What’s the best way for Russian travelers to pay in Istanbul: UnionPay card, cash, or Korona transfer, and which card account currency works best?
Based on 1 discussion with 3 participants · Last activity: 17 days ago
TL;DR
Travelers say Korona transfers often give a better rate for Istanbul spending, and it’s smart to carry backup cash. For UnionPay cards, CNY or RUB accounts are usually preferred, while USD accounts are seen as the least выгодные because of extra conversion.
What the community said
For Istanbul trips, travelers most often recommend a UnionPay card linked to a CNY account. If you don’t earn in USD, a USD card is usually not advised because the conversion is less favorable; a RUB account is commonly mentioned as the second-best option.
17 days ago UnionPay, CNY account, RUB account
As a backup strategy in Istanbul, travelers suggest carrying two UnionPay cards from Rosselkhozbank plus some cash. This is recommended in case one card fails at a shop or ATM.
17 days ago Rosselkhozbank, 2 UnionPay cards
Between buying USD first and then exchanging into Turkish lira, or using Korona, travelers report that Korona usually gives the better rate for Istanbul expenses. In practice, they try to avoid the double conversion through USD.
17 days ago Korona, Turkish lira