In planning mode - how much budget should I keep in mind for Turkey - any experiences?
I just got back from a two-week vacation in Turkey and spent roughly €1,600 including internal flights from Istanbul to Antalya and Cappadocia. Stayed at boutique hotels and did some guided tours like the Derinkuyu underground city tour. Meals at mid-range restaurants like 7 Mehmet in Antalya were around 400 TRY for two. If you're mid-range, plan around €100-120/day.
I did a 12-day trip across Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Pamukkale this May and spent around $850 total. Stayed in hostels, ate at local spots (like Lokma in Kadıköy), and used intercity buses. Istanbul was the priciestaverage meal was about 250-300 TRY. Budget travellers can easily manage under $80/day with a mix of street food and budget stays.
Monthly living budget in Istanbul:
Apartment rental: 10,000-15,000 TL
Groceries + eating out: 5,000 TL
Transport + mobile: 1,500 TL
Co-working space: 2,000 TL
Total ~18,000-23,500 TL ($600-800)/month. Cheaper than most European cities but rising fast with inflation.
Key budget factors:
Accommodation (dorms vs hotels)
Food choices (street food vs restaurants)
Transport (public vs private)
Activities (free sites vs guided tours)
Region (Istanbul/Cappadocia most expensive)
For those wanting 4* hotels and fine dining, budget 3,500-5,000 TL ($115-165) per day:
Boutique hotels: 1,500-2,500 TL
Nice restaurants: 800-1,200 TL
Private guides: 1,000+ TL
Cappadocia balloon ride: 2,500 TL
Splurge wisely - Turkish lira spas/hammams offer luxury at half European prices.
My comfortable-but-not-fancy budget is 1,500-2,000 TL ($50-65) daily:
Decent hotel/private hostel room: 800-1,200 TL
Restaurant meals + coffee stops: 500 TL
Intercity buses: 200 TL
Guided tours: Variable
The game-changer was getting a Museum Pass (450 TL for 5 days) that saved me hundreds at historical sites.
For budget travelers like me who stay in dorms and eat street food, you can survive on 600-800 TL ($20-25) per day:
Hostel dorm: 300-400 TL
Simit (bagel) + doner meals: 200 TL
Public transport: 50 TL
Museum entries: 50-100 TL
Pro tip: Many mosques and parks are free. I saved by filling my water bottle at public fountains.