Istanbul on a Budget: The City Where Almost Everything Is Cheap

Istanbul is a rare megacity where traveling on a budget does not mean traveling boring. Flights here are among the cheapest all year, and once you arrive, there is little left to spend on.

Getting there

Routes to Istanbul are some of the most competitive, so fares stay low in any season. Check both airports: Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) is often cheaper than the main one (IST).

Food

• Balık ekmek (fish sandwich) by the Galata Bridge — a classic for a couple of euros
• Simit (sesame ring) — breakfast for pennies, sold on every corner
• Tea houses — far cheaper than tourist cafés

Transport

Get an Istanbulkart: one card for the metro, trams, funiculars and ferries. A Bosphorus ferry is effectively a sightseeing cruise for about €1.

Free of charge

• The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia (mosque entry is free)
• The Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar — free to wander
• Kadıköy's waterfront and the sunset view from Pierre Loti hill

Where to stay

Budget-friendly and convenient: Kadıköy (Asian side) and Fatih. Compare prices on an aggregator — the spread across booking sites reaches 30%.