How can international travelers get cash in Istanbul without using their home bank card?
Based on 1 discussion with 2 participants · Last activity: 9 days ago
TL;DR
A practical workaround mentioned here is to preload a virtual Ozon or Yandex card, send money to yourself through the KoronaPay app into a TRY or USD balance, then collect cash in Istanbul at a PayPorter or postal branch after completing the paperwork.
What the community said
The fastest option is to set everything up before the trip: open a virtual Yandex or Ozon card, add funds, and register in the KoronaPay app. Once prepared, a self-transfer can usually be arranged almost instantly.
9 days ago Yandex / Ozon / KoronaPay
Another workable method is to send money to yourself from that card and collect it in Istanbul at a PayPorter branch or a post office. The advice here is to first set up a Yandex or Ozon card for the transfer.
9 days ago PayPorter / post office
A more detailed version is to move money from an Ozon card or another non-sanctioned card into a virtual balance in the app, selecting either Turkish lira or US dollars. Then you use the branch map in the app, visit a cash-out location, complete the paperwork, and collect the money there.
9 days ago TRY or USD balance