Dreaming of seeing Istanbul but think it's too expensive? Find out how to travel to Istanbul on a budget in 2025: cheap flights, affordable accommodation, economical transport, free locations, cheap food and life hacks for travelers. All the tips in one guide

Istanbul is a city of contrasts, where history is intertwined with modernity, and the aromas of spices in the air mix with the sea breeze from the Bosphorus. Here you can stroll along the streets where sultans once walked, taste fresh lahmacun right in the bazaar, and all this without having to spend a fortune.

Istanbul is one of the most popular tourist destinations, where millions of tourists go every year, including citizens of Cuba, Armenia and Israel.

A trip to Istanbul can be affordable if you plan everything correctly. We share tips on how to see the maximum and spend the minimum.

Choose a reliable health insurance policy from Visit World to travel abroad safely.

1. Cheap flights: looking for the best deals

The first step to a budget trip is profitable tickets. And although Istanbul is one of the most popular destinations, it is quite possible to find economical options:

- Book in advance - optimally 6-8 weeks in advance. This is a time when prices are still stable, and the choice is large.

- Fly with low-cost airlines - Pegasus, Wizz Air, Ryanair and others fly to Istanbul airports at very nice prices.

- Choose the off-season - spring and autumn are not only cheaper, but also more pleasant in temperature than hot summer.

Compare prices on aggregators: Google Flights, Skyscanner, Aviasales - will help you save up to 30% on your flight.

Life hack: sometimes it is cheaper to fly with a transfer, especially if the trip is not urgent.

2. Where to live inexpensively and comfortably?

Istanbul is a city of travelers, so the choice of accommodation here is huge:

- Hostels - a great option for solo trips or new acquaintances. Many of them have terraces overlooking the Bosphorus!

- Guest houses and boutique hotels - a nice level of service for $20-30 per day.

- Airbnb - especially profitable for several days or a week. You can find apartments with a kitchen - another opportunity to save money.

Sultanahmet, Beyoglu or Karakoy districts - central, atmospheric and convenient for walking.

3. How to get around the city cheaply?

Transport in Istanbul is well organized and very profitable if you know a few secrets:

- Istanbulkart - a card for traveling on the metro, trams, buses, ferries. Buy it right at the airport or at the metro station - save 50-60% of the cost of trips.

- Ferries - a budget alternative to sea tours. The view of the city from the water - priceless!

- Walk - the historic center is quite compact. All key locations can be seen just by walking.

- Take your time - Istanbul is best discovered at a leisurely pace, through the smell of coffee from the window and the calls of the muezzin over the rooftops.

4. Free entertainment that is definitely worth seeing

In Istanbul, you don’t have to buy expensive tours to see something interesting:

- Sultanahmet Square – the heart of the old city with the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace. The atmosphere is like in a fairy tale.

- Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Market – a mosaic of colors, smells and noise. Even without shopping – a real pleasure.

- Pierre Loti Hill – it’s worth climbing here for one of the best views of the Golden Horn. There’s even a cafe here where you can sit with Turkish coffee.

5. Delicious food – accessible to everyone

Turkish cuisine is one of the main reasons to come to Istanbul. And at the same time, it’s accessible even with the most modest budget:

What to try:

- Simit – a Turkish bagel with sesame seeds. The perfect breakfast.

- Balik ekmek - a fried fish sandwich sold right on the waterfront.

- Lahmacun - a thin pizza with spices and meat.

- Doner kebab - a classic snack in any neighborhood.

- Baklava with tea - a sweet finale to the evening.

Stay away from the tourist streets - where the locals dine, it's always tastier and cheaper.

6. Shopping: how to buy cheaply

Istanbul's bazaars are not just markets, but real cultural locations:

- Don't be shy about bargaining - it's almost an art that sellers take with pleasure.

- Compare prices - in the next row the same flashlight can cost a third less.

- Avoid the stalls near the entrance - everything is usually more expensive there.

7. Day Trips Without Spending a Lot

Want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city? Here are some inexpensive and beautiful options for a trip outside of Istanbul:

- Princes’ Islands – a picturesque place without cars, with bicycles and beaches. You can get there by public ferry.

- Belgrade Forest – an oasis of nature near the city, perfect for a walk or a picnic.

- Anadolu Kavağı – a fishing village at the end of the Bosphorus ferry. Delicious fish, silence and sea breeze.

8. Don’t forget about insurance and budget

- Travel insurance is a reliable back-up in unforeseen situations: from illness to lost luggage.

- Cash – cards are not accepted everywhere. And it will also help you better control your expenses.

- Make an approximate budget for the day – this will help you avoid unpleasant surprises.

Istanbul is not only about expensive hotels and excursions. It is a city that gives experiences, tastes and memories even to those who travel with a backpack and a budget drawn to the penny. A lovingly planned trip will give you unforgettable impressions: from the first steps on the cobblestone streets to the last sip of tea on the shores of the Bosphorus.

Planning a trip or moving abroad? A travel insurance policy is an important component of a successful trip, as it guarantees high-quality medical care anywhere in the world and can protect you from unnecessary expenses during your trip.

Buy insurance from trusted agents on the Visit World portal!

As a reminder! Turkey opens its doors to travelers from all over the world, offering simple and convenient entry rules. We have already told you who can enter without a visa, which countries are eligible for an electronic visa, the conditions for obtaining a conditional e-Visa, document requirements, rules for entering with children, the need for medical insurance and the features of traditional visa processing.

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Travel guide for 200 countries;

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Medical insurance all over the world.

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