Istanbul travel guide: Visiting Turkey / Türkiye's most populous city on a budget

Istanbul, Turkey / Türkiye, is an incredible travel destination offering a rich mix of cultural experiences. Bridging two continents — Europe and Asia — Turkey is brimming with history, sights and atmosphere.

Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul, is ideal for budget travellers as a comparatively cheap destination within easy reach of the UK. In this Istanbul travel guide, we share all you need to know about travelling to the city, getting around, what to see, and beach resorts near Istanbul that are worth a visit.

Read on to discover Istanbul travel advice or buy Turkish Lira today.

Travelling to Istanbul

Various low-cost airlines offer cheap flights to Istanbul from UK airports. Direct flights operate from London Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton, Manchester Airport and Birmingham.

Note that Istanbul has two airports, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) and Istanbul International (IST). Both are around an hour by car to the city centre.

There is a metro line, M11, from Istanbul International which is fast and cheap, but you will need to change lines twice to reach the city centre. Meanwhile, from Sabiha Gökçen airport a direct metro line runs into the centre of Istanbul.

Public transport in Istanbul

There are plenty of options for public transport in Istanbul, including a metro system, trams, ferries and buses.

Despite being a large city, the main sights, historic areas and key attractions are all located largely within the central area, often within walking distance of each other.

Taking a ferry along the famous Bosphorus River is a great way to enjoy views across the city. Plus, it’s much cheaper than taking a sightseeing boat ride.

You may also come across the Dolmus, a shared taxi that only departs once it is full of passengers. Taking a Dolmus is a great way to travel from Taksim Square to Beşiktaş or Kadıköy once the ferries stop running in the evening.

Instead of buying individual tickets, consider getting an Istanbulkart during your visit. Istanbulkarts are special travel cards that cover all public transport within the city, saving you the hassle of buying individual tickets. Look out for the yellow and blue vending machines at metro and tram stops. Here, you’ll be able to buy your Istanbulkkart and start exploring the city.

Where to stay in Istanbul

Finding a place to stay in Istanbul is one of the most crucial parts of booking any trip. Thankfully, in this popular city, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

As in most large cities, you can find places to stay in Istanbul that align with almost any budget. Booking in advance is the best way to make sure you have a bed for the night at an acceptable cost.

Hostels

There are plenty of cheap hostels in Istanbul offering a bed in a shared dormitory. Most are bookable online. They usually have Wi-Fi and offer kitchen facilities, making it easy to prepare your own meals.

Hotels

There are plenty of cheap hostels in Istanbul that offer a bed in a shared dormitory for as little as £8 per night. Most are bookable online and they usually have Wi-Fi and offer kitchen facilities, making it easy to prepare your own meals.

Airbnbs

An Airbnb can be a cost-effective solution if you’re travelling in a couple or group. Again, explore before you go to find suitable accommodation. Check the area is not too far out of the city centre to avoid paying more for travel.

Things to do in Istanbul

There are countless things to do in Istanbul, and many of the attractions this city has to offer are low-cost or even free making them suitable for budget travellers. Some of these include:

Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace is a palace, museum and library in the Fatih district of Istanbul. It was originally the residence of the Ottoman sultans between the 15th and 19th centuries. It is almost a city within a city, spanning courtyards and pavilions with many historic treasures on display.

Istanbul Archaeology Museums

The Istanbul Archaeology Museums are home to an impressive array of Greek, Roman and Ottoman artefacts, including ceremonial tombs from the second and third centuries.

If you’re looking for educational things to do in Istanbul, this is not to be missed.

The Grand Bazaar and Spice Market

With roughly 4,000 shops spanning 60 lanes, this famous bazaar is one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets. Explore unique Turkish products including plates, lamps, tapestries and hammam soaps—then sample Turkish coffee and snacks. Entry is free.

The nearby Spice Market is even more colourful and fragrant, and is well worth a visit. Plus, entry is free, making it an affordable thing to do in Istanbul for travellers on a budget.

Sultanahmet Mosques

There are two famous and beautiful mosques within walking distance of each other in the Sultanahmet area. Hagia Sophia is an enormous architectural landmark originally built as a Christian cathedral nearly 1,500 years ago. Entry is free but donations are welcome.

The nearby Blue Mosque was built in the early 17th century and is equally impressive, with its six minarets. It gets its name from the thousands of blue tiles on its interior walls. Entry is free.

Is Istanbul cheap?

Istanbul is relatively affordable compared to many other major cities around the world, particularly those in Europe. The cost of living and travel expenses in the city is largely dependent on your lifestyle, preferences and what you’ll be doing while you’re there.

Here are some tips to help you keep the costs down while travelling to Istanbul:

1. Use public transport

Buy an Istanbulkart, a reloadable card for the metro, buses, trams and ferries. This is by far the most affordable way of travelling around Istanbul and is much cheaper than taking private taxis.

2. Eat like a local

Dine at small lokantas (casual Turkish eateries) or enjoy street food like simit, börek, and döner kebabs. These will be much more affordable than expensive restaurants aimed at tourists.

3. Opt for budget accommodation

Look out for hostels, guesthouses or budget hotels in neighbours like Kadıköy or Sultanahmet. These locations offer accommodation that is comfortable and convenient, yet still affordable.

4. Shop Smart in Markets and Bazaars

Avoid tourist traps and shop where the locals do. In markets like the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar, prices can often be negotiated with vendors, but be sure to do so respectfully.

5. Visit free or low-cost attractions

Explore the city’s many free sites like mosques, parks and bazaars. For paid attractions, look out for multi-attraction combo tickets or free museum days.

Best time to travel to Istanbul

Most people choose to travel to Istanbul during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November). This is when the temperature is most pleasant, typically ranging from 15°C to 25°C.

During peak summer season, the heat can exceed 30°C, and crows are to be expected at popular tourist spots.

Where to eat in Istanbul

There are lots of great places to eat in Istanbul. Some of these include:

• Street food: One of the most affordable ways to eat and try authentic Turkish dishes. There are many stalls along the banks of the Bosphorus River and the Golden Horn.
• Sultanahmet area: You will find lots of restaurants in this main tourist area. Take a look at the menus to find something to suit your budget.
• Galata Bridge: There are numerous restaurants nestled under the bridge, many offering local fish and seafood dishes.
• Taksim Square: The square is the modern heart of Istanbul, offering a wide range of restaurants including high-end options.

Beach resorts near Istanbul

Istanbul is flanked by the Marmara Sea and the Black Sea, and there are beaches to explore on both coastlines. Good beaches include:

• Burc Beach - a sandy beach with shallow waters.
• Florya - white sand and lots of facilities.
• Caddebostan - a small beach with a restaurant on the Asian side of Istanbul.
• Dalia - a pretty beach backed by cliffs and grass, with an elevated restaurant.
• Solar Beach - a large private beach with many activities on offer. An entrance fee covers the use of sunbeds and toilets/showers.

Find out more about travelling to Turkey / Türkiye

Hopefully, our Istanbul travel guide has given you a good start in planning your trip to this vibrant city. If you’re planning to visit Istanbul as part of wider travels in Türkiye, don’t miss our Turkey / Türkiye travel guide.

Order your Turkish lira today for the best rates or find out more about how the lira compares with pounds sterling.

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