ℹ️ Update 2026: Inflation in Turkey is still active and the currency fluctuates. To guarantee reliable information, all prices in this article are converted into British Pounds (£). Local prices have been verified recently.
✈️ Flight Ticket Prices
Flight tickets (departure from London) vary enormously depending on the season. Here are examples of flight prices departing from London:
- Low Season (November-March, excluding holidays): £130 – £175 round trip with low-cost airlines (Pegasus/EasyJet)
- Mid Season (April-May, September-October): £175 – £260 with Turkish Airlines or British Airways.
- High Season (June-August): £305 – £435+ depending on the booking date
Airport Comparison
- IST (New Istanbul Airport): More modern, served by Turkish Airlines and British Airways, but transfer to the center is longer (about 1h)
- SAW (Sabiha Gökçen): Low-cost airport, but beware, the transfer is longer and more expensive (£26-£35 by taxi), which can reduce the savings made on the ticket
📊 Daily Budget On Site
| Expense Item per person | Budget Eco (Backpacker) | Budget Comfort (Standard) | Budget Pleasure (Superior) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | £17-£40 | £40-£65 | £78-£130 |
| Food & Drinks | £9-£13 | £22-£30 | £35-£52 |
| Local Transport | £0-£4 | £9-£17 | £17-£35 |
| Visits & Activities | Free-£9 | £17-£35 | £35-£70 |
| TOTAL PER DAY PER PERSON | £26-£65 | £87-£148 | £165-£278 |
💳 Exchange, Card or Withdrawal
Understanding how to manage your money in Istanbul is essential to avoid unpleasant surprises and unnecessary fees.
- Cash (Turkish Lira): Cash remains essential for the Istanbulkart, traditional taxis, public toilets, and street food. Change only £17-£26 at the airport, then change the rest at exchange offices in the Grand Bazaar, the rates are better.
- Bank Card: Cards are accepted everywhere: hotels, museums, restaurants, and shops. If the payment terminal asks you to choose the currency, ALWAYS choose “Turkish Lira (TRY)”, you will save between 5-10% in exchange fees.
- Recommended Neo-banks: To avoid bank fees, favor neo-banks like Revolut or Monzo which offer free withdrawals and advantageous exchange rates.
🏨 Accommodation Prices (by neighborhood)
- Sultanahmet (Historic Center): £43-£130 per night for a double room. The most expensive, very touristy, convenient for visiting but less authentic;
- Beyoğlu / Karaköy (Trendy District): £35-£78 per night. Excellent value for money, lively neighborhood with restaurants and bars;
- Kadıköy (Asian Side): £26-£52 per night. The most authentic and economical, perfect for living like a local.
🍽️ Food Prices
Prices vary from simple to triple depending on whether you eat in tourist areas or in local neighborhoods. Here is an enlightening comparison:
| Product | Price Tourist Area | Price Local Area |
|---|---|---|
| Tea (Çay) | 40 – 60 TRY (£0.90-£1.30) | 10 – 15 TRY (£0.20-£0.35) |
| Bottle of water | 30 – 40 TRY (£0.70-£0.90) | 5 – 10 TRY (£0.15-£0.20) |
| Döner Kebab | 250+ TRY (£5.50-£6.00) | 100 – 150 TRY (£2.20-£3.50) |
| Full restaurant meal | 600-1000 TRY (£13-£22) | 200-350 TRY (£4.50-£8.00) |
Alcohol: Be aware, alcoholic drinks are heavily taxed in Turkey. A beer costs £2.60-£4.35 in a bar, almost like in London.
🕌 Museum Prices
Museum prices have increased considerably for foreign tourists:
| Museum / Monument | Entrance Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) | £22 (1250 TRY) | Book your ticket |
| Topkapi Palace + Harem | £42 (2400 TRY) | Book your ticket |
| Basilica Cistern | £26 (1500 TRY) | Book your ticket |
| Galata Tower | £26 (1500 TRY) | Book your ticket |
| Blue Mosque | Free | |
| Süleymaniye Mosque | Free |
🎫 Book the Istanbul TouristPass
💡 Kevin’s Tip: If you plan to visit several monuments, the Istanbul Tourist Pass® is clearly the deal you shouldn’t miss. With over 100 attractions included and skip-the-line tickets, you save time on every visit… and especially money. Concretely, from the third entry, the pass pays for itself: afterwards, it’s just a bonus for your holiday budget!
🚇 Transport Prices
- Istanbulkart (rechargeable transport card): £1.75 + recharge according to usage
- Metro/tram/bus ticket: £0.35-£0.45 per trip with the Istanbulkart
- Taxi: Base price £0.90-£1.30 + £0.26-£0.35/km – Prefer Uber or BiTaksi to avoid scams
- Ferry (Bosphorus): £0.45-£0.90 with the Istanbulkart – The best value for money for a mini-cruise
By the way, if you are new to Uber, you can enjoy a discount on your first rides via my referral link.
💡 Tips to Pay Less
- “Lokantas”: Eat in these local self-service canteens where you choose your dishes directly. Complete and delicious meal for £2.60-£4.35.
- Free Alternatives: Is Hagia Sophia expensive? The Blue Mosque and Süleymaniye Mosque are free and just as architecturally magnificent.
- The Water Tip: Instead of buying small bottles for £0.90 all day, buy a 5L jug at the supermarket for £0.90-£1.75 and refill your bottle. Savings over a week: £13-£17.
🧮 Total Budget Examples
3-Day Istanbul Weekend (Comfort Budget)
- Return Flight: £175
- Hotel (2 nights): £113 (£56.50 x 2)
- Living on site (3 days): £235 (£78 x 3)
- TOTAL: £523 per person
7-Day Istanbul Stay (Comfort Budget)
- Return Flight: £175
- Hotel (6 nights): £340 (£56.50 x 6)
- Living on site (7 days): £548 (£78 x 7)
- TOTAL: £1,063 per person
7-Day Istanbul Stay (Eco Budget)
- Return Flight (low season): £148
- Hostel/Small hotel (6 nights): £183 (£30.50 x 6)
- Living on site (7 days): £274 (£39 x 7)
- TOTAL: £605 per person
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which currency to use in Istanbul?
The official currency is the Turkish Lira (TRY). It is preferable to pay in liras to benefit from the best rates. Euros and Pounds are accepted in some tourist places but at very unfavorable rates.
Is Istanbul expensive for tourists?
Istanbul remains 37% cheaper than in the UK on average, but prices have increased considerably. Tourist areas charge rates 2 to 3 times higher than local neighborhoods.
Can I pay in Pounds in Istanbul?
Yes, in tourist places, but the exchange rate applied is very bad (sometimes 15-20% loss). Absolutely avoid it. Always favor payment in Turkish Lira, whether in cash or by card.
How much does a meal cost in Istanbul?
A meal in a local lokanta costs £2.60-£5.20, while a restaurant in a tourist area can charge £13-£26 for an equivalent meal. Street food (simit, döner) costs £0.90-£2.60 in local neighborhoods.
Is the Museum Pass Istanbul worth it?
The Museum Pass at £87-£105 becomes profitable if you visit Topkapi (£39), Hagia Sophia (£22), and at least 2-3 other museums. If you only plan 2-3 visits, buy the tickets separately.
📢 Transparency Note from Kevin: This article contains affiliate links to a partner I personally use (GetYourGuide). For you, the price remains unchanged, but by using these links, you directly support my work and allow me to continue offering you these free Istanbul guides. Your visits fund my next simit with a good çay! Shukran! And go follow my Instagram page @kevinloveistanbul ❤️ Peace❤️
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