Banks and ATMs Turkey boats many banking companies and branches can be found everywhere.The big retail banks all have ATMs most of which give cash advances against foreign credit cards.It should be noted that most ATM entry codes use numbers rather than letters passwords.While using ATMs if anyone offers you any help it is safer not to accept it.Banks will exchange foreign currency and traveler's checks with your passport as proof of identity.Commissions are charged at beetween 1 and 3% per transaction.Exchange rates change daily and can be checked in the press Banks are usually open between 9:30 AM  12:00 AM and 1:30 PM 5:00 PM on weekdays on saturdays and sunday the are closed. Changing Money Döviz or exchange offices offer fast service in and outside normal banking hours and at better rates than banks or hotels they have their buying and selling rates and do not charge any commission and only change foreign cash currency passports are not required In case you have any extra Turkish currency left with you before your departure you can always change this into whichever currency you like at some change offices available at the airport.Exchange rates in Turkey are better than the ones outside the country.Traveler's checks are becoming less efficient in Turkey If you want to changes traveler's checks.All of these places will charge a commission.In addition you may have to wait in line and show your passport if you are at a bank.Therefore hotels receptions are more practical. Postal Services and Telecommunications Turkey's postal services are comparatively organized and efficient.All post offices bear the disitinctive yellow PTT sign (Post Telephone Telegrams ) larger and central offices are open from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM. You can buy stamps in post offices.As  a general rule if you are not close to a  post office you can leave your postcards at hotel receptions with some cash they will mail them for you.Mailing international postcards from Turkey is 0.80 TL Prices for letters vary according to size or weight; the starting fee is 0.85 TL. Telephone All cities are linked by an efficient direct dialing system.Public phones operate by TT cards magnetic cards,credit cards or smart cards These phones are available at public places such as squares hospitals seaports airports underground stations etc Cards are sold by Türk Telekom dealers TT cards are calling cards that you can use from any phone. The international country code for Turkey is +90 All over Turkey phone numbers consist of two sections:area code (3 digits)and the number itself (7 digits)The area code is 212 for the European side of istanbul and 216 for the Asia side. Credit Cards Credit cards are widely used in Turkey.For your safety,don't send your card away with a waiter or a shopkeeper,etc it is better to go  the cashier with the card so that no one will be able to steal the number on your card.It should be noted that credit card commissions charged by the various credit card companies might sometimes be added to a  client's bill particularly if shopping in tourist places.Also with the rate of inflation affecting the  daily exchange rate the internatinal rate used by the credit card company's banking agents may differ from that used by the vendor clients may win or lose small amounts either way Using your pin number instead of signing the slip is becoming more common. Working Hours Government offices: 8:30 AM 12:30 PM 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM ( Closed on saturdays and sundays) Banks: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM ; 1:30 PM-5:00 PM ( Closed on saturdays and sundays) Shops: 9:30 AM - 7:00 PM (In tourist areas, closing times vary  some will close around midnight) Grand Bazaar & spice Bazaar : 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Closed on sundays) Modern Shopping Malls: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Museums : 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Most of them are closed on Mondays) Pharmacies: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Closed on sundays and holidays) Time Local time is equal to GMT + 2 hours It is the same time zone all over country Electricity It is standard : 220 Volts and 50 Hz all over Turkey. Plugs suitable to turkish standards have two round prongs. GSM Operators Turkcell 444 0532 www.turkcell.com.tr Avea 444 1500 www.avea.com.tr Vodafone 444 0542 (to call from abroad +90-542-444 0542) www.vodafone.com.tr Emergency & useful Phone Number Police:155 Traffic police:154 Coastguard:158 Fire: 110 Ambulance:112 Wake-up Calls :135 Smart Ticket (Akbil) You can purshase an akbil smart ticket.The Akbil method is widely used on Istanbul's public transportation but may not bu used for Dolmuş or taxis.The seasonal blue Akbil is availeble in daily weekly and 15-day formats You can see the expiration date and time of your Akbil by touching it to credit sockets available on the vehicle at stops or in stations. Taxi (Taksi) Taxis are numerous all over the city and are recognizable by their yellow color and lighted TAKSİ  signs on top.Each taxi is metered and there are two diferent rates.The starting fee in the meter is 6.00 a.m as it is % 50 higher for the night shift .The faces are per cab not per person.Additional expenses such as feryboat or bridge crossing fees are extra to passengers Tipping is not necessary but leaving the change or rounding up the fare is customary. To avoid any possible trouble instead of using the taxis that are waiting at the Topkapı palace take a taxi which is passing by.If they do not start the meter take  another one before you make your payment just to be on the safe side please get out of the taxi first and then while  paying with one  hand receive the change with your other hand so that your big bill is not exchanged for a smaller one.