Istanbul Guide for Budget Travelers
Price of Services in Istanbul
Hostels - Hostels in Istanbul are similar to the Balkan countries. The starting price is 15 Turkish Lira ($5USD or 4€) of the weekday in the non-peak season. You'll get a 10-20 dorm room at this price. Anything under 10 beds will usually cost more. Expect to pay 23 Turkish Lira ($8USD or 7€) or more for an 8 person dorm room during the non-peak season during the week. Private dorm rooms will start around 45 Turkish Lira ($15USD or 13€). During the peak season, prices will increase because of demand. Weekend prices will always increase because of availability and demand.
Food Costs - Food in Istanbul is reasonable. Expect to pay 5 Turkish Lira ($1.50USD or 1€) for a budget breakfast, 6.50 Turkish Lira ($2USD or 1.75€) for a budget lunch and 12 Turkish Lira ($4USD or 3€) for a budget dinner. Upper scale restaurants will a bit more. Expect to pay 30 Turkish Lira ($10USD or 9€). Beer (.5L) 6 Turkish Lira ($2USD or 1.50€).
Transportation - Transportation in Istanbul is pretty expensive. A taxi from the main airport to the city center will cost around 35 Turkish Lira ($12USD or 11€). A taxi will charge 8 Turkish Lira ($2.75USD or 2.15€) per 3km of travel. A public bus from the airport to the city center is the best option from the airport at 10 Turkish Lira ($3.50USD or 3€). Metro buses and trams are also a good option for city travel at 4 Turkish Lira ($1.38USD or 1.21€) for any stop in the city. If you get a metro card, trams and buses will cost 2.15 Turkish Lira ($.75USD or .60€)
Activities - Museums will cost upward of 30 Turkish Lira ($10.35USD or 9.12€) for the popular exhibitions like Hagia Sophia (Blue Mosque). Other museums will be half that price. Guided walking tours around the city are run on a tip base system. You pay what you feel like the guide deserves. For tours outside of the city, don't expect to find anything on the cheap end. Expect to pay 125 Turkish Lira ($43USD or 38€) for these.
Food Costs - Food in Istanbul is reasonable. Expect to pay 5 Turkish Lira ($1.50USD or 1€) for a budget breakfast, 6.50 Turkish Lira ($2USD or 1.75€) for a budget lunch and 12 Turkish Lira ($4USD or 3€) for a budget dinner. Upper scale restaurants will a bit more. Expect to pay 30 Turkish Lira ($10USD or 9€). Beer (.5L) 6 Turkish Lira ($2USD or 1.50€).
Transportation - Transportation in Istanbul is pretty expensive. A taxi from the main airport to the city center will cost around 35 Turkish Lira ($12USD or 11€). A taxi will charge 8 Turkish Lira ($2.75USD or 2.15€) per 3km of travel. A public bus from the airport to the city center is the best option from the airport at 10 Turkish Lira ($3.50USD or 3€). Metro buses and trams are also a good option for city travel at 4 Turkish Lira ($1.38USD or 1.21€) for any stop in the city. If you get a metro card, trams and buses will cost 2.15 Turkish Lira ($.75USD or .60€)
Activities - Museums will cost upward of 30 Turkish Lira ($10.35USD or 9.12€) for the popular exhibitions like Hagia Sophia (Blue Mosque). Other museums will be half that price. Guided walking tours around the city are run on a tip base system. You pay what you feel like the guide deserves. For tours outside of the city, don't expect to find anything on the cheap end. Expect to pay 125 Turkish Lira ($43USD or 38€) for these.
Best Ways to Save Money
Book in Advance - To save some added dough, always book your transportation, hostels and tours in advance. Doing this can save upward of 40-50%. Buy a metro/tram card to save 50%.
Take Dolmus Taxi Vans - Taxis are expensive. See prices above. Dolmus Taxi vans cost 3-4 Turkish Lira for any stop in the city. Most vans have designated stops. But, on the Asia side of Istanbul the Dolmus Taxis (mini buses) will take you anywhere you want for 1€. It's the best and most popular way to travel.
Buy Food at Grocery Stores - Buy your food and beer at a grocery store. Food and beer will be 60-70% cheaper than a restaurant. Beer in a grocery store is usually 6 Turkish Lira ($2USD or 1.50€) per bottle. Buying food at a grocery store can be done with 30 Turkish Lira ($10USD or 9€) a day if you budget right.
Eat Local - There are a ton of cheap shops that sell chicken kebab meat sandwiches, meatball sandwiches, fish and bread, cheese toast, etc. for no more than $2.50USD or 2€. It is possible to eat three meals for $7USD or 6€!
Take Dolmus Taxi Vans - Taxis are expensive. See prices above. Dolmus Taxi vans cost 3-4 Turkish Lira for any stop in the city. Most vans have designated stops. But, on the Asia side of Istanbul the Dolmus Taxis (mini buses) will take you anywhere you want for 1€. It's the best and most popular way to travel.
Buy Food at Grocery Stores - Buy your food and beer at a grocery store. Food and beer will be 60-70% cheaper than a restaurant. Beer in a grocery store is usually 6 Turkish Lira ($2USD or 1.50€) per bottle. Buying food at a grocery store can be done with 30 Turkish Lira ($10USD or 9€) a day if you budget right.
Eat Local - There are a ton of cheap shops that sell chicken kebab meat sandwiches, meatball sandwiches, fish and bread, cheese toast, etc. for no more than $2.50USD or 2€. It is possible to eat three meals for $7USD or 6€!
Hidden Gems
Florya - This area near the airport has some of the best views of the sun setting in Istanbul. The area has a top-notch mall, restaurants and shops. To get there, take BN1 bus toward the airport.
Best Künefe - This dessert is one of the best you can get in Istanbul. Go to the Spice Bazaar near Rustem Pasha Mosque to try this Turkish delicacy.
Asian Side of Turkey - Take a ferry from Kabataş to the Asia side of Istanbul. The area isn't much different than the European side, but the boat ride at dusk is one of the best spots for a sun set. The sun peaks right between the many Mosques.
Cheap Mussels - Mussels are a popular type of seafood in Istanbul. Get one mussel for half a Lira. Go late at night for 3 for 1 Lira. These types of mussel shops are in the neighborhood of Taksim.
Antique Shops - Head to Cadessi street near Taksim Square to experience the many antique shops in this European style neighborhood. This area has some of the most beautiful architecture and vibes in the city.
Taksim- The Taksim neighborhood is one of the most popular bar areas in Istanbul. Take to the main street in Taksim as you walk along the many bars, restaurants and clubs with thousands of other people. Cars aren't allowed on the street. This gives walkers free range.
Urban Cafe - This swanky cafe shop has all the charm you are looking for in a hipster neighborhood. Located in Taksim, Urban boasts two local beers bottled in house. As you sit on the terrace on a sunny day, look up into the vines above you for cool local artwork. This place is a bit pricey compared to other bars/coffee shops, but it does have a great vibe that is hard to beat.
Erasmus Point - Before 11pm on any given night, this bar sell 250ml beers for 1 Lira ($.35USD or .30€). After 11pm, the beers sell for a measly 3 Lira ($1USD or .95€). However, there isn't much to this bar besides the cheap beers.
Fish and Bread - This popular dish is exactly how it sounds. A fish filet on bread. But, wow, what a treat. There are hundreds of shops that sell this delicacy. Make sure to try multiple shops to find your favorite style.
Best Künefe - This dessert is one of the best you can get in Istanbul. Go to the Spice Bazaar near Rustem Pasha Mosque to try this Turkish delicacy.
Asian Side of Turkey - Take a ferry from Kabataş to the Asia side of Istanbul. The area isn't much different than the European side, but the boat ride at dusk is one of the best spots for a sun set. The sun peaks right between the many Mosques.
Cheap Mussels - Mussels are a popular type of seafood in Istanbul. Get one mussel for half a Lira. Go late at night for 3 for 1 Lira. These types of mussel shops are in the neighborhood of Taksim.
Antique Shops - Head to Cadessi street near Taksim Square to experience the many antique shops in this European style neighborhood. This area has some of the most beautiful architecture and vibes in the city.
Taksim- The Taksim neighborhood is one of the most popular bar areas in Istanbul. Take to the main street in Taksim as you walk along the many bars, restaurants and clubs with thousands of other people. Cars aren't allowed on the street. This gives walkers free range.
Urban Cafe - This swanky cafe shop has all the charm you are looking for in a hipster neighborhood. Located in Taksim, Urban boasts two local beers bottled in house. As you sit on the terrace on a sunny day, look up into the vines above you for cool local artwork. This place is a bit pricey compared to other bars/coffee shops, but it does have a great vibe that is hard to beat.
Erasmus Point - Before 11pm on any given night, this bar sell 250ml beers for 1 Lira ($.35USD or .30€). After 11pm, the beers sell for a measly 3 Lira ($1USD or .95€). However, there isn't much to this bar besides the cheap beers.
Fish and Bread - This popular dish is exactly how it sounds. A fish filet on bread. But, wow, what a treat. There are hundreds of shops that sell this delicacy. Make sure to try multiple shops to find your favorite style.
Top 3 Things To Do in Istanbul While on a Budget
#1 FloryaFlorya is a neighborhood right below the airport. Go here for the best views of airplanes flying in while the sun sets. This is a fantastic spot for photographers.
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#2 Grand/Spice BazaarThe Grand Bazaar is one of the largest most popular markets in the world. With over 61 covered streets and 3,000 shops, the Grand Bazaar is a metropolis of cheap goods. Walk around the domed market as local shop owners try to sell you Turkish goods.
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#3 Blue MosqueThe Blue Mosque is a must see when in Istanbul. It's called the Blue Mosque because of its blue tiles surrounding the interior walls. The Mosque was built between 1609 and 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I.
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