With attractions that include sunny weather, crystal waters, and a long and rich history, it’s no wonder that Turkey has become a hot travel destination. The country offers many different vacation experiences, from time in cosmopolitan cities like Izmar, to historic trips to Istanbul or Bursa.
The attention Turkey has gotten as a travel destination has meant that prices there have increased over the past few years. However, there are still many experiences available at all different price points.
How much a trip to Turkey will cost depends a lot on factors like the time of year you go, what sorts of food and accommodations you choose, and what activities you engage in during your trip.
Average Trip to Turkey Cost in 2024
A week in Turkey costs around $3,000 for two people:
- Average Accommodation Cost: $75 per night
- Average Flight Cost: $800 per person
- Food, Drink & Activities: $60 per person, per day
- Transportation: $25 per person, per day
- Total Cost: $2,915
These costs, of course, are averages, and your personal Turkey trip will be different. Traveler preference and research can all have a big impact on how much you’ll spend when you go. We break it all down category by category, so you can get a better idea of what your personal costs will be.
Turkey Trip Cost: Average by Item
Prosign/Shutterstock
Different parts of Turkey will have different expenses. You are also likely to pay more for lodgings and flights during the high season, when those are most in demand.
Currency exchange rates can make a big difference in your costs, too. We base our prices in our guides on the exchange rate at the time of writing. Turkey’s exchange rate against the dollar is lower than it’s been in recent years, making it a good time to check out this destination.
Our researchers have examined the costs in a few Turkish cities and found examples of how much you’d spend traveling there. Find the places and vacation styles that best fit you, so you can see how much you’d spend in this destination.
Accommodation Costs
This is an area where a little research pays off. There are a number of attractive options for $30 to $50 a night.
In Istanbul, the Hotel Semih costs around $40 a night. It is convenient to the Grand Bazaar, the Hagia Sophia Museum, and several tram and train stations. Amenities include a 24-hour front desk with concierge service and an on-site sauna.
Those looking for a more upscale hotel can check out the W Istanbul. This five-star hotel has rooms for around $150 a night.
Amenities include a full-service spa, and on-site bars, a restaurant, and a café. There is a breakfast buffet for about $30 per person.
Prices in the beach and tourism oriented areas like Antalya tend to be higher than those in Istanbul. Rooms along the coast in Antalya average $150 to $300 a night, depending on the star level of the hotel. However, there are still deals to be had in this area.
The Orange Beach Camp Karavan Club offers basic accommodations for a little over $10 a night. This is a hostel that offers visitors private rooms.
Visitors have access to a kitchen, so you can save money cooking meals. The host also offers a free, included breakfast and complimentary use of bikes.
Flight Cost
A trip from JFK in New York to Istanbul Airport costs anywhere from $650 to $1,100. If you choose to fly into Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport instead, you may find a greater variety of flights in the $600 to $800 range.
Check several destination cities to see which allows you to fly in for the best price. Other options include the coastal city of Antalya, where many flights under $1,000 are offered.
Cheaper flights typically mean long layovers. Savvy travelers may be able to turn those into mini-destinations. For instance, one flight includes an eight-hour layover in London and an airport change.
Food, Drink & Activity Costs
Hakan Tanak/Shutterstock
Food is one of the prime attractions of a vacation in Turkey. You can indulge for very little money if you skip the tourist restaurants and eat where the locals do.
In beachfront towns, this means getting away from the water and heading inland to local restaurants and cafés. Typically, the food will be far cheaper there. Breakfast is a huge deal in Turkey, so you can start your day with a filling meal that is also cheap by US standards.
A traditional Turkish breakfast spread may include pastries, olives, tomatoes, cured meats and sausages, cheese, fruit, jam, and lots and lots of tea. Expect to pay around $11 a person on this epic meal.
More of a light eater early in the day? You can pick up a pastry for under 50 cents. Or, enjoy a local egg dish like menemen, which combines eggs with tomatoes, peppers, and onions, and comes served on a slice of toast. This meal runs $2 to $3.
For dinner, consider hunting down a local disl like balk ekmek, a grilled sandwich filled with fish, tomatoes, and onions. Purchased at a local joint, this should set you back about $2.
Be sure to save room for dessert when you are planning your meals. Baklava is an especially popular treat. In Turkey, pistachio baklava is the most popular kind. However, you will also find options that include almond or walnut fillings. You can often find these for under a dollar.
A trip to the markets offers both a free daily activity and a way to save money on your meals. While this is especially true if you have a place to cook, you can also acquire cheap ingredients like bread, cheese, and olives to make a meal.
Regular visitors recommend doing some shopping at both the Spice Bazaar and the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.
Street foods tend to be both cheap and delicious. A simple pastry will cost the equivalent of a few cents. A sandwich or wrap will cost around $2 to $3.
One area where you will spend more than you would in the states is alcoholic beverages. Booze is heavily taxed in Turkey, so expect to pay about twice as much for a cocktail as you would in the states.
Many repeat visitors recommend skipping your tipple altogether and having tea or coffee with your meals as most Turks do. There are a number of cheap and free things to do while you are in Turkey. Mosques are often historic and intricately decorated.
The Blue Mosque, one of the most famous in Istanbul, offers free admission. The Hagia Sophia is a massive cathedral, and shows evidence of Roman influence on the region. It is free to enter.
Beaches in Turkey are public and free to visit. Pull up a towel and a cooler and enjoy the clear, blue waters. While most museums have an entrance feel it is small by US standards. Expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $20 per person.
All these low-cost activities can allow you room for a few indulgences. One of the most popular in recent years is the balloon ride in Cappadocia.
Be sure to book several weeks in advance, as these excursions tend to sell out. Expect to pay $150 to $300 per person, depending on the demand when you go.
Tours are a good way to get to know a country, especially if you do not speak much of the local language. There are a number of tours for people with every interest.
Coffee tours of Istanbul, complete with Turkish coffee making classes, run about $100 per person and last a full day. A day trip to Pamukkale costs about $75 a person.
Transportation Costs
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – JULY 31, 2014: The Taksim-Tunel Nostalgia Tram trundles along the streets of Taksim on July 31, 2014 in Istanbul, Turkey./Joshua Davenport/Shutterstock
Buses are the most common form of transportation in Turkey. Municipal buses are available in large cities such as Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, and Antalya. When you get on board, ask the driver where the bus is going. The transit system can be a bit hard for newcomers to figure out.
Another option is dolmus, private minibuses that run set routes. These buses pick up passengers until no seats are available, so do not depend on them if you are on a schedule. Passengers pay according to distance. A long trip will typically cost the equivalent of $1 USD.
Long distance buses are an inexpensive way to get from city to city in Turkey. There are a number of major bus companies all in competition, which can keep fares low.
Rates depend on the distance and the company you choose. Recent fares from Istanbul to Ankara translate to about $20 per person for the trip.
Many guides say the roads in Turkey have improved substantially in recent years, making a rental car a viable way to get around. Renting a car in Istanbul will cost about $165 a week.
You can rent bikes within cities for local travel. Rentals are usually about 15 cents USD per hour.
Things to Consider
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – JULY 05, 2018: Unknown young seller man stand near with the spices on the shelves in Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar) in Istanbul. Is one of the largest bazaars in the city./Alexey Pevnev/Shutterstock
- Repeat visitors to Turkey say to exchange dollars for lira when you arrive. You’ll typically get a better rate once you are in the country, especially if you go to an ATM or exchange office away from the airport.
- Look for museum passes. These will offer discount admission to several attractions.
- Know when to haggle. It’s expected in the open air markets and bazaars. However, haggling is not welcome in indoor shops and anyplace with a marked price on goods.
- Don’t go for the buy one/get one drink specials in resort towns. Visitors say these tend to be watered down. Instead, buy a local beer like Efes.
Frequently Asked Questions
TravnikovStudio/Shutterstock
Is $1,000 dollar enough in Turkey
Turkey can be a very inexpensive country. A number of expats brag about spending $1,000 a month or less. For a vacation, however, you’ll likely have expenses that local residents do not. That said, you can probably get away with a budget of $1,000 for a week in Turkey.
Is Turkey cheap?
Any vacation destination can be cheap or expensive, all depending on what you are looking for from your trip. If you are set on a budget vacation, you can find many cheap options that include basic low-cost rooms, kebabs from street vendors, and self-led walking tours.
What is a typical Turkish breakfast?
A typical breakfast in Turkey will likely include a number of foods to graze on including olives, cured meats, fresh sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, breads, jam, honey, and black tea.
Do you need a visa for Turkey?
American citizens typically will need a visa to visit Turkey. You can get one on arrival. However, many people recommend signing up for an e-visa before your visit. You can do this online to simplify your arrival when you land.
So, What Is the Average Trip Cost for Turkey?
| 🛎️ Average Accommodation Cost | $75 per night |
| ✈️ Average Flight Cost | $800 per person |
| 🍽️ Food, Drink & Activities | $60 per person, per day |
| 🚕 Transportation | $25 per person, per day |
| 💲 Total Cost | $2,915 |
The average cost of a week in Turkey for two is about $3,000. This estimate errs toward the higher end when it comes to accommodations, transportation, and activities.
There are a wealth of ways to save money on your trip to Turkey. Be adventurous and eat outside the tourist areas. Check out a hostel for a night, for a small but clean private room.
Everyone’s trip is different, and everyone can find ways to make their ideal Turkish vacation work for them. Play with the numbers to see how you can make this unusual destination a reality for you. Happy travels!