prices in Istanbul

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.

NOTE: By the time this article was updated (mid-January 2024), a dollar is worth 29.50 Turkish liras. I am providing food prices, restaurant prices, supermarket and other store prices in TL along with their equivalents in US dollars ($) and euros (€). Accommodation prices are in USD and Euros for an easier understanding.
If on your visit prices are slightly higher in local currency, they remain relatively stable when converted to US dollars and euros. While Turkish Lira may be depreciating, the equivalent prices in more stable foreign currencies tend to stay consistent (more or less).

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

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!

Quick Introduction to Prices in Istanbul

Accommodation Prices in Istanbul 

Istanbul prices for tourists
Karakoy neighborhood

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. 

apartment cost in Istanbul

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). 

Istanbul itinerary
walking in Galata neighborhood

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

NOTE: Airbnb flats will be becoming more expensive in Istanbul due to the government’s new rule that mandates licenses, increases taxes, signage, and approval from other residents for all short-term rentals. It will be the reason why many owners will be increasing the price.

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

Cost of Istanbul public transport

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:

  • Metro/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 in Istanbul
One of the best things to do in Istanbul is to hop on a ferry and see the city from the water while feeding the seagulls. So even if you don’t plan to use any other type of transportation, use the ferry for that once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

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

car rental istanbul prices

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

Traditional Turkish breakfast
Mark and I paid for this breakfast 410 TL ($14), actual price in 2024. As you can see, it is big enough for 2 people. Tea was unlimited as well as bread and gozleme. But we didn’t need more of anything as we were so full from what was served

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

A small plate kahvaltı 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 burek 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 

food prices in Istanbul
The best kumpir I ever tried was in 1991 Tarihi Kumpircisi. There are several locations in Istanbul but my favorite ones are in Kadikoy and Ortakoy

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. 

food prices in Istanbul
Example of food cost in Istanbul – this lunch for 2 in this Lokanta cost us less than $5 (145 TL). Unlimited tea was free (and is usually free in most of lokanta cafes except for those in touristy areas). 

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.

NOTE: If you are visiting Istanbul for a short time and want a good introduction to the city’s food scene, do not miss a food tour. The list of food tours is long from street food tours to general tours that give a good idea of food on both continents like this private tour of the most traditional dishes or a quick 4 hours long evening walk and food tasting tour.

Other Types of Food in Istanbul – Average Cost 

As for other Istanbul food prices, I can highlight the price for groceriesdesserts, 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. 

cost of baklava in Istanbul
Munching on künefe (a must-have in Istanbul if you want to try a unique lesser-known Turkish dessert). The price is 70-90 TL for a portion like this (depending on the cafe) which is $2.4-$3.05.

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). 

ferry over the Bosphorus

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. 

dancing dervishes
Hagia Sophia

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)
NOTE: All electronics are very expensive in Istanbul and anywhere else in Turkey. Because the government imposes very high taxes on them. This is why it is much better not to come to buy phones, computers, or any other electronics in Istanbul.

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

life 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?

is Istanbul expensive?

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 

Istanbul prices

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 kahvaltı 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!

Is Istanbul expensive? This trip cost guide will answer all questions you may have. Find out how much food in Istanbul costs, Istanbul rent and transportation prices and cost of activities and entertainment. #istanbultravel #istanbulturkey #bestofistanbul #istanbultraveltips #istanbul
Prices in Istanbul
 

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30 Comments

  1. Hello,

    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.

    Phoebe

    1. Hi Phoebe,

      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.

    2. 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

      1. 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!

    3. 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

  2. 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.

    1. 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.

  3. 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

    1. 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.

  4. 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?

    1. 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!

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

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

    1. 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!

      1. 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.

        1. 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!

  6. 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.

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

  8. 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!

    1. 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!

  9. 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.

    1. 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.

  10. 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!

    1. 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!

  11. 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!

  12. 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.

    1. 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?

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