Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (2025)

Last Updated: Dec 2023

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.

Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (1)

Travel Costs to Istanbul

Population 12,800,000
Area 12,800,000
Timezone UTC+2
Currency Turkish lira

BACKPACKER INDEX: US$56.73

1 USD = 33.9000 TRY

133 World cities ranked cheapest to most expensive: Backpacker Index for 2024

What is the Average Price of a Hotel 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

Rating Price(USD)
Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (2)Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (3)Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (4)Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (5)Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (6)34.44 - 46.67
Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (7)Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (8)Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (9)Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (10)Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (11)57.78 - 150.00
Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (12)Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (13)Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (14)Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (15)Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (16)77.78 - 375.56
Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (17)Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (18)Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (19)Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (20)Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (21)133.33 - 430.00
Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (22)Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (23)Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (24)Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (25)Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (26)213.33 - 722.22

Recommended Hotels

Kupeli Hotel Doubles from €30/night

Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (27)Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (28)Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (29)

Our pick: The best cheap and central 3-star hotel in Istanbul

Istanbul Hostels Prices

Type Price(USD)
Hostel Bed25.56 - 38.89

Recommended Hostels

Chambers of the Boheme Beds from €6/night

Our pick: The best cheap and central hostel in Istanbul

How much does it cost to visit top attractions in Istanbul?

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.

Location Description Type Price(USD)
Hagia SophiaThis 6th century temple is the city's most famous attraction. It's now a mosque again, and free to enter.

adults

0.00

Museum of ArcheologyThis popular museum is a look into the numerous ancient specimens in the region.

adults

10.03

Topkapi PalaceThis wonderfully decorated Ottoman palace is a top draw.

adults

22.12

What’s the average price of food and drink in Istanbul?

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.

Food Type Description Price(USD)
Budget breakfastYour hotel will likely include breakfast, but if it doesn't you'll have many options of local favorites nearby.3.54 - 7.08
Budget lunchSandwiches and other Mediterranean dishes are usually good bargains in local shops.4.72 - 8.85
Budget dinnerAvoiding the most touristy places should find you with high quality at reasonable prices.6.19 - 10.32
Beer (pint)Restaurants and local pubs will be cheaper than night clubs for beer in Istanbul.4.72 - 6.78

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What are the costs of transportation in Istanbul?

Type Price(USD)
Taxi from airport to city center5.75 - 6.78
Express bus from airport to city center2.06 - 3.01
3km taxi ride in Istanbul2.06 - 3.54
Metro ride in Istanbul0.44
Tram ride in Istanbul0.44

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.

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When to visit Istanbul

Temperature and rainfall

Month High F Low F Precip (inches)
January48373.4
February48372.8
March52392.5
April62461.8
May71541.3
June79611.0
July83650.9
August83660.9
September77601.7
October68542.8
November60473.3
December52424.2

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

21 Mar6:06am6:17pm
21 Jun5:32am8:40pm
21 Sep6:50am7:04pm
21 Dec7:26am4:39pm

Where to go before and after

Antalya Kas Sofia Athens

Istanbul prices - food prices, beer prices, hotel prices, attraction prices - Price of Travel (2025)

FAQs

How much does food cost in Istanbul? ›

A simple supper at a humble restaurant in Istanbul will cost you about 200 to 300 TL (your food is going to have no or very little meat in it). However, if you order better foods, you may have to spend much higher prices.

How much does a beer cost in Istanbul? ›

Cost of Living in Istanbul
RestaurantsEdit
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)150.00TL
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)180.00TL
Cappuccino (regular)110.72TL
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)48.37TL
62 more rows

How much does a trip to Istanbul cost? ›

Istanbul Packages
Istanbul PackagesDay/NightPrice
Best Seller Turkey (Private Tour) Package7 Days/6 Nights₹1,68,409
Turquoise Coast Escape (Private Tour) Package9 Days/8 Nights₹2,49,173
Enchanted Aegean Honeymoon! Package7 Days/6 Nights₹2,07,227
Classics of Turkiye (Summer-24) Package11 Days/10 Nights₹2,01,698
6 more rows

What is the average price of a hotel in Istanbul? ›

After analyzing 1,756 great hotels in Istanbul, we found the average hotel price in Istanbul is a remarkably economical $49, and the median price is $44.

How much does a cup of coffee cost in Istanbul? ›

You can get a cup of instant coffee in Istanbul for around 36p. At Starbucks in Turkey coffee is between 6 and 15 lira (72p – £1.80) depending on the kind of coffee you order.

How much is a full meal in Turkey? ›

Enjoying a meal at an inexpensive restaurant will cost around 50 TRY, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant might set you back about 300 TRY. Supermarket Shopping: Prices in supermarkets are reasonable. For instance, 1 liter of milk costs about 15 TRY, and a loaf of bread is around 10 TRY.

Can you drink beer on the street in Istanbul? ›

It isn't the norm to drink while walking in the street but it's fine to sit and enjoy a beer outside at a street cafe. Not all restaurants and cafes serve alcohol so it's worth asking beforehand. Our Istanbul cruises include meals on board with a range of drinks from beer and wine to imported drinks.

Do you need to tip in Turkey? ›

Plan to tip around 10-15% in Turkish restaurants. However, the exact tip amount when eating out in Turkey depends on the place, occasion, and order size. It's customary to give your waiter or waitress a slightly higher tip than you would a bartender, as they are likely sharing their tip with the kitchen staff.

How much money do I need per day in Turkey? ›

Working out how much spending money you'll need for Turkey can be tricky when there's so much to see and do. As a rough guide, budget for around £40-£50 a day per person to include food, transport and sightseeing.

Is Turkey cheap for US tourists? ›

Journey's End: Overall, a trip to Turkey's cost depends on your travel style and preferences. Budget travelers might spend $50 to $100 per day, while a more luxurious trip could cost over $200 per day. Planning with all expenses in mind ensures a more enjoyable Turkish journey.

What money is best to take to Istanbul? ›

One thing to note is that due to the volatility of the Turkish lira, euros is often accepted in Turkey / Türkiye and can even be requested as the main currency. It's often a good idea to take a combination of Lira and euros in cash and currency on the Travelex Money Card.

Is Istanbul cheap for tourists? ›

Istanbul is ideal for budget travellers as a comparatively cheap destination within easy reach of the UK. In this Istanbul travel guide, we share all you need to know about travelling to the city, getting around, what to see, and beach resorts near Istanbul that are worth a visit.

How much does food cost per day in Istanbul? ›

From delicious hummus and pita boards, to being a non-vegetarian's paradise to it's lip-smacking street food scene, Turkey is called a foodies paradise. Meal prices in Istanbul can vary largely, depending on where you eat. However, as a ballpark, someone can be expected to spend around TRY 200 per day on food.

How much is average breakfast in Istanbul? ›

How Much is Turkish Breakfast in Istanbul? The cost of a Turkish breakfast in Istanbul can vary depending on the location and the type of restaurant or café you choose. On average, you can expect to pay around 30-40 Turkish Lira (TL) for a traditional Turkish breakfast.

How much is a night in a hotel in Istanbul? ›

Istanbul Hotels Information
Hotels in Istanbul7,011
Travel high seasonMar - May
Travel low seasonSep - Nov
High season avg price$254
Low season avg price$128
3 more rows

How much money do you need to eat in Istanbul? ›

An average meal at a modest cafe will cost about 20-25 TL with the drinks. You should figure about 50-70 USD/person/day, including lunch and dinner, transportation, small souvenir purchases, museum entrance fees, incidentals, etc. However that excludes hotel expenses and major shopping.

Is it cheap to eat in Istanbul? ›

Here are some meal costs: Simit: 0.75 TL, Fish sandwich: 3-4 TL, Hamburger: 4-7 TL, Doner kebab sandwich: 5-7 TL, Kebab meal: 7-12 TL, Steam tables reataurant meal: 8-10 TL (soup, main course, salad), small pizza: 8-15 TL, McDonalds Big Mac menu: 10 TL, Home or Hotel delivery menus: "http://www.yemeksepeti.com/index. ...

Is 10,000 lira enough for a week? ›

However if you are an ordinary tourist you will spend 22 dollars a day (300 Turkish Liras) in Turkey so.. if you are not alone it means a double (600 Turkish Liras) …. 10000/ 600 = 16 days. Yeah. It is enough money for an ordinary couple to spend 15 days in Turkey.

Is it cheap to buy food in Turkey? ›

Market and food prices in Turkey can vary significantly depending on several factors, including location, season, and type of product. In general, Turkey is known for its affordability, especially compared to many Western countries. This affordability makes it an attractive destination for tourists and expats.

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