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Wander-Lush

What Do Things Cost in Istanbul? Istanbul Prices + Budget Travel Tips

When I first visited Istanbul back in 2019, it wasn’t really known as a budget-friendly destination (not to me, at least). We had to tighten our belts and watch our spending – especially since Istanbul was our last stop on a 9-month trip around the Balkans .

Flash forward to 2022 when I got a chance to go back to Istanbul, and things had certainly changed. The cost of travelling in Istanbul (and I assume, living in Istanbul) has dipped dramatically.

Let’s not forget the reason why: Turkey (Türkiye) is currently experiencing a currency and debt crisis . Times are very tough for locals, and there is no joy in declaring Turkey a ‘cheap’ destination (I avoid using this word to describe Turkey, just as I do with Georgia ).

If there’s anything positive to take away from this situation, it’s that Turkey and Istanbul now look even more appealing to tourists. If I had known just how affordable Istanbul is right now, I would have visited and done my part to support the local economy a lot sooner. It’s even more affordable than Georgia , where I currently live.

My aim for this Istanbul travel budget guide is to give you a general idea of current prices in Turkey. Prices are based on the thorough budget we kept during our recent 10-day stay this summer.

Things are changing on an almost daily basis as the currency and inflation rate oscillates, so I encourage you to cross-check numbers wherever possible.

If you have any updates or insights to share about your own Istanbul travel budget, please feel free to do so in the comments below. I really appreciate any input, especially from locals – it’s extremely helpful for other readers.

Please note: Costs in Istanbul have gone up significantly since this guide was first published in summer 2022. Please check prices locally.

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.

Money in Istanbul

The official currency in Turkey is the Turkish lira (TRY), represented with the ₺ symbol and sometimes abbreviated to TL.

At the time of writing:

• 1 USD = 18.12 TRY
• 1 EUR = 18.17 TRY
• 1 GBP = 21.42 TRY
• 1 AUD = 12.49 TRY

Turkey uses both banknotes (5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 lira) and coins called kurus (1, 5, 10, 25 and 50, plus 1 lira).

Example Istanbul travel budget

Before I get into the nitty gritty of average costs in Istanbul, here is a broad overview of what you can expect to spend per day depending on your travel style. Prices are inclusive of accommodation (individual for the budget category and twin share for the rest).

Budget traveller: 650 TRY / person / day

For 36 USD per person per day (or 252 USD per week), you can see Istanbul on a shoestring budget. Set aside 300 TRY/night for a bed in a hostel, leaving 350 TRY/day for expenses: Public transport, an easy street food breakfast, lunch and dinner at local restaurants (including a few draught beers), a trip to the public baths, and as many free activities as you fancy plus entrance to one ticketed attraction.

Mid-range traveller: 1500 TRY / person / day

A spend of 83 USD per person per day (or 580 USD/week) is ideal for mid-range travellers. This gives you 1000 TRY/night for a mid-range hotel (twin share) plus 500 TRY for your daily spending: Public transport and the occasional taxi ride, a traditional Turkish breakfast, street food snacks and dinner at a local restaurant with a bottle of wine, entrance to a few museums, and a special experience such as a street food tour or a Whirling Dervishes show.

High-end traveller: 5000 TRY / person / day

A generous budget of 276 USD per person per day (or 1932 USD/week) is more than enough for Istanbul. A boutique hotel costs around 2500 TRY/night (twin share), which leaves you with spending money of 2500 TRY/day: Use it for taxis, a fancy Turkish breakfast and other meals at higher-end or international restaurants, a private guided tour and fun experience such as a cooking class, a luxury hammam treatment, and a sunset cruise on the Bosphorus.

What do things cost in Istanbul?

Here is a detailed break-down of prices in Istanbul, including accommodation costs, prices for popular foods and drinks, entertainment expenses, and other essential purchases.

Note: All costs are averages based on my own experience in Istanbul and information available at the time of writing. Remember that the lira is in a state of flux right now due to inflation and other factors, so prices are changing constantly.

Essential Istanbul travel expenses

E-visa for turkey.

While visa-free travel to Turkey is available to EU citizens and passport holders from many countries in Eastern Europe and the Middle East , 40+ other nationalities (including Americans, Canadians and Australians) need a tourist visa.

One of my biggest tips for Istanbul is to apply for a visa before you travel. Turkey’s online e-visa portal makes the application process easy. It’s much more efficient (and less costly) to apply before you leave home rather than waiting to get a VOA when you arrive. A standard visa grants you a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, with multiple entries.

An e-visa for Turkey costs 50 USD for US citizens, or 60 USD for Canadians and Australians. Apply through the official e-visa portal .

Airport shuttle to Taksim Square

• 52.50 TRY / 2.90 USD

Havabus/Havaist is the official airport bus service in Istanbul and a terrific service for reliable, budget-friendly travel to and from the airport. It services both Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen 24-hours a day, ferrying passengers to Taksim Square.

Tickets are purchased from the attendant after you board the bus. Card is not accepted, so make sure you have the correct amount of lira on you.

Private airport transfer

• From 490 TRY / 27 USD

If you prefer having someone to meet you in the arrivals hall and take you directly to your accommodation, private airport transfers are very well-priced.

This private transfer from Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen starts from 27 USD.

Local SIM card

• 350 TRY / 19.30 USD

Tourists are somewhat limited when it comes to buying a SIM card in Turkey. There are several operators to choose from, but they only offer a standard ‘tourist package’ for non-residents.

I recommend picking up a SIM from Vodafone, which comes with 20GB of data, call and text credit, and unlimited use of Whatsapp, with 60 days validity.

Cost of accommodation in Istanbul

Note: Accommodation prices in Istanbul always go up during peak season and down over winter . Prices here are averages for the summer period.

Night in a hostel

• 300 TRY / 16.50 USD

Expect to pay around 300 TRY for a dorm bunk in a standard hostel with a central location. Hostel Le Banc in Beyoglu is the perfect choice for this price point, while more affordable options – with savings of up to 50% – can be found if you’re willing to stay further out or share a room with more people.

Night in a mid-range hotel

• 1000 TRY / 55 USD

A mid-range hotel in a central district should cost 1000 TRY on average, twin share. 38 Hotel in Sisli is a little bit pricer, but a great choice if you’re looking to stay in a local neighbourhood, close to public transport but some distance from the fray of Eminonu.

Night in a boutique hotel

• 2500 TRY / 140 USD

There are some truly special boutique accommodations in Istanbul, including the lovely Hotel Empress Zoe . With a budget of 2500 TRY per night, you can score some beautiful digs with a full Turkish breakfast and hammam-style ensuite included.

Night in a private Airbnb studio apartment

• 1600 TRY / 88 USD

The average price of an Airbnb in Istanbul (entire place) is 88 USD. You can find terrific studios and one-bedders for a lot less than that – I’ve seen plenty of quality listings for 40-50 USD/night. We recently paid 487 TRY (27 USD) per night for a 9-night stay in Sisli.

Cost of transport in Istanbul

IstanbulKart transport card

• 50 TRY / 2.80 USD

A rechargeable transport card is an essential purchase if you plan to use public transport in Istanbul. It’s good for the metro, buses, dolmus vans, trams and most importantly, the local ferries. It also gives you access to lower fares compared with buying single or multi-journey electronic tickets.

Purchase a card for 50 TRY (non-refundable) from marked kiosks, newsstands, or ticket desks inside the metro. Up to five people can share the one card.

Single metro / bus / ferry fare

• 7.67 TRY / 0.40 USD

With the exception of the Metrobus, public transport fares in Istanbul are charged at a flat rate of 7.67 TRY one-way for IstanbulKart users (if you purchase a single electronic ticket, it will cost you almost double – 15 TRY).

If you have a multi-leg journey, transfer fares are charged at 5.49 TRY (0.30 USD) for the first transfer and decrease in price from there.

• 30-80 TRY / 1.60-4.40 USD

Istanbul has three types of taxis: Yellow (standard), turquoise (premium, 20% more on average) and black (luxury, twice as expensive). Expect to spend 30-80 TRY for a yellow taxi to take you anywhere in the city (not including the airport).

Yellow taxis are priced at 6.30 TRY/km with a switch-on fee of 9.80 TRY. Daytime and nighttime fares are the same. Thus a taxi from Taksim to Balat, for example, should cost around 50 TRY.

Istanbul taxis are metered and generally reliable, but you might want to use an app for peace of mind. Uber, BiTaksi and Itaksi are the three most popular options.

Car rental per day

• From 365 TRY / 20 USD

Renting a car in Istanbul is unnecessary (and honestly a bad idea!), but when you’re ready to venture out of the city and explore more of Turkey , having your own wheels will pay dividends.

I recommend using Discover Cars to compare big-name rental companies including Hertz, Europcar, Sixt and Wish. For a budget-friendly alternative, Local Rent offers cars from local agents, with prices starting from as low as 20 USD per day.

Cost of food & drinks in Istanbul

Glass of tea

• 3 TRY / 0.15 USD

Start your morning in Istanbul the old-fashioned way with a tulip-shaped ince belli of strong, black cay . A single glass of tea costs around 3 TRY at a standard cafe and slightly less if you buy it from a street or market vendor. You can never stop at just one, though – budget for a minimum of three glasses.

Cup of Turkish coffee

• 7 TRY / 0.40 USD

The UNESCO-recognised ritual of kahve (Turkish coffee) is a priceless experience, especially if you’re lucky enough to be in the company of some friendly locals. Coffee is traditionally reserved for later in the day, while tea is sipped with breakfast.

Latte / iced Americano at a fancy cafe

• 35 TRY / 1.95 USD

If you prefer your coffee cold-poured or V60’d, there is certainly no shortage of uber-trendy cafes in Istanbul. An Italian-style milk coffee or iced Americano is around five-times the price of a Turkish coffee – more if the cafe is located in a particularly touristy area.

Traditional Turkish breakfast

• 90-150 TRY / 5-8.30 USD

A kahvalti Turkish traditional breakfast is a must when visiting Istanbul. There are thousands of options when it comes to eating a full kahvalti tabagi spread breakfast, ranging from the gourmet version at Velvet Cafe Balat (150 TRY per person), with incredible house-made condiments, to the more-local but just as excellent Van Kahvalti Evi (90 TRY per person).

Oftentimes when you order a kahvalti , you end up with way too much food. A pick-and-choose style breakfast, where you only order what you want, is lighter on the wallet and on the tum.

My favourite place for this is Besiktas ‘Breakfast Street’, where there are dozens of early morning cafes. Small plates at Cakmak Kahvalti Salonu range from 2-8 TRY each. Two things that are definitely worth splashing out on are the bal kaymak (clotted buffalo cream and honey) for 13 TRY and the tahin pekmez (tahini and grape molasses) for 10 TRY.

A local local quick breakfast of borek filled pastry and tea costs as little as 15 TRY (0.85 USD), while a humble simit bagel will only set you back 9 TRY (0.50 USD).

Meal for two in a mid-range Turkish restaurant

• 200-360 TRY / 11-20 USD

When in Istanbul, do as Istanbulites do – eat at local Turkish restaurants as often as possible. There is a huge price range here depending on the type of establishment and the location, but generally speaking, you can expect to spend somewhere in the neighbourhood of 200-360 TRY for a generous Turkish meal for two.

At cafeteria-style restaurants in Sisle, we paid as little as 140 TRY (7.70 USD) for a pair of kebabs, rice and ayran (a popular savoury yogurt drink). A worker’s lunch at a casual lokanta costs around 200 TRY, while you will pay 320-plus TRY for a seafood lunch at a fancier fish restaurant or a meze feast at a meyhane .

Meal for two in an international cafe/restaurant

• 350-500 TRY / 19-28 USD

As with most cities, international cuisine is priced higher compared with Turkish fare. Expect to pay more – up to twice as much – for sushi or pasta, depending on the location and the quality of the establishment.

Street food snack

• 40 TRY / 2.20 USD

A quick doner kebab, balik ekmek (grilled fish wrap) or icli kofte (stuffed kibbeh) to go costs around 40 TRY per piece. For the same price, you can get a more substantial sit-down street food meal, such as a heaving plate of tavuk pilav (chicken and rice).

Piece of Turkish baklava

• 14 TRY / 0.75 USD

Everyone’s favourite Turkish treat. A diamond of basic sade baklava somewhere like Karakoy Gulluoglu costs 14 TRY, while you’ll pay up to 150 TRY (8.30 USD) for the havuc dilimi (giant pistachio baklava with Turkish ice cream) at the historic cafe Hafız Mustafa 1864 (don’t fret, it’s plenty big enough to share!).

Chocolate bar

• 16 TRY / 0.90 USD

A pistachio milk chocolate from the supermarket (Damak brand or similar) costs 16 TRY, or you can fork out slightly more for an imported sweet. Notice how the little square chocolate blocks in Turkey are perfectly proportioned for one sitting!

Small bottle of fresh orange juice

• 15 TRY / 0.85 USD

Freshly squeezed orange juice ( portakal suyu ) and pomegranate juice ( nar suyu ) are a steal. Street vendors around Galata Tower and other touristy areas often overcharge – stick to juice bars or shops.

Small bottle of water

• 4 TRY / 0.20 USD

Whether or not you can drink the tap water in Istanbul is quite a controversial topic. If you prefer to drink bottled, try to buy larger bottles to cut down on plastic waste.

Glass of local draught beer

• 50 TRY / 2.75 USD

A tall glass of Efes Pilsen or similar starts from 50 TRY, while you’ll pay 30-50% more for a bottle of craft beer .

Cost of toiletries in Istanbul

Bar of Turkish hammam soap

You can definitely find a lower price if you shop at a local market, but this is a ballpark figure when buying from the Grand Bazaar.

Mid-sized tube of sunscreen

• 170 TRY / 9.40 USD

Sunscreen is quite pricey and there isn’t a big range of brands – bring your own from home, especially if you’re visiting during summer.

• 16.50 / 0.90 USD

I once read a scathing Istanbul trip report on a travel forum where the individual paid through the nose – double dollar figures – for a simple plastic toothbrush. Thank goodness this is no longer the case. Basic toiletries, over the counter medications and prescription medicines are all extremely affordable in Turkey.

Bottle of hand gel

• 9 TRY / 0.50 USD

Hand sanitiser is widely available in supermarkets and cosmetic stores.

Cost of activities & entertainment in Istanbul

Istanbul E-Pass

A worthwhile investment if you plan on doing the rounds through Istanbul’s museums and landmarks, the Istanbul E-Pass includes entry to more than 40 of the city’s finest cultural institutions and most popular attractions.

Galata Tower (130 TRY), Topkapi Palace and the Harem (200 TRY), the Istanbul Archaeological Museum (60 TRY), Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts (60 TRY), and the Galata Mevlevihanesi Museum (25 TRY) are all included.

Choose from 2-7 days validity. And best of all, the digital pass allows you to skip the queue at most sites.

Buy the official Istanbul E-Pass here through Viator .

Entrance to Galata Tower

• 130 TRY / 7.20 USD

Istanbul’s most famous viewing deck now costs a pretty penny, but I still think it’s worth it. The new Galata Tower Museum inside the watchtower is quite interesting, too. Read my tips for visiting Galata Tower here .

Ticket to see the Whirling Dervishes

• 545 TRY / 30 USD

Yes, it’s one of the most touristy activities in Istanbul – but ‘authentic’ Mevlevi Sema ceremonies that take place in local mosques do exist. Read this article to learn about the best Whirling Dervish ceremony in Istanbul , and which commercial shows to avoid.

Luxe hammam treatment (private bath)

• 700-800 TRY / 40-44 USD

You can’t visit Istanbul without going to a hammam for an exfoliating scrub down and kopuk bubble wash. Fancier bathhouses charge around 700-800 TRY per person for a basic treatment, which normally includes unlimited time in the communal bathing area.

Aga Hamami off Taksim Square (which claims to be the oldest bathhouse in Istanbul) and Kilic Ali Pasha Hamami in Karakoy are both fine choices, with opulent facilities and quality service.

Remember the price is exclusive of service. It’s recommended to tip your natir or tellak therapist an additional 10-20%.

Hammam & peeling scrub (public bath)

• 125 TRY / 6.90 USD

A budget-friendly alternative is to visit a public hammam, where the communal rooms are divided into mens and women’s sections (the private hammams mentioned above are mixed).

You aren’t obliged to purchase a package treatment, you can simply steam and soak in the baths (usually for around 100 TRY) and add-on a peel or a foam massage for an additional 25 TRY if you wish.

There are dozens to choose from – Kadirga Hamami in Sultanahmet has good reviews, beautiful 18th-century marble rooms, and competitive prices.

Sunset cruise on the Bosphorus

While the budget-conscious should stick to the local ferries, if you prefer champagne and yacht-level legroom with your water views, you can upgrade to a Bosphorus sunset cruise.

This 2.5-hour cruise has impeccable reviews.

Other Istanbul costs

Tipping is customary in Istanbul, with 10% being the standard mark for restaurant and bar staff. For taxi drivers, it’s normal to round up to the nearest lira when paying in cash. Tipping is slightly higher for other service providers: 10-20% goes to staff at the Turkish baths, and to your hairdresser or barber.

Majority of ATMs in Turkey charge a withdrawal fee, usually a percentage of the transaction rather than a flat fee. The only no-fee ATM I know of is Ziraat Bank.

Fee structures change regularly. Usually different ATMs are clustered together, so you can experiment with a few options.

Public restrooms

• 2 TRY / 0.10 USD

If you need a public restroom, head to the nearest mosque. Every mosque, it seems, has a bathroom that’s open to anyone and most of the time they are relatively clean. Many of the larger mosques offer facilities for free, but some request a coin.

Cash or card in Istanbul?

Ninety-nine percent of restaurants, cafes, bars and shops in Istanbul accept credit/debit cards, including Visa and Mastercard as well as contactless pay. The same goes for hotels. For small markets and convenience stores, local eateries and taxis, you’ll need cash.

Many smaller shops in Turkey have a primary limit on card purchases, meaning you need to meet a certain threshold if you want to pay with a card. In these instances, cash is necessary. Small bills come in handy for tipping, so try to keep some 10s and 20s on you.

Tips for saving money in Istanbul

• Avoid travelling during peak summer season. Accommodation and tour prices are always inflated between June and August, while you can find some great shoulder and off-season deals if you travel in spring, winter or autumn.
• Remember that a visa on arrival is more expensive than an e-visa. It’s best to apply online in advance – and it will save you time and energy at the airport, too.
• Pick up an IstanbulKart transport card as soon as you can. Metro, ferry, tram and bus fares are 50% lower when you use the card compared to buying single tickets.
• Eat like a local. It goes without saying that local bites are usually better priced than international meals, and that local restaurants outside of the very touristy zones offer better value for money.
• Stick to free activities and choose your big-ticket attractions wisely. There are plenty of free things to do in Istanbul . Don’t cull something from your itinerary if you have your heart on it, but pick and choose which of the big museums and landmarks you want to spend money on.
• Invest in an Istanbul E-Pass. But only if it makes sense for you.
• Opt for a public hammam rather than a private bath. If you don’t need maximum pampering, a public bath is an equally fun experience.

Where to stay in Istanbul

Budget: Hostel Le Banc (⭐ 9.5) – This popular hostel in Beyoglu is footsteps from the Galata Tower and Sishane metro station. It features air-conditioned rooms (private doubles and mixed/all-female 4 and 10-bed dorms), a shared lounge and a terrace.

Mid-range: 38 Hotel (⭐ 8.6) – Located in Sisli, close to Osmanbey metro station, this hotel has compact, tidy double rooms and suites.

Boutique: Hotel Empress Zoe (⭐ 9.2) – This gorgeous boutique hotel is decorated with heritage flourishes and boasts hammam-like ensuites and private internal terraces. The location in Fatih, minutes from Sultan Ahmet Mosque and the Blue Mosque, is very central yet the hotel still feels secluded.

Luxury: Ecole St. Pierre Hotel (⭐ 9.5) – Located in Beyoglu close to Galata Tower, this boutique-luxury hotel offers high-end suites with private courtyards and terraces. The building, an old Italian Dominican school with remnants of the 13th-century Galata walls inside its courtyard, is dripping with history.

Turkey essentials

Here are some of the websites and services I recommend for planning a trip to Turkey. Remember to check out my full list of travel resources for more tips.

FLIGHTS: Find affordable flights to Turkey using the Skyscanner website .

VISAS: Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa for Turkey and apply for an expedited visa online.

DOCUMENTATION: Use OneWayFly to obtain proof of onward travel/hotel reservation for your visa application.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Insure your trip to Turkey with HeyMondo , my preferred provider for single-trip and annual travel insurance.

CAR HIRE: Use the Local Rent platform to hire a car from a local agent. Prices start from as little as 18€ per day.

ACCOMMODATION: Find the best Turkey hotel deals on Booking.com .

CITY TOURS & DAY TRIPS: Browse the Viator website to find the best itineraries and prices for Istanbul food tours, Cappadocia balloon rides and more!

More Istanbul travel resources

• The perfect Istanbul itinerary
• 40+ Istanbul tips for first-timers
• Tips for visiting Galata Tower – is it worth it?
• The best Whirling Dervishes ceremony in Istanbul
• The ultimate guide to Istanbul street food
• Guide to Arnavutkoy , my favourite neighbourhood in Istanbul
• The most beautiful places to visit in Turkey
• Where to visit in Turkey in winter

Hi there, this is an excellent and detailed guide!! So helpful. May I also add some tips relaed to ATMs, exchanging money in Istanbul. In my experience, I found using ATMs (the fee-free ones) much better than exchanging currency to get better rates. Interestingly, the bank ATMs in Istanbul have such a variety of ATM fees – like some charge absolutely no fees to foreign cards holders and some charge ridiculously high fees. So its an important cost consideration when travelling there. I landed up using the ATM Fee Saver mobile app – it gives a list of fee-free and low-fee ATMs in Istanbul along with their withdrawal limits. Was quite a life saviour for me as I landed up saving so much on ATM fees. Worth adding to your list, it will help a lot of international travellers to Turkey!

Excellent tip, thank you Jess!

Hi there, I keep on seeing the same information related on many blogs and being in Istanbul right now, prices are much more expensive. Count 35 try for a tea, 70 try for a Turkish coffee. A meal at a mid range restaurant is 300-500 try per person just for the main dish. We just paid 1300 try for 2 people to visit topkapi palace. We are quite schooled as we expected Istanbul to be a much more affordable location ! I don’t know if such a huge surge in price is very recent, but all information online seems to be outdated.

Thank you for the update – certainly prices seem to have increased considerably since I was there in summer.

I’ve been in Turkiye for 3 weeks and the lira has gone from $1aud = 12.8lira to being about 16.8 lira today!! I’ve noticed all the museums use stickers to change the prices almost daily, so wouldn’t be surprised if it keeps going up. But if you’re a foreigner, the lira will be more but the dollar value is still similar.

Best of luck on your travels

I’m not a local, but I think your budgets are right on the mark! My husband and I visited Turkey in 2019 and spent about $45 USD/day per person. For our time in Istanbul alone, the average was closer to $62 USD/day (currently ~1152 TRY) and I consider us to be between budget and mid-range travelers, so that matches up with your estimates quite well! Thanks as always for sharing such detailed information for fellow travelers. Glad to see you loved Istanbul.

Thanks Megan for the feedback about your Istanbul budget! Hope you enjoyed your time in Turkey!

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Destinations // Travel Finances

Istanbul travel cost – 1 week budget breakdown.

This post may contain affiliate links. We receive a commission on purchases made through links on this page. This is at no additional cost to you & helps support our travels. Read more in our Disclaimer . Thank you!

Plan your trip and your Istanbul travel cost with confidence by checking out this comprehensive budget breakdown, including flights, accommodations, food, and more!

In this comprehensive budget breakdown, I share a detailed outline of my one-week travel experience in Istanbul, including the costs of flights, accommodations, food, transportation, and more. Whether you’re a budget traveler or looking to splurge, this guide will help you plan your trip and navigate the vibrant city of Istanbul, Turkey, with ease.

We’ll cover Istanbul travel cost, how much money to bring to Istanbul, budget trip to Istanbul tips, and more!

As a quick note, we are not backpackers; we rarely stay in hostels and are very cautious with street food. We like to save money where we can, but we certainly spend it on what is important to us.

This is not representative of what you will spend in Istanbul, even for the same period of time or season. This is merely an overview of what we spent and some of our tips and reasons for the amounts. Please use it as a guide to your future trip to Istanbul, Turkey!

This post is all about a one-week budget breakdown for your Istanbul travel cost.

Istanbul, turkey itinerary:.

1 Week (8 days & 7 nights)

We had a lovely one-week trip where we explored Turkey’s main tourist city, Istanbul. This city is the only city in the world that sits on two separate continents, both Europe and Asia. With an entire week dedicated to one city, we stayed on both sides of the continental divide, with two nights on the Asian side and the remainder of our five nights on the European side. We’ll dive more into where we stayed and what we did in the sections below (accommodations and activities, respectively).

Asia Side Istanbul – 2 nights

European Side Istanbul – 5 nights

Cost of Travel in Istanbul, Turkey

Total: $165

Since we now live in Eastern Europe , this was a short and easy flight for us. Istanbul actually has two international airports (IST and SAW) and is a major hub due to its location between Europe and Asia. The IST airport is enormous and beautiful and has a host of great lounges. The SAW airport is used for more budget airlines and sits closer to the city, making it an easy train ride to your hotel.

• Get unbelievable flight deals from FareDrop.com!

Total: $155

At the time of our visit in late 2023, we did have to get a visa as US citizens. As of January 2024, US citizens no longer need a visa to enter the country for less than 90 days.

• Find your entry requirements and make getting a visa a breeze!

For our visit, we got e-visas ahead of time for $50 per person. However, I accidentally activated them for the wrong date (one day later). This was a bit of a rough blunder on my part since we had to either wait 24 hours inside the airport to enter (um, no?) or purchase new visas. They couldn’t change the ones we had, so we ended up having to purchase new ones and wait in a crazy long line. 

Accommodations

Total: $460

Average: $65 per night

We fared well in Istanbul with our accommodation costs. By staying in our favorite brand of hotels , we were able to use and earn points and get free breakfast every day.

>> Learn more about the benefits of Hilton Diamond Status.

european-side

The European side was much more in the heart of the action as far as tourism goes. We enjoyed our stay in the Sirkeci area. This put us within walking distance of some of the top attractions (Hagia Sophia one way and the Eminönü the other). We barely even needed to take public transportation from this location!

🛌 Our favorite accommodations on european side

Rayelin Hotel Istanbul Old City

Lazzoni Hotel

Hotel The Public

• FIND YOUR ISTANBUL HOTEL

On the Asia side, we stayed along the water in the Moda Cadessi neighborhood, overlooking the famous Istanbul skyline (birds and boats included). This was a super accessible area with tons of great dining options within walking distance from our hotel. Public transportation was only a few blocks away with the underground train, the cable cars, and the ferry port.

🛌 Our favorite accommodations in ASIAN SIDE

DoubleTree By Hilton Istanbul - Moda

Wyndham Grand Istanbul Kalamış Marina

Antwell Suites

Food & drink.

Total: $330

Average: $41 per day

Average: $20 per person per day

The food. You are going to love the food and its prices. As with most places, the more touristy the area, the more expensive the food. We found the area around our hotel on the European side would run around $12-20 for an entree and maybe $5-8 for a glass of beer. Certainly, nothing too crazy. However, if you hop over to the Asian side, you will find some of the best restaurants, boasting traditional and modern cuisine for even more affordable prices. Note, too, that a lot of the meals are family-style, so they are large enough to share. We often only ordered one meal to share and were perfectly content.

Transportation

Average: $6 per day

The public transportation in Istanbul was amazing. They had an underground subway, street-side cable cars, buses, and ferries. There were stops all over the place, and it was so easy to hop on and off, even as English-speaking tourists. We always use the Google Maps app to get our public transportation directions, and it works like a charm for our Istanbul transportation needs. You can also easily use your contactless credit cards to pay for your fares. Just place the credit card on the spot you put the ticket on the turnstiles, and you’ll get a green to pass through. They only accept MasterCard, and you can use the same card for multiple people.

>> Find the Best Credit Cards for International Travel 

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Total: $160

For all the stuff we did in Istanbul over the course of a week, I was super impressed with the cost of everything. There are a ton of free options that are must-visits. This includes the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Istiklal Caddesi, and many bazaars (if you can handle window shopping!).

On top of the many free activities, we also attended a Beşiktaş game for $25 per person. Just note, it is a bit complicated to get tickets as you have to register (and pay) for a Passolig card.

We also visited a theme park. VIALand is located north of the city center and accessible by public transportation. We purchased our tickets through Get Your Guide for around $50 per person.

Top Activities in Istanbul

Total: $150

Since we visited in November, we honestly bought a lot of our Christmas presents here. There are a ton of great shopping destinations, and we found some gorgeous gifts! Be sure to check out the Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian Bazaar. We found the indoor parts of the bazaars were busy and beautiful but limited in their prices and variety. If you go just outside the markets and shop in the crowded alleyways, you’ll find more unique pieces and a lot more “local” prices.

Pro Tip: Shop around. There are a lot of stalls selling similar items, and prices can vary quite a bit.

shop the bazaars with a pro

We always download an e-sim ahead of our arrival, and our trip to Istanbul was no different. We downloaded an e-sim loaded with 5GB of data for our weeklong trip. It was plenty of data and we had great service throughout the city.

• Land in Istanbul ready to use your data

Total Spend in Istanbul, Turkey

💰 cost of one week in istanbul, turkey 💰.

$1,160 for 2 people

Daily Total:

$150 per day for 2 people

Value for Money:

Total: $1,160

Average: $150 per day

Average: $75 per person per day

All in all, we spent around $150 per day, including our accommodations, food, activities, and transportation. For an incredibly popular European destination, we were surprised by the affordability of our trip. We easily spent a week staying busy, enjoying the city. Next time we visit Turkey, we’ll likely take another few days to hit even more destinations in Istanbul.

Total with Flights: $1,325

This post was all about a one-week budget breakdown for your Istanbul travel cost.

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• Date: January 23, 2024

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We’re Alicia & Nate, a couple that traveled full-time for 3 years straight. We are now living in a cozy little apartment in Albania. We have a passion for exploring new places and trying new foods.

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Istanbul Prices & Travel Costs

The classic east-meets-west destination, Istanbul is absolutely one of the world’s most interesting and most historic cities. Famous divided by the Bosphorous Straight, Istanbul has a huge section in Asia and a smaller and more important section in Europe.

Travel Costs to Istanbul

Accommodation costs in istanbul.

Hotels in Istanbul are more expensive than you might have guessed, at least during prime tourism season in the warm months. Hostel beds continue to be a great deal, as do private rooms at many of these hostels, so that’s an area where you can keep costs lower. For some great bargains with excellent central locations check out our recommended Istanbul hotels list.

Check Istanbul hotels

Istanbul hotel seasons.

The high season generally lasts from sometime in March through sometime in November, and also includes the time around the Christmas holidays. The low season starts sometime in November and goes through most of March, and during this period prices can be nearly cut in half. The peak is July and August, and outside of those months you can often find good prices on hotel-booking sites.

Istanbul Hotel Prices

Recommended hotels, istanbul hostels prices, recommended hostels, istanbul attractions prices.

The Grand Bazaar is an enormous marketplace that is mostly indoors and sells just about everything you could imagine, including Turkish rugs from high-pressure salespeople.

The Hagia Sophia mosque is one of the most impressive structures you’ll ever see, and it’s a short walk away from the almost-as-impressive Blue Mosque.

Best tours in Istanbul

Istanbul is huge, but the key sights are mostly clustered in the Sultanahmet district. Walking tours of this area are highly recommended.

The hop-on, hop-off bus tours are also quite good and obviously can take you to some areas that you wouldn’t see on foot.

Boat tours on the Bosphorous are also a great way to see the highlights and learn a lot more about Istanbul.

Istanbul Food and Drink Prices

There are pretty good restaurants all over the tourist areas of Istanbul and you can get a doner sandwich or something similar at many stalls. Plan on having at least one proper Turkish breakfast, hopefully included with your hotel. They serve a large sampler of excellent and traditional items that is unlike what you’ll find almost anywhere else.

Featured articles

Istanbul transport prices, getting to istanbul.

Istanbul has two huge airports that are key hubs for the region. Istanbul Airport (IST), which just opened in 2019, is the larger of the two and it is where most of the long-haul flights land.

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is also huge and it’s where many of the low-cost-carrier flights land. It’s located on the Asia side of town and it’s a longer ride if you are staying in the tourist center.

You can reach Istanbul by train from Europe, but the service is kind of slow so flying in is a better option for most people.

Getting around Istanbul

Most of the tourist area of Istanbul is within a pleasant walking zone, but the city also has cheap tram service and also fairly cheap taxis.

When to visit Istanbul

Temperature and rainfall, istanbul weather advice.

The weather in Istanbul is usually rather pleasant all summer, as long as you don’t mind a bit of humidity. There’s almost no rain between May and September, so it’s generally the best time to visit, though it’s also the most crowded time.

Things can get cool and wet from December through March so this period is not ideal for the many outdoor attractions in the city. April, October, and November are recommended for shoulder season travelers who want smaller crowds and slightly lower prices.

Sunrise and sunset

Where to go before and after.

Cost of a Trip to Istanbul, TR & the Cheapest Time to Visit Istanbul

The average price of a 7-day trip to Istanbul is $1,123 for a solo traveler, $2,017 for a couple, and $3,781 for a family of 4 . Istanbul hotels range from $36 to $122 per night with an average of $65, while most vacation rentals will cost $130 to $380 per night for the entire home. Average worldwide flight costs to Ataturk Airport ( IST ) are between $673 and $925 per person for economy flights and $2,112 to $2,903 for first class. Depending on activities, we recommend budgeting $24 to $66 per person per day for transportation and enjoying local restaurants.

See below for average , budget , and luxury trip costs. You can also look up flight costs from your airport for more tailored flight pricing.

The Cheapest Times to Visit Istanbul, TR

On average, these will be the cheapest dates to fly to IST and stay in a Istanbul hotel:

• January 8th to March 25th
• September 3rd to December 16th

The absolute cheapest time to take a vacation in Istanbul is usually late January and early February .

Average Istanbul Trip Costs

Average solo traveler.

The average cost for one person to visit Istanbul for a week is $795-$1,665 ($114-$238 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $24 to $66 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $357 to $777 for economy

Lodging : $45 to $54 per night for one 2 or 3-star hotel room

or $58 to $71 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Average Couple’s Trip

The average cost for a couple to visit Istanbul for a week is $1,952-$3,200 ($279-$457 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $48 to $132 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $714 to $1,554 for economy

Average Family Vacation

The average cost for 4 people to visit Istanbul for a week is $2,586-$5,604 ($369-$801 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $96 to $264 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,428 to $3,108 for economy

Lodging : $90 to $108 per night for two 2 or 3-star hotel rooms

or $81 to $107 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Traveling Cheap to Istanbul

How cheap can you make a vacation to Istanbul? The cheapest trip to Istanbul is about $83 per person per day for travelers willing to take standby flights, deal with inconvenience, and otherwise limit travel expenses. About 1% of rentals are available in the $0 to $100 range for an entire place, and vacation rentals can be booked for as low as $21 per night. These inexpensive rentals must be booked as early as possible and may not be in the most desirable areas. 1-star hotels are more likely to be available, with rooms starting at around $32.

Even cheaper trips are possible depending on where you live and whether you can drive. Check the cheapest times to fly for more saving ideas.

Budget Solo Traveler

The lowest cost for one person to visit Istanbul for a week is $581-$1,272 ($83-$182 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $14 to $27 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Lodging : $32 to $36 per night for one 1-star hotel room

or $21 to $51 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Budget Couple’s Trip

The lowest cost for a couple to visit Istanbul for a week is $1,036-$2,238 ($148-$320 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $28 to $54 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Budget Family Vacation

The lowest cost for 4 people to visit Istanbul for a week is $1,994-$4,356 ($285-$622 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $56 to $108 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Lodging : $64 to $72 per night for two 1-star hotel rooms

or $29 to $82 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Overall it is easy to travel to Istanbul cheaply.

The Cost of a Luxury Istanbul Trip

There is no true ceiling on the cost of a luxury trip, so our estimates are based on what most people do in Istanbul.

Luxury Solo Traveler

The high-end price for one person to visit Istanbul for a week is $1,774-$7,670 ($253-$1,096 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $43 to $132 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,035 to $1,958 for first class

Lodging : $73 to $122 per night for one 4 or 5-star hotel room

or $380 to $798 per night for a preferred vacation rental

Luxury Couple’s Trip

The high-end price for a couple to visit Istanbul for a week is $3,110-$10,552 ($444-$1,507 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $86 to $264 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $2,070 to $3,916 for first class

Luxury Family Vacation

The high-end price for 4 people to visit Istanbul for a week is $6,220-$19,190 ($889-$2,741 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $172 to $528 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $4,140 to $7,832 for first class

Lodging : $146 to $244 per night for two 4 or 5-star hotel rooms

or $570 to $1,277 per night for a preferred vacation rental

Istanbul Hotel Prices

The cost of staying in Istanbul is lower than the average city. On average hotels are less expensive than vacation rentals. Luxury vacation rentals are more expensive in Istanbul due to very high property costs. The graphs below show how much cost can vary depending on the type of experience you’re looking for.

Istanbul Lodging Cost by Star Status

The average price for the class of hotel is on the (y) axis. The hotel class (out of 5 stars) is on the (x) axis.

Prices are based on Istanbul hotel averages and may not reflect current prices. In some cases, we extrapolate prices to estimate costs, and hotels with your desired star rating may not be available.

Vacation Rental Prices

The percent of vacation rentals in the price range is on the left (y) axis. Price range is on the bottom (x) axis.

There are a healthy amount of vacation rentals serving all budgets in Istanbul.

Flight Costs to Istanbul

Averaging flights around the world, prices go from a high of $925 average in early August to a low of $673 in late January and early February. Median flight price is $683. These prices are based on millions of flights. For Istanbul our data includes 494 originating airports, and 197 airlines. The area has average variance in price compared with other locations. Flying to Istanbul from an airport like Savoonga ( SVA ) in Savoonga, AK (the United States) for an average $6,915 trip fare will obviously cost a lot more than from an airport like Zafer ( KZR ) in Kutahya (Turkey) at an average of just $40.

Average Flight Cost by Season

Average flight cost by day of week.

The cheapest day to fly in is typically Tuesday, and the cheapest day to fly back is usually Tuesday. Click here to see data for the cost of flights from your airport. In Istanbul, the difference between the cheapest and the most expensive week is about $253, so you can easily save about 38% simply by using our free flight guides and booking in advance.

Daily Expenses Budget

Daily vacation expenses vary more based on what you’re interested in doing. A fine dining restaurant with drinks around Istanbul can easily cost $210 per person or more, while a standard nice meal might be about $14 per person. Private tours can cost $411 per day, but self-guided tours to see the outdoor sights can be free. Costs vary wildly, so recommendations are made based on the cost of living and averages we see for this type of vacation.

Other Istanbul Guides

Travel costs nearby.

• Istanbul City Center, Turkey
• Sirkeci, Turkey
• Fatih, Turkey
• Asmali Mescit, Turkey
• Tophane, Turkey
• Beyoglu, Turkey
• Taksim, Turkey
• Sisli, Turkey
• Zeytinburnu, Turkey
• Kagithane, Turkey

Travel Costs in Popular Places

• San Sebastian, Spain
• Kaohsiung, Taiwan
• Venice, Italy

How to travel in Istanbul on a budget

Straddling the divide between Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a humming metropolis up there with the best in the world.  There are soaring mosques to see, Ottoman-era markets to explore and countless cafes, bars and restaurants to be found hidden in every Byzantine nook and cranny.

But like any major city, a visit to Turkey’s capital can quickly deplete your bank balance if you’re not prepared with a few money-saving tips. At time of publishing, Lonely Planet estimated the average daily cost of visiting to be around USD40 per day, even as high as USD200 in summer season. Make your money travel further with our budget guide to travelling in Istanbul.

Where to stay

Istanbul is divided into European and Asian sides of the Bosphorus Strait, so choosing which side you stay on will depend on what kind of traveller you are and what you’d like to do. For the most part, the Asian side of Istanbul is largely residential. Many of the big attractions, shopping strips and food haunts can be found on the European side of the city. If you want to save time and money on fares travelling back and forth, it’s generally a good idea to stay around two of west Istanbul’s biggest neighbourhoods: Sultanahmet and Beyoğlu (Galata).

What’s the difference between Sultanahmet and Beyoğlu (Galata)? For starters, Sultanahmet is often referred to as Istanbul’s ‘Old City’ and most of the city’s iconic sites can be found here, including Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia (pictured below) and the Grand Bazaar. There are a number of hotels and hostels in the area but, because of a build-up of tourist hot spots, accommodation here tends towards the pricier side.

Inside Hagia Sophia, Istanbul.

Just nearby, opposite Sultanahmet on the northern side of the Golden Horn, is Beyoğlu (Galata). Here you’ll find Taksim Square, the famous İstiklal Caddesi boulevard, and Galata Tower. This area has plenty of accommodation options, albeit at a cheaper price.

When it comes to choosing accommodation, consider staying in hostels rather than hotels to get the best price. Sharing dorm rooms with other travellers is a great way to meet people and make friends, as well as save on one of travel’s biggest expenses. Istanbul has plenty of hostels with lots of charm and personality, including some with rooftop views over the city. If you’re looking to stay in Istanbul for a couple of nights and want the accommodation handled for you, Intrepid Travel offers a two-night accommodation and day-tour package .

Getting around

Navigating Istanbul’s tangled city roads can seem overwhelming when you first arrive, but the good news is it’s actually very easy to get around. The city has a sophisticated public transport system, included bus, metro, tram, and boat to help get you to almost every location.

While taking a cab might appeal as the easiest and most straightforward option, it’s also the costliest. The meter rate is expensive and there’s the chance of falling prey to a taxi-related scam, such as overcharging and bill-swapping. Instead, save yourself the headache and buy an Istanbulkart. It’s the Turkish equivalent to London’s Oyster Card, Hong Kong’s Octopus card and Melbourne’s Myki.

Istanbul Metro Map

Istanbul’s public transport system works on a flat USD1 fare for every single-use paper ticket. There are no zones or grading in the metro system, so it’s the same fare to reach every destination. However, if you purchase an Istanbulkart your single-use rate can drop to around USD.50c – a 50% saving! The card can be used for the metro, buses, trams and funiculars. Note that you must have an Istanbulkart to use the bus in Istanbul as these don’t have cash machines onboard.

You can purchase an Istanbulkart at automated card machines and kiosks found in almost every metro, tram, ferry or metrobus station. You can purchase one at Ataturk airport on arrival at the airport station. The card costs around USD2 but will come pre-loaded for your first fare (around USD1). You can top up your balance as needed at card machines. To use the card, simply ‘tap on’ the reader when entering a metro station or hopping onto a bus or tram.

RELATED STORY: WHAT TO EXPECT ON A STREET FOOD TOUR IN ISTANBUL

Street food is a godsend for travellers on a shoestring and Istanbul is one of those cities with a proud street food tradition. Keep an eye out for red-topped carts offering a variety of snacks to keep your energy levels up during the day.

Every cart owner has their own speciality and ‘turf’ to cover in the city. Some traders offer simit (circular sesame-crusted bread rings), poğaça (a crumbly pastry with a variety of fillings), roasted kestane  (chestnuts) and köfte ekmek (char-grilled meatballs on bread). Just remember the rules of street food –

• DO go to the more popular carts as higher customer turnover means food is more likely to be fresh.
• DO bring your own hand sanitiser to clean up afterwards.
• DO bring cash to pay for your food as many vendors won’t have touch-on payment systems.
• DON’T judge a book by its cover. A grubby-looking cart doesn’t necessarily mean the food is unsafe. Instead, observe the vendor before purchasing to see how they handle food. Look for signs indicating whether the food has been waiting around for a while, such as being dried out.
• DON’T be tempted to buy mussels from a street stall. It’s better to be safe and buy these from a restaurant.

An ice-cream stand in Istanbul, Turkey.

If you’re looking to dine in, keep an eye out for tradesmen restaurants known as esnaf lokantası . These are homely establishments with rotating menus intended for locals, so they’re cheaper than dining at tourist restaurants on the main strips. They’re always open for lunch and sometimes for dinner. You can pick a tradesmen restaurant by its cafeteria-style setting and simple menus. Expect a meal here to set you back about USD4.

Drinking alcohol is relatively more expensive in Turkey compared to other parts of Europe. Beer tends to be cheaper (at around USD5 at a neighbourhood bar) than wine, which is heavily taxed.

If you do choose to eat or drink out, remember tipping is expected at restaurants and bars. Common practice is to tip 10% of the bill at upscale restaurants or 5% at cheaper ones.

Exploring the city

If you play your cards right, it’s possible to spend a day out in Istanbul for practically free. Have a browse of local guides such as Time Out! Istanbul and The Guide Istanbul for regular round ups on what is happening in the city. Other ways to keep entertained include checking out street performances on İstiklal Caddesi boulevard or local musicians performing at metro stations (although remember to give a small tip). Mosques can also be visited for free, provided you are respectful and visit outside main prayer times. Many museums have specific times of the day where entrance is free!

One of the best ways to check out the city’s biggest highlights is to buy an Istanbul Museum Pass . For around USD15, it gives you entrance to dozens of top sites including Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, İstanbul Archaeological Museums, İstanbul Mosaic Museum, Museum of Turkish and İslamic Arts, plus discounts on a selection of other museums, shops, restaurants and activities. The Museum Pass is valid for 120 hours so you can cram in as much museum-hopping as possible. In some cases, the Pass can even give you priority access inside, which is especially handy if you’re travelling in summer. To get an idea how much value this pass represents, a visit to Hagia Sophia on its own can cost as much as USD5, so the pass is a great way to bundle and save.

Travellers sitting on colourful steps in Balat, Istanbul.

One popular activity, and a good way to get a sense of the city’s scale, is to jump on a Bosphorus boat tour. These commercial scenic cruises trawl along the straits taking in waterfront highlights such as the 15th-century Rumeli Hisarı fort. While boat tours aren’t necessarily expensive, you can enjoy the same experience simply using your Istanbulkart to pay for a public ferry ride from one end of the strait to the other.

Another way to see the city is to venture to some of the lesser known but equally historic suburbs like Balat. Once the home of Istanbul’s Greek and Jewish population, this brightly coloured suburb has been turning heads recently thanks to a recent EU-funded restoration project and the plethora of cafes, music spots, markets and restaurants that now crowd the narrow streets. It’s an easy place to get lost while discovering ancient churches and synagogues. Check out our detailed guide to Balat here.

RELATED STORY: WHAT TO DO IN ISTANBUL, FROM MUST-DOS TO LESSER KNOWN GEMS

Even more ways to save

• Travel off peak: You can expect accommodation prices to soar during the summer high season from June to August. Avoid the costs, and the crowds, by travelling during shoulder or low season (November to March). Seeing icons like Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia under a layer of powdery snow is spectacular and a unique way to see this popular city.
• Pay in the local currency: Many businesses in Istanbul accept payment in euro, but it’s better to pay using the Turkish lira as the exchange rate will work in your favour. Currency changers are easy to find in the city, typically clustered around major sites and shopping areas like the Grand Bazaar and Sultanahmet. Another option is to pay on card (if your bank has a good conversion rate) or to withdraw lira from ATMs.
• Haggle your heart out: Turkey has a great bartering culture and haggling is expected when shopping at bazaars. Be prepared to drive a hard bargain but remember to be fair. A good starting point is to halve the price and see how the vendor responds. Remember to never take it too seriously, and that sometimes a well-timed joke or smile can be the difference between making a deal or walking away empty-handed. Knowing a little bit of Turkish can go a long way too.

Now you’re ready to visit Istanbul, check out Intrepid Travel’s range of small group adventures in Turkey.

Feeling inspired?

Justin Meneguzzi

No matter where I travel I'm always drawn to the same two things: good food and good people. You can find me ordering the weirdest things on the menu or pushing the ‘pull’ door. Follow my adventures on Instagram @justinmeneguzzi

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Istanbul Itinerary: 3, 4, 5, or 7 Day Options

Co-Founder of The Turkey Traveler. Globetrotter, Adventurer, and Frequent Traveler to Turkey!

This website uses affiliate links. For more information, click here .

Istanbul is a buzzing city with so much to see and do. As the once ancient capital of the Roman Empire, Constantinople, and the border between two continents, Europe and Asia, it’s a melting pot of history and diverse culture that cannot be found anywhere else on this planet.

While Istanbul is often visited as a stopover destination, being the largest transit hub in the world, anyone who just passes through this energetic city is really missing out.

From ancient landmarks to relaxing Turkish baths, serene nature, and world-class museums, there are tons of exciting attractions you could add to your Istanbul itinerary.

Whether you plan to stay for 3, 4, 5, or 7 days, these Istanbul itineraries will take you around some of the best sites in the city and tell you the best order in which to see them.

Planning a trip to Istanbul last-minute?

Make sure you book your tours, places to stay, and airport transfers ahead of time to ensure availability!

Here is our recommended airport transfer in Istanbul:

• Airport Shuttle From Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gocken International Airport (SAW) (Super affordable!)

Here are our recommended tours in Istanbul:

• Luxury Bosphorus Cruise At Sunset (A must-do In Istanbul)
• Whirling Dervishes Show (Unique experience!)
• Historical Turkish Bath Experience
• Istanbul Food And Culture Tour

Here are our recommended places to stay in Istanbul:

• Magnuara Palace Hotel (Gorgeous hotel in the historic centre!)
• Pera Palace Hotel
• Cheers Hostel (Budget hostel near the Blue Mosque!)

How many days is sufficient in Istanbul?

This is the age-old question we get asked the most. The amount of time you spend in Istanbul is usually dictated by how much time you have to spare. 

You could easily spend a week here and not get bored. We even spent two weeks there and didn’t run out of things to do.

We would say the optimal amount of time to spend in Istanbul is between three and five days. You could see all the highlights in three days, but if you have more time on your side, allow an extra couple of days for relaxation and to soak in the culture of the city.

After all, you don’t want to spend your time rushing from place to place and not take in the atmosphere. If you have time on your side, take it slow, don’t rush, and spend some time wandering the streets and take it all in.

📚 Read More: A Complete Istanbul, Cappadocia and Pamukkale Itinerary!

The Best Istanbul Itinerary for 3 Days

Most people visiting Istanbul only have a few days before they embark on a greater Turkey itinerary. After all, 3 days is the optimal amount of time to spend in the city.

Below is an Istanbul itinerary for 3 days, which takes you to all the top attractions and iconic landmarks in the city.

Day 1: Sultanahmet

Our itinerary begins in the enchanting city of Istanbul. This once capital of the Roman and Ottoman Empire, named then as Constantinople, is brimming with history and culture. It’s also the only city in the world to span two continents; Europe and Asia.

On the first day of your visit to Istanbul, you’re going to want to explore the neighborhood of Sultanahmet . This is where you’ll find the most iconic landmarks in the city, including the Hagia Sophia, The Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace, and the Basilica Cistern.

This day will do a lot of walking but it’s all within the same area, so you won’t need to travel far today, you’re going to see exactly why Istanbul is a city worth visiting .

Stop 1: The Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque, or Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is the most beautiful work of architecture in Istanbul, so it makes sense to visit this attraction first. It was built between 1609- 1616 by Sultan Ahmed I. It became famous for its hand-painted blue tiles that you can see inside.

The mosque features more than 200 stained glass windows, as well as a stunning carved marble mihrab that’s worth checking out. It’s also the resting place of Sultan Ahmed I.

The Blue Mosque has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985 and is one of Turkey’s most famous sites.

Stop 2: Hagia Sophia

The Hagia Sophia is just across the park from the Blue Mosque and is another one of the most important mosques in Turkey. It was built in 537 by the Roman Emperor Justinian. It was originally used as a cathedral for Constantinople, where it remained the largest Christian church in the Eastern Roman Empire for over 1000 years ago.

After Constantinople was seized by the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. It was a museum for a short time between 1935-2000 but was converted back into a mosque. It has some of the most stunning architecture, mosaics, and artistic coverings of all the mosques in the city.

Stop 3: Topkapi Palace

Around the corner from the Hagia Sophie is the Topkapi Palace. The palace was the former home of the Ottoman sultans in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Today, it is a large museum, showcasing artifacts from the Ottoman era. Not all rooms are open to the public, but the most beautiful ones are. The Ottoman Imperial Harem and the treasury are the main reasons to visit this palace in Istanbul .

The Topkapi Palace was also declared a UNESCO site in 1985 and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

Stop 4: Basilica Cistern

During the Roman Empire, the Romans built several cisterns under the city as a water filtration system for the city’s palaces. The largest and best-preserved cistern in the city is the Basilica Cistern.

It is just 150 meters away from the Hagia Sophia, so it makes sense to see this historical landmark on the same day.

Stop 5: Istanbul Archeological Museums

The Istanbul Archeological Museums is a collection of three museums in the Sultanahmet district. They are made up of the Archeology Museum, The Ancient Orient Artifacts Museum, and the Tile Museum (Tile Kiosk).

They contain historic relics dating back to the early Ottoman period after it captured Constantinople from the Roman Empire.

One of the highlights of the museum is the Alexander Sarcophagus, which is the tomb of Alexander the Great, found in the Archeology Museum, and the Egyptian Grave with two coffins in the Ancient Orient Artifacts museum and the geometric tiles of the Tile Kiosk, one of the oldest buildings in the city.

Stop 6: Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar

Another one of the major landmarks in Istanbul is the Grand Bazaar. It is the largest and oldest covered market in the world, with 61 streets and over 4,000 shops. It began operating in 1455 after the Ottomans captured Constantinople.

The vibrant Grand Bazaar is the best place to pick up Turkish souvenirs , from Turkish delights, Turkish lamps, rugs, towels, and clothes.

Around the corner from Grand Bazaar is the Spice Bazaar. This is another souk market where you can shop for various teas and spices. The spices are said to help with certain medical conditions, from diabetes control to weight loss, and mood enhancers.

Stop 6: Evening Turkish Hamam

After all this walking around, you’re going to want to relax a little. We recommend finishing off the day in a Turkish Hamam, which is similar to a Roman Bath. It’s not just a public bathing space, but a spa where you can get massages and beauty treatments.

Located next to the Hagia Sophia is the Hurrem Sultan Hamam, which was built in the 16th century. It’s a little pricey, but if you’re going to enjoy a Turkish bath , you might as well go to an authentic one!

Day 2: Istanbul: Taksim

On the second day, we’re going to cross the Galata Bridge and explore the Kabataş neighborhood. This is still part of Europe, but also features many iconic attractions that should not be missed.

Stop 1: Galata Bridge

We’ll begin at Galata Bridge, a 19th-century bridge that crosses Istanbul’s Golden Horn channel. The bridge is famous because of the fishermen who cast their lines here, attracting hundreds of seagulls.

The bridge has two parts, the top part is where the cars cross the bridge and also where you’ll find the fishermen, and along the bottom part you’ll find many restaurants serving fresh seafood meals.

Stop 2: Galata Tower

Next, we’ll visit the iconic Galata Tower. By now you have probably noticed the tower in the skyline, given that it is the city’s watch tower.

It was built as a part of the Walls of Galata in 1348 by Roman Empire. The Galata Tower has had a tumultuous past, having caught fire in 1794 and 1831. It was also badly damaged in a storm in 1875.

The tower was renovated in the 1960s to look like the original but using concrete instead of wood. You can climb to the top of the tower and witness 360-degree panoramic views of the city. There is also a museum and exhibition hall in the tower.

Stop 3: Istiklal Street

Istiklal Street is the most famous street in Istanbul and is where you’ll find a blend of historic and modern. It was historically known as Grand Avenue of Pera, and is a pedestrian street made famous for its red tram that rides from one end to the other.

There are many high-street brands setting up shops here in the old buildings that were once apartments for the Romans. It’s a great place to pick up some street food or find a traditional Turkish restaurant down one of the side streets.

If you’re into nightlife, you’ll find vibrant bars in this area. There are also many things to do on Istiklal Street , including visiting some of the top museums in the city.

Stop 4: Pera Museum

The Pera Museum is a must-visit for art lovers. It was established in 2005 and is home to a large selection of iconic works from renowned Turkish artists such as Osman Hamdi Bey, Cihat Burak, and Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu, as well as European artists such as Jean-Léon Gérôme and Jean-Baptiste van Mour.

The museum is a cutting-edge cultural space spanning over 5 floors and provides a fantastic space where history and art collide.

Pera has served as a hub for creative expression since it first opened its doors. Amongst its many fascinating collections, there is an art gallery hosting diverse works from across Turkey’s dynamic cultural heritage. Notable pieces include Orientalist paintings and rare photography pieces that explore the late 18th century through to modern-day times.

Stop 5: Bosphorus Cruise

If your legs are a little tired from all this walking, then a Bosphorus cruise is a great way to enjoy an afternoon or early evening.

The cruise takes you through Istanbul’s Golden Horn and out into the Bosphorus. It gives you a unique perspective of the city from the water, and it’s also the best way to see the palaces in Istanbul. Many of the palaces were built next to the water, and their beautiful decoration and architecture are best seen from the water.

You will see boats lined up on the waterfront in Eminönü, and there are plenty of cruises to choose from. They are all pretty much the same, but you do need to book your ticket in advance.

You can either head to the harbor early in the morning and book your ticket, or you can book your ticket online.

Day 3: The Asian Side

On the third day in Istanbul, you’re going to explore the Asian side. We’ll be visiting the largest mosque in Istanbul, the hip and vibrant area of Moda, and tasting delicious Istanbul street food .

Stop 1: Çamlıca Mosque

The first stop is Çamlıca Mosque, located at the top of Çamlıca Hill. To get here, you must first take the metro to Üsküdar and then change to the metro to Kısıklı. From here, you simply walk up the hill.

The Camlica Mosque is the largest mosque in Istanbul and measures at 72 m (236 ft). The six minarets measure even higher to 107.1 m (351 ft). This stunning mosque is a sprawling complex large enough to house 63,000 worshipers at one time.

There’s also an art gallery, library, and conference hall. It was designed by two female architects, Bahar Mızrak and Hayriye Gül Totu, and was said to have cost $110 million USD to make.

Stop 2: Kadikoy

After spending time admiring the mosque, head over to the area of Kadikoy, one of the biggest attractions in Istanbul’s Anatolian side . Here you’ll find bustling markets and fishermen on the waterfront. This is the perfect place to sample some street food. We highly recommend the balık ekmek (fish sandwich).

Stop 3: Moda

After wandering the neighborhood of Kadikoy, head further south to Moda. This is a hipster neighborhood with street art, boutique stores, cool coffee shops, and a relaxing park.

Stop 4: Whirling Dervishes Show

If you went for an afternoon Bosphorus cruise, then you’ve got plenty of time to enjoy a whirling dervishes show in the evening. This is a traditional Turkish dance where dancers look as though they are floating across the floor.

As well as being a dance, it’s an active meditation exercise, which originated from the Sufi tribes in the 13th century. This is one of our favorite things to do in Istanbul at night .

The Best Istanbul Itinerary for 4 Days

If you have an extra day to spend, you might want to spend it doing something more relaxing. Not many people know this, but Istanbul is surrounded by serene nature, and you don’t have to go far to find it.

In our Istanbul 4 day itinerary, we would suggest following the itinerary for 3 days, and on the fourth day, visit the Princes Islands…

Day 4: Princes Islands

On the fourth day, you’ll need to allow a full day to explore the Princes Islands , or Adalar as they are referred to in Turkish. There are nine islands in total, but only four are inhabited. Each island was once used as an exile home for the rich, famous and powerful, including members of the royal family (hence the name, Princes Islands).

There are no cars on the islands and they can only be explored on foot or by bike. You will notice several examples of luxurious, stunning architecture and 19th-century mansions as you explore each of the islands.

To get to these unique islands in Turkey , you must take a ferry from Kabatas or Kadikoy. The ferry stops at Kınalıada, Burgazadası, Heybeliada, and finally Büyükada, or “Big Island” as it’s often referred to.

It takes 75 minutes to reach the last island, Buyukada, and ferries operate every hour – this gives you an hour to explore each island, so you need to plan your trip accordingly.

You may wish to pick two out of the four islands we mention below if you want a more leisurely day.

Be sure to check out the ferry times here .

Stop 1: Kınalıada, Princes Islands

The first stop is Kınalıada, the smallest island in the Princes Island archipelago. It’s the nearest island to mainland Istanbul and its history dates back to the ancient Greeks.

The name Kinaliada means “Henna Island” in Turkish, and it is so named because of the red-color land you see here. This is made by iron and copper deposits which were once mined here.

The first settlers on the island were the Greeks, who used the island as a place of exile from the Byzantine rulers. The most famous exile to live here was Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes, who lived at the Monastery of the Transfiguration on Hristo Peak.

It won’t take you long to explore the small village on the island. Make sure to check out the former Greek Orthodox monastery, the Monastery of Christ, and wander along the small streets to check out the unique architecture. The old fire station and school are particularly beautiful.

After an hour, make your way back to the ferry pier to go on to the next island.

Stop 2: Burgazadası, Princes Islands

Burgazada, or Burgaz Adası, is the third largest in the group and was also an exile settlement for the Greeks. It was once called Antigoni, after Antigonus I Monophthalmus, father of one of the successors of Alexander the Great.

Antigoni built a fort on the island, which you can still see today. The island is small and has one single hill, so you can easily see all the main attractions in an hour.

Be sure to check out the Spanudis Mansion, which was the home to the famous Turkish short-story writer Sait Faik Abasıyanık. Then there is The Church of Iohannes Prodromos which was built in 1899. It was built on the site that was once a prison for St Methodius the Confessor, who was exiled here.

There are also a few monasteries to see, the Monastery of Hagios Georgios Garipi which was a refuge for White Russians fleeing the Russian Revolution, and the Monastery of the Transfiguration, which dates back to the Byzantine era.

Stop 3: Heybeliada, Princes Islands

The second largest island is Heybeliada, which was once used by the Turkish Navy. Each year, the island holds a few small open-air concerts in the summer, which attracts many visitors to the island.

Make sure to check out the Naval High School, which was founded in 1773 and has stunning architecture. It’s also the home of the only remaining Byzantine church on the island,  Kamariotissa , as well as the last church to be built before the conquest of Constantinople.

The grounds are where you’ll find the grave of Edward Barton, who was the second English Ambassador for Elizabeth I of England, who was sent to Constantinople and spent his last days on Heybeliada trying to escape the plague.

As with all the other islands, Heybeliada also has a monastery, named Hagios Georgios tou Kremnou, which was built in the 16th century. There are also the ruins of the Hagios Spyridon monastery which was built in the 19th century.

You can also visit the house of the second President of Turkey, Mavromatakis Köşkü, which is a museum, as well as several other beautiful 19th century mansions.

Stop 4: Büyükada, Princes Islands

The last island is the biggest island, Buyukada. If you only have time for one, make sure this is it. You can see many of the island’s notable landmarks, including the Merkez Eczanesi, a pharmacy from 1870, and the ruins of a villa where Trotsky lived during 1929-1933 on Hamlaci Street 4.

Since this island is much bigger than the rest, we recommend you rent a bike and cycle around the island, taking in the quietness and beauty of the island. See the Greek Orthodox Church, St. George Church, which sits on the highest point of the island with amazing views of the city.

Other notable landmarks on the island are the former Greek Orphanage, which was the largest wooden house in Europe.

You can also find a beach for swimming and relaxing on, as well as a huge green park. You could easily spend more than an hour here. Be sure to stay for sunset and try one of the top-rated restaurants on the waterfront.

The Best Istanbul Itinerary for 5 Days

For those blessed with five full days in the city, you might be wanting to see more off-the-beaten-path places in Istanbul. On our fifth day, we are going to explore the Fener district.

This is home to Balat, the Jewish district of Istanbul. Here you get to see the diverse cultures of Istanbul and see a unique side of the city in its architecture, history, and general way of life.

If you’re looking for a 5 day Istanbul itinerary, we suggest following the itinerary above and adding the following stops on your fifth day…

Day 5: Fener District

The Fener District is where you’ll find the remnants of Istanbul’s Jewish Population. In the late 15th century, Sultan Bayezid II offered citizenship to the Jews fleeing the Inquisition in Spain and Africa, and most of the immigrants ended up here.

The Fener District is part of the  UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Historic Areas of Istanbul . Fener has become a melting pot of culture, with ethnic minorities from places like Armenia, Bulgaria, and more.

The neighborhood also has a number of charming coffee shops and restaurants, as well as art galleries and boutique stores.

Stop 1: Balat District

Balat is the most famous neighborhood in Fener. It’s known for its colorful, narrow wooden houses and cobbled streets. Kiremit Caddesi (Kiremit Street), is the most famous place to find these buildings.

These pastel-colored buildings are some of the  most beautiful buildings in Istanbul . But this is not the only reason to visit Balat .

Nestled among the historic buildings and winding streets, are unique, cozy cafes, some of which are an artist’s playground, such as İncir Ağacı Kahvesi which is known for its umbrella installation and colorful huts where you can sip your coffee in.

You can also find many antique shops and vintage shops, if you enjoy thrift shopping. Be sure to check out the Phanar Greek Orthodox College, which you won’t miss as it’s a striking red building ontop of the hill.

Stop 2: Kariye Mosque

The Kariye Mosque, or The Chora Church as it’s also known, is one of the most historically significant mosques in Istanbul. It was built as a Greek Orthodox Church in the 4th century during the reign of Constantine the Great, at the time when the walls of Constantinople were being built.

It was part of a monastery complex outside the walls of the city and served as an Orthodox church until it was converted to a mosque in the 15th century by Ottoman Turks.

What makes this church unique is that it still has stunning mosaics depicting biblical stories and figures, some of which date back to the 14th century. It also hosts a number of incredible frescoes that showcase Ottoman artistry and engineering prowess.

The Kariye Mosque has been under renovation since 2005 and there has been no end date announced at present. We will update this guide as soon as we know of a re-opening date, and this is one site in Istanbul not to be missed.

Stop 3: The Walls of Constantinople

Have you ever wondered if the walls of Constantinople still stand? The answer is yes, but only in some areas. You can see the remains of the walls of Constantinople on Hoca Çakır Cd, this is where they are the most well-preserved.

The walls were built in the 4th century and were used as a defense against oncoming invasions, and they were withheld for many centuries before the great Mahmet II finally seized the city in 1453.

You can walk along the walls in some areas as well, which offer an incredible view of the Marmara Sea and the Golden Horn.

The Best Istanbul Itinerary for 7 Days

For those who have a full week at their disposal, you have time to truly experience the diversity and uniqueness of the city, but now you might be after a bit of adventure.

So on our sixth and seventh day, we plan to take you to the theme parks and on a day trip outside the city.

If you’re looking for a 7 day Istanbul itinerary, follow the itineraries above and add the following stops to day 6 and 7…

Day 6: Theme Park Day

Istanbul is also home to several exciting theme parks. If you are travelling with kids, you might want to have a theme park day!

Stop 1: Vialand Theme Park

If you only have time for one park, it should be Vialand. There is so much to see and do here, you should spend a full day here.

Vialand Theme Park has something for everyone – from its rollercoaster rides and other thrilling attractions such as Parkour land, mall, and Disney-inspired palace, to its interactive theaters and kid-friendly carnival games.

It opened in 2013 and was the first shopping, entertainment, and living complex in the world that combines a Theme Park and a shopping mall.

The park is spread over a huge 600,000 meters squared and features the world’s 4th biggest rollercoaster, the Nefeskesen, which accelerates to 110 kilometers in just 3 seconds. Don’t miss the “Justice Tower”, which descends from 50 meters, as well as the 7-D movie theatre.

If you’re looking for thrills and entertainment, Vialand has something for even the pickiest traveler!

Stop 2: LEGOLAND

If you have time for another theme park, then we recommend LEGOLAND. You can get a taxi here from Vialand and be here within less than 15 minutes.

Legoland is the perfect place for both grown-ups and children looking for an unforgettable day out. There’s so much to explore – from massive models, three incredible rides, and interactive activities, to 10 LEgo-build areas and Lego workshops.

Open since 2015, it has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Turkey within a few years. It not only offers lots of fun to kids but adults can also enjoy themselves playing with large building sets made from genuine Lego bricks.

No matter how old you are, you’ll be sure to find the perfect way to have some incredible fun at Legoland.

Day 7: Day Trip to the City of Troy (Çanakkale)

By now you must be feeling you’ve seen a lot of Istanbul and would like to explore some other parts of Turkey. Located four hours away by car is the ancient city of Canakkale, which is most famous for being where the ancient city of Troy once was.

Stop 1: Troy National Park

Perhaps the most famous thing about Çanakkale is the nearby ancient ruins of Troy, located in the Historic Troy National Park, which can be visited by guided tours or independently.

This legendary city served as an important historical battleground between Greeks and Trojans in the 8th century BC. Visitors can explore the remains of Troy or take a tour through its open-air museum featuring archaeological finds from Hellenistic and Roman eras. 

According to archaeologists, the City of Troy is only one of nine cities that was built on top of each other, so the findings you see here are that of several civilizations. The oldest city is said to have dated back to 3000 BC.

As well as being historical, it’s also an area of outstanding natural beauty, so take a moment to look out for several species of bird and wildlife that make this park their home.

Stop 2: Cimenlik Castle

The city of Çanakkale is also worth stopping off at, since it has some notable historical attractions, such as the Cimenlik Castle.

It was built in 1462 by Mehmet the Conqueror to protect the Ottoman Empire in the Dardanelles. Just right across the Dardanelles, visitors will also find Kilitbahir Castle, another fortress built around the same time.

Both of these castles are now museums and offer spectacular sea views.

Stop 3: Troy Horse

Many have heard the legend of the Fall of Troy , which has been passed down through Greek mythology for centuries. The story was also featured in Homer’s  Iliad .

If you don’t know the story, the Trojan War  went on for years, in which the Greeks tried to break through the walls of the City of Troy but were unable to breach them.

To trick the Romans on the other side, they built a wooden trojan horse and gave it to them as a gift. Little did the Romans know, the Greeks had waited inside the horse until nightfall, and then attacked the Romans as they slept. And thus the war was won.

To remember the story, head to the waterfront of Canakkale, where you can see the huge steel and fiberglass statue of the horse that was used in the 2004 movie “Troy.”

Extend to 10 Days Istanbul Itinerary

If you have fallen in love with the city and want to spend more time here, you could easily extend it to 10 or more days. 

If you’re looking for some ideas for how to spend 10 days, we recommend you fill your time taking some day trips to the cities near Istanbul . 

Bursa, Kumköy, or Şile are three cities we would recommend adding to your Istanbul itinerary. If you plan your visit right, you could even spend time at the beach in Şile if beaches are your thing.

There are also some beaches closer to Istanbul, which would be the perfect place to spend your days in the summer. 

Aside from that, I would spend time wandering the city, shopping for souvenirs, stopping off at traditional cafes , and gorging on street food. 

Explore some of the parks in Istanbul or check out the museums . There is so much to see and do, we know you’ll find something fun to fill in your time on a 10 day Istanbul trip.

Getting Around The City

Istanbul is a very walkable city, as long as you have some comfortable shoes on. We have purposely organized the stops in our itineraries to allow you to be able to walk from place to place, without the need for public transportation.

However, sometimes taking public transportation is necessary, especially if you plan to visit the theme parks or head over to the Fener district.

We have written a complete guide on public transportation in Istanbul for those who are visiting for the first time. Read about how to get around Istanbul here .

Tips for Visiting Istanbul

To help you have the best trip to Istanbul, here are a few words of advice:

• Go slow and don’t try to pack it all in. I know these itineraries are jam-packed, but you’re going to exhaust yourself trying to see every museum and mosque. Take time to just wander the streets and soak in the atmosphere as well.
• Get the Istanbul E-Pass, this is a tourist pass that gives you free entrance to many of the city’s top attractions. You can save up to 70% by using this card.
• Download Offline Google Maps or MapsMe, so you don’t need to rely on data.
• Pick up a Turkish sim card, but not from the airport. Turkcell is our preferred operator, but you can read more about it here.
• Dress modestly . This is a Muslim country and even though it’s hot, respectful attire should be worn at all time. Leave the hot pants at home, and bring light clothing that covers your knees and shoulders.
• Bring a headscarf if you’re a woman. You will need to wear one when entering the mosques.
• Take out cash, as many places don’t accept credit cards.

Final Thoughts on Istanbul Itinerary

So there you have it, this is how you can spend your days in Istanbul, and as you can see, there is a LOT to see and do.

No matter how many days you plan to spend in Istanbul, we know you will have a great trip.

Do you have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments.

Co-Founder of The Turkey Traveler

Sean Lau is a professional travel blogger and writer with adoration for Turkey. Originally from the USA, Sean frequently travels to Turkey to explore every nook and cranny. From bustling bazaars of Istanbul to the tranquil beaches of Antalya, Sean has seen it all. He hopes to share his first-hand knowledge, insider insights, and personal anecdotes to inspire fellow travelers to visit Turkey, especially to his favorite destinations – Istanbul and Cappadocia.

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The Cost of Travel in Turkey: My 2024 Budget Breakdown

Turkey is one of the most underrated countries in the world.

Hardly anybody mentions it when they talk about their favourite spots in Europe or Asia, but to me, it has so much to offer its visitors.

Istanbul is a phenomenal city, with mosques scattered across the skyline, an incredible food scene, and so much history to delve into. The ruins of Ephesus are some of the most impressive I’ve seen, and exploring the site of Troy was breathtaking. I even chartered a yacht for 10 days along the coastline of Turkey and saw some of the most beautiful, untouched parts of the country.

Turkey’s home to some breathtaking landscapes, too — whether it’s taking a hot air balloon ride at sunrise through Cappadocia or splashing through the other-worldly salt pools of Pamukkale. On top of that, you’ve got some incredible cuisine to delve into — Turkish breakfasts are my favourite on the planet — and friendly locals to get to know.

And I haven’t even mentioned the beaches yet.

I’ve been fortunate to have spent six weeks travelling in Turkey, and I’ve managed to see a hell of a lot of the country over that time.

I spent two weeks exploring the different neighbourhoods in Istanbul, then travelled overland to Fethiye with stops in Cannakale, Troy, Selçuk, Ephesus, and Pamukkale. From Fethiye, I spent 11 days sailing a yacht around the southwest coast of the country, visiting Göcek, Gökkaya, Kekova Roads, Kalkan, Karakaören, Kaş, Kayaköy and Uçagiz.

I then finished my time in the country with a week-long stay in the small village of Kadikalesi, close to Bodrum. On my return visit, I crossed off my biggest oversight from the first trip: Cappadocia.

I’ve been recording every single cent I spend in the countries I visit from day one of my travels, because I want to prove that seeing the world is inexpensive and achievable. I want to be able to give a realistic and accurate look at how much you can expect to spend in each and every destination you visit.

Today, it’s Turkey’s turn.

Keep on reading for more detail on how much you can expect to spend on a trip to Turkey in 2024. A quick note before we start: because of the high rate of inflation, anything priced in lira (the local currency) goes up all the time. The exchange rate to other currencies goes up with it, though, meaning you’ll still pay about the same in Euros or USD. For that reason, all of the prices below are in US dollars, even though you’ll probably see them advertised in lira when you’re there.

How to Save Money on Flights to/From Turkey

If you live in Europe or the Middle East, you’re in luck! You won’t have to worry too much about the cost of flights to Turkey, thanks to the wide range of budget airlines in the region. As always, I recommend heading to Skyscanner  to snag yourself a bargain — they’re the only aggregator I use to find cheap flights.

Unsurprisingly, you’re going to find it easier to score a great deal if you have flexibility in your plans. As an example, if you don’t mind which airports you fly into and out of, you may find it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Ankara rather than Cappadocia. You can use Skyscanner to find the best airport option by entering Turkey as your destination, rather than an individual city. Additionally, I like to set my departure date in Skyscanner to be across an entire month: this brings up the cheapest dates to fly and ensures you land the best possible deal.

As with almost every country on the planet, you’ll find it cheapest to fly to Turkey outside of high season, which coincides with the European summer vacation dates (June to August). In Turkey, May and September are categorised as the shoulder season, with October to March marking  the low season, where you’ll find the cheapest prices. If you do have the option of visiting in the shoulder season, I highly recommend it. No only will the weather be perfect but prices will be lower, crowds will be thinner, and accommodation will be emptier. 

But what if you’re not European?

There are several ways to get to Turkey from other parts of the world. My North American readers can score direct flights from New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington D.C, and Toronto, whereas my Australian and Kiwi readers are going to be looking at a layover in Southeast Asia or the Middle East first.

Regardless of whether you go for a direct flight or opt to have a layover to break up the journey, you’re going to have a long and tiring journey ahead of you.  Fortunately, getting to Europe can be reasonably cheap these days, and in shoulder season, I wouldn’t expect you’d need to pay more than around $500 for a return ticket from North America or $1000 from Oceania. Allow me to introduce you to one of my favourite websites in the world: Secret Flying ! I’d estimate that 80% of the flights I book these days are due to a deal I’ve found on Secret Flying.

But if you strike out and can’t find anything on Secret Flying, get your search kicked off with Skyscanner  using the tips I mentioned above.

How to Save Money on Accommodation in Turkey

I know I have a ton of readers who are all about that backpacking life, so I want to kick off this section by running through some of the accommodation options that are out there for budget travellers.

Free Accommodation

Couchsurfing  is a great way to save money while taking a deep-dive into life in Turkey. You’ll stay with a local for free, sleeping on their couch, and learning about their day-to-day life in the country. It’s not the most comfortable of travel experiences, of course, but you’ll learn more about what it’s like to be Turkish than you would by staying in a hostel or hotel. You can browse a list of Turkish Couchsurfing hosts  on the Couchsurfing site .

It’s also a good idea to take a look at housesitting . Essentially, housesitting involves taking care of someone’s house and pets while they’re away, in exchange for free accommodation. This option is ideal for long-term travelers or retirees with the flexibility to go and stay where needed, as you’re obviously more limited with dates and destinations.

If that’s not a problem for you, housesitting is an excellent way to reduce travel costs, stay in beautiful homes, care for cute animals, and experience living like a local. For those interested in getting started with housesitting, Trusted Housesitters is the best site, as it has the highest number of listings by far.

And finally, if you’re travelling long-term and don’t mind getting your fingers dirty, you could look at WWOOFing or WorkAway as a way to cut down your costs while working on a farm in exchange for accommodation and food. It’s not the most glamorous of experiences, but getting to live for free in a foreign country is incredible, so if you’re backpacking around Europe, this may be the way forward for you.

Cheap Accommodation

I’m suspecting, though, that for most of you, you’re not interested in the free accommodation and just want somewhere clean, safe, and affordable to rest your head each night. If that’s the case, there are several options available for you.

The first of these is  hostels . In Turkey, you’ll find hostels all over the country, from the big cities to the small villages to beachside hideaways. They’re one of your best options for saving money, and aren’t just for the backpackers.

Hostels in Turkey are much cheaper than equivalents in Western Europe, with the big exception being Istanbul over the summer, but even then, it’s still far from outrageous. You can expect to spend around $18-25 for a dorm bed in most spots in Turkey, including Istanbul.

When it comes to private rooms in hostels, you can expect to spend around $50-75 a night for a clean, basic room in a good location, so if you’re travelling with friends or a partner, you may find it costs about the same for some privacy versus settling for two beds in a dorm room.

If you’re put off by the thought of nights spent in hostels, you shouldn’t be! Private rooms are usually quiet and clean, and most hostels are modern, safe, and centrally located. They tend to have a little more personality than generic hotels, and the staff are fantastic at offering travel advice. As long as you check the reviews of any hostel before booking it to make sure nobody refers to it as a party hostel, you’re all good to make a booking there. I use HostelWorld to find the cheapest hostels.

And, of course, there are always hotels, which usually start at around $75-100 a night for a good midrange option and go up from there. You’ll have slightly more luxury and comfort in hotels, so it’s up to you to work out whether this is worth the additional expense. I always use Booking to find guesthouses and hotels when I travel.

My Accommodation Recommendations for Turkey

So if you’re not a budget traveller and just want to stay in a lovely, well-reviewed hotel or guesthouse that’s good value for money and has all the things you need from a place to lay your head, I’ve got you! When I visited Turkey, I opted to spend most of my trip in well-reviewed guesthouses in central locations. Here’s my pick of them.

Istanbul: Hotel Poem ($220 a night) — Where to stay in Istanbul? It’s such an enormous city that I spent two weeks hopping from neighbourhood to neighbourhood, trying several on for size. My favourite area ended up being Sultanahmet and the best hotel? Easily Hotel Poem. With a life-changingly good homemade breakfast (I warned you I’m going to talk about Turkish breakfasts a lot!), gorgeous rooms, an incredibly central location, and helpful staff to assist you with planning your itinerary, it’s easily one of the best spots in all of Istanbul. It’s more expensive than other spots on the list, but I do think it’s worth it.

Selcuk: Hotel Mary’s House ($125 a night) — If you’re going to be staying in Selcuk, it’s most likely because you want to spend time exploring Ephesus! Well, the owner of Hotel Mary’s House works as a tour guide, so is only too happy to answer all of your questions and tell you more about the history of this area. Throw in an excellent breakfast, a fantastic location close to the best restaurant in town, and a peaceful courtyard, and you’ve got everything you need to make the most of your time in Selcuk.

Bodram: Oalis Boutique Hotel ($76 a night) — I make so many of my decisions around where to stay based on the proximity of the best restaurants, and that’s exactly why I’m recommending Oalis Boutique Hotel! You’re minutes away from some great eateries, just one minute from the beautiful beach, yet in a quiet area for when you need to get some sleep. As an added bonus, the rooms are so lovely and the hotel so well decorated!

Fethiye: Ten Apart Hotel ($46 a night) — Ten Apart Hotel’s selling point is its swimming pool: it’s beautiful! But not only that, you’re a 5-10 minute walk from the beach, close to some great local restaurants, and have a big balcony to relax on throughout the day. With friendly staff and a quiet neighbourhood thrown into the mix, too, there’s no reason not to choose to stay here.

Cappadocia: Wish Hotel ($156 a night) — Wish Hotel offers such great value for money, given that it has one of the best views of the Cappadocia balloon releases from its rooftop terrace. Onder, the lovely owner, will be able to help you out with hot air balloon tickets if you want to experience the area from the air. And the hotel’s location is in Uchisare, which is so much nicer than Goreme! And the breakfasts? The final cherry on the top. And you guys know how much I love Turkish breakfasts! This is one of the best.

How to Save Money on Transportation in Turkey

Transportation is fairly inexpensive in Turkey, so you won’t need to worry about it upping your travel budget by too much. Still, it’s a large country and travel days can sometimes be long and tiring. Let’s look into the different options and how much you can expect to spend for each.

We’ll start by looking at how to get around the cities and towns you visit.

Several cities in Turkey (Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, and Bursa) are large enough to have a metro system, and they’re all easy to use and inexpensive. Taking the metro is usually my favourite way to get around, as I find them less baffling than buses and minivans, so I primarily use the metro in these cities. Prices start from $0.50 for a single ride.

I’m also a huge fan of the tram in Istanbul, and riding them through the city was such a fun and wonderful experience. If you plan on spending a lot of time exploring Istanbul by public transport, it’s worth investing in an Istanbulkart for $2.50 , as it gives you almost half-priced rides on the metro, trams, buses, and ferries across the city.

Outside of the main cities, I like to use the local dolmuşes to get around. Dolmuş (pronounce dul-moosh) is the Turkish word for a minibus, and they’re one of the best ways of getting around the cities, as well as travelling short distances between towns and villages. Dolmuşes are more comfortable than the buses while still remaining affordable, and significantly cheaper than taking a taxi.

You’ll spot them all over the country and can catch them from stops with a blue-and-white D signposted above them. You’ll typically pay $0.10-0.60 depending on the length of the journey, although it might be more for long trips.

The buses in Turkey will take you pretty much anywhere you need them to, are reasonably comfortable, and exceptional value for money. They’re the cheapest option for travelling both short and long distances across the country, and usually offer air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and a snack on board. As an example, a bus from Istanbul to Izmir takes 8-10 hours depending on traffic, and costs just under $20 .

So what about driving?

Driving can be a wonderful way to explore Turkey, as long as you’re a confident driver with a lot of experience. Turkish drivers can be a bit wild at times, jumping red lights, overtaking on corners, and generally speeding their way around the country. You’ll want to exercise a lot of caution while on the road, but you’ll more than likely be fine.

Turkey has fewer traffic-related fatalities than the U.S., so you won’t be putting yourself in grave danger by opting to hire a car. Prepare to use your horn a lot. They drive on the right in Turkey and manual transmission is far more common. I’ve used a lot of rental car companies over the years, but always seem to score the cheapest deals with Discover Cars , so that’s who I stick with these days. Renting a medium-sized car to and from Istanbul Airport for a week, for instance, is typically under $20/day .

I typically recommend avoiding flying within a country, as flights tend to be pricey and time-consuming when you include packing, travelling to and from the airports, passing through security… and all of those wonderful experiences that travel involves.

That said, in Turkey, flying can still sometimes be the best option.

Domestic flights can be extremely inexpensive and with a country as large as Turkey, you’ll likely save time — especially if you want to travel from, for example, Istanbul to Cappadocia. It takes 12 hours by bus but just 90 minutes by plane. I took a flight from Izmir to Istanbul when I noticed it was just $40  to do so, and it saved me so much hassle by doing so. Like I mentioned earlier, it would have taken anything up to 10 hours by bus, but the flight only took an hour.

How to Save Money on Food in Turkey

Good news: not only is food in Turkey delicious, but it’s exceptionally cheap, too! There are plenty of ways to save money on food and drink while you travel around the country. Let’s start with those options first.

If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll likely save money by cooking rather than eating out, so if you’re willing to sacrifice some of your meals, this is an excellent way to stay on track with your budget. Hostels usually offer a shared kitchen, and if you’re opting for an Airbnb, the owners often give you access to the kitchen. If that’s the case, you can head to a local market (a great cultural experience) and stock up on ingredients.

Many hostels and hotels offer free breakfasts within their room rate, so if that’s the case, I always recommend eating later in the morning and eating a lot, as you may find you’re too full to have lunch. But, as I’ve mentioned several times in this post already, Turkish breakfasts!!!!  The breakfasts in Turkey are so fantastic that I’d recommend having them outside of your accommodation as often as possible.

The real budget-buster when it comes to food and drink in Turkey is, relatively-speaking, alcohol. There are huge taxes on alcohol, to the point where Turkish drinkers pay more than double the price for alcohol than locals in the EU. Not only that, but the local beer, Efes, is, um, kind of terrible.

I usually recommend skipping out on the alcohol while you’re in Turkey, but if you’re determined to have a drink while you’re there, expect to spend more than you would in neighbouring countries. A draught beer, for example, might be $6 or $7 in a popular bar: not outrageous , but potentially more than you’re spending on food!

Unfortunately, the tap water in Turkey isn’t safe to drink, so I’d recommend investing in  a GRAYL water purifier to ensure every drop of water you drink is safe and clean — I used mine to drink the tap water in Turkey, but also in places like Mozambique and the Congo and didn’t once get sick! Not only will you keep yourself safe, but you’ll also cut down on your plastic consumption through not buying water bottles, and will save money in the long-term.

So let’s take a look at some of the best local eats you should try in Turkey, along with the typical cost of these meals.

When it comes to breakfasts, the options in Turkey are going to change. your. life. A traditional Turkish breakfast consists of fresh bread, olives, cured meats, tomatoes, spicy sausages, feta cheese, honey, and lots of delicious tea. You can expect to spend around $11-14  for an epic breakfast in Turkey, or $5-7 for a smaller, simpler version. 

Menemen is another great Turkish dish comprising scrambled eggs, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and spices, and served on top of a slice of fresh, crusty bread. You’ll pay $3-5 for it, depending on where you are and exactly what’s inside it.

Lunches are just as fantastic and you’ll be spending a lot of time snacking on kebabs and pides, with lamb a common option for meat. If you’re vegan or fancy skipping out on the meat, you’ll be able to opt for fresh salads and crusty bread at most restaurants across the country. But let’s talk about pide, as that’s one of my favourite Turkish dishes.

It’s a type of Turkish pizza, but with the pizza-esque toppings served on flatbread. One of my favourite toppings is lamb, spinach, and local sheep’s cheese. You can expect to spend around $2-3  on pide and $4-6  on kebabs and kofte. 

Dinners are — you guessed it! — always delicious. If you’re going to be spending time in Istanbul, I recommend hunting down one of the city’s most iconic treats: balik ekmek, which is a sandwich containing grilled fish, onions, and tomatoes. It’s one of the best cheap eats in the city and only $2.50 . You have to try this while you’re in town!

If you’re at all familiar with Turkish food, you’ve probably come across a meze plate before. In my experience, though, there’s meze elsewhere in the world, and then there’s meze in Turkey, and there’s simply no comparison between the two! From the amazing stuffed grape leaves to creamy hummus and smoky baba ganoush, tzatziki, eggplant salad, and who knows what else, each plate is slightly different, but equally delicious! Meant to be shared as an appetizer and often priced per dish, it’s really up to you how much you spend, but it usually won’t be more than about $5-7 per person.

Can’t enough of the local seafood? I’m not surprised: it really is amazing, and there are so many different local dishes to try that include it. Karides Guvec is my pick here: it’s a delicious shrimp casserole in a rich tomato-based sauce with garlic, bell peppers, and red pepper flakes, all baked in a clay pot. Honestly, I could have eaten this dish every single day I was in Turkey and still not got sick of it. It’s usually about $8-10 .

If you’re after something even more substantial, look no further than hunkar begendi, which translates as “Sultan’s Delight”. It’s a rich, slow-cooked lamb or beef stew with tomatoes, onions, and a range of aromatic spices that are often unique to the chef. The creamy eggplant puree is really what sets this dish apart, as much for velvety texture as the flavour. Be sure to try it out, especially if you’re in Turkey at a cooler time of year. It’s typically around $7-9.

And when it comes to desserts and sweet treats, you’re not going to want to stray far from baklava ( $3-6 per kg) and Turkish delights — you can get these all over the country and they’re so much better than the stuff you’ve likely tried at home. I recommend picking some up from the Istanbul Spice Bazaar and opting for the pomegranate flavour for a fun take on the treat. You’ll be looking at around $12  for 1kg of extremely high-end Turkish delights. 

You can always ask the locals for food recommendations, too! Ask at your accommodation for recommendations on the best budget eats, or simply walk around and see which restaurants are full of locals.

How to Save Money on Activities in Turkey

I’ve covered accommodation, transportation, and food, but let’s face it: you’re not going to have the trip of a lifetime if you skip out on entrance fees and activities! Here’s a detailed breakdown of some of the entrance fees you’re likely to encounter while travelling around Turkey:

• Entrance to Tokapi Palace: $50
• Entrance to Hagia Sophia: $27
• Entrance to the Blue Mosque: free
• Entrance to the Basilica Cistern: $20
• Entrance to Ephesus ruins: $43
• Entrance to Goreme Open Air Museum: $16 (+ $4.50 for the Dark Church)

There are plenty of free activities to participate in, too, while you’re in Turkey, and I know that I had a fantastic time simply wandering through the cities, exploring local markets, sunbathing on beaches, and making the most of the museums that don’t charge for entrance.

The Blue Mosque, in particular, is incredible to walk around and totally free to enter, and the neighbourhood of Sultanahmet is so wonderful. You can still gain a lot from Cappadocia by wandering through the city without jumping on the expensive hot air balloon rides or taking tours of the caves.

Markets are always a great way to get a taste of the local culture without spending any money, and simply heading out for a stroll through some of the more local neighbourhoods will introduce you to lesser-visited parts of the country. My favourite market was the Spice Bazaar in Istanbul — amazing! So many flavours and scents to experience. The Grand Bazaar is another spot that you’re not going to want to miss while you’re in town.

I do recommend booking your Cappadocia balloon ride in advance, however, if you do plan on heading to this Insta-famous spot. Places do sell out several weeks in advance, so it’s best to book as soon as you know when you’ll be in town. You can double-check current availability for the rides using the widget below:

If, like me, you love taking tours to get to know a country better, I recommend heading to Get Your Guide for inspiration. They have a whole range of activities and tours available, in Turkey. These are the highest-reviewed ones:

• Sunrise hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia with champagne : $260
• Turkish coffee tour and coffee-making class in Istanbul : $124
• Mevlevi Sema and the Whirling Dervishes Show in Istanbul : $33
• Istanbul food and culture tour : $108
• Pamukkale day trip from Bodrum : $75
• Paragliding over Oludeniz : $113

Miscellaneous Items to Buy for a Trip to Turkey

A Turkey guidebook : A guidebook will give you an in-depth look into Turkey’s culture, suggest the perfect itineraries for the amount of time you have, and offer recommendations for where to eat and what’s worth doing. Fodors receive the best reviews for their Turkey guidebook , published in 2022.

A dry bag :  Turkey is all about the water, so I highly recommend packing  a dry bag  to take with you. A dry bag has saved me while travelling on so many occasions:

• On a kayaking trip from Koh Yao Noi to Koh Nok, a freak wave splashed over me, as well as my camera and phone. Had I not had them in a dry bag, the water damage would have likely destroyed them.
• On a ferry ride in Thailand, the boat sprung a leak and began to sink. I was able to put my laptop, camera, hard drive, passport, and money in my dry bag, seal it up, and know that they’d stay safe and dry if the worst were to happen.
• I chartered a yacht in Greece and relied heavily on my dry bag while I was there. When mooring in tiny bays, I was able to fill my dry bag with my camera, towel, and sunscreen, jump in the sea, and swim to the nearest empty beach without worrying about keeping my belongings dry.
• I also think dry bags are fantastic for solo travellers on beach days. It’s tough going to the beach when you’re travelling alone because you’ll need to bring nothing with you, risk getting robbed while you’re in the ocean, or stay on the sand at all times. If you have a dry bag, you can fill it up with your valuables and take it for a swim with you, rather than leaving them on your towel and hoping nobody will grab them.

I love all things Sea to Summit, and after trying several of their dry bags out, my champion is the  Ultra-Sil 8L  — it’s durable, thin, lightweight, and has never let me down.

Travel insurance : If you’ve read any other posts on Never Ending Footsteps, you’ll know that I’m a great believer in travelling with travel insurance. I’ve seen far too many Go Fund Me campaigns from destitute backpackers that are unexpectedly stranded in a foreign country after a scooter accident/being attacked/breaking a leg with no way of getting home or paying for their healthcare. In short, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.

Travel insurance will cover you if your flight is cancelled and you need to book a new one, if your luggage gets lost and you need to replace your belongings, if you suddenly get struck down by kidney stones and have to be hospitalised, or discover a family member has died while you’re overseas and now you need to get home immediately. If you fall seriously ill, your insurance will cover the costs to fly you home to receive medical treatment.

I use and recommend  SafetyWing  for travel insurance in Turkey, as they’re one of the few companies out there who will actually cover you if you contract COVID-19. On top of that, they provide worldwide coverage, don’t require you to have a return ticket, and even allow you to buy insurance after you’ve left home. Finally, they have a clear, easy-to-understand pricing structure, which is always a bonus.

How Much Did I Spend on My Trip to Turkey?

I always like to share my own personal expenses when travelling in a country, as I think it helps you figure out what you should be expecting to pay each day while you’re there. A list of expenses is great and helpful, of course, but putting them all together in order to come up with a reasonable estimate can be trickier.

Here’s what I’ve spent on average over my six weeks in Turkey:

Accommodation: $109 per day  (shared, so $54.50 per person ) Transportation: $8 per day Food: $32 per day Activities: $26 per day

My average daily cost of travel in Turkey was therefore: $121.50 per day . Not bad at all!

Related Articles on Turkey 🇹🇷 20 Things to Do in Istanbul, Turkey 📆 How to Spend Two Weeks in Turkey: An Itinerary for First-Time Visitors 🧕🏼 What’s it Like to Travel in Turkey as a Solo Woman? 🏛 A Hater of Ruins Explores Ephesus 👽 Pamukkale: One of the Strangest Landscapes on Earth

Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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Do you remember the name of the restaurant where you had breakfast? Would love to go!

Thanks for providing me with all the essential information I needed to explore Turkey, but especially for Istanbul. I’m traveling there next spring and found your tips very helpful for planning my budget.

No problem! Glad you enjoyed the post!

Thanks so much for this info – I’ll be In Turkey for a week with some friends (we’re flying out of Istanbul). Any recommendations on how to get to Cappadocia or which hotel/hostel to stay in? :)

Great blog post. I try to visit Istanbul every two or three years and tend to spend a similar amount to you. Thanks for the reminder of the great Turkish breakfasts! I sure do miss the food in this wonderful country.

I really enjoyed your advice for traveling in Turkey. We hope to retire in Fethiye. However, I’m very interested in learning about your sailing experience to the islands. Did you drive a yacht or did someone else do it for you?

We chartered one through Sunsail. My friend can sail, so he took care of the sailing and navigation. You can hire somebody from Sunsail to sail the yacht for you if you don’t know how to.

Great site – Thank you! Do you recommend booking the hotels you suggested ahead of time as well as the internal flights? Just wondering how much we have to plan and how often we can decide once we are there…

What time of year will you be there? If it’s peak season (the summer), then I’d definitely recommend booking ahead. You should be fine outside of then, though.

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Road is Calling

Is Istanbul Expensive? Guide to Prices in Istanbul & How Much You Need in 2024

Recently I returned from my quick 4-day trip to Istanbul where I met with real estate agents. The first thing I noticed was how much prices in Istanbul changed compared to the previous years when I lived there .

In fact, they became twice or even three times higher than a couple of years ago or even compared to last year when things still seemed to be cheap.

Everything became more expensive from accommodation and transport to groceries and entertainment. And this is not only due to Turkey’s currency devaluation and foreign trade deficit.

Negative interest rates, Russian war in Ukraine (and now the Gaza war), and the massive immigration from Russia are all adding up and causing prices to rise. Also, the fact that airbnb constantly increases prices for short-term listings in Istanbul (as pretty much everywhere else) has a direct effect on long-term housing in Turkey.

That in turn bounces back and influences a slow increase in the value of an area for the residents, many of whom are pushed out to raise prices in their businesses due to financial constraints. It is a vicious circle that makes Turkey’s prices go up more and more.

I thought to update this post to mention the latest prices in Istanbul this year. Knowing them will help you plan your Turkey itinerary and understand how much these days a trip to Istanbul costs, overall how expensive Istanbul is, what is on average the cost of living in Istanbul, and how much Istanbul’s travel budget should be. 

If after reading my Istanbul trip cost guide you still have questions, please drop them below in the comment section. I visit Istanbul twice a year and stay updated on all the latest prices, keeping track of any changes or increases.

Quick Tips on How to Reduce Your Istanbul Trip Cost

Planning a trip to Istanbul soon? Here are my favorite resources to help you minimize your expenses!

• Take care of your  visa in advance! Check here if you need a visa for travel 
• Get insurance before travel! This company has Turkey health & travel Insurance  
• Save money on airport transfer  by reading my post on how to get from Istanbul airport to the city  
• Get a reliable VPN to access many websites (including Booking). Here is the  leading VPN for Turkey  
• Rent a car on a budget when going outside Istanbul . This is the company we use to hire a car  
• Go on free tours!   My favorite company for free tours in Istanbul  
• Purchase Istanbul Tourist Pass to save on museums, tours, and excursions!

Quick Introduction to Prices in Istanbul

Accommodation prices in istanbul .

There are two things you need to remember about the cost of accommodation in Istanbul. First – summer and winter prices do not differ much as in some other Turkish cities , particularly those by the coast .

Even though there is a big gap between the number of visitors in summer and winter, it doesn’t influence the accommodation market directly.

Winter is the time of many conferences and business events as well as overall it is a good season for business travel. (Don’t forget that many companies have their headquarters in Istanbul). So many hotels and airbnb flats stay occupied throughout that period. Plus, Istanbul in winter is becoming more and more popular too.

This is why the main criterion that defines accommodation prices in Istanbul is not the season but location unless you look into Princess Islands .

For example, a posh neighborhood of Nisantasi will have higher hotel prices in winter than let’s say a quirky area of Balat and Fener . Because it is home to many offices and fashion stores that have huge winter sales and attract people from all over.

The same is about Karakoy or Moda neighborhood in Kadikoy . They will be also much more expensive than let’s say a touristy area of Sultanahmet . In fact, in Moda, it can be even more difficult to find a place to stay in winter if you are booking only two or three days in advance.  

For more details about each neighborhood in Istanbul and how to find the best place where to stay, refer to my guide to the best areas in Istanbul . Also, don’t miss a post about where not to stay in Istanbul to find out about areas that are better to avoid.

A second point that you should keep in mind – the cost of accommodation in Istanbul for you will depend on when exactly you make a reservation.

In January each year, Turkey goes through its annual price increase on public services and utilities. This influences all other prices that start catching up too within the next few months.

That means if you book your accommodation at the end of the year or during the winter, you’ll score the lowest price. In spring , when hotels usually increase their room rates , prices are getting higher.

Also, the same applies to summer. When making the last-minute booking anytime in June-August (especially by the Bosphorus or sea in Istanbul), expect to pay much more than what you’d pay in spring for the same accommodation option. 

Now, let’s actually talk about how much accommodation in Istanbul costs, looking at every possible option.

Istanbul Hotel Prices

In budget-friendly hotels, room prices start from $32-$37 (€29-€33) per night. But you need to understand that for this price, you won’t get anything extraordinary. It will be a budget room with basic amenities and without any views.

For the most part, hotels with such prices have either bad or very bad reviews. Yet, they are an option for someone on a very tight budget. A couple of good examples within this price that I know are the Han Hotel or Genius Hotel , both in the old town. 

Prices for boutique or chain hotels with ratings of 8 (out of 10 points) and higher in good areas start from $55 (€50) per night. Just like Sayeban Hotel Istanbul for example, Osmanhan Hotel  or The Camelot Hotel . Although they will be more expensive when changing the dates to sometime in July or August.

In good solid 3* hotels, you can rent a room for about $80-$90 (€72-€82) per night (like for example Corner Hot hotel ) and for about $100-$120 (€90-€110) if this hotel has a view of the Bosphorus and very central location, like my favorite Hotel Ibrahim Pasha .

During the winter season, for just a little lower price, you can also find a room in 3*-4* boutique hotels with views and/or history (like the beautiful Sadaret Hotel & Suites Istanbul with a rating of 9.2). Luxury hotels in the off-season tend to reduce their prices significantly. For example, Swissotel The Bosphorus and W Istanbul often offer huge discounts. 

Istanbul Hostel Prices

If you are on a very tight budget and need just a bed, expect to pay $14 (€13) per night. 

For a bed in a nicer hostel with good ratings, like Hostel Le Banc or MODA Drei , you’ll have to pay on average $27 (€24). In the majority of places though, prices for a bed in a shared room are very close to prices for a separate hotel room.

Many hostels, like Agora Hostel for example, have stunning views of the Bosphorus, so they cost much more than usually a bed in a hostel costs.  

If budget allows and you are looking for a fun social experience then check the  Second Home hostel and YOLO hostel (in the neighborhood where I lived). 

Prices of Apartments in Istanbul

The minimum price for a short-term apartment in Istanbul is between $32-$37 (€29-€33) per night.

But to be honest, that’s the price for a small basic studio, for a private room in someone’s home, or if you get lucky for a new (nice) apartment that just popped up on airbnb and comes at a discounted rate. The quality of the apartments within this price range is very low.

So if you are lucky to find a new beautiful flat that costs this much, book it right away. As on average prices for more or less good apartments in Istanbul start from $70 (€63) per night. Luxury holiday rentals start from about $150 (€136) per night.

If you can afford it, look for an apartment in a good location and with access to the roof. Istanbul has incredible views all over the city and it will be well worth your money to pay for an apartment with roof access. For example like this flat in Beyoglu or this cozy roof flat with Bosphorus views . 

Cost of Transport in Istanbul

Istanbul is a huge city and while you can explore a lot on foot, at some point you’ll need to use public transportation to get to different areas. 

Public transportation in Istanbul is well-developed and reasonably priced , although at first it may seem difficult to understand. The Google Maps app does pretty well with route planning so you can easily refer to it. 

The city has buses, a tram, ferries, Marmaray (metro under the Bosphorus between Asia and Europe), and a metro bus . Each time you need to make a transfer, you also have to pay the fare again.

Cost of Istanbul Public Transportation

The cost of public transportation in Istanbul depends on the type of transportation you are going to use. From January 2, 2024, there are new tariffs in effect and they are:

• M etro/tram/funicular ride (regardless on the number of stops) – 15 TL ($0.50 or €0.46)
• Marmaray fare (any number of stops as well) – 33 TL ($1.1 or €1)
• Ferry ticket – from 17.5 to 23 TL ($0.6-$0.8 or €0.53-€0.7)
• Metro bus fare – 22.6 TL ($0.75 or €0.7)
• Dolmus shared taxi – 12-18 TL depending on the route ($0.4-0.6 or €0.35-€0.55)

You can make payments either in cash each time or by using the IstanbulKart. It is a physical card where you load funds, which are deducted by machines when you board public transportation. 

In the past, IstanbulKart allowed reduced fares when making transfers, but since 2023, this offer has been discontinued. So buying it is good for convenience, not so much for discounts. 

The cost of a card with a zero balance is 70 TL ($2.4 or €2.1), so you’ll need to add money to be able to use it. It works on all types of transport besides Dolmuş (shared taxi).

Another option to pay for the transport is by Electronic IstanbulKart which is a transportation pass for a fixed number of trips. A single ticket for one trip costs 30 TL ($1.02 or €0.92), 2 trips – 50 TL, 3 trips – 80 TL, 5 trips – 90 TL, and 10 trips – 170 TL.

Which one to choose depends on the number of trips you are going to make. But in any case, you would want to get it as on some types of transportation you cannot pay by cash (only CC) while on others you need to have exact change.

For convenience , there is a possibility to pre-order IstanbulKart in advance and have it delivered to your hotel or apartment. In this way, you save time and help locals to make money without a need to figure out on your own where to buy it.

Otherwise, the Istanbul transport card is on sale at the metro and ferry stations or at kiosks that sell magazines, newspapers, and cigarettes throughout the city. 

Prices For Istanbul Airport Transfer 

For the Istanbul airport transfer , from any of the airports, you can easily get to the city center by public bus .

The fare from the new airport (IST) is between 120-160 TL ($4.06-$5.5 or €3.7-€5), depending on which part of the city you are going to. For example, ticket to Taksim Square costs 136 TL ($4.70-€4.30), and to Kadikoy piers on the Asian side 149 TL ($5.15-€4.70)

The end of January 2023 was also marked by the opening of the metro right at IST Airport. So now you can get to the city center by metro in 30 minutes and pay for a ride with Istanbulkart. The metro is open from 06:00 to 00:00 and trains leave every 20 minutes.

An alternative here is a private transfer arranged in advance. Like this affordable private transfer in a minivan from the IST airport and, if budget is not an issue, a private car from Sabiha Gökçen airport . 

Taxi & Uber Prices in Istanbul 

The cost of a cab ride in Istanbul depends on the type of taxi. The drop rate for a yellow taxi is 19,17 TL ($0.65 or €0.6), cost per km 13.75 TL ($0.46-€0.42). A blue taxi drop rate is 22.04 TL + 14.83 TL per km. And black taxi 32.59 TL with 21.92 per km.

On the Taksiyle, Online taxi cab fare calculation , you can calculate the approximate cost of the trip. Once in a cab, make sure to double-check that the meter is on. 

There is also Uber in Istanbul now, although the BiTaksi  is more popular in Istanbul. With this service, you get the usual yellow taxi but the price the application shows is approximate. At the end of the trip, the amount on a meter can be different.

There are thousands of taxis in the city. Getting one on the street is usually faster than ordering it in advance. But honestly, taxi is not the best mode of transportation in Istanbul during the day . The city constantly sees traffic jams and getting to the needed place by ferry, metro, and tram is often faster. 

If you can avoid taking a taxi in Istanbul, better do it as much as possible. It is expensive, uncomfortable, and often the entire experience spoils the mood.

Prices For Car Hire in Istanbul

Generally, you do NOT need to rent a car in Istanbul unless you have plans to see some places near Istanbul , go on weekend getaways from the city , to the Black Sea region , or down to the coast. 

So, if you intend to travel outside Istanbul, be sure to check my guide to car hire in Istanbul and Turkey . I explain in detail what are the best companies and the worst companies to stay away from, how much cars cost, and what to expect in general. Prices for gas are just a little cheaper than in Western Europe.

But shortly, if you need to rent a car for a couple of days only , the average price per day is €20 ($21.5) if you rent from a local through this company .

Renting a car on a long-term basis (1 week or longer) is better through a big aggregator, my favorite is this one as their prices are the lowest. An average price tag for a 1-week car rental through them costs €110 ($118) but is often lower, especially in the winter season in Istanbul.

Check their prices below and see for yourself:

Food Prices in Istanbul 

How expensive is Istanbul in terms of food and drinks? If you didn’t know that yet, I am going to tell you – Istanbul is a gastronomic paradise and there are plenty of options for high quality delicious and cheap foods in Istanbul.

During the entire trip, you can have only street food without a need to cook in your rental accommodation or dine in inexpensive restaurant. Although, many restaurants in Istanbul these days are increasing prices on their menus, others still have affordable options. You just need to know where to go.

In this huge city, you can find prices for any budget. Below I mention the average cost of a meal in Istanbul in non-tourist locations (including Kadikoy and Uskudar districts). There are lots of non-touristy places to eat at. So I do recommend you check those places out for an authentic feel and better prices. 

Prices for Breakfast in Istanbul

Price of a traditional Turkish breakfast depends on the type of breakfast you are getting.

A small plate k ahvaltı tabağı (which includes several types of cheese, sausage, cucumbers, tomatoes, a boiled egg, olives, butter, bread, tea or coffee) costs about 130 TL ($4.4 or €4). But that’s often not enough for people who like to have a big meal in the morning.

Serpme kahvalti , a big breakfast goes for about 235-320 TL ($8-$11 or €7.3-€10), depending on the place. The same breakfast with a view of the Bosphorus or anywhere by the water will cost 380-472 TL ($13-$16 or €12-€14.5). However, the amount of food served during the serpme kahvalti is usually more than enough for two people.

Besides the Turkish breakfast, you can have a few other variations of meals that are considered breakfast food . 

One of them is Menemen – Turkish scrambled eggs with tomatoes, green peppers, and spices. Some street food places offer it for as little as 60 TL ($2.1 or €1.9). But in the majority of places, it still costs on average between 90-125 lira ($3.20-$4.20). Bread comes together with it.

Another popular type of breakfast is b urek with ayran or tea and price for that is between 70-100 TL ($2.4-$3.4).

The cost of the European style of breakfast (omelette or benedict eggs) per person costs between 210-250 TL ($7.1-$8.5).

Istanbul Street Food Prices 

As for street food, Istanbul has so much to offer. In some ways similar to the Southeast Asia street food scene , it has many stalls, carts, and small street cafes with many meal options on a budget. 

For example, the price of pilav costs between 60-88 TL ($2-$3), kumpir (stuffed potato) – 100-130 TL ($3.4-$4.5). A decent doner goes for 75-105 TL ($2.5-$3.5) minimum, lentil soup in local style diner – 20-30 TL ($1-$1.6), in restaurants it costs much more.

If you, for example, want some kebab-type food, the price of lahmachun (Turkish pizza) starts at around 50 liras ($1,70), an İskender would start from around 200 liras ($6,7) and an Adana kebab would be around the same,  simit price in Istanbul is 15-22 TL ($0.5-$0.75), famous fish wrap or fish sandwich is 100-120 TL ($3.4-$4) depending on a place.

Istanbul Restaurant Prices

Restaurants in Istanbul differ and average meal costs are different too. I would also add to this category casual diners, canteens, cafes, and restaurants with a view and upscale restaurants.

So, lunch in Lokanta (local ‘diner’ with homemade-like food) (just put on the map the word ‘lokanta’ and you’ll find many locations) costs as much as 100 TL ($3.4). It mainly includes veggie dishes, soups, pasta, and chicken. But that is more than enough to have a filling meal. 

Tea in a cafe costs around 20-25 TL ($0.7-$0.85), Turkish coffee is between 40-50 TL ($1.35-$1.7).  

Chicken Kebab plate which includes rice, vegetables, and lavash in a restaurant costs between 210-235 TL ($7.1-$8). In a cafe or restaurant with a view, price for the same plate is usually 1.5-2 times higher.

Other Types of Food in Istanbul – Average Cost 

As for other Istanbul food prices, I can highlight the price for groceries ,  desserts , and drinks including Turkish beer.

When speaking of food prices in grocery stores, it is important to note that finding a large supermarket in the city center is hard. Depending on the neighborhood where you stay, you may need to walk (or use public transport) to get to the nearest large grocery store.

So if you plan to eat at home most of the time, it is better to check on the map the location of a grocery shop as well as a food market and a smaller veggie shop before booking accommodation.

Supermarket prices in Istanbul depend on what exactly you are buying. Fruits, vegetables, ayran, Turkish bread, honey, olives, bulgur, cheeses (like feta), coffee, tea, and some Turkish sweets are rather cheap. The price  of baklava in Istanbul on average goes from 310 to 475 TL ($10.5-$16) per kilogram.

Here are some basic examples of food prices in Istanbul (these might of course be slighly cheaper and much higher in different markets, as the following prices are obtained from Migros, a very popular supermarket chain in Turkey, used a lot in İstanbul as well, neither particularly cheap or expensive):

• Bread – 8 TRY ($0.27)
• 15 eggs- 64 TRY ($2.17)
• 1 lt of milk – 24 TRY ($0.81)
• 1 kg of feta cheese – 130 TRY ($4.41)
• 5 lt water – 25 TRY ($0.85)
• 1 kg of potatoes – 20 TRY ($0.68)
• 1 kg of bananas – 30 TRY($1.05)
• 1 kg of tomatoes – 39 TRY($1.3)
• 1 kg of apples – 35 TRY ($1.19)
• 1 kg of chicken – 100 – 200 TRY ($3.39 – 6$.79)
• 1 kg of beef – 500 TRY ($17)
• 250 gr filter coffee – 110 TRY ($3.75)
• 1 kg of Turkish tea – 147 TRY ($5)

A cup of coffee out will cost you no less than 60 liras ($2) in central areas, but that price might drop as you go to the less popular parts of the city – and it may increase a lot depending on your coffee shop choice.

Pint of local beer can be found about as cheap as 50 liras ($1.70 – just go to ‘Berlin Bar’ in Taksim :)) but usually it is around 90-150 TL in central areas ($2.5-$5) and in local markets, it starts from 50 TL ($1.70). In bars on Istiklal street , in Moda and Arnavutkoy , happy hour is pretty common (from 3 to 6 pm usually) and there you can find beer for as much as 85 TL ($2.9).

If you are going to have a cocktail in central areas , it is around 300-400 TL ($10-13.5). A bottle of wine -not a fancy one- starts from around 700 TL ($23.75).

Eating out in small, simple restaurants (not lokantas but more of a mom-and-pop place) starts around 100 TL ($3.3) and can go all the way up to 250-300 TL ($8.4-$10), with an average of 150 TL ($5) I might say.

In other restaurants, in central areas , a dinner for one will be around 200 TL at least ($6.7).

So basically if you are in the central areas, you should be prepared to pay at least 200 TL to have a meal out ($6,7) but final price will depend on the establishment you choose. A plate that costs 100 liras ($3.3) in Bayrampaşa can cost 300 liras ($10) in Cihangir or Nişantaşı – and I’m not talking about going to fine dining restaurants.

Another expense is drinking water . Tap water in Istanbul is not safe to drink and you need either to filter it or buy bottled water. The cheapest brand of a bottle of water of 10 liters costs 23TL ($0.8). But you can pay the same for 2 bottles of 1.5 liters if buying less. 

The price of the dessert varies. On average, you’ll pay 100-150 TL ($3.4-$4.5) for a cappuccino or latte and a piece of cake. A cup of cappuccino of its own, size 0,3 costs between 100-120 TL ($3.4-$4.05) depending on the cafe. 

A cup of juice costs 40 TL (250 grams) or $1.35(€1.2) accordingly. But to find such a price, you need to look for special juice carts. They are popular throughout the city. 

Turkey also has good local wines and not many places where to try them. One of the best wine spots is Solera Winery . A glass of local wine there will cost between 100-150 TL ($3.4-$5.08) on average. The cheese and meat plate starts from 180 TL ($6.1).

Cost of Activities & Entertainment in Istanbul 

There are so many activities in Istanbul that sometimes it’s difficult to decide what to start with. Luckily for many travelers, a big part of the attractions are free and some museums cost only a few dollars. The city has a large number of parks with vistas, old fascinating architecture, and boardwalks.

You can spend your entire vacation only walking around the city, sampling various foods, seeing very different in style neighborhoods, watching the sunset , and going on public ferry rides.

If you want to do a tour with a local , expect to pay anywhere from $25 to $100, depending on how long the tour will be and what it will include.

There are also free walking tours. One of my favorites is guruwalk , although civitatis also has some free tours on offer. 

If you wish to visit one of the palaces and see how the sultans lived, a guided tour with an admission ticket will cost around $70 or €63. Off-the-beaten path day tour around European and Asian sides (which gives you a full introduction to the city) costs somewhere around $125 or €113 per person.

Istanbul, like many other cities, also has its own Hop-On Hop-Off buses (price starts from $32 or €36 per person). However, try to avoid going on this ride on hot summer months like July and August, also during rush hours (in any season) and the second half of the day on weekends . Being stuck in traffic is no fun. 

Bosphorus tours are very popular too. Budget travelers can hop on a public ferry (see prices above in a section about transportation) and go in any direction. However, if budget allows, better join a guided Bosphorus cruise or an all-inclusive cruise with dinner that cost between $40 and $100 (€36-€90). 

Entrance fee to a non-touristy hammam is 130-150 TL ($4.5-$5) + 60 TL (around $2) for a massage and around the same amount for a scrub. The most popular and famous hammam with good service is Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan . But, since it is focused on tourists, the price there is much higher – between $80 to $140 per visit.

Prices of Museums & Shows in Istanbul 

Besides the Istanbul activities that I mentioned above, I also want to mention museums , concerts , and nightclubs . 

As for the museums , the admission fees for all of them cost somewhere between 85-280 TL ($2.9-$9.5). The most expensive is Topkapi palace where the entrance fee is 750 TL ($25.5 or €23) as per their website .

If you are planning to check many museums together with doing tours during your visit, you can purchase an Istanbul Tourist Pass to save money. Museum pass on its own is also an option for museum bums.

Entrance to the Blue Mosque, like any other mosque in Istanbul, is free. Other places worth seeing in Istanbul are Basilica Cistern, Archaeological Museum, Ataturk Museum, Kucuksu Palace, and Beylerbeyi Palace. Prices for those range between 90-205 TL ($3-$7). 

As for the nightlife in Istanbul , there are also a lot of options to choose from for any taste and budget. The most famous areas with bars, pubs, and restaurants are Bebek, Nisantasi , Beyoglu, and Moda in Kadikoy. 

The main part of Istanbul’s popular nightclubs is concentrated in the Taksim, Levent, Etiler, Bebek, Ortakoy neighborhoods as well as on Bagdat street in Kadikoy. If you have a limited budget but still want to have a good time, go to the Taksim area. There, in addition to expensive clubs, you’ll find establishments with fairly low prices. Besides that, most of them are open until the early morning. 

Another popular entertainment activity in Istanbul is a whirling dervishes show . The entrance fee is usually between 1030-1330 TL ($35-$45) depending on the place. If you are a fan of dances and religious ceremonies that introduce local culture, you definitely won’t regret it. 

Other Istanbul Prices to Know About

Price for a visa.

Depending on the country you come from, you may need to get a Turkish visa before entering Istanbul. While more than 40 nationalities can travel to Turkey visa-free, others need to apply for a visa.

The easiest and fastest way to obtain a Turkish visa is via the electronic visa application system . Depending on the passport, the price is within the $50-$60 range. Indian citizens traveling to Istanbul will need to pay around $44 for a Turkish visa while holders of the UAE passport around $60.

Applying for e-visa in advance is less pricey and actually saves you time. There is a separate line in the airport for arrivals without visas to Turkey which is moving at a much slower pace and just steals time. In order to save it, take care of your documents before traveling. 

Price of a Sim Card

If you need a sim card in Istanbul you can get a tourist package in any of the cell phone companies’ offices around the city or in the airport. They all offer very similar deals for about 600 TL ($20). In this package, you get 15-20 GB of data, minutes, and text.

For those who are traveling in a group and want to stay connected, there is an option to get Unlimited Pocket WiFi . It works pretty well and might be much cheaper to use than getting sim cards for everybody. Pick up the device either at the airport or at the hotel.

Prices for Souvenirs 

Souvenirs are on sale in Istanbul almost anywhere and prices range from $1.5 to $50.

Popular souvenirs like postcards cost $1.5 for ten cards, magnets on average $2-$3, a set of 6 traditional tea cups with saucers $5-$6, leather wallets for $15-$20, Turkish coffee around 20 TL ($0.68) per 100 grams.

Baklava and turkish delight cost more if they are in gift boxes. One flavor Lukum (Sade) costs 120-150 TL ($4.2-$5) per kg and with pistachios – 390 TL ($13.2) per 1 kg. The price for the most exquisite Turkish delight can reach 780 TL ($26.5) per kg.

Cost of Personal Hygiene & Beauty Products in Istanbul

One note before I start mentioning prices of beauty and hygiene products – they are quite expensive in Istanbul as well as vitamins and supplements mainly because the import tax in Turkey is high.

So anything that was made in Turkey is quite affordable in Istanbul but all foreign products are much more expensive than what they cost in most countries in Europe. So you may want to bring your own toiletries if there is a specific brand you use. And here are Istanbul prices for: 

• Facial skin care products – prices start from 550 TL ($18.65)
• Sunscreen prices from 260 TL ($9) but they are quite limited in brands and protection factors
• Shower gel from 90 TL ($3.05)
• Hand cream 125 TL ($4.2)
• Toothpaste from 28 TL ($0.95 for a paste made in Turkey)

How Much Other Things in Istanbul Cost

• Monthly gym membership in Istanbul – 1100-1300 TL ($37-$44.06) and more in opulent areas
• Movie ticket (yes, some theaters have English subtitles) – 130-160 TL ($4.4-$5.4)
• A pair of Levi’s jeans – 1120 TL ($37.99)
• Dress from ZARA store -810 TL ($27.5)
• Closed leather shoes from a Turkish manufacturer – 1350-1700TL ($45.7-$57.6)

Cost of Living in Istanbul

As prices in Istanbul went up rapidly over the last couple of years, the cost of living in Istanbul in 2024 also increased dramatically.

This year , you need to plan your Istanbul budget in that way where you have at least 88,500 TL $3000 (€2730) per month for 2 people to cover all the needs.

Such an amount will cover rent, groceries, occasional dining out in nice restaurants, buying clothes (they are cheap in Turkey), public transportation, gym, and having occasional doctor’s appointments (like dentist, ENT doctor, or cosmetologist if there are minor issues) and/or buying medicine if needed.

This budget should be also enough to cover occasional travel, especially if you travel on weekdays and summer months, and if you don’t mind long day trips, hot springs in the area , and hikes.

Of course, depending on your spending habits, it is very much possible to bring these living expenses in Istanbul below this budget. But realistically speaking, if you don’t want to constantly live in survival mode, it is optimal to have at least this much money.

Long-term rent in Turkey goes from around $500 to $2000 per month where $500 covers the price of a small studio or 1-bedroom flat outside central areas in distant neighborhoods (like Avcilar for example, although away from the sea or Kucukkoy ).

Realistically speaking, if you can allocate $1000 per month for accommodation alone, you can find a full-furnished 2 beds flat in a nice neighborhood close to public transport within a short commute to the main areas of Istanbul.

In conclusion, shortly, I’d say you need to budget at least $2500 (€2272) per month for 2 to live in Istanbul comfortably. In the end, everything depends on your needs of course. Again, you can manage with a lower amount too. But that’s the rough average this year which will be definitely enough for a simple lifestyle.

The last thing to mention – yes, the cost of life in Istanbul is higher than in other small and large cities of Turkey . But don’t forget that in Istanbul you receive much more comfort and opportunities.

FAQs About Prices in Istanbul & Istanbul Travel Budget

Now, before I finish this post, let’s briefly cover a few more questions that I often receive from my readers about how expensive is Istanbul and about the average Istanbul trip cost. So: 

Is Istanbul Cheap or Expensive?

The two most frequent questions I get from others lately are “is Istanbul expensive for tourists these days?” and “is Istanbul cheap?”. Absolutely two opposite questions where both of them have the same answer and that is “yes”.

Whether Istanbul is cheap or expensive for you personally will depend on many factors, starting from how much you make and finishing with what you consider cheap.

If you ask me, I’ll say that Istanbul is nowadays unreasonably expensive. No, that’s not the right way to put it. Accommodation is unreasonably expensive in Istanbul these days. It continues to increase and affect other prices turning this city into a very costly destination (especially considering how low wages are).

On this last trip I had to Istanbul I noticed that price tags for many products became almost as high as in some European cities. Last year I lived in a small town in the Low Tatra Mountains in Slovakia where prices in supermarkets for many foods were much cheaper than in Istanbul, even though a couple of years ago it was totally the opposite.

Now I am based in Tenerife North where food prices are almost the same as in Istanbul and people here think they have become quite expensive.

Yet, at the same time, when I was talking to an acquaintance from Nyon town on Lake Geneva and mentioned a few prices in Istanbul, she was sincerely amazed at how cheap Istanbul was.

This is why it is all relative.

The only thing that still stays true (and hopefully will for a while) – Istanbul still fits all types of budgets . It is still possible to find rather cheap accommodation options (if you have the patience to monitor prices), cheap street food still exists and is available on each corner as well as luxury hotels and lavish restaurants.

You just need to prepare for a trip well in advance and know where to go and what better to leave out.

What My Istanbul Travel Budget Should Be?

Of course, as much as you can afford but I’d say not less than $25 per day per person. But with this much money, do not expect anything extraordinary.

On average, an Istanbul trip cost between $50-$70 per day (excluding airfare, insurance, and visa) for two is a very realistic amount that will guarantee a decent level of comfort and even some tours if you are ready to meet one condition. 

And that is – if you are ready to travel outside a busy summer season (which is so hot anyways), start looking (booking) your accommodation in advance, mainly concentrate on apartments (so you can even cook if you wish), and stick to free tours (as I mentioned above, this company of gurus has plenty of free tours) or purchase Istanbul E-pass and explore on your own.

Those who are fans of hostel beds can even have a lower Istanbul travel budget and plan to spend $25-$30 per day per person.

And then if you are looking to stay in a nice guest house or boutique hotel (or even a traditional Ottoman-style house ), go to traditional restaurants, and have private tours, expect to set a budget of $100-$120 per day for 2. 

With a travel budget of $150-$200 per day for two people, you can have a high-end experience with romantic experiences if traveling to Istanbul outside the June-August season. 

But if you need help with planning your Istanbul travel budget and building an Istanbul itinerary, get in touch with me and we’ll discuss all the options!

What is Average Meal Cost in Istanbul?

Another question I frequently get either in comments under my other posts about Istanbul or in a direct message is about the average cost of a meal in Istanbul.

Even though I answered this question in detail above, I thought to write a short answer here.

In 2024, you can expect to pay an average price for: 

• Turkish breakfast – 130-265 TL / person ($4.5-$9)
• lunch for one in a local cafeteria-style establishment “Lokanta” – 100-130 TL ($3.4-$4.5)
• dinner for two with wine in a nice restaurant – 1200 TL ($40.7)
• full-course meal in a traditional Turkish restaurant – 380-480 TL / person ($12.8-$16.3)

So… How Expensive is Istanbul? Average Prices in Istanbul For Two 

Alright, to sum up how much an Istanbul trip will cost, let’s estimate how much you can expect to pay per day for everything we discussed earlier. The following price breakdown is based on a mid-range budget and the assumption that two people are traveling together. 

ACCOMMODATION: $35-$45 per night for a simple studio flat (possibly 1 bedroom) in a central (close to famous sights ) area or 2-3* hotels. 

TRANSPORTATION: $5 per day assuming that 2 persons take 2 journeys on a ferry, tram or metro. Marmaray trip will cost most. 

FOOD AND DRINK: $30 per day for two if having k ahvaltı tabağı Turkish breakfast and eating mainly street food or lokanta food during the day. This amount also includes ayran, juice and/or Turkish coffee and sweets. Multiply this cost by 2 if you plan to eat in restaurants and cafes with a view.  

ACTIVITIES: $20-$100 per day, depending on what type of activities you choose. Obviously, museums and shorter tours are cheaper. All day-long guided tours will cost more. 

DRINKS & ENTERTAINMENT: $10-$20 per day. If you want to visit a dancing dervishes show or a Bosphorus cruise with dinner and entertainment, expect to pay more. 

ADDITIONAL EXPENSES: Don’t forget about the airport transfer fee, taxis if you plan to use any, and tips if you plan to tip . 

So based on this Istanbul trip cost, you need to budget at least $100  for two people per day on a trip to Istanbul. This is a minimum you want to have if you are eager to experience Istanbul in full.

For this amount of money, expect to stay in a private hotel room (2,3* hotel) or entire apartment in a good area close to main Istanbul attractions , eat both street food and in casual restaurants, drink Turkish coffee and eat desserts, visit a few museums, palaces, go on a Bosphorus cruise and experience a nightlife. 

Of course, it is very possible to spend less than that but let’s be realistic about the numbers and Istanbul prices.

If you decide not to take any tours and stick only to free activities, then you can budget $70 per night for two. Those who are on a very small budget , stay in hostels, and mainly discover cities on their own can expect to spend around $50. 

Note, this average cost doesn’t include flights or travel insurance. For flights, compare prices on different aggregates. For travel insurance, if you want to save money, SafetyWing is a great company that offers flexible travel insurance policies at very good prices.  

So, what do you think, is Istanbul expensive to visit or is it cheap?

In my experience, after living here and now being a frequent guest, I can say that Istanbul has joined the ranks of expensive cities. It is not cheap anymore. But compared to many other destinations in the world, where prices increase tremendously as well, Istanbul is still rather affordable. I just hope that locals will be able to survive here .

In any case, I’ll be updating this guide to prices in Istanbul to keep you informed and make sure this information is accurate and up to date!

Anya is originally from Ukraine but in heart she is a citizen of the world. She is working online and that’s why has an opportunity to travel a lot and live in different countries. At present time, she is based in Spain while waiting for the war in Ukraine to be over to be able to return home. On this blog, her main goal is to inspire others to travel to under-the-radar places and discover the world while working remotely.

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34 Comments

I am living in San Miguel de Allende and considering Turkey. I work online so the internet is crucial. What are your speeds in Turkey?

I thank you in advance for considering my query.

Internet in Turkey is pretty average, from 5 to 15 Mbps. In Istanbul in one of our flats, we could upgrade it to 30 Mbps, that was the maximum. But it really depends on the place, in some neighborhoods you may be able to get a better package. Overall, Turkey is not famous for its good internet, although we still manage to work online and have no problem.

I have found your blog on istanbul very much useful. Though i have travelled three two years ago without having any first hand information. This time i am again going there in October 2021. I will be glad to hear from you and I like to travel your beloved country Ukraine. Thanks in anticipation. Regards Sayeed

Hi Sayeed, I am very glad to hear that! October is a fantastic time to be in Istanbul, so I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. And if you ever decide to go to Ukraine, I also have lots of content, come back to read more!

We (I and my wife) are planning to visit Istanbul from February 11,2023 to February 19th. Please contact me on my email for a guide for those days. Thanks. We will fly from Toronto by Turkish Airlines. Thanks. Borhan Ahmed

Hi Borhan, I sent you my email with the details.

I want to visit Turkey from the US in March 2022 and stay for 1 month. How can I get a 1 bedroom apartment for the period at about $300.

If you want to rent a flat for one month only, your best bet is to use Booking or Airbnb, but I wouldn’t expect to have anything special for that much money. When renting for the long term, $300 per month is very doable and gets you a good quality of apartment but on a monthly basis not so much to be honest.

What I can recommend, try to book as much in advance as possible and look only for new apartments on Airbnb. When the listing is new (even the nice one), the price is often discounted. In fact, I just checked airbnb deals for March and found quite a few very nice new flats, although the price is $350 minimum. So if you know you’ll be definitely traveling during specific dates, better make a reservation now.

Hi Thanks in advance But im just wondering about the prices of drinks in nightclub in taksim because just I left Istanbul and they always offer me ( 10 beers =700tl) it’s okay?! Or expensive

Hi Mohamed, It sounds more than it should be. In most bars, beer costs 30-55TL (depending on the brand). So you either went to an expensive bar (Taksim has a few pricey bars but even there 700 TL for 10 beers sounds like too much) or they just tried to cheat you.

Thanks for all the useful information you’ve provided. I’ll be in Istanbul in about 2 weeks. I’m wondering if Istanbul is a Bicycle-friendly city and how easy it is to rent them. Here in Washington, DC we have access to electric scooters via apps like Lime, Uber, and many more. Are similar micromobility servies (scooters and bicycles) available in Istanbul?

Yes, both scooters and bicycles are available for rent in Istanbul, but keep in mind that this city is built on hills and has old parts with narrow streets and cobblestone pavement. I lived in DC and remember how well it was designed for bikes when I could literally go from one part of the city to another by bike alone. Istanbul is not like that mainly because of the hills and old historic neighborhoods but it is still easy to move around by bike. Most biking lanes go by the water on both European and Asian sides, so you can easily visit any area by bike, park it and then continue on foot if needed. As for the place where to rent a bike or scooter, there is İSBIKE, launched by the government, that allows easily renting a bike from bike rental stations around the city. But for that, you need to have a phone number. For scooters, use MARTI, with their app the process is easy but for now the majority of their scooters are available only on the Anatolian side. Also, there are many bike rental shops where to rent a bike or scooter around Istanbul. We personally rent only from rental shops since they have a better selection of bikes and better prices but for scooters, Marti is the best, in our experience. I hope this helps!

Hi Anya – unfortunately, your friend no longer offers the walking tours!

The lokantasi tip was something I had not seen before, so teşekkür ederim!

Interesting… I talked to her earlier on and she said she does. I’ll check the link, maybe they moved her tour to another page and update my post. Thank you for letting me know, Jason!

Can you recommend a company or contact for a private tour for 6 to 8 hours in an air conditioned car with an English speaking guide? This is for Istanbul. Single female with mild mobility challenges. Thanks in advance. Your information is very detailed and helpful.

Hello Sheri,

Sorry, I am probably very late with my answer. I hope it is still relevant or perhaps it can help other readers.

The closest option to your needs that I found are these two:

First is the Private Tour of Istanbul from our favorite company Civitatis. They offer a private guide with a car who will accompany you for 8 hours and will customize the route based on your preferences. We personally like Civitatis, as we have visited a few tours with them including the free walking tour. I personally think they are one of the best companies in Istanbul.

The second company is represented on Get Your Guide (which has quite good reviews) and they offer a similar Private Istanbul Tour for 5 hours in a luxury mini-van with an English-speaking guide who will customize the tour just for you.

Both tours are not cheap but they offer the best comfort and adapt to a customer. I hope this helps!

Inflation has wrecked the value of the lira versus the dollar or the Euro, so lira prices are much higher now (June 2022), but $/€ prices are still reasonably close.

The advice about the Loktanta/Lokantası was spot on. A couple of our favorites are Balkan Lokantası in Beşiktaş and Hayata Sarıl Lokantsı in Taksim.

I am very excited about Istanbul based on your information. I will visit it in the near future. Thanks a lot.

Hi Anya we are visiting Istanbul for the very first time the first week of October and I want to check a night cruise with entertainment or some place where there’s cultural entertainment and dinner. Do you have any recommendations? I’m traveling with my parents and 2 siblings (all full adults) thanks a lot in advance!

Hi Lluvia, I hope this answer still finds you on time!

Do you mean an evening cruise on the Bosphorus for a few hours or an overnight cruise that goes to other parts of Turkey to the islands?

For the Bosphorus, I personally have been to this one 2 years ago and enjoyed it. After a year in Istanbul, it was still very interesting to go. Since that time, I see this company got a lot of good reviews and seems that other people like this cruise too.

When we were there, the program included a whirling dervishes dance show, a belly dance show, and a classic Turkish folk dance show. Plus there was a good selection of food and drinks. I don’t know how it is now but I think these shows are included as well as they are all traditional Turkish shows. And the price, by the way, was almost the same. I guess it didn’t change much due to the depreciation of the Turkish lira.

There are many more tours to choose from on Viator and GetYourGuide (I personally prefer to stick to them as all companies are thoroughly checked by these aggregators). I’ve just done a quick research and found also these tours that are worth looking at: – Bosphorus cruise with belly dancers – Another cruise with whirling dervishes and folk dances – All-inclusive Bosphorus show-cruise These tours are provided by BosphorusTour which has been on the market for a long time and is a trusted company. The price differs based on the number of activities and quantity of food. On getyourguide, there is one cruise with the show and private table which is sold now with a great discount and reviews seem to be very good as well. I hope it helps! Have a wonderful time and enjoy your trip to Istanbul!

I just came back from Istanbul and to answer to your question: yes, Istanbul is expensive. The hotel prices are fine, in terms that you can find from cheapest to the most expensive. We chose one that we paid £624 for 5 nights, 2 bedrooms. But food and everything else was expensive. A glass of juice is 50TL and lunch or dinner for 4 didn’t cost less than 2300TL. Before my holiday, I thought I would find some reasonable prices as well, after reading some stories of people who travelled there, but I was surprised at what I found there.

Hi Izabela,

Thank you for sharing, however, to me what you describe is surprising. I have recently returned from my other trip to Istanbul where I found very different prices.

I agree that Istanbul became more expensive (as everywhere else these days) but there is still a variety of options to choose from for different price ranges. There are many places on a budget, including restaurants and cafes as well as accommodation. I don’t know where you were buying food and juice but I can recommend dozens of places where both food and beverages are cheap. I buy juices only from street stalls for about $1-$2 (18-35TL based on current exchange rate), depending on the size of a glass and a $2 one is usually good to share for 2 people. Also, Istanbul offers so much quality street food that you can get dinner for 4 people at a fraction of what you pay in a nicer restaurant. On average, depending on the neighborhood, street food meal goes for about 35-85TL (less than $2-$4.5). In Lokanta (Turkish type of bistro), just less than a month ago I paid for a meal with meat 87TL ($4.7).

I really don’t know where you went dining but 2300TL sounds like a lot of money, especially for such a city as Istanbul.

Pozdrav Anya, slijedeće godine u proljeće prvi put iz Hrvatske posjećujem Istambul i htio bih te pitati dal mogu posjetiti neki hamam koji koristi lokalno stanovništvo? Ako mogu molio bih te da mi savjetuješ koje hamame nije loše posjetiti i gdje se nalaze?

Lijep pozdrav i hvala unaprijed!

Želim puno sreće tebi i tvojoj Ukrajini i da ova ludost što prije završi!

Hi Luka, definitely, I am happy to share my favorite hammams! Actually, I have just one which is Kilic Ali Pasa hammam , it is popular among locals (Turkish people from all over the country) as well as international tourists. I love it for its cleanness and very nice service. For the first visit, I’d recommend this hammam, it is hands down the best among all hammams (in my opinion).

Other excellent hammams are Catma Mescit , Cagaloglu hamam (very popular), Hurrem Sultan hamam , and Cukurcuma hamam . I’d stick to them as they all are really great! I hope it helps and would love to hear again from you once you visit a hammam, would love to know how you liked it!

Thanks Anya. Your informations are very usedful. Im visiting Istanbul this coming february.

I am glad to hear that, Rabiah! Enjoy your trip!

I am in Istanbul now in April 2023 and your prices are just right. I planned my trip with your other posts and this trip cost guide and wanted to say thank you, they all helped me so much!

I am so glad to hear that, Tyler! Thank you for stopping by to tell me this.

Hi, What is your opinion regarding the general price differences between eastern and western part of istanbul? I was in Beylikduzu are (for work purpose) and i found the prices higher than what you shared. For example – lunch and dinner at medium restaurant cost between 280TL to as much as 500TL.

Hi Amaan, I have been to Beylikduzu on a couple of occasions only when visiting a conference there and I don’t remember prices being more expensive. I also ate lunch and dinner there (but not really in restaurants, in a family-like businesses) and price was about the same or even slightly lower than in the center. But it was the first year after covid so maybe some things changed since then. Could you share where you’ve eaten that you thought was much more expensive?

This is the most useful guide with actual prices! I am using all your guides to plan our travel this summer, so glad I discovered your blog!

Yay, so glad to hear that! I saw you also subscribed to my Turkey newsletter, so you’ll be receiving more tips soon as I am working on more articles about Istanbul.

Hi Anya, thank you for so many details, you put a lot of work into it and all prices are as you said – we are now in Istanbul and planned our budget right, thanks to your tips!

Enjoy your trip, Yanina!

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Entrance Fees of Istanbul’s Main Tourist Attractions

Last updated: April 07, 2024

The entrance fees for Istanbul’s main tourist attractions range from free to almost 1500 TL per person. Often children can go in for free, but different sightseeing spots have different age limits. The overview below also allows for easy comparison to find out whether an Istanbul Museum pass is worth the investment or not based on your personal itinerary. Also, avoid standing in front of a closed door by checking the opening and closing hours of the main tourist attractions .

• Archaeological Museums ( Arkeoloji Müzeleri ) Ticket price: 15 Euro Children aged 12 and under: free of charge (ID required) Istanbul Museum Pass is valid here.
• Basilica Cistern ( Yerebatan Sarnıcı ) Foreign visitors: 600 TL (daytime) – 1000 TL (evening) Istanbul Museum Pass is not valid here.
• Beylerbeyi Palace (Beylerbeyi Sarayı) Foreign visitors: 350 TL Istanbul Museum Pass is valid here.
• Big Palace Mosaic Museum ( Büyük Saray Çinileri Müzesi ) Ticket price: 10 Euro Istanbul Museum Pass is valid here.
• Blue Mosque ( Sultanahmet Camii ) Free entrance.
• Çadır Pavilion ( Çadır Köşkü ) Free entrance.
• Dolmabahçe Palace ( Dolmabahçe Sarayı ) Selamlık (Official section) and Harem (Family section): 1050 TL Children aged 6 and under: free of charge Istanbul Museum Pass is not valid here.
• Egyptian or Spice Bazaar ( Mısır Çarşısı ) Free entrance.
• Emirgan Park (Emirgan Korusu) Free entrance.
• Fethiye Museum ( Fethiye Müzesi ) The museum has been closed for renovation since April 2018.
• Florya Atatürk Marine Mansion (Florya Atatürk Deniz Köşkü) Ticket price: 40 TL Discounted: 30 TL (students / International Student Identity Card required) Children aged 6 and under: free of charge
• Fortress of Europe ( Rumeli Hisarı ) Ticket price 6 Euro Children under 12: free of charge Istanbul Museum Pass is valid here.
• Fortress of Seven Towers ( Yedikule Hisarı ) Currently only open for Turkish citizens after online reservation.
• Galata Tower ( Galata Kulesi ) Foreign visitors: 30 Euro
• Grand Bazaar ( Kapalı Çarşı ) Free entrance.
• Hagia Irene (Aya İrini) Ticket Price: 500 TL Children aged 8 and younger: free of charge Istanbul Museum Pass is valid here.
• Hagia Sophia ( Ayasofya Müzesi ) Ticket Price: 25 Euro
• Harem ( Harem ) Price: 500 TL If you plan to visit the Harem, you’re better off buying a combined Topkapi Palace with Harem ticket (see below for Topkapi Palace). Children aged 6 and younger: free of charge (ID required). Discounted: 40 TL (students / International Student Identity Card required) Istanbul Museum Pass Card is not valid here.
• Imperial Porcelain Factory ( Yıldız Porselen Fabrikası ) Ticket price: 130 TL Children aged 6 and under: free of charge
• Istanbul Akvaryum Ticket price: 750 TL (online) Children aged 2-12: 650 TL (online) Children under 2: free of charge Buy tickets online .
• Istanbul Modern Ticket price: 500 TL Discounted (65 and older, students): 330 TL
• Kariye Museum ( Kariye Müzesi ) Due to renovations, the museum is currently closed. Ticket price: 65 TL Children aged 8 and under: free of charge. Istanbul Museum Pass is not valid here.
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center Ticket price: 810 TL (online) Adults must be accompanied by a child (aged 14 and under). If you buy tickets online, you can get discounts.
• Madame Tussauds Adult (12 years+): 900 TL (online) Child (3-12): 720 TL (online) If you buy tickets online, you can get discounts.
• Maiden Tower (Kız Kulesi) Transfer to and from the tower: 50 TL. Entrance: free with Museum Card, 27 Euro without Museum Card
• Miniatürk Ticket price: 385 TL For groups bigger than 10 people 20% discount.
• Naval or Maritime Museum Ticket price: 200 TL
• Pera Museum Ticket price: 100 TL Discounted (children older than 12, students, seniors aged 60 and older): 50 TL 20% discount with Istanbul Museum Pass. Free entrance: Children aged 12 and younger. Groups (10 people and more): 80 TL
• Sea Life Istanbul At the ticket office on the day of the visit: Adult: 795 TL (online) Child (ages 3-14): 635 TL (online) Child (under 3): free All visitors under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. If you buy tickets online, you can get discounts.
• Şerefiye Cistern ( Şerefiye Sarnıcı ) Ticket Price: 550 TL Istanbul Museum Pass Card is not valid here.
• Süleymaniye Mosque ( Süleymaniye Camii ) Free entrance
• Topkapi Palace ( Topkapı Sarayı ) Ticket Price: 1500 TL (including the Harem ) Cash and credit cards are accepted. Istanbul Museum Pass is valid here. Children aged 8 and younger: free of charge (verification needed).
• Turkish & Islamic Art Museum ( Türk İslam Eserleri Müzesi ) Ticket price: 17 Euro Istanbul Museum Pass is valid here.
• Tünel ( Tünel ) Ticket Price: 17,7 TL per person per ride To get on the funicular, you need to have an Istanbul Card.
• Yıldız Palace ( Yıldız Sarayı ) Due to renovations, the palace is currently closed. Ticket price: 20 TL Istanbul Museum Pass Card is valid here. Children at the age of 12 and younger: free of charge. Currently closed for renovation.
• Yıldız Park ( Yıldız Korusu ) Free entrance If you come by car, the parking fee is 48 TL.

Veronika says

May 26, 2024 at 4:55 pm

Hello, I would like to visit Mecidiye Palace, can you suggest me some public transport (bus, ferry?), how its the most easy to get there?

Erlend says

May 27, 2024 at 10:00 am

It’s located in Beykoz. Unfortunately, ferries don’t often stop in Beykoz. I guess you best bet is to take a ferry to üsküdar, and from there to Beykoz. From what I know, from üsküdar ferries go every hour starting 12:00.

Sudhir Raniwala says

May 5, 2024 at 5:33 pm

While trying to buy online tickets for the tourist attractions in Istanbul, I almost always reach viator or getyourguide or one of these agencies.

Is there a way I can buy these tickets to help skip the line ? I do not want to get the tickets from the tour agencies. (e.g. topkapi palace, basilica cistern, hagia, dolmabache….)

May 6, 2024 at 6:31 pm

Getting your skip-the-line tickets from GetYourGuide or Viator is very common. You can trust those. You can buy tickets from the ministry of tourism directly and of the head of state palaces , too. No app though, no helpdesk in case something goes wrong either.

May 7, 2024 at 7:49 am

Many thanks.

May 9, 2024 at 2:05 pm

Is there any way of getting the skip the line tickets without paying for the audio and tour guide. Coming from London and the whole package is too expensive. Please advise

May 18, 2024 at 9:53 am

Not sure I understand your question. Do you mean a package like Istanbul E-pass is too expensive?

April 16, 2024 at 1:25 am

Do you have any guesses how overrun the main attractions will be at the end of april/ early march? Will skip the line tickets be a necessity or more a nice to have thing to not spend 30-60 minutes in a queue on weekdays?

April 17, 2024 at 5:59 pm

That’s hard to predict. End of April is of course the start of the high season. Since most of thgem are bought online, you can still take the risk and have a look the first day…

Ayesha says

March 12, 2024 at 10:27 pm

Hello! I plan on visiting dolmabahce palace tomorrow, I am a student in turkey so when I show them my student card and certificate what should be my ticket price? Thank you

March 12, 2024 at 11:07 pm

Hi, this should be around 150 TL.

February 25, 2024 at 12:50 am

Hi, I know this is an older post but still maybe you will answer my question and help me. Should foreign students with ISIC card buy their tickets online beforehand and if not, do you think if I visit in late March could I buy all of the tickets on site to get the students discount. thank you for your help

February 25, 2024 at 12:02 pm

From what it says on their website, you must purchase them on site, because you must show your student card to receive the discount. To make sure you have a ticket early in the morning.

Mariela says

September 5, 2023 at 6:16 pm

Hello! I’m going on a trip to Istanbul this month. I have an ISIC card. In Milli saraylar site is written that the ticket in Topcapi palace for foreign students is two times more than the one for the local students(2×60=120 tl). I wonder if Is it true and is it only for Topcapi or it is valid for Dolmabahce too. Thank you in advance!

September 5, 2023 at 6:48 pm

It’s correct, you pay two times the prices that local students would pay. The same rule for Dolmabahçe Palace. Be happy, regular visitors pay more than 4 times the price regular Turkisg visitors have to pay.

September 6, 2023 at 12:16 am

Yeah! That’s right! This is the reason why I’m asking for information. I wanted to know if it’s true. I’m definitely happy about that fact. Thank you!

September 9, 2023 at 10:21 am

Hello! It’s me again. I forgot to ask about Galata tower. The ticket now is way more expensive than last year for example. I know the situation it’s different from the palaces(Topkapi, Dolmabahce, Beylerbeyi), but is there also any discount for foreign students? I have heard that sometimes if you go late at night it’s possible to get a free visit. Maybe it’s just a joke. I really don’t know. That’s why I am asking. Thank you in advance!

September 10, 2023 at 2:11 pm

Hi Mariela,

There is no discount for the Galata Tower, let alone a free entrance.

September 9, 2023 at 3:26 pm

Is it true that this month Hagia Sophia will be closed for visitors? I have read that there will be restoration activities which will continue for a couple of years. I intend to visit it at the end of the month. I have already made a plan to go later at night, at 8-9 pm for example, when there are not as many tourists as throughout the day. Have you heard about that? And if it’s not true is it a good option to go there at such a late hour? Sorry about all these questions, but I am just curios. I love Istanbul. I was there two yeas ago, but I didn’t see everything I wanted then and I want to catch up. Thanks you so much again!

September 10, 2023 at 2:19 pm

There is some restoration work planned, but as far as I know the venue will remain open for visitors and prayers. There may be some scaffolding though. To be 100% sure, ask one of the tourist offices upon arrival and plan accordingly.

Muhammad Usman says

August 17, 2023 at 11:03 am

how much is the entrance fee of Topkapi Palace for Turkish citizens?

August 17, 2023 at 2:44 pm

Locals pay 150 TL at the moment.

Albert says

August 11, 2023 at 8:40 pm

good evening, next week we will be in Istanbul, for which attractions is online advance purchase recommended? Thank you Albert

August 11, 2023 at 10:04 pm

I would say for sure Topkapı Palace, Dolmabahçe Palace, Galata Tower, and the Basilica Cistern. For the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia, the entrance is free and a guided tour doesn’t change much for the waiting line. Having a guide is of course always a plus. You may consider a Istanbul E-pass or Istanbul Tourist pass instead of buying them individually.

Aamena says

August 7, 2023 at 2:54 am

Hi, how are you?

I’m going to istanbul in October, I would just like to know if prices have increased as I see for madame tuassads on the website they charging 517TL.

August 7, 2023 at 7:49 pm

Yes, the prices have once again increased. I’ll update them today or tomorrow. They change quite a bit because of Turkey’s inflation rate and weakening currency.

August 7, 2023 at 10:18 pm

I have just updated all the prices.

Arslan says

June 4, 2023 at 9:58 am

Hello Erlend, Thank you for the detailed article about the attractions prices and prompt answers to the queries of ppl.

We ( Husband, wife n 2 kids aged 5 n 7 yrs) will be visiting IST in 4th week of June for 8 days and plan to visit blue mosque, hagia sofia, bascila cistern, topkapi, galata tower, dolmabahce palace, ist akvarium, hagia irene and would like to take bhosporus cruise.

– Are the above prices of attractions un changed as of now or increased.

– What would you kindly suggest to buy indvl tickets for mentioned attractions or some pass economy wise.

Thanks for consideration.

June 4, 2023 at 2:41 pm

I just updated the page and prices today. Since you’ll be going for many days and plan to visit a lot, you may consider the Istanbul E-pass (Here’s my review of the Istanbul E-pass ).

June 7, 2023 at 7:31 pm

Thank you Erlend. Much appreciated.

May 11, 2023 at 8:36 pm

My wife and I will be in Istanbul for 3 days on the 6th of June.

We plan to visit the following: Topkapi (incl. harem), Hagia Sophia museum, Basilica Cistern, Dolmabahce Palace, Turkish and Islamic art museum and Galata tower.

Is it doable without rushing in 2 days to allow a leisurely sight-seeing.

What would be the best value for money pass (skipping the queue) to purchase and how early do we need to buy them.

Your advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you and best regards,

May 12, 2023 at 2:34 pm

You can visit them all, it will take two full days. Not saying you’ll be rushing, but not really leisurely either. I would have a look at the Istanbul E-pass . If I calculate all entrance fees separately, it’s the same price as the two day pass, but then you can maybe benefit from other attractions and services included.

Alberto says

May 1, 2023 at 1:32 pm

good morning audio guides to visit the attractions, can they be rented at the entrance when you get the ticket? Thank you

May 1, 2023 at 5:54 pm

Some are included in the price, some are not. If they are available, surely you can rent them at the entrance.

Norma Hochstadt says

March 31, 2023 at 9:24 pm

I am invalid senior lady. There ary any reduction in istanbul atractions Norma

April 2, 2023 at 11:12 am

I’m afraid I haven’t seen discounts for invalid or senior people.

March 6, 2023 at 3:15 am

Hi if we only have 1-2 days in instanbul, is it worth to get the welcome card from klook? My concern is the guided tour timing. Are there several to each place through the day?

March 6, 2023 at 2:26 pm

If you’re in Istanbul only for 1 day, I wouldn’t buy it. I haven’t tried the Welcome Card, but from what I understand the short orientations are given daily except Tuesdays. For more information, I suggest you contact Klook.

FRANCOIS SAVARD says

February 17, 2023 at 3:43 pm

Hello, we are students in our country. Can we have student prices or just the Turkish schools can have the discount ?

Thank you for your time and have a nice day

February 19, 2023 at 5:36 pm

You do well to bring your student card. Some sightseeing spots (Topkapı Palace, Dolmabahçe Palace, …) offer student discounts. Keep in mind though that foreign students pay the local fee times two. For example, the current Tapkapi Palace entrance fee is 35 TL for students. For foreign students, this becomes 70 TL. Which is still less than the full foreigner’s fee of 110 TL.

July 12, 2023 at 12:57 pm

Do you obligatory need a ISIC card or does it work with a “normal student-ID”, and can you maybe recommend a website where all student discounts possible in Istanbul are listed, I can’t find any… thank in advance !

July 13, 2023 at 8:44 pm

If you want to play safe, have the ISIC card. But you may get away with a regular student card as long as it has English translations.

Melissa says

November 9, 2022 at 9:58 pm

Can a 65+ person (foreign tourist) pay a entry fee with discount in Istanbul?

November 10, 2022 at 1:50 pm

Not a standard for foreigners, but you can always give it a try.

Melanie says

November 9, 2022 at 9:51 am

Sorry, the earlier identical post I had incorrectly input my email address. Please kindly respond to this… 🙏

We bought the combined tickets for Topkapi, Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern via KLOOK (Local provider – Istanbul Welcome Card). So everything follows their process. However this package doesn’t include entrance fee to the Harem. So how does it work? I know we get the Skip-The-Line and follow the guide inside and do the tour then the guide will leave us to do our own stuffs. However, I read it is highly recommended to head first for the harem. I am a bit confused with what to do…

I bought from KLOOK since it is much cheaper. But it isn’t too late for me to cancel if need to.

November 10, 2022 at 1:53 pm

You should ask Istanbul Welcome Card or KLOOK, the company you bought it from. But if you’re going in the weeks to come, I wouldn’t stress too much about it, lines will be short(er) since it’s low season now.

October 31, 2022 at 10:54 pm

What are your thoughts on the istanbul epass? Is it worth the money? We’re going in February for about 6 days and will mostly be staying in Istanbul. Do you have any suggestions about short stays outside of Istanbul?

November 2, 2022 at 3:53 pm

Have you read my detailed review of the Istanbul E-pass after using it this spring?

December 9, 2023 at 12:23 am

I would like to ask you regarding Istanbul tourist pass. Is it worth to buy it? We are planning to stay in istanbul for 8 nights , is that more than enough for a complete and relaxed Istanbul tour. We are a family of four including two kids.

George says

October 17, 2022 at 8:42 am

I am travelling to Istanbul next week. For visiting Aghia Sofia do we have to buy a ticket in advance for a specific day and time ? Also, where do you buy the tickets for the ferry to Princess islands ? Thank you in advance.

October 17, 2022 at 6:06 pm

Since the Hagia Sophia has been converted to a mosque, entrance is free. Tickets for the ferry can be bought at the Şehir Hatları docks in Eminönü. Look for the pavilion selling tickets for ‘Adalar’

winnie chanlee says

October 12, 2022 at 1:57 am

Can you possibly update all the admission costs? Since July 2022, a few of the attractions have substantial price increases. For Example *Galata Tower entrance fee is 175 TL , not 130 TL. Can you double check? *Basilica Cistern, the entrance fee is now 190TL, not 30 TL. Can you verify?

October 12, 2022 at 10:27 am

I updated the page with the latest fees. It’s hard to keep up with the current inflation rate in Turkey. Thanks for letting me know.

November 7, 2022 at 10:57 am

The prices are ridiculus. Not worth.

November 7, 2022 at 8:01 pm

Don’t see why. Go visit the Versailles Palace in Paris, it also costs 21,5 Eur. Tower of London costs 34 Eur. So, they seems pretty much average if you ask me.

October 12, 2022 at 1:42 am

Your web site is excellent for information. Apprecaite you responding to all the questions.

Can you clarify about Dolmabahce Palace admission fees? For a visit to include both Selamlik and Harem, is it 300TL or 150 TL?

You stated: Dolmabahçe Palace (Dolmabahçe Sarayı) Selamlık (Official section) and Harem (Family section): 300 TL Combined ticket for Selamlık & Harem: 150 TL

Do you have admission information about Kucuksu and Beylerbeyi Palaces/Museums? Are they worth visiting? They are opened, right?

October 12, 2022 at 10:30 am

Dolmapalace Palace is 300 for the Selamlik and Harem combo. Beyberleri is 90 TL, it’s nice but is difficult to reach with public transportation. I wouldn’t go out of your way or sacrifice other spots for it.

September 18, 2022 at 10:43 am

I’ll be visiting Istanbul with my family in the last week of September 2022, so just a week away.

If you could please clarify a few queries, it would be really helpful –

1. Do we must take a guide to go inside Basilica Cistern or just an entry ticket would do? Is a guide must for any of the ticketed monuments?

2. How long are we allowed to stay in the ‘Archaeological Museums’ and ‘Turkish & Islamic Arts Museum’? Is it 6 pm or 8 pm?

3. When is the last entry time to the Galata Tower? How long should we plan for the Galata Tower?

4. Is there any metro and tram pass which I can buy at the airport or at Sirkeci?

5. It seems no more Istanbul Museum Pass are available for the days of our travel. Does it all tickets are sold out for the museums or is it just the museum pass which is sold out and we can still go and buy the tickets at the counter (after standing in queue) in each of the museums?

Appreciate your help.

Thanking in advance.

September 18, 2022 at 1:17 pm

1. Guides are not a must. 2. 20:00. Here is an overview of all opening hours . 3. 22:00 last entry, once inside an hour is enough, but their will be a line to get inside as well. That of course is hard to predict, but I suggest in total to go the latest by 20:00 4. Istanbul Kart . 5. Not sure where you looked, but I don’t think Museum Passes can be sold out. Have a look here .

September 18, 2022 at 3:28 pm

Thank you so much Erlend! That was very helpful.

Now super excited to be in Istanbul by this time next Sunday.

September 18, 2022 at 4:54 pm

Sorry to bother again.

What options do I’ve to buy SIM card and Data/Wifi card for my mobile phone?

I’ll be staying at Sirkeci.

September 18, 2022 at 6:11 pm

You can. buy those in any Vodafone or Turkcel shop in the city center. If you can wait, don’t buy them at the airport since they’re often double the price there.

Jo Cee says

September 22, 2022 at 10:23 pm

Hi, great info overall. Do you happen to know if there are sim cards that are not the tourist welcome package which I read are expensive. Any suggestions. I am staying the the Beyoğlu area. Also Is Turkcell better than Vodafone or visa versa? Thanks I am leaving in a week. Can’t wait! Thanks in advance.

September 22, 2022 at 10:41 pm

First of all, they’re not that expensive, certainly not when you don’t buy them at the airport and when your home currency is USD or EUR. Moreover, to get the regular cards, you may have to prove you’re a Turkish citizen or get into a subscription plan.

Chris Mulheron says

July 11, 2022 at 9:20 am

Hi Erland, Reading on Istanbul Clues Basilica Cistern re opening mid July. You hearing that?

PS … Like your website better😀 Chris

July 12, 2022 at 8:00 am

That has indeed been announced. But there have been such announcements in the past, so I will update the post and write that it’s open when I see it.

July 23, 2022 at 7:15 pm

The Basilica Cistern has been reopened. I thought you’d like to know.

July 26, 2022 at 4:50 am

Hi Erland, Thank you. I am so happy I will be able to visit the Basilica Cistern in October. I appreciate you thinking of me. Chris

Sheikh says

February 23, 2022 at 9:06 pm

About group tickets for 6 peoples

February 24, 2022 at 2:15 pm

Most attractions don’t have group tickets for individuals.

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Bus, Metro, Tram & Ferry Fares

Last Updated on May 14, 2024

Navigating through the vibrant cityscape of Istanbul demands an understanding of its diverse and intricate public transportation system. This article serves as your comprehensive guide to the fares across Istanbul's city buses, metros, trams, funiculars, and ferries, featuring detailed fare structures, discounts, special journey charges, and transfer costs. You'll also uncover valuable insights about the Istanbulkart, the crucial travel card that empowers your journey across this culturally rich metropolis.

Whether you're planning for a short ride or contemplating longer journeys like the Metrobus or Marmaray, this guide has got you covered. Delve into the realm of electronic ticketing, grasp the nuances of refund and transfer policies, and discover where to purchase tickets or top up your Istanbulkart. Embark on your Istanbul exploration with this knowledge, making your transit experience as seamless as possible.

Public Transport in Istanbul

Istanbul offers a comprehensive and efficient transportation network, comprising various modes of travel. The city boasts a well-connected system of metros, trams, buses, ferries, seabus services, taxis, and more. Understanding the different options available will help you choose the most suitable mode of transport for your needs when you visit Istanbul.

Transport Fares Istanbul: A Comprehensive Guide

This comprehensive guide on Istanbul's public transportation fares provides insights into the cost structures across various transit modes, including city buses, metros, trams, funiculars, and ferries.

Basic  Istanbul  public transit fares are as follows.

Please note: due to the fluctuating currency situation, we have chosen to list the costs in USD.  However, all payments would be made in Turkish lira.

City bus , Metro , tram, funicular , ferry : full-fare costs 0.50 cents; the first transfer to another vehicle: 0.35 cents. Children 6 years and older must pay a fare; those younger than six years who do not occupy a seat may travel without a ticket. 

For discounted student fares, you must have a Student Istanbulkart, and the first ride costs US$0.25. In order to get a student card, students need to have a residency permit in Turkey.

These are the fares for most short rides on most means of transport (Metro, bus, tram, funicular, ferryboat). Longer or special journeys may require higher fares, especially Metrobus and Marmaray.

Also, you'll pay twice the full fare when you're crossing to Asia from Europe or the other way around by using the bridges.

Metrobus Fares 

There are some important points of information you should know about Metro buses. You can get a refund after you use the refund machine. In order to receive that, you should at least go to one more station. The refund time is 2 hours for Metrobus. This means within two hours, you can get your money back accordingly to the number of stops you traveled.

The transfer time is 2 hours if your card allows you to transfer. However, there’s no discount for transfers from other public transport vehicles to Metrobus but there is a discount for transfers from Metrobus to other public transport vehicles.

Transfer Fares 

Istanbulkart.

A plastic RFID chip card that you purchase, load money onto it, then use it to pay transit fares, the Istanbulkart is the only way to travel on public transit in Istanbul.

Currently on some buses, you can use a Visa credit card as well. However, you’ll probably also use the Metro or Metrobus, so it is better to get an Istanbulkart. Otherwise, you won’t be able to use transportation as easily. It is not possible to use tokens, cash payments, or credit card. When using public transportation in Istanbul, you can save money and time by using this rechargeable card.

Electronic Ticket

Disposable paper electronic fare cards for a pre-determined number of trips:

Fare Pricing Information

You can buy disposable fare cards from  Biletmatik  machines. You can buy your card from these machines or you can top up your card. It is also possible to buy cards from some kiosks and markets. However, you can probably get the most suitable card from places called Istanbul Municipality Solution Center , which are located in central places such as Beşiktaş and Şişli.

You can use these tickets in every vehicle except the ferries going to Princess Islands. You need to use your Istanbulkart to visit the islands.

Where to Buy Tickets

Fare machines are located at major bus stops,  Metro  stations,  tram  stations,  ferry docks , etc. allowing you to buy fare cards, and reload credit onto your  Istanbulkart  with coins,  Turkish lira notes , or cards. However, it is essential to note that the vending machines mostly only accept cash and don’t give you a refund, so in this case cash is the preferred payment method to add credit.

Instructions are in  Turkish ,  English , and  German .

Remember, if the machine bears a sign saying  Arızalıdır  or Hizmet dışı , it's out of order.

Istanbulkart Application

You are recommended to download the Istanbulkart application to your phone. In this application, you can get a QR code that you can use in every transportation vehicle in Istanbul. You need to either scan the code or read your code to the card reader machine when you get into a vehicle. You can use it on buses, ferries, metros, etc. You can upload money online from your credit card. You’ll need an internet connection to use the application. There are many other discounts in different stores as you can see in the application if you download it.

You can also use your Istanbul kart and the Istanbulkart application when going to the Airports (Sabiha Gökçen Airport and Istanbul Airport) by using the metro line. However, if you’re using the buses called “Havaist or Havaş”, the driver might tell you to pay cash, so remember to get some cash with you. Also, in the minibusses called “ dolmuş ,” you can only pay in cash. There are some other buses called “ sarı dolmuş ”, which looks like a big taxi, and you can only pay in cash as well. Besides that, dolmuş and Havaist, you can only use transportation with Istanbulkart.

Public Transportation Fare Updates

The price information given above has been arranged in accordance with the public transport fare tariff valid since January 2nd, 2023. Note that it is no longer necessary to have a HES code to use public transportation, as was required during Covid restrictions.

Do not forget to check the current public transport fares from Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality which are available on IETT’s official site .

Understanding the transport fares in Istanbul is essential for a seamless and convenient journey through the city. This comprehensive guide has provided valuable insights into the fares of buses, metros, trams, funiculars, and ferries, along with information about the Istanbulkart and other ticketing options.

By familiarizing yourself with the fare structures, discounts, and transfer costs, you can navigate Istanbul's transportation system with ease. Whether you're a resident or a visitor, this knowledge will empower you to make informed decisions and explore the vibrant streets of Istanbul with confidence. So, get ready to embark on your Istanbul adventure, armed with the understanding of transport fares to make your travel experience enjoyable and hassle-free.

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• How much do I need for a trip to Turkey?
• Accommodation, Food, Entertainment, and Transportation Costs
• Travel Guide

How much does it cost to travel to Turkey?

You should plan to spend around $132 (TRY4,254) per day on your vacation in Turkey. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

• $33 (TRY1,071) on meals
• $47 (TRY1,526) on local transportation
• $107 (TRY3,456) on hotels

A one week trip to Turkey for two people costs, on average, $1,850 (TRY59,554) . This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

• Travel Style: All Budget (Cheap) Mid-Range Luxury (High-End)
• Average Daily Cost Per person, per day $ 132 TRY 4,254
• One Week Per person $ 925 TRY 29,777
• 2 Weeks Per person $ 1,850 TRY 59,554
• One Month Per person $ 3,963 TRY 127,615
• One Week For a couple $ 1,850 TRY 59,554
• 2 Weeks For a couple $ 3,699 TRY 119,107
• One Month For a couple $ 7,927 TRY 255,230

How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Turkey cost?

A one week trip to Turkey usually costs around $925 (TRY29,777) for one person and $1,850 (TRY59,554) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Turkey on average costs around $1,850 (TRY59,554) for one person and $3,699 (TRY119,107) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Turkey will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Turkey on average costs around $3,963 (TRY127,615) for one person and $7,927 (TRY255,230) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.

Organized tours are usually more expensive than independent travel, but offer convenience and peace of mind that your trip has been planned by a travel expert.

The average price for an organized tour package in Turkey is $231 per day. While every tour varies by total price, length, number of destinations, and quality, this is the daily average price based on our analysis of available guided tours.

• Flying Carpet Tour 15 Days - 18 Destinations $ 2,939
• Wonders of Turkey (Classic, Summer, Base, 11 Days) 11 Days - 16 Destinations $ 2,850

Independent Travel

Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Turkey is a moderately priced destination to visit. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable.

Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Turkey is moderately priced compared to the other countries. The overall cost of travel here is comparable to Malta or Slovakia.

For more details, see Is Turkey Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Turkey?

The average Turkey trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Turkey travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.

Accommodation Budget in Turkey

Average daily costs.

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Turkey is $54 (TRY1,728). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Turkey is $107 (TRY3,456). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.

• Accommodation 1 Hotel or hostel for one person $ 54 TRY 1,728
• Accommodation 1 Typical double-occupancy room $ 107 TRY 3,456

Hotel Prices in Turkey

Looking for a hotel in Turkey? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Actual Hotel Prices The average hotel room price in Turkey based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $65. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.

Recommended Properties

• Mego Suite Otel Budget Hotel - Kayak $ 183
• Polanin Hotel Luxury Hotel - Kayak $ 44

Local Transportation Budget in Turkey

The cost of a taxi ride in Turkey is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $47 (TRY1,526) per person, per day, on local transportation in Turkey.

• Local Transportation 1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc. $ 47 TRY 1,526

Recommended Services

• Istanbul Camlica Tower: Private Entry, Transfer & Dine Choices Viator $ 28
• 2 way Transfer fr/to Nevsehir & Kayseri Airport / Cappadocia Viator $ 33

What did other people spend on Local Transportation?

Typical prices for Local Transportation in Turkey are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in Turkey, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Tram Ride TRY 1.25
• Metro Ride TRY 1.25
• Short Taxi Ride TRY 5.00
• Taxi Ride TRY 13
• Local Bus TRY 2.00
• Ferry TRY 2.80
• Local Bus TRY 3.00
• Local Bus TRY 8.50

Food Budget in Turkey

While meal prices in Turkey can vary, the average cost of food in Turkey is $33 (TRY1,071) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Turkey should cost around $13 (TRY428) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Turkey is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.

• Food 2 Meals for one day $ 33 TRY 1,071

Recommended

• Private Sunset Boat Tour in Bodrum With Dinner Viator $ 223
• Istanbul Two Continents One Soul Food Tour Viator $ 132

What did other people spend on Food?

Typical prices for Food in Turkey are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in Turkey, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• A Quick Lunch TRY 12
• Dinner TRY 15
• Lunch TRY 18
• Lunch TRY 20
• Sandwiches TRY 5.00
• Dessert TRY 5.50
• Snacks TRY 8.00
• Lunch at Beach (for 2) TRY 19

Entertainment Budget in Turkey

Entertainment and activities in Turkey typically cost an average of $51 (TRY1,636) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

• Entertainment 1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc. $ 51 TRY 1,636

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What did other people spend on Entertainment?

Typical prices for Entertainment in Turkey are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in Turkey, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Gorge Walk entry and photo TRY 5.50
• Underground City TRY 8.00
• Castle entry TRY 10
• Goreme open air museum TRY 20
• Hagia Sofia entrance TRY 30
• Turkish Bath TRY 70
• Bellydancing Show TRY 130
• Paragliding TRY 240

Alcohol Budget in Turkey

The average person spends about $16 (TRY499) on alcoholic beverages in Turkey per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

• Alcohol 2 Drinks for one day $ 16 TRY 499
• Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family Viator $ 80
• Skip-the-line Ephesus & Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi Port Viator $ 54

What did other people spend on Alcohol?

Typical prices for Alcohol in Turkey are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Alcohol prices in Turkey, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Beer TRY 4.00

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Turkey on a budget.

At A Glance

• Buses are generally of high quality, but the trips can be very long because the country is so large. Overnight buses are a common option for the longest routes. This can help you save money and time but it you can't sleep on the bus it will cause you to have a rough day after you arrive. It is possible to negotiate the price of a bus ticket. You'll be more successful in some cities than in others. In Eastern Turkey in particular, negotiating is recommended.
• Once you get outside of Istanbul the prices will drop dramatically. You can also negotiate the price of almost anything, particularly when you're in the countryside. Even bus tickets and hotel prices are often negotiable.
• Turkey has a lot to offer visitors who venture outside of the major tourist areas. Try to head to some of the less frequently visited towns and you'll be welcomed with a level of friendliness you might miss in the big cities.
• It's easy to fill a week or more while you're visiting Istanbul. It's a beautiful city and there are many neighborhoods worth visiting that are off the beaten path and left out of the guidebooks. Plan ahead so you know everything that you want to see and do.
• Many of the showers throughout the country are solar powered. This means when there's no sun, there's no hot water. This is most common in the smaller towns and countryside. Even if you're assured that there is hot water, prepare for lukewarm at best. You'll find the water is warmest in the late afternoon on a sunny day.

Top Tourist Attractions

Popular foods, more related articles.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works .

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Istanbul Tourist Pass

The Istanbul Tourist Pass® is an electronic tourist pass that provides access to more than 60 different sites, activities, and services around the city. You will receive an instant confirmation email as soon as you place your order, and you will have the option to either use the Pass immediately or keep the information in your email in order to use them when you arrive in Istanbul.

How To Buy And Activate An Istanbul Tourist Pass?

It's simple to place an order for your Istanbul Tourist Pass®! You can only buy it online, therefore in order to get started, these are the steps you need to do. First, determine the total number of days for which you intend to utilize the Pass: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10-Day. Remember that the Istanbul Tourist Pass® only counts calendar days, not 24-hour increments, so keep that in mind while you use it. If you start using a 3-day pass on Friday at 4:00 p.m., for instance, the pass won't run out until Sunday at 11:59 p.m., rather than Monday at 4:00 p.m., on the following day (Monday). Because of this, if you want to get the most out of your pass while you are in Istanbul, we suggest that you start using it on the first full day of your vacation there.

How To Enter Tours With Istanbul Tourist Pass?

When participating in guided tours, you are required to present the tour guide with your digital pass and attend at the meeting spot ten minutes before the trip's scheduled start time. For guided tours, making a reservation is not required; all you need to do is show up at the area that has been specified as the meeting point. If the attraction you want to visit is designated as "Walk-In" in your account, you may go there by foot and show your digital pass at the entrance. Walk-in attractions are those that do not require reservations and are not part of guided tours. There is no need to make a reservation in advance for the vast majority of the attractions that are included on the pass. However, there is a possibility that some of them have restricted capacities or quotas. As a result, you will be required to make reservations in advance.

How To Make Reservations?

The majority of the sites and services included in the Istanbul Tourist Pass do not require advance booking. However, you may need to make reservations for some of them. To place a reservation for them, you will first need to log in to your account and then scroll down on the homepage of the website. The products in question will be shown to you in a separate list labeled with the phrase "Reservation needed." You may reserve the things that you are interested in by selecting them from the menu and then clicking the "Book" button. On the "Attractions & Services" tab of your account, you also have the option to do this. Lastly, a confirmation email of your reservation will be sent to you through email.

A Brief Step By Step on How to Use Istanbul Tourist Pass

• You may purchase your Istanbul Tourist Pass® on the website.
• Install the Istanbul Tourist Pass® app on your device, then sign in.
• Visit any tourist destination that you like! The vast majority of them are open to walk-in customers, but a few of them require reservations, which may be made in as little as 15 seconds.
• Enter the venue by scanning the QR code on your pass or showing your pass ID to our guides or the gatekeepers. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Question

Related tours, related articles.

Things to do in Eminonu

One of Istanbul's oldest neighborhoods, Eminönü is situated in the heart of the Old City district. Byzantium was formed in Eminonu, which is located in the center of Constantine, a fortified city. Eminonu is the focal point and epicenter of a remarkably rich past. Galata Bridge, the Golden Horn, the Topkapı Palace, the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii), and Hagia Sophia are all located around Eminonu (Aya Sofya).

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So you are now on a long vacation and you can’t handle it at home anymore, you decide to pick your bags up and book a flight toward istanbul. so far so good, you have chosen the best city to spend your vacation and enjoy your time because istanbul city is famous for its historical sites where you can live an amazing experience , beautiful nature where to take pictures, delicious food to give your stomach a gift, and modern joy facilities to spend time you won’t forget. but before booking your flight you should know some tips about traveling to istanbul, especially if it is your first time, it is really useful. here are the most important tips to know:

Did you come to Turkey primarily to tour Istanbul? Or do you want to visit other Turkish destinations as well? Istanbul is a fantastic tourist destination in and of itself.

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Daily costs in Istanbul - Istanbul Forum

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Daily costs in Istanbul

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I'll exchange some money into YTL while still at home, but what would be a reasonable daily expense level?

Thank you in advance for your comments!

Hi Karasevda,

Karasevda, As Borus indicated about 80-100 USD/day would be a fair budget for two meals, transportation, small souvenirs, museum entrance fees, incidentals, etc. This does not include major purchases like carpets, jewelery, etc.

Thank you very much, Borus & enigma! :)

As Borus and Enigma have indicated, you should be able to manage well on $100US a day. Much of your budget is determined by what you do. Museums have entrance fees. Using a taxi is more expensive than using public transportation.If you hire a private guide at a museum that will add to your budget.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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The Best of Istanbul in One Place

Istanbul Public Transportation: Fares and Tickets (2024)

Welcome to the ultimate guide on public transportation fares in Istanbul for 2024! As an expert in the city, we aim to provide you with accurate and comprehensive information about transportation options and costs. This article will help you navigate the bustling streets and public transit options of Istanbul with ease, knowing the price of every ride.

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Istanbulkart: Your Key to the City

The Istanbulkart is a must-have for any traveler visiting the city. This electronic card can be used for all modes of public transportation, including buses, trams, metros, and ferries. The Istanbulkart is not only practical but also offers significant savings compared to single-use tickets. The card can be purchased at any metro station or major transit hub and can be topped up with credit at any time.

Price of the IstanbulKart 2024

You can buy Istanbulkart in vending machines in the city or in the shops like Migros, Bim, and Sok. The price of the Istanbulkart in January 2024 is 70 TL.

Read: The Ultimate Guide to IstanbulKart: Price, Where to Buy& How to Use

Bus, Tram, and Metro Fares in Istanbul: Public Transport Prices (2024)

Standard fares for buses, metros, and trams and funikulers (2024).

Whether you’re traveling by bus, metro, or tram, using an Istanbulkart is the most convenient and cost-effective way to pay your fares. The card itself costs 70 TL and can be topped up at various points across the city. For standard fares, the following charges apply:

• Standart ride: 17,7 TL

Transfer discounts are no longer available for tourists.

Limited Use Public Transport Ticket Prices without Istanbulkart

• 1 Pass Card: 25,00 TL
• 2 Passes Card: 45,00 TL
• 3 Passes Card: 70,00 TL
• 5 Passes Card: 105,00 TL
• 10 Passes Card: 200,00 TL

Istanbul Metrobus Fare: Prices for Different Rides (2024)

In January 2024 the Metrobus full fare was increased to 26.27 TL.

Metrobuses provide a convenient way to traverse Istanbul, and fares are calculated based on the number of stops:

• One stop: 12.67 TL
• Two stops: 15.16 TL
• Three stops: 17.70 TL
• Four to nine stops: 20.23 TL
• Ten to fifteen stops: 22.22 TL
• Sixteen to twenty-one stops: 23.25 TL
• Twenty-two to twenty-seven stops: 24.01 TL
• Twenty-eight to thirty-three stops: 24.53 TL
• Thirty-four stops and beyond: 26.27 TL

Note: The initial charge is 26.27 TL, but you can request a refund at the machine after the trip.

Read our full guide about Metrobus >>

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Discover the city with hop-on-hop-off city bus.

Explore Istanbul’s top sights easily with a hop-on-hop-off bus tour, offering flexible stops and commentary in 8 languages—no public transport needed.

Marmaray Fares: Prices for Different Rides (2024)

• Shortest transportation fee: 17,70 TL
• Full track fee: 39,18 TL

Note: The initial charge is 39,18 TL, but you can request a refund at the machine after the trip.

Limited Use Ticket Prices Tariffs without Istanbulkart.

• A single pass ticket costs 70 TL.

Read our full guide about Marmaray >>

Taxi Fares in Istanbul: Prices of the Popular Routes (2024)

Taxis are a popular mode of transportation in Istanbul. The new fares for 2024 are:

• Yellow taxis fares: 24,55 TL opening fee and 17,61 TL per kilometer
• Turquoise taxis fares: 28,24 TL opening fee and 20,25 TL per kilometer
• Black taxis fares: 41,74 TL opening fee and 32,50 TL per kilometer

Don’t miss:

• Read our full guide about taxi fares in Istanbul >>
• Read how to use a taxi to get to/from Istanbul Airport >>
• Also: be sure of taxi scams in Istanbul!

Minibus and Dolmuş Fares: Prices for Different Routes (2024)

Minibuses and dolmuş are shared taxi-like vehicles that operate on set routes. The new hop-on hop-off fee is 15 TL, while fares for longer distances may vary depending on the route and distance traveled. Typically, fares range from 17 TL to 35 TL. It’s important to note that minibuses and dolmuş do not accept IstanbulKart, so you will need to pay in cash (Turkish Lira).

Keep in mind that these are approximate fares, and prices may change slightly based on the specific route and driver discretion.

Read our full guide about Dolmus in Istanbul >>

City Line Ferries and Private Sea Buses: Ticket Prices for Different Routes (2024)

City line ferries fares (2024), public ferry to adalar (princes’ islands) (2024).

Read our full guide about ferries in Istanbul >>

Airport Public Buses: Prices for Different Routes (2024)

Airport public buses provide convenient and affordable transportation to and from Istanbul’s airports. Below are the fares and routes for these buses:

In case of new routes being added by İETT, the fares for Arnavutköy and Kemerburgaz lines will be charged with 1 full ticket, other intracontinental lines with 2 full tickets, and intercontinental lines with 3 full tickets.

Read also: The Ultimate Guide to Transport to/from New Istanbul Airport / Istanbul (2024)

Tourist IstanbulKart Subscription Fees (2024)

The Tourist IstanbulKart offers various subscription options tailored to the needs of visitors to Istanbul. The card provides access to various public transportation options within the city, including buses, trams, metros, ferries, and more.

The Tourist City Card can be purchased at designated sales points, such as airports, metro stations, and tourist information centers.

You can also purchase a pre-charged transport card for a seamless travel experience online! This card would be delivered to your hotel. To buy a transport card, click on the link below.

Conclusion: Transport Fares in Istanbul

The updated fare prices for Istanbul’s public transportation aim to accommodate the needs of both residents and tourists while offering a comprehensive and efficient network of options to navigate the city. The IstanbulKart provides an easy and cost-effective way to access multiple transport services, making it a popular choice for locals and visitors alike.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Where can I purchase an IstanbulKart?

A: You can purchase an IstanbulKart at designated sales points, such as airports, metro stations, and tourist information centers.

Q: Can I use the IstanbulKart for multiple passengers?

A: Yes, you can use a single IstanbulKart to pay for multiple passengers. However, each passenger will be charged separately based on the applicable fare.

Q: Are there discounts for students, seniors, or disabled passengers?

A: Yes, Istanbul offers discounted fares for students, seniors, and disabled passengers. To access these discounts, eligible passengers need to apply for a personalized IstanbulKart that reflects their respective discount category.

Q: Can I use the IstanbulKart on airport public buses?

A: Yes, you can use the IstanbulKart on airport public buses. However, the fare for these routes is higher than standard bus fares.

Q: What is the Tourist IstanbulKart?

A: The Tourist IstanbulKart is a special card designed for tourists, offering various subscription options for 1, 3, 5, 7, or 15 days. The card provides access to various public transportation options within the city, including buses, trams, metros, ferries, and more.

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Guided Museum Tours

Hagia sophia exterior tour: discover byzantine history from the outside, book in advance, guided tours.

Explore 1500 Years of History on the Path of Byzantine Hagia Sophia is one of the most visited attractio...

Regular Sales Price €12

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Camlica Tower Observation Deck Admission Ticket

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View Istanbul from the Tallest Building in the City!Camlica Tower, also known as Camlica TV and Radio Tow...

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Bosphorus dinner cruise with turkish shows.

How about a Bosphorus dinner and a night cruise? Cruising the Bosphorus at night is one of the most memo...

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Topkapi Palace Museum Guided Tour with Harem & Hagia Irene Including Entrance Tickets

Explore The Magnificent Topkapi Palace Are you ready to explore the magnificent history of Topkapi Palac...

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Shows & Entertainment

Whirling dervishes show ticket.

Are you ready for the Whirling Dervish Show, the most mystical dance in the world? The whirling dervish ...

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Historical Landmarks

Galata tower entrance ticket.

See Istanbul from the Windows of History! Galata Tower Museum is one of the must-do attractions and the ...

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Maiden's Tower Self-Guided Audio Tour with Entrance Ticket

Unveiling the Mysteries of Maiden's Tower: A Journey of Legends and Romance Welcome to the captivating M...

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Unlimited istanbul public transportation card.

Unlimited Istanbul Public Transportation Card Istanbul City Card is a prepaid public transportation card...

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Le Vapeur Magique - Morning Turkish Breakfast Cruise

The Only Historical Cruise in IstanbulYou are invited to an unforgettableworld-famous traditional T...

Dolmabahce Palace Museum Guided Tour with Entrance Ticket

Discover the Iconic Residence of the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire! Get ready to dive into thousands of ...

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How does Istanbul Tourist Pass® work?

Very easy! You can start using your Istanbul Tourist Pass® in  4 EASY STEPS!

1 Purchase your Istanbul Tourist Pass® online.

2 Download the Istanbul Tourist Pass® app and log in

3 Go to any attraction you want! Most of them are walk-in but some require pre-reservation, which you can make in 15 seconds

4 Scan your QR code or Pass ID at entries, to our guides or to the gatekeepers. Enjoy!

See saving examples

Three day saving with the Istanbul Tourist Pass®

• Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Shows €70
• Hagia Sophia Exterior Tour: Discover Byzantine History from the Outside €12
• Topkapi Palace Museum Guided Tour with Harem & Hagia Irene Including Entrance Tickets €60
• Basilica Cistern Guided Tour with Entrance Ticket €36
• Istanbul Archaeological Museums Guided Tour with Entrance Ticket €27
• Dolmabahce Palace Museum Guided Tour with Entrance Ticket €60
• Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Audio Guide €5
• Great Palace Mosaics Museum Guided Tour with Entrance Ticket €7
• Le Vapeur Magique - Morning Turkish Breakfast Cruise €60
• Whirling Dervishes Show Ticket €35
• Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum Guided Tour with Entrance Ticket €30
• Grand Bazaar Guided Tour €10
• The Old City Segway Guided Tour €50

3 Days Saving

Total gate price cost of visiting these attractions

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How much you save with Istanbul Tourist Pass®

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Istanbul sets new visitor record in early 2024: Ministry

• May 28 2024 16:36:07

Istanbul , one of the world's most popular tourism centers, has seen a significant increase in tourism in the first four months of the year, breaking a visitor record with more than 5 million foreign visitors.

According to the Culture and Tourism Ministry , the city welcomed 5,244,936 foreign visitors from January to April 2024, marking an approximately 10 percent increase from the same period last year.

In April alone, Istanbul hosted 1,478,218 foreign visitors, a 14.6 percent rise compared to April 2023. This surge solidifies Istanbul's status as the driving force of Turkish tourism. Notably, 167,824 visitors came from Russia, followed by 109,202 from Germany, 80,193 from Iran and 68,103 from the U.S. In addition, France contributed 62,404 visitors, the U.K. 60,429 and Saudi Arabia 42,059.

Istanbul Airport saw the majority of arrivals, welcoming 1,063,035 foreign visitors in April, accounting for 72.86 percent of the air traffic. Sabiha Gökçen Airport received 394,772 foreign visitors, making up 27.06 percent of the air arrivals. Overall, air travel to Istanbul increased by 15.54 percent compared to April 2023. Additionally, 19,135 foreign visitors arrived by sea in April.

Meanwhile, accommodation statistics for March 2024 showed that Ministry-certified facilities hosted 1,004,536 arrivals, with 2,219,479 being overnight stays. The average stay was 2.21 days and the occupancy rate was 45.85 percent.

Victims of Solingen attack remembered on 31st anniversary

Report unveils Israel’s ‘9-year war’ with ICC

Erdoğan accuses UN, US, Europe of complicity in Gaza attacks

Türkiye to warn allies over arms restrictions, anti-terror fight

Multinational firms in Türkiye to face minimum corporate tax

Türkiye ceases diplomatic visa deal for Afghans

Stray dog draft submitted to parliament: Minister

Nation marks 571st anniversary of Istanbul's conquest

Turkish volleyball team to return in business class: Minister

Israel has allegedly conducted a nearly decade-long campaign to obstruct the International Criminal Court (ICC) from issuing arrest warrants against its leaders, according to the Guardian.

A minimum corporate tax will be applied to global companies operating in Türkiye that have not been subject to taxation due to not having headquarters in the country, generating a significant inflow of resources for Türkiye.

Ergin Ataman’s Panathinaikos claims Euroleague title

Panathinaikos came back from a 14-point deficit and captured its seventh EuroLeague title on May 26 night, defeating the presumed favorite Real Madrid 95-80.