Daily costs per person in Turkish lira. Istanbul is extraordinarily good value — incredible food, historic sites, and a vibrant culture at prices that rival Southeast Asia.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: TRY (Lira) (1 USD ≈ 36 TRY)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₺400–1,000 | ₺1,500–3,500 | ₺5,000+ | Hostels → boutique hotels → luxury hotels |
| Food | ₺200–400 | ₺500–1,000 | ₺1,500+ | Street food & lokantas → restaurants → fine dining |
| Transport | ₺50–100 | ₺150–300 | ₺500+ | İstanbulkart transit → taxi/Uber → private transfers |
| Activities | ₺0–500 | ₺800–2,000 | ₺3,000+ | Free mosques & walks → museums & hamam → private tours |
| Drinks | ₺100–200 | ₺300–600 | ₺800+ | Çay & street coffee → bar drinks → rakı at meyhanes |
| Daily Total | ₺750–2,200 | ₺3,250–7,400 | ₺10,800+ | $21–61 → $90–206 → $300+ |
Money-saving tips
İstanbulkart
Load an İstanbulkart (₺70 for the card) at any metro station. Each trip costs ₺17.50 — covering metro, bus, ferry, and tram. Transfers within 2 hours get progressive discounts. A single-use token costs ₺35 — the card pays for itself in 3 rides.
Public ferries
Şehir Hatları public ferries cost ₺17.50 with İstanbulkart vs ₺300–500 for tourist Bosphorus cruises. The Eminönü–Kadıköy and Eminönü–Üsküdar routes are just as scenic. The full Bosphorus cruise is ₺50.
Street food mastery
Simit: ₺15–25. Balık ekmek: ₺80–120. Kokoreç: ₺80–120. Midye dolma: ₺10–15 each. Kumpir: ₺80–150. Döner: ₺80–150. You can eat three incredible meals a day from street vendors for under ₺400.
Lokanta lunches
Lokantas (Turkish cafeteria restaurants) serve home-style food at low prices — a full lunch (soup, main, side, bread) costs ₺80–150. They are everywhere and the food quality is excellent. Look for steaming trays of food behind glass.
Free mosques
Blue Mosque, Süleymaniye, Rüstem Paşa, and all other mosques are free. Only Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, and Basilica Cistern charge entry. Budget ₺2,000 for the three big-ticket attractions.
Kadıköy over Beyoğlu
The Asian side is 20–30% cheaper for food and drinks than the European tourist areas. A meal at Çiya Sofrası is ₺100–250 vs ₺200–400 for equivalent quality in Sultanahmet. Kadıköy nightlife is also cheaper.
