Istanbul on a Budget: What Everything Actually Costs
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Lulu the pug - January 7, 2025
Istanbul has a reputation for being cheap, but is it actually? I spent 3 days there in 2023 and tracked what I spent. Here’s the real breakdown.
The Bottom Line
Daily budget for Istanbul (per person):
| Travel Style | Per Day |
|---|---|
| Budget (hostels, street food, free attractions) | $30-50 |
| Mid-range (hotels, restaurants, major sites) | $60-100 |
| Comfortable (nice hotels, tours, no penny-pinching) | $100-150 |
I traveled mid-range to comfortable and spent about $70-80 per day including everything except accommodation.
Getting Around
Istanbul’s public transit is excellent and cheap. The key is the IstanbulKart.
| Transport | Cost |
|---|---|
| IstanbulKart (reloadable transit card) | 50 lira (~$1.50) for the card |
| Single tram/metro ride | |
| Ferry ride (Bosphorus crossing) | |
| Airport bus (Havaist) | |
| Taxi from airport to Sultanahmet |
Pro tip: One IstanbulKart works for multiple people. Just tap it multiple times at the turnstile. Load it up at any metro station.
The tram, metro, and ferry system covers basically everywhere tourists want to go. I only took one taxi the entire trip and immediately regretted it (traffic was brutal and the metro would have been faster).
Food and Drink
This is where Istanbul shines. You can eat incredibly well for very little.
| Food | Cost |
|---|---|
| Simit (sesame bread ring) | 10-15 lira (~$0.40) |
| Döner/kebab wrap | 80-120 lira (~$3-4) |
| Pide (Turkish pizza) | 150-250 lira (~$5-8) |
| Full meal at local restaurant | 200-400 lira (~$6-12) |
| Dinner for two at nice restaurant | 800-1200 lira (~$25-35) |
| Turkish tea | 20-30 lira (~$0.75) |
| Turkish coffee | 60-100 lira (~$2-3) |
| Beer at a bar | 100-180 lira (~$3-5) |
| Bottled water | 10-20 lira (~$0.40) |
Where to save money:
- Eat where locals eat, not on the main tourist streets
- Get breakfast at a simit cart instead of a cafe
- Drink tea instead of coffee (it’s cheaper and they refill it)
- Fill up on the free bread and appetizers at restaurants
Where it’s worth spending:
- A proper Turkish breakfast spread (it’s an experience)
- Baklava from a good shop
- Fresh fish by the Bosphorus
Attractions and Entrance Fees
This is where Istanbul can add up if you’re not careful.
| Attraction | Cost |
|---|---|
| Hagia Sophia | Free (it’s a mosque now) |
| Blue Mosque | Free |
| Topkapı Palace | 650 lira (~$20) |
| Topkapı Palace + Harem | 950 lira (~$29) |
| Basilica Cistern | 450 lira (~$14) |
| Dolmabahçe Palace | 650 lira (~$20) |
| Galata Tower | 650 lira (~$20) |
| Grand Bazaar | Free to enter |
| Bosphorus ferry (public) | 17 lira (~$0.50) |
| Bosphorus tour boat | 200-400 lira (~$6-12) |
Money-saving tips:
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Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque are free. They’re also two of the most impressive things in the city.
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Take the public ferry instead of a tour boat. The commuter ferry from Karaköy to Kadıköy or from Eminönü to Üsküdar gives you Bosphorus views for $0.50 instead of $10+.
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Skip Galata Tower. The rooftop bars nearby have similar views and you can spend the entrance fee on drinks instead.
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Topkapı is worth full price. Get the combined ticket with the Harem. Give yourself 3-4 hours.
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The Basilica Cistern is cool but quick. 30 minutes max. Decide if $14 for half an hour is worth it to you (I thought so).
Accommodation
Prices vary wildly by neighborhood and season.
| Type | Per Night |
|---|---|
| Hostel dorm | $15-25 |
| Budget hotel | $40-60 |
| Mid-range hotel (Sultanahmet) | $70-120 |
| Nice hotel | $120-200+ |
Best areas to stay on a budget:
- Sultanahmet: Touristy but walkable to everything. Prices are higher but you save on transport.
- Karaköy/Galata: More local vibe, good food scene, easy tram access.
- Kadıköy (Asian side): Cheapest option, but you’ll spend more time on ferries.
I’d avoid staying too far out just to save $20/night. The time and hassle cost more than the savings.
What I Actually Spent (3 Days)
Here’s my real spending for 3 days in Istanbul, traveling mid-range:
| Category | Total (2 people) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (3 nights) | $240 |
| Food and drinks | $180 |
| Transport (IstanbulKart + ferries) | $25 |
| Attractions | $90 |
| Walking tour | $40 |
| Bosphorus cruise | $60 |
| Shopping (Grand Bazaar) | $80 |
| Total | $715 |
That’s about $120/day for two people or $60/person/day, and we weren’t being particularly cheap. We ate at sit-down restaurants, did paid attractions, and took a tour.
Hidden Costs to Watch For
Tourist trap restaurants: The places with guys outside aggressively inviting you in are almost always overpriced with mediocre food. Walk one street back from the main tourist areas.
Taxi scams: Some drivers “forget” to turn on the meter or take long routes. Use the BiTaksi app or agree on a price beforehand. Better yet, just use public transit.
Grand Bazaar markups: The first price is never the real price. Start at 50% and negotiate from there. If they won’t budge, walk away and they’ll often call you back.
Airport exchange rates: Terrible. Use ATMs or exchange money in the city.
Tipping: Not mandatory but appreciated. Round up at restaurants or leave 5-10%. For tours, $5-10 per person is standard.
Is Istanbul Cheap?
Compared to Western Europe? Absolutely. Compared to Southeast Asia? Not quite.
Istanbul sits in that sweet spot where you can travel comfortably without spending a fortune. The food is cheap and excellent, transit is basically free, and the major attractions are reasonably priced.
Where it adds up is if you do every museum, take taxis everywhere, and eat only at tourist restaurants. But if you’re smart about it, you can have an incredible time for $50-80 per day including accommodation.
The biggest value in Istanbul isn’t even the low prices. It’s that the cheap options (street food, public ferries, free mosques) are often better experiences than the expensive ones.
