Istanbul remains a relatively affordable destination for UK tourists compared to Western Europe, largely due to the weak Turkish Lira enhancing the value of the Pound. While prices are rising due to inflation, visitors can still find competitive prices on food, transport, and accommodation, especially outside of top tourist hotspots.
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.
In Istanbul, the average cost for a meal at a restaurant is about 100 Turkish Lira. A budget meal can be around 40 Lira, while a nice dinner for two can cost around 250 Lira.
For a holidaymaker coming from the UK, Turkey is much cheaper than home. This applies to everything from hotels to cafes and restaurants and even clothes, shoes and souvenirs. Combined with the current rate of exchange, your pounds will go a long way!
200 is a lot and I'm sure it doesn't feel nice to be taken advantage of just because you're a tourist...but I usually encourage tourists to tip here, even 50 lira will be acceptable and appreciated even though it's literally a dollar.
Cost of Traveling in Istanbul 2025: Budget Travel Guide
Can girls wear shorts in Istanbul?
In Turkish cities, shorts and T-shirts are acceptable. Female tourists wear their usual clothing. There is no problem wearing shorts for comfort, except when you visit mosques.
Generally it's enough when you don't overspend yourself and don't want to do all at once. Just my advice here is, don't come now and wait at least beyond September. Either make your plans for end of September or October, when the weather is still Okey and the crowd is a bit less.
Street food like simit costs less than a dollar, and a full meal in a local restaurant with soup, a main dish, and tea is around $6–10. In tourist-heavy areas, the same meal can cost five times more.
Will it be hard to get by with only English? Turkish is the official language of Turkey and English is widely spoken in Istanbul; visitors are often surprised by the relatively high level of English spoken by most Turks. An attempt to use Turkish is very much appreciated and considered good manners, though.
For a 5–7 day trip, costs vary by travel style: Budget Trip: $50–$70 per day (Hostel dorm, street food, public transit) Mid-Range Trip: $100–$150 per day (3-star hotel, cafés, some tours) Luxury Trip: $200–$300+ per day (5-star hotel, fine dining, private guides)
Bellboys usually receive 20–50 Turkish Lira depending on the number of bags. Housekeeping staff should get 20–30 TL per night. You can also give one larger tip at the end of your stay. For concierge services such as booking tickets or arranging a car, 50–100 TL is suitable.
The "333 rule" in clothing refers to two popular minimalist fashion concepts: the viral TikTok trend of using 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes to create numerous outfits (9 items total) for styling practice, and the more extensive Project 333, where you select 33 items (including clothes, shoes, and accessories) to wear for three months, excluding essentials like underwear, workout gear, and sleepwear, to simplify your wardrobe and reduce decision fatigue. Both methods focus on versatility, quality over quantity, and creating a functional capsule wardrobe.
I recommend dressing more formally when traveling there, with shoulders and knees covered, a high neckline (no cleavage please), and no transparent or form-hugging clothing. You'll show respect and get more respect in return. Female travellers do not need to cover their hair unless visiting a mosque.
Is it better to exchange money in Turkey or the UK?
Exchange rates are almost always better if you change money in Turkey. A good approach is to take enough local currency for your first day or so, then exchange the rest once you arrive.
Quid means one pound sterling. It is informal British English. Yes it is a slang expression for the British pound sterling. A few quid could mean a few pounds.
