Budget & Costs
Thanks to the favorable Lira exchange rate, Turkey is one of the best value-for-money travel destinations in the Mediterranean. However, prices vary greatly — Istanbul is significantly more expensive than the coast or the interior.
Daily Budget per Person
| Style | €/Day | Accommodation | Food | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | 25–40 € | Hostel (300–600 ₺) | Street food + Lokanta | Bus / Dolmuş |
| Budget | 40–70 € | Pension / simple hotel | Lokanta + 1× restaurant | Bus / Dolmuş |
| Mid-range | 70–130 € | 3–4★ hotel / boutique (1,500–3,500 ₺) | 2× restaurant | Rental car |
| Comfort | 130–250 € | 4–5★ boutique / cave hotel | Fine dining | Rental car + domestic flights |
| Luxury | 250 €+ | 5★ resort / design hotel | Fine dining | Private transfers / domestic flights |
Price Examples (2025/2026, rounded)
| Item | Price (₺) | Price (€) |
|---|---|---|
| Çay (Tea, tea garden) | 15–30 ₺ | 0.50–0.80 € |
| Turkish Coffee | 60–120 ₺ | 1.70–3.40 € |
| Simit (Sesame ring, street) | 15–25 ₺ | 0.40–0.70 € |
| Döner / Dürüm (street) | 100–180 ₺ | 2.80–5.00 € |
| Pide (restaurant) | 150–300 ₺ | 4.30–8.50 € |
| Lahmacun | 80–150 ₺ | 2.30–4.30 € |
| Meze platter for 2 + Rakı | 600–1,200 ₺ | 17–34 € |
| Baklava (1 kg, bakery) | 400–800 ₺ | 11–23 € |
| Beer (0.5l, restaurant) | 120–250 ₺ | 3.40–7.10 € |
| Sunbed on the beach | 200–500 ₺ | 5.70–14 € |
| Hagia Sophia | Free entry (mosque) | — |
| Topkapı Palace + Harem | 750 ₺ | ~21 € |
| Balloon ride Cappadocia | 5,000–9,000 ₺ | 140–250 € |
💡 Tipp
Always pay in Lira in Turkey — never in Euros. Paying in Euros at restaurants or shops results in a 5–15% loss due to poor exchange rates. It's best to withdraw money from ATMs locally. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. Exchange offices (Döviz Bürosu) offer better rates than hotels.