Prices in Istanbul: how much money you will need

As of March 2025, due to ongoing global economic fluctuations, prices in Istanbul have continued to rise. Based on our latest estimates, a minimum daily budget of 30-35 euros is now recommended for budget travelers. This amount should be sufficient for a budget-friendly stay, covering accommodation in a well-rated hostel near major attractions, round-trip airport shuttle transport, a public transport card with multiple daily rides, and meals at affordable cafés and street food vendors. For a 5-day trip, planning a total budget of at least 150-200 euros is advisable to ensure a comfortable and economical experience.

How much does it cost to get from Istanbul Airport to the city?

Istanbul has two international airports: New Istanbul Airport (IST) in the European part of the city and Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) in the Asian part. The new Istanbul Airport completely replaced Atatürk Airport for scheduled passenger traffic in April 2019.

If you arrived at the New Istanbul Airport (IST):

I​If you’ve arrived at Istanbul Airport (IST), you have several options to reach the city center:​

Havaist Shuttle Bus: Havaist provides comfortable shuttle services from Istanbul Airport to various city destinations. Tickets can be purchased online through their official website, via the Havaist mobile app, or directly on the bus using a credit card. The fare depends on your destination. Here are some examples:​

• Taksim Square: Approximately 204 Turkish Lira (₺) (~€5.38, ~$5.73) with a travel time of about 90 minutes.​
• Kadıköy: Approximately 223₺ (~€5.88, ~$6.27) with a travel time of about 120 minutes.​

City Bus (IETT): Public buses operated by IETT are a budget-friendly option, though they may be less convenient due to multiple stops and potential crowding. Routes such as H-2 connect the airport to Mecidiyeköy, where you can transfer to other forms of public transport to reach the city center. The fare is approximately 15.55₺ (~€0.41, ~$0.44) per person.​

Metro: The M11 metro line connects Istanbul Airport to the city, offering a fast and economical option. You can transfer at Gayrettepe Station to reach other parts of the city. The fare is approximately 53.23₺ (~€1.40, ~$1.50).​

Taxi: Taxis are readily available outside the terminal. Ensure the driver activates the meter at the start of your journey. Approximate fares to key destinations are:​

• Taksim Square: Around 950₺ (~€25.05, ~$26.68) with a travel time of approximately 40 minutes, depending on traffic.​
• Sultanahmet: Approximately 1050₺ (~€27.69, ~$29.50) with a travel time of about 50 minutes.​

Is Taking a Taxi from Istanbul Airport Safe? What You Need to Know

If you arrived in Sabiha Gokcen (SAW):

​If you’ve arrived at Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), here are several options to reach the city center:​

Havabus Shuttle Bus: Havabus offers shuttle services from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to key city destinations. Tickets can be purchased in cash (Turkish Lira) directly on the bus or by card at designated kiosks at central stops like Taksim and Kadıköy. The fare depends on your destination. Here are some examples:

• Taksim Square: Approximately 283.50 Turkish Lira (₺) (~€7.48, ~$8.00) with a travel time of about 90 minutes. ​
• Kadıköy: Approximately 175₺ (~€4.62, ~$4.94) with a travel time of about 60 minutes.

Buses depart regularly between 3:30 AM and 1:00 AM for Taksim and between 4:15 AM and 1:30 AM for Kadıköy. Timetables and current fares are available on the Havabus website.​

City Bus (IETT): Public buses operated by IETT are an economical option. Routes E10 and E11 connect the airport to Kadıköy, where you can transfer to other public transport to reach the European side. Buses run around the clock. You can pay the fare using an Istanbulkart transport card, which is recommended for convenience.​

Taxi: Taxis are available outside the terminal. Ensure the driver activates the meter at the start of your journey. Approximate fares to key destinations are:​

• Kadıköy: Around 546₺ (~€14.42, ~$15.45) with a travel time of approximately 60 minutes, depending on traffic. ​
• Taksim or Fatih district: Approximately 1,190₺ (~€31.42, ~$33.67) with a travel time of about 90 minutes. ​

Please note that prices and travel times are subject to change and can vary based on traffic conditions and time of day. It’s advisable to check the latest information and consider current exchange rates when planning your trip.​

How much does public transport cost?

Navigating Istanbul’s public transportation system is straightforward, especially with the Istanbulkart, a versatile contactless smart card accepted across all public transit modes, including buses, trams, metros, funiculars, ferries, and metrobuses. This card streamlines travel and offers discounted fares compared to single-use tickets.​

Purchasing an Istanbulkart:

• Cost: As of January 2025, the card itself costs 130 Turkish Lira (₺) (~€3.43, ~$3.70). Please note that this price is for the card only; it does not include any travel credit.
• Where to Buy: Istanbulkarts are available at Biletmatik machines located in metro, tram, and ferry stations, as well as at kiosks throughout the city. At Istanbul Airport, these machines are situated on the -2 floor (public transportation level). ​

Using the Istanbulkart:

• Fares: A standard ride on most public transportation modes costs 27₺ (~€0.71, ~$0.77) when using the Istanbulkart. ​
• Transfers: Previously, the Istanbulkart offered discounted fares for transfers within a two-hour window. However, as of January 2025, transfer discounts are no longer available for tourists using the anonymous Istanbulkart; each ride is charged at the full fare.

Additional Tips:

• Top-Up: You can add credit to your Istanbulkart at any Biletmatik machine using cash. Some machines may accept credit/debit cards, but it’s advisable to carry cash for topping up.​
• Multiple Users: While one Istanbulkart can be used for multiple passengers (up to five), transfer discounts, where applicable, typically apply only to the first passenger. ​

By acquiring and using an Istanbulkart, you can navigate the city’s extensive public transportation network with ease and at a reduced cost. We have separate guides on How to buy Istanbulkart and How to recharge Istanbulkart

How much is a taxi?

​​As of January 2025, Istanbul’s taxi fares have been updated to reflect current economic conditions. Here’s what you need to know:​

Taxi Fares:

• Meter Starting Fee: 42 Turkish Lira (₺) (~€1.11, ~$1.20).​
• Per Kilometer Charge: 28₺ (~€0.74, ~$0.80).​
• Minimum Fare: 135₺ (~€3.57, ~$3.85).​

For an accurate fare estimate, you can use the Taxi-Calculator website.

Taxi Apps:

• BiTaksi: A widely used app in Istanbul that connects passengers with licensed taxis. It provides an estimated fare before the ride, and payment can be made via credit card, cash, or Istanbulkart. Note that the final fare is determined by the taximeter. The app is available for download on iOS and Android.​
• Uber: Operating in Istanbul, Uber partners with local taxis to offer rides. Similar to BiTaksi, the fare estimate is provided upfront, but the final charge is based on the taximeter reading. Payment options include cash and credit card.​

Important Tips:

• Ensure the Meter is On: Always verify that the taxi driver activates the meter at the start of your journey to avoid overcharging.
• Traffic Considerations: Istanbul is known for its heavy traffic, especially during peak hours. Public transportation can often be a faster and more efficient alternative during these times.​
• Hailing Taxis: While apps provide convenience, hailing a taxi directly from the street or at designated taxi stands is common and often quicker. However, always ensure the taxi is officially licensed and that the meter is used.​

By staying informed and vigilant, you can navigate Istanbul’s taxi services effectively and avoid common pitfalls.

Rent a Car

If you are going to rent a car, then be sure to go through the prices in several large online aggregators. Just keep in mind that petrol is expensive in Turkey.

Fuel Prices in Turkey:

As of February 17, 2025, the average gasoline price in Turkey is approximately TRY 46.37 per liter (USD 1.28 per liter). ​

Car Rental Recommendations:

Rentalcars is a prominent car rental aggregator operating in Turkey. It partners with numerous rental companies to offer a wide range of vehicles. Rentalcars typically charges in local currency (Turkish Lira) and provides a variety of rental options, including extras like a second driver or unlimited mileage.

How much does it cost to live in Istanbul?

Where to live in Istanbul? There are three worthy options: Kadikoy in Asia, Karakoy / Taksim and Fatih in Europe. Fatih is only recommended if you need to live close to major attractions like Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. In the evening, life dies there, it will not be very pleasant to walk. For a good evening life, you need to go to the Besiktas or Kadikoy areas. But in the area of ​​​​Taksim Square and Istiklal Street there are only nightclubs for tourists from the Middle East.

How much does a connection cost?

Mobile communications in Turkey are expensive. All three operators (Turkcell, Vodafone, Turk Telekom) charge from 250 liras for a tourist SIM card (may be much expensive at the airport).

For some reason, payment by card is almost never accepted for them, only cash. Above these 200 lira you will have to buy a package consisting of internet, minutes and SMS. A package for 10 gigabytes of Internet can cost from 100 lira.

Be careful: the SIM will “die” after 60 days.

How much does food cost in restaurants?

Istanbul is a gastronomic paradise. Especially for street food fans. In Istanbul you can find prices for every budget. Below are the average prices in non-tourist places:

A traditional Turkish breakfast or Kahvaltı Tabağı (several types of cheese, sujuk, cucumbers, tomatoes, boiled egg, olives, butter, bread, tea/coffee) costs from 90 lira per person. For 90 liras it will often be a portion for one, in popular and tourist places you can pay 150 liras, but the breakfast will be large and enough for two.

Menemen – Turkish scrambled eggs, which they like to eat for breakfast, costs from 30 lira.

Tea – from 5 liras, Turkish coffee from 10 liras.

Fast food: doner from 20 lira; lentil soup (merjimek) from 15 lira, lahmajun 10-15 lira, large pide from 25 lira; simit from 5 lira (depends on freshness and bakery).

Look for places labeled Lokanta. This is a cafe, there is often a counter like in a dining room and you can choose what you want. You can have a good lunch from 30 lira. For example, the same merjimek soup can be found in locants for 7 lira. In tourist areas, cheap locants are hard to find.

There are a lot of places with good coffee, many where they make an alternative. A cup of cappuccino costs from 20 liras, filter coffee from 16 liras.

There are many bars and pubs in Istanbul, but 99% of them serve only Tuborg, Efes or something else very different from beer. A bottle of beer costs from 20 liras, although more often it is closer to 25 liras. Sometimes you can find beer from local craft breweries (for example, Zikkim) – a bottle will cost from 25 liras.

Turkey has good local wines and a lack of places to taste them. One of the best wine places is Solera Winery. A glass of local wine will cost 30 lira on average. Cheese/meat plate from 45 lira.

How much do groceries cost in the supermarket and markets?

Local goods in Turkey are inexpensive. Dairy products, cheeses, chocolate, nuts, dried fruits, local fruits and vegetables are on average 1,5 times cheaper than in Europe. It is best to buy vegetables and fruits in the markets that are at every turn.

How much does entertainment cost?

There are many walking tours in Istanbul: GetYourGuide, Tiqets. Google will help you find more, but these have good reviews.

There are Hop-On Hop-Off buses in Istanbul by Istanbul Bus Tours company, but, frankly, sitting on a bus in a stuffy city is not a good thing. Yes, and it is not cheap – Big Bus costs 45 € per ticket.

Bosphorus boat tours are much more popular, ranging from a simple ferry ride along the Bosphorus for a few hours to a full-day dinner cruise. The price of a tour is almost never fixed, so bargain. For a two-hour tour of the Bosphorus with a guide, you can bargain for 20 liras per person. But enterprising Turks will not hesitate to take 100 from you.

Turkish bath (hammam) is a popular entertainment. Most importantly, don’t go to Galatasaray Hamam. This place is overgrown with legends, but differs only in high prices and poor service. In non-tourist hamams, it costs 30-35 lira to go in, another 10 for a massage, another 10 for a scrub. The most popular and famous hammam with good service is Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan. It is aimed at tourists and costs from 80 to 140 euros per visit.

How much do souvenirs cost?

Souvenirs can be bought almost everywhere.

Just don’t forget to bargain. Popular things can be bought for next to nothing: 1€ for a dozen postcards, 0.5€ for magnets, 1-2€ for souvenir mugs, 2-3€ for wallets. Silver rings can cost 2-5€, a set of 6 traditional tea cups with saucers – from 1.5€.

Turkish coffee is also brought from Turkey (from 12 liras per 100 grams), copper products (Turku, for example), spices, dried fruits, scarves, rose petal jam, figs, olive oil, shoes, bags, jewelry and much more. Istanbul is a continuous and chaotic market. Walk around, ask around for prices and learn a little Turkish words, you can profitably buy anything.

There are cool antique shops on Çukurjuma Street, next to the Museum of Innocence and in Kadikoy.

Museums in Istanbul

In Turkey, from July 1, 2022, entrance tickets to museums and archaeological sites rised in price. The cost of visiting many popular sites will increase from July 1 by 30-45%.

You can go to the Blue Mosque for free, the main thing is not to get there at the time of prayer (the schedule is indicated). A ticket to Topkapi costs 100 liras, but Hagia Sophia has become free since it was turned into a mosque. To the Basilica and to the top of the Galata Tower – 30 lira.

If you want to get around all the museums in Istanbul, then try buying the Istanbul Tourist Pass. At first glance, it is incredibly expensive (95€ for two days, 145 for seven days), but it includes a free transfer to the hotel (it’s 30€), a mobile router (it’s 35€ for a week), admission to 12 museums, a cruise on Bosphorus, Turkish baths and other things. If you use the card to the full, it will pay off.

There is also the Istanbul Museum Card (Museum Pass Istanbul) – a subscription for a one-time visit to the sights of Istanbul from within 5 days. It includes both a number of popular attractions and most of the minor ones. The museum card makes it possible not to stand in queues for tickets, for example. This is one of the main advantages, since during the high season it can take more than an hour. List of museums that are included in the Istanbul Museum Card:

• Topkapi Palace, Topkapi Harem (on the territory of Topkapi Palace)
• Archaeological Museum
• Mosaic Museum
• Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art
• Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam
• Galata tower
• Galata Mevlevi Museum
• Rumeli Hisari Fortress

The subscription is valid for 120 hours from the moment of activation (passing through the museum turnstile) for a one-time visit to each attraction.

The Istanbul Museum Card gives a 10% discount in shops and cafes that are located on the territory of museums. The cost of the card is 325 lira.

When to visit Istanbul?

The ideal time to visit Istanbul is April-May and September-October. At this time, the optimal weather and housing prices. It is very hot in the city in summer, although many believe that this is the peak season for Istanbul, as locals leave the city for the coast, and there are fewer tourists in general than in Antalya, for example.

Summary. So how much will I spend?

If we consider the cost of a trip in 5 days, then the most budget option will be as follows:

• 5-10€ for accommodation per day for a decent hostel or a small room (if there are two of you), close to attractions.
• From 2€ for transportation, including round trip tickets for the Havaist shuttle, the purchase of Istanbulkart and several trips on public transport per day.
• 5-10€ for food (cafes and supermarkets). Even for 5 € a day in Istanbul, you can feed yourself well.
• 40€ for souvenirs, museums and paid attractions. There are a lot of free things in Istanbul!
• For 12-30 euros per day, you will get a vacation of varying degrees of budget.
• From 30 to 60 euros per day – it will come out much more comfortably. You can take a taxi more often (if there are no traffic jams), go to museums, buy souvenirs.
• Quite good – lay from 60 to 100 euros per day per person. So you can almost never deny yourself anything.

There is no upper ceiling, since in Istanbul there is something to spend almost any amount on (there are enough luxury hotels, and restaurants, and entertainment).

Useful links

• Tourism Police in Istanbul;
• Prices in Istanbul on Numbeo;
• Istanbul ranks 30 out of 136 on the Backpacker Index (#1 is the cheapest, Vientiane);
• Official tourism portal of Istanbul;
• Wikitravel about Istanbul;
• What Can You Buy for 10 EUR in Istanbul?