Istanbul is one of the world's great cities — 3,000 years of history, two continents, world-class food, and a street scene that operates around the clock. It's also far cheaper than most Western European capitals, especially since 2021 when the Turkish lira lost significant value against the dollar.
Getting Around
Get an Istanbulkart (transit card, costs about $1 to buy) and load it with credit. A single metro, tram, or bus journey costs around $0.40. The iconic Bosphorus ferry costs the same. You can get from Sultanahmet to Kadikoy (the Asian side) for under $1 — arguably the best-value city ferry ride in the world.
Avoid taxis unless you use BiTaksi or UBER — metered taxis are honest but Uber is sometimes cheaper. Never take an unmarked cab.
Where to Stay
Budget range in Istanbul is excellent. Dorm beds in Sultanahmet or Beyoglu start at $8–12/night. Private rooms in guesthouses in Fatih or Balat go for $20–30 and are often excellent quality.
Avoid the tourist trap hotels right on the main square — there's a huge quality-to-price premium for that location that's rarely worth it.
Eating on a Budget
Istanbul's street food scene is extraordinary. Your morning starting point:
- Simit (sesame bread ring): $0.20
- Midye dolma (stuffed mussels, sold by street vendors): $0.25 each, eat 10 for $2.50
- Kebab dürüm from a local snack spot: $1.50–2.00
- Balık ekmek (fish sandwich) at Eminönü bridge: $2.00
- Set lunch menu at a local lokanta (restaurant): $3–5
The tourist restaurants in Sultanahmet charge 4–6x what locals pay two streets away. Walk into any side street, find a place with a handwritten menu on the wall and Turks eating inside.
Free & Cheap Things to Do
- Hagia Sophia: Free (mosque, remove shoes)
- Blue Mosque: Free (mosque)
- Grand Bazaar: Free to browse
- Spice Bazaar: Free to browse
- Galata Bridge walk: Free
- Bosphorus ferry: $0.40
- Topkapi Palace: $15 (worth it)
- Galata Tower: $5
Sample Daily Budget
- Accommodation: $12 (hostel dorm)
- Food: $10 (street food + one sit-down meal)
- Transport: $3 (Istanbulkart)
- Activities: $5–10 average
- Total: ~$30–35/day