Money, cards and ATMs in Cyprus

Two currencies

• The Republic of Cyprus uses the euro and has since 2008.
• The north uses the Turkish lira. If you cross the Green Line, you are in a different currency zone.
• Euro is often accepted in the north at a rate that favours the seller; lira is better if you are spending anything substantial.
• Turkish lira inflation is rapid, so any price you read about the north is likely to be out of date.

Cards and cash

• Cards work everywhere in the south and contactless is standard.
• Carry cash for the north, where card acceptance is thinner and foreign cards sometimes fail entirely - the north's banking system is largely cut off from international networks.

ATMs

• Always refuse the machine's offer to charge you in your own currency. Dynamic currency conversion at an ATM or a card terminal costs several per cent, every time, and the offer is worded to sound helpful. Choose the local currency and let your own bank convert.
• Use bank ATMs rather than the independent machines in tourist areas, which add their own fee on top.
• Do not rely on your card working at all in the north. Take euro or lira cash across with you.

Tipping

• Around 10 per cent where service is not included.