted. However, the most suitable places to exchange money are the exchange bureaus, which are located all over the city. They don't charge commission and passports are not required. Traveller's checks and Eurocheques can also be exchanged for money at exchange bureaus, post offices and hotels. A photocopy of your passport and Eurocard are required with these transactions. Credit cards such as VISA, American Express, Master Card and Diner's Card are valid at numerous hotels, filling stations, shops and restaurants.
