Travel budget and cost of living in Istanbul (Turkey) how much does a trip cost?

Istanbul travel budget

Istanbul: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Istanbul

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Istanbul for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in Istanbul compared to United States in 2024

On average, the cost of living in Istanbul in 2024 is 43% less than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Istanbul in 2024 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Istanbul by expense type

Restaurant budget in Istanbul

Lunch

$ 12/person
($ 7.1 to $ 18)

---

41% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20

3 course dinner

$ 23/person
($ 15 to $ 43)

---

37% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 37

McDonald's meal

$ 7.8/person
($ 7.1 to $ 9)

---

26% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Local beer

$ 4 for 500ml
($ 2 to $ 5.7)

---

31% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.8

Imported beer

$ 2.8 for 330ml
($ 2 to $ 4.3)

---

18% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.4

Cappuccino

$ 3.2/cup
($ 2 to $ 5.1)

---

34% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5

Fizzy drink

$ 1.4/can
($ 0.8 to $ 2.6)

---

43% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Water bottle

$ 0.5/bottle
($ 0.3 to $ 1.1)

---

75% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

Hotel and accommodation budget in Istanbul

1-star hotel

$ 89/night
($ 24 to $ 446)

---

45% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 163

2-star hotel

$ 65/night
($ 28 to $ 163)

---

56% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 151

3-star hotel

$ 94/night
($ 32 to $ 645)

---

57% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 221

4-star hotel

$ 117/night
($ 37 to $ 433)

---

61% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 303

5-star hotel

$ 207/night
($ 61 to $ 1039)

---

54% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 454

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 61/month
($ 14 to $ 389)

---

62% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 161

Room with kitchen

$ 75/month
($ 19 to $ 306)

---

68% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 234

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 118/month
($ 29 to $ 365)

---

41% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 201

Cottage or guest house

$ 83/month
($ 35 to $ 210)

---

62% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 221

Family room

$ 171/month
($ 41 to $ 496)

---

14% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 199

Supermarket food budget in Istanbul

Milk

$ 1/litre
($ 0.7 to $ 1.5)

---

6% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Bread

$ 0.8/500g
($ 0.4 to $ 1.5)

---

76% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Rice

$ 1.9/kg
($ 1 to $ 2.8)

---

57% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.5

Eggs

$ 2/12 eggs
($ 1 to $ 3.1)

---

44% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Chicken

$ 5.9/kg
($ 3.4 to $ 7.9)

---

49% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Apples

$ 1.3/kg
($ 0.5 to $ 1.7)

---

75% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1

Tomatoes

$ 1.3/kg
($ 0.7 to $ 2.3)

---

73% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.8

Potatoes

$ 0.6/kg
($ 0.3 to $ 1.1)

---

78% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9

Water bottle

$ 0.5
($ 0.2 to $ 0.7)

---

78% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Public and private transport budget in Istanbul

Bus ticket

$ 0.6/ticket
($ 0.5 to $ 0.8)

---

76% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

Taxi (per km)

$ 0.6/km
($ 0.5 to $ 0.6)

---

65% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7

Petrol

$ 1.3/litre
($ 1.1 to $ 1.3)

---

33% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 0.8
($ 0.7 to $ 0.9)

---

76% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Car hire

$ 28/24hrs
($ 13 to $ 52)

---

60% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 69

Leisure activity budget in Istanbul

Cinema

$ 7.1/ticket
($ 5.4 to $ 10)

---

47% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14

Tennis

$ 16/hr
($ 8.6 to $ 23)

---

25% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Istanbul

Cigarettes

$ 2.2/pack
($ 2 to $ 2.4)

---

78% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10

Levi's jeans

$ 58
($ 23 to $ 86)

---

12% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 52

Summer dress

$ 43
($ 23 to $ 61)

---

1% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 42

Plane ticket budget

Melbourne → Istanbul

$ 1107
(fair price: $ 938)

Sydney → Istanbul

$ 1153
(fair price: $ 943)

New York City → Istanbul

$ 1024
(fair price: $ 867)

Toronto → Istanbul

$ 1251
(fair price: $ 999)

Montreal → Istanbul

$ 1065
(fair price: $ 897)

Los Angeles → Istanbul

$ 1194
(fair price: $ 1037)

Book a flight Flight prices to Istanbul