Türkiye in cash.
Inflation runs: change in stages and keep euros in reserve — they help everywhere. Bazaars, hammams and taxis live on liquid lira.
Helvetica Exchange prepares your TRY travel envelope at Rue Pierre-Fatio 19, 1204 Geneva (Rive district) — the posted rate, no separate commission, Monday–Friday 08:30–18:30 and Saturday 09:00–17:00. Reserve and your rate is held for 3 hours during opening hours; ID from the LBA thresholds.
The cities, chosen.
Istanbul
The only city astride two continents — domes, bazaars and ferries at sunset.
Hagia Sophia — Fifteen centuries of empire beneath the dome — an active mosque, dress modestly.
A historic hammam — Warm marble, a vigorous scrub and tea — Cağaloğlu or Kılıç Ali Paşa.
Cappadocia
Fairy chimneys, rock churches and a hundred balloons at dawn.
A balloon flight — 45 minutes over the rose valleys at sunrise — book early.
A cave-hotel night — Sleep in the rock, terrace facing the balloons.
Antalya & the coast
The turquoise riviera — ancient ruins with their feet in the water.
Ephesus (from Izmir) — The Library of Celsus, dazzling at first light.
Getting around.
Domestic flights are short and cheap (Istanbul → Cappadocia 1 h 15). In Istanbul the Istanbulkart covers trams, ferries and funiculars — topped up with cash at the machines.
Cash & banknotes.
Take both: lira for the everyday — changed in stages, given the inflation — and a reserve of euros for larger payments and surprises. Istanbul's exchange counters are fair but volatile; reserving your rate in Geneva shields the budget from the swings.
| Rate reservation | held 3 hours, during opening hours |
| Counter hours | Mon–Fri 08:30–18:30 · Sat 09:00–17:00 |
| Commission | none — the margin lives in the posted rate |
Before you go.
Turkish lira or euros?
Both: lira for daily life (changed in stages, inflation obliges), a reserve of euros for big payments and the unforeseen.
Is the rate better on the spot?
Istanbul's counters are decent but swing widely — reserving your rate in Geneva keeps your budget out of the storm.
Indicative amounts — rate reservable for 3 hours · Rue Pierre-Fatio 19, Geneva · Guide complet en français