Is Turkey expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Turkey is still good value compared with Western Europe, but prices have risen fast with inflation, and the big sights now charge foreigners European-level fees in euros. A budget day is about ₺3,850 (roughly €80–90) per person and a mid-range day about ₺8,600, excluding flights and a Cappadocia balloon ride.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | ₺1,500 | ₺3,500 | ₺9,000 |
| Food & drink | ₺900 | ₺2,000 | ₺4,500 |
| Sights & tickets | ₺1,200 | ₺2,500 | ₺4,500 |
| Local transport | ₺250 | ₺600 | ₺1,500 |
| Per person, per day | ₺3,850 | ₺8,600 | ₺19,500 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Turkey day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Simit and tea | about ₺40–80 |
| Köfte or döner meal | about ₺250–500 |
| Istanbul tram, metro or ferry ride with İstanbulkart | about ₺30–40 |
| Hagia Sophia upper gallery visit (foreigners) | about €25 |
| Topkapı Palace with the Harem | about €50 |
| Ephesus entry | about €40 |
| Hot-air balloon flight, Cappadocia | about €150–300 |
| Sultanahmet or Göreme pension double | about ₺2,500–4,500 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Sights are now the biggest surprise: Hagia Sophia, Topkapı, Ephesus, Pamukkale and the Göreme Open-Air Museum charge foreigners €20–50 each, priced in euros and paid in lira. Accommodation is moderate, from pensions at about ₺2,500–4,500 a double to cave hotels and Karaköy hotels at ₺5,000–10,000 and Bosphorus palaces far higher, plus a 2% accommodation tax. The balloon flight is the single biggest optional cost. Food and local transport remain good value, and domestic flights booked early (about €40–90) make covering the distances cheaper than you might expect.
When it is cheaper
From November to March (outside Christmas and New Year) hotels in Istanbul and Cappadocia are usually much cheaper, often by 30–50%, and coastal resorts are cheaper but many close; balloon prices also drop in winter.
How to spend less
- Check whether a Museum Pass (Istanbul or regional) covers the sites on your route; compare it with single tickets.
- Pay in lira by card or with cash from a bank ATM, not in euros at shop rates.
- Use public Şehir Hatları ferries in Istanbul instead of private Bosphorus cruises.
- Book domestic flights early with Turkish Airlines, Pegasus or AJet.
- Eat at lokantas (canteens with ready-cooked dishes) and esnaf restaurants away from tourist squares.
- Base yourself in Selçuk rather than Kuşadası for Ephesus, and in Göreme pensions rather than luxury cave hotels.
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Common questions
Is Turkey still cheap?
Food, transport and hotels are good value, but major sites now charge foreigners €20–50 each. Budget about ₺3,850 a day per person.
Should I pay in lira or euros?
In lira, by card or with cash from a bank ATM. Site tickets are priced in euros but paid in lira at the day's rate.
How much is a balloon flight in Cappadocia?
About €150–300 per person depending on season and company.