Istanbul on a budget: what travellers and locals actually pay in Istanbul. Ranges in TRY with an approximate euro equivalent. Use them to haggle and to spot when you're being overcharged.
Open YourLocalPrice and check a price →| Item or service | Usual price | ≈ euros |
|---|---|---|
| Water 1.5 L (shop)Local shop | 15–25 TRY | 0.31–0.52 € |
| Tea (çay)Local café | 20–40 TRY | 0.42–0.83 € |
| SimitStreet stall | 15–25 TRY | 0.31–0.52 € |
| DönerStreet stall | 150–250 TRY | 3.13–5.21 € |
| Item or service | Usual price | ≈ euros |
|---|---|---|
| Short taxi rideWith meter | 150–300 TRY | 3.13–6.25 € |
| Ferry with IstanbulkartOfficial ticket office (foreigners) | 30–50 TRY | 0.63–1.04 € |
| Item or service | Usual price | ≈ euros |
|---|---|---|
| Bosphorus cruise (2 h)Booked on the spot (local agency) · See online | 400–900 TRY | 8.33–19 € |
| Turkish bath with massageTourist area · See online | 1,500–3,500 TRY | 31–73 € |
Local prices for the cheapest essentials in Istanbul, to travel on a budget:
Yes, Istanbul is cheap if you pay local prices: water 1.5 l (shop) 15–25 TRY, short taxi ride 150–300 TRY. Visitors who don't know the prices often pay 2 to 5 times more.
Excluding accommodation, at local prices you can get by in Istanbul on about 2.19–5.21 € (105–250 TRY) a day for food, water and transport.
Some of the most popular ones and their local price: Bosphorus cruise (2 h) (400–900 TRY), Turkish bath with massage (1,500–3,500 TRY).
At street stalls and simple restaurants in Istanbul: Water 1.5 L (shop) (15–25 TRY), Simit (15–25 TRY), Tea (çay) (20–40 TRY).
In a shop in Istanbul, a 1.5 L bottle usually costs 15–25 TRY.
A short ride in Istanbul costs 150–300 TRY (with meter). Ask for the meter or agree the price before getting in.
Check the usual price before paying, always agree the price upfront and use the YourLocalPrice checker: type what they're asking and it tells you instantly if it's fair.
Guide prices, updated by the community.
Open YourLocalPrice and check a price →