Do Russian cards (MIR/UnionPay) work in ATMs and card terminals in Istanbul?
Based on 2 discussions with 3 participants · Last activity: 18 days ago
TL;DR
Russian cards are hit-or-miss in Istanbul. ATMs at Vakıfbank and Ziraat tend to work better than POS terminals. RSHB UnionPay card is a reliable option for cash withdrawals.
What the community said
ATMs are more reliable than POS terminals for Russian cards. Vakıfbank and Ziraat ATMs are among the most likely to accept them.
18 days ago Vakıfbank, Ziraat ATMs
PTT (Turkish postal service) transfers can be done via their app, but branches are sparse in Istanbul. A RSHB UnionPay card is a practical alternative for ATM cash withdrawals.
18 days ago PTT, RSHB UnionPay card
Card terminals in Istanbul often reject Russian cards. If tap-to-pay fails, try inserting the chip, and vice versa. Asking the cashier to switch the acquiring bank on the terminal can sometimes make it work.
18 days ago