Travel Costs & Prices in Turkey

The New Turkish Lira is enjoying unprecedented strength these days—especially against the weak US dollar—so Turkey is no longer a bargain destination.

As in all things, you get what you pay for, so Turkey still offers good value for money, whether you're spending euros, pounds, dollars or Turkish liras.

In general, travel costs are highest in Istanbul and at Turkish beach resorts in July and August; lowest in the small towns of eastern Turkey, and off-season (November through March; see my Turkish Almanac.)

These estimates are per-person, per day, for two people traveling together (that is, sharing a hotel room) and include lodging, three meals, and some transportation. (If you're traveling alone, expect to spend 35% more.)

First, check the rate of exchange for your currency and the New Turkish Lira (YTL).

Rock Bottom: YTL40 to YTL60 staying in pensions with breakfast included, eating one picnic and one restaurant meal daily, and riding buses and trains.

Budget: YTL60 to YTL85 staying in one- and two-star hotels with private baths and breakfast included, eating most meals in average restaurants, and traveling more comfortably by bus and train.

Moderate: YTL85 to YTL140 staying in three- and four-star hotels, dining in restaurants all the time, riding buses, trains, and low-fare airline flights; in a party of four, an occasional car rental.

Comfort Class: YTL120 to YTL200 staying in four-star hotels, dining at quite good restaurants, traveling by air, the best trains, and rental car.

Deluxe: YTL200 to YTL600 and up, staying at the top luxury hotels, dining regally at the best restaurants, getting around by plane, chauffeur-driven rental car and the occasional hot-air balloon flight or private yacht cruise.

The New Turkish Lira is divided into 100 kurus (koo-ROOSH).

Note that the New Turkish Lira (YTL: Yeni Türk Lirasi) was introduced on January 1, 2005 and old lira notes and coins have been withdrawn from circulation, and you should not accept them.

For the record, YTL1.00 is equal to (old) TL1,000,000. In other words, a million old liras became one new lira. More...

Turkish Lira Exchange Rates

Turkish Money

Shopping in Turkey

Bargaining/Haggling

New Turkish Lira Banknotes

Turkish ATMs (Cash Machines)

Currency Exchange Offices

Credit Cards

Travelers Checks

Tipping

Travel Details

Turkey Travel Planner Homepage

Before January 1, 2005 and the introduction of the New Turkish Lira, Turkish prices were really scary! But actually, that Coke in a pleasant outdoor cafe in Istanbul's historic Byzantine Hippodrome cost about €1.