There are a wild number of reasons to visit Turkey.A pristine southern coastline, an infinite list of ancient landmarks andincredible cuisine are just to name a few. As equally attractive of a reason for choosing Turkey as a travel destination is it’s affordability. Whether you are an active budget traveller or interested in a holiday where you can get the most bang for your buck, Turkey is a solid contender.
Travel to Turkey continues to trend and grow, which can naturally pose the question of “Is Turkey going to be expensive for tourists this year?” In this guide, we dive into the major aspects of a trip to Turkey you should budget for, tips on what to avoid and travel hacks for not overpaying.
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Is Turkey an Expensive Country to Visit?
To determine if Turkey is an expensive country to visit or not, will naturally depends on where you are travelling from. North American, Australian, and European tourists will find Turkey to be a very affordable country. Turkey uses its own currency, the Turkish lira, which historically is valued beneath the USD or Euro. Therefore, tourists from America or countries in Europe will get the most for their dollar while visiting Turkey.
Once in Turkey, you’ll quickly notice the prices of everyday products to be comparatively lower than what you may be used to. Everything from groceries, dining at restaurants, accommodation, and so on will cost you less than if you were vacationing in Europe. However, there is an exception to this. Tourists can expect Turkey to be more expensive to visit if they’re only traveling to popular destinations within the country.
MUST KNOW: Always check the performance of your local currency against the currency of the country you are visiting before your trip. It will better inform you on what to expect, particularly when economies are in an unpredictable state. Additionally, make note of the conversion rate so you can quickly do the math when you’re out and about during your trip by just using your phone’s calculator.
Turkey Expenses for Tourists: Budget Breakdown
The Cost of Meals in Turkey for Tourists
Casual meals or quick “grab to go” food should not cost more than 150 lira ($5) per person. This applies to anything from a simple dürüm wrap to a fish sandwich (balik ekmek). In smaller towns and rural Turkey, it’s possible for one person to eat for as little as 30 – 90 lira ($1 – $3) per meal.
Food prices at sit-down restaurants in Turkey vary but aren’t outrageous. A lunch or dinner entrée dish will cost anywhere from 200 – 300 lira ($6 – $10). With appetizers, a drink, and dessert, a full meal for one person will range around 450 – 600 lira ($15 – $20), assuming you’re not at a high-end restaurant. In lesser-known corners throughout Turkey, you can plan to spend 20 – 30% less.
MUST KNOW: If you are not mindful, overpriced restaurants and eating out can be the easiest tourist trap to fall into while visiting Turkey. Our best recommendation for not getting ripped off is to physically see the price for a food item before committing to it. It’s not uncommon in touristy destinations for prices to be hidden and only presented to you after you receive your food. In these cases, the food prices are often exorbitant and you’re left in an awkward situation.
How Much Is a Beer in Turkey?
Where you choose to order a beer will greatly affect the price. Of course, if you’re visiting a local and modest restaurant or bar, you can order a standard beer for as little as 20 lira ($0.66). If you gravitate towards trendy eateries or craft beer halls, you can pay as much as 250 lira ($8).
Finding Cheap Hotels in Turkey
Affordable accommodation is one of the best reasons to travel to Turkey. As with everything else, it will depend on where you stay but the underlying theme of getting “a great value” remains strong.
In Istanbul, you’ll come across an average of $100/night for centrally located, well-designed, and highly rated apartments or hotels. Cappadocia is another tourist hotspot where people particularly love staying in boutique cave hotels. Exclusive suites at cave hotels in Cappadocia can cost anywhere from $150 – $200/night, but there are much cheaper economy options under $100. Personally, we found a tiny home in Cappadocia’s town of Ortahisar for only $50/night.
Small cabins and tiny homes are extremely popular in Turkey. They are the perfect solution for couples or small families who want a private space without breaking their budget. On the Datça peninsula, we were able to score a small beach house for just $65/night.
The further you travel into lesser frequented areas of Turkey, the cheaper the accommodation gets. In the city of Van, we booked a private room in an apartment for just $20 and another room in Kars for $30 per night.
MUST KNOW: We’re not quite sure the reason behind it, but we noticed that you’ll find cheaper hotels in Turkey on sites like Trivago and Agoda. Furthermore, there tend to be more options on these sites than if you were to only use Airbnb or Booking.com.
The Cost of Tourist Attractions and Activities in Turkey
Visiting landmarks and archaeological sites in Turkey is a must. There are a couple of iconic historic destinations such as the ancient city of Ephesus that are not cheap but still worth the admission fee. The Ephesus Archaeological Site costs between 700 – 1,250 lira ($23 – $40) per person, depending on how many of the attractions you want to see. Then, there are underrated places like the Phaselis Archaeological Site that only costs 200 lira ($6) and includes a beautiful beach.
Celebrated activities like a river cruise of the Bosphorus can start at $20 per person if you join a large tour. During our own time in Istanbul, we opted for an exclusive boat ride for just our family and paid $120 for the entire afternoon.
Cappadocia is home to a diverse range of activities including horseback riding, ATVing, and of course, hot air ballooning, which is the most expensive. On average, a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia will cost a minimum of $100/person for the one-hour activity.
→ 🎒 The one-stop shop for activities and tours in Turkey ←
Budgeting for Transportation in Turkey
The cost of transportation in Istanbul will by far be the most expensive city to get around in Turkey. This applies to every form of transportation, including taxis, buses, and trams. Taxis are surprisingly inexpensive in Turkey, and even getting across the Bosphorus in Istanbul shouldn’t cost you more than $5. The above-ground tram in Istanbul costs $0.50 per ride and is delightfully scenic as it is efficient.
Long-distance bus rides are a popular alternative for taking short domestic flights. Reaching one side of Turkey to the other can cost you as little as $50 one-way by bus.
For travellers who are driving, you’ll be thrilled to know that the cost of fuel in Turkey is reputedly very low. While the actual price will fluctuate based on many factors, it has historically remained very cheap, especially if you compare it to fuel costs in Europe. Rental cars in Turkey are wildly inexpensive for those looking to explore the country on their own terms. It’s surprisingly possible to book a week-long rental car for less than $100.
→ 🚍 Browse for routes and cheap bus tickets in Turkey ←
Booking Low Cost Flights to Turkey
Logistically, it’s easy to reach Turkey regardless of where you are departing from in the world. Istanbul’s airport is a major transportation hub and serves all significant airlines. The Istanbul International Airport connects flights from all over the world, including U.S. cities, nearly all European countries, Middle Eastern and Asian nations. It is possible to find a flight to Istanbul from any major city on earth, which means that flight prices tend to work in a traveler’s favor.
By keeping your travel dates flexible, you can find the cheapest flights to Turkey by using a calendar tool like Google Flights or Skyscanner. Let the dates of the cheapest flights determine your holiday schedule.
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Istanbul Travel Costs
There are a couple of places in Turkey that will make it feel like Turkey is expensive for tourists. Istanbul and Cappadocia are two of the most popular and most pricey destinations. If you are planning on travelling to either or both, prepare for an unrealistic example of what the prices are in the rest of the country.
The two most notable factors for budgeting a trip to Istanbul or Cappadocia are accommodation and eating out. Comparatively, hotel prices and restaurants are more expensive than in other parts of Turkey, given the high number of tourists. During peak travel season, you can expect to pay 10 – 25% more in Istanbul and Cappadocia for almost everything. For example, we spent the same amount on an apartment in Istanbul for one week as we did for three weeks’ worth of accommodation in lesser known areas of Turkey.
Finding inexpensive places to eat and stay in Istanbul and Cappadocia is still very much possible, but just requires some flexibility and creativity. Solo travellers, backpackers and experienced budget travellers can definitely still find ways to enjoy Istanbul affordably.
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Read More: Cappadocia Travel Costs ←
How Tourists Can Travel in Turkey on a Budget
There are a few sure ways to keep traveling in Turkey not expensive for tourists. The best part is, these tips can be used by any type of traveller and not just budget backpackers. Even families (like us) can utilise these recommendations as guidelines to make your dollar stretch even further in Turkey.
1. Take Advantage of Döner Kebab & Other Turkish Classics
This is quite possibly the best “fast food” on the planet and luckily, found in every part of Turkey, especially in big cities. Döner kebabs are the cheapest, most satisfying, and well-rounded meal you can always count on while visiting Turkey. Dürüm wraps usually cost anywhere from 100 – 250 Turkish lira in popular places of Turkey but can be found for even less in rural parts of the country.
Other cheap bites you’ll find in Turkey include kofte (meatballs), pide (Turkish-style pizza), and gozleme (stuffed flatbread).
2. Don’t Just Visit Istanbul & Cappadocia
Yes, both places are iconic for a reason and 100% worth visiting. However, they aren’t the only places that you should want to visit in the gigantic country of Turkey. If you have the time, include lesser-known destinations in Turkey as part of your itinerary. You’ll be surprised at how much more affordable things get, especially in smaller cities, towns, and rural villages.
During a long drive, we stayed in this 5-star hotel in Malatya for less than $50. This is something that would be impossible to find in Istanbul or Cappadocia. As we drove further and further from city centres, we were able to find an espresso or cup of tea for $0.30.
Start planning your trip to Istanbul with our first timer’s itinerary and guide!
3. Prioritise Free Activities
Turkey is home to many historic landmarks and archaeological sites, some of which have an entrance fee and some that are free. The beauty of wandering an ancient land like Turkey is that you don’t have to pay admission to stumble upon ancient ruins. A quick Google search will uncover many interesting sites that are absolutely free to visit like the Lycia Rock Tombs that are sprinkled throughout Turkey.
In addition to historic sites, visiting the Turkish Riviera is also one of the most affordable ways to enjoy Turkey. By heading to a destination like the Datça peninsula, you’ll be spoiled with a selection of gorgeous, wild and free beaches.
Instead of spending over $100 per person on a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia, consider a free hike to watch the balloons float over the valley at sunrise. If a cruise of the Bosphorus in Istanbul isn’t in your budget, opt for free entrance at the Blue Mosque or Grand Bazaar.
4. Take the Bus
Venturing off to lesser-known parts of Turkey can be expensive for tourists if you only rely on guided tours. Although booking a tour will eliminate the stress of transportation logistics, it can get pricey. Bus transportation in Turkey is wildly popular and very extensive. Particularly if you’re departing from a big city, you can get anywhere by bus for a fraction of the cost. You can travel halfway across the country from Istanbul to Cappadocia for only €22, which is far more affordable than a flight or group tour.
Buses in Turkey are also much more comfortable than the typical public bus you may be used to. Long-journey rides are air-conditioned, equipped with WiFi, and serve snacks/drinks for sale.
→ 🚐 Book cheap bus tickets in Turkey ←
What Do You Need to Travel to Turkey?
To enter Turkey as a tourist, you may possibly need a visa, which depends on the passport you hold. Use Turkey’s government resource to double check the requirements for your nationality here. American tourists travelling to Turkey will need to apply for a short term visa.
In order to purchase a plane ticket to Turkey, you do not need a visa beforehand. However, after you book your flight, you should obtain your visa so it’s ready for arrival in Turkey. The visa may or may not be checked at your departing airport, but it will definitely be checked when you arrive in Turkey.
The visa application process for entering Turkey as a tourist is super simple and can be done online within minutes. Turkey’s official website for applying for a visa is here and you should not use any other website. It is a three-step process which includes submitting your personal details, paying a fee with a credit/debit card ($65), and downloading your processed approval document. You will essentially receive your electronic visa document instantly, which should be printed out for your trip or be easily accessible on your phone.
Last Thoughts on if Turkey Is Expensive for Tourists
For those traveling from North America, Australia, the U.K. or any European country, you will find that Turkey is overall an affordable destination. Many currencies will go far in Turkey, thus providing a great value for its visitors.
However, you will find that Turkey can be expensive for tourists if you are not mindful of details. It strongly depends one where you choose to stay, eat and the places you visit in order to determine if your Turkey trip will be inexpensive or pricey.
If you are certain that you don’t want an expensive trip to Turkey, the easiest solution is to minimise your time in tourist hot spots like Istanbul and Cappadocia.
Turkey Travel Resources
TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA or VisitorsCoverage
FLIGHTS: Skyscanner, CheapOair or Agoda
CAR RENTALS: Rentalcars.com or Discover Cars
TRAINS, BUSES, FERRIES: Busbud, Trainline or Omio
ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com, Hostelworld or Trivago
ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo
TOURS & ACTIVITIES: GetYourGuide or Viator
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