Exchanging Money on Weekends in Turkey
Short answer: On Saturday, most city-centre exchange offices in Turkey are open. On Sunday, options shrink a lot. The Grand Bazaar and many offices are closed. What stays open: airport counters (often 24/7), currency-enabled ATMs, some mall branches, and mobile banking. These after-hours channels tend to run a slightly wider spread, so a common approach is to change a small amount on the weekend and do the rest on a weekday.
If you land on a Friday night or a Sunday, you can still get lira — but where you go, and at what cost, matters. Here is a neutral, practical rundown of weekend and after-hours options in Turkey, described by channel rather than by any specific business.
Saturday: Most Offices Open
Most licensed exchange offices (döviz bürosu) in city centres are open on Saturday during the day. Historic market areas, like the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, typically run Monday to Saturday and are closed on Sunday. Some offices in tourist-heavy areas do open on Sundays, but that is the exception and varies by location. If you can, handling your exchange Saturday daytime gives you the widest choice and the best chance to compare.
Sunday & After-Hours Options
Airport Counters
Currency exchange counters at Turkey's major airports usually keep long hours every day, many of them 24/7, a reliable weekend fallback. The trade-off is a wider margin than city offices, reflecting higher airport costs. The sensible move is the same as in our Istanbul airport guide: change a small amount for your transfer and immediate needs, then exchange the rest in the city.
Currency-Enabled ATMs
Some bank ATMs in Turkey can dispense or accept foreign cash and run 24/7, including Sundays. Convenient, but the rate tends to be less favourable than a city exchange office, and not every ATM supports every currency.
Mall Branches
Some exchange-office branches inside shopping malls follow mall hours, so they can be open on weekends. Handy if you need a Sunday option — just remember rates still vary by branch, so compare where you can.
Mobile Banking
Bank branches generally handle cash currency only on weekday business hours. However, if you hold a Turkish bank account, many banking apps let you buy foreign currency at a digital rate on weekends and at night (withdrawing it as cash is a separate step with its own conditions). Not useful for a tourist without a local account, but worth knowing.
Watch the Weekend Spread
The common thread: channels that stay open on weekends and after hours (airport counters, ATMs, some mall offices) tend to run a slightly wider spread than weekday city offices. So the same €500 can net you different amounts depending on where and when you change it. If you can wait, comparing a couple of city offices on a weekday usually wins. See how the spread affects your rate.
Find What's Open Right Now
The most frustrating part of a weekend is arriving to a closed shutter. XchangeTR shows each listed office's open/closed status and hours on a map, plus live buy/sell rates for the offices that share them — so you can head to one that is actually open and compare before you walk in.
See what's open — and its rate — right now
XchangeTR maps exchange offices and gold shops across Turkey with their open/closed status and live rates. Find the nearest one that's open this weekend.
Traveling in Turkey? See where to exchange money in Istanbul, Antalya, and our cash or card guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I exchange money on a Sunday in Turkey?
Yes, but options are limited. Many city-centre offices and market areas (like the Grand Bazaar) are closed on Sundays. What stays open: airport counters (often 24/7), currency-enabled ATMs, some mall branches, and, for local account holders, mobile banking at a digital rate.
Are exchange offices open on Saturday in Turkey?
Most licensed city-centre exchange offices are open on Saturday during the day. Historic market areas typically run Monday to Saturday. If you can, Saturday daytime is the best window to compare and get a good rate.
Where can I exchange money late at night in Turkey?
Airport counters keep long hours (many 24/7), and some bank ATMs can handle foreign cash around the clock. Both tend to run a wider spread than daytime city offices, so change only what you need after hours.
Is the exchange rate worse on weekends?
By channel, it can be. The places open on weekends and after hours (airports, ATMs, some mall offices) tend to run a slightly wider spread than weekday city offices. Changing a small amount now and the rest on a weekday is usually cheaper overall.
How do I find an exchange office open on the weekend?
Check open/closed status before you go to avoid a wasted trip. XchangeTR shows the hours and current status of each listed office on a map, along with live rates for offices that share them.
This guide is for general information only and is not financial advice. Opening hours and open/closed status vary by business and can change; rates and spreads vary by location and with the live market. Mobile banking terms differ by bank.