Turkey remains a relatively budget-friendly destination in 2025–2026, particularly compared to Western Europe, thanks to a weak Turkish Lira, though rampant inflation has significantly increased costs from previous years. While, according to Atlys, food, accommodation, and transportation still offer good value, popular spots and alcohol have become pricey.
Yes, tipping is expected in restaurants. In small and casual eateries, rounding up the bill is enough. For example, if the bill is 190 TL, leaving 200 TL is polite. In mid-range restaurants, leaving 5–10% is common.
Other modern Second World countries are those that were not aligned with the USSR but do still fall in the middle of the scale; the majority of countries in Latin America and South America are examples of modern Second World countries, as are Turkey, South Africa, and Thailand.
Most terrorist attacks have occurred in southeast Turkey, Ankara and Istanbul. You should remain aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities. See Regional risks for details about the areas in south-east Turkey where FCDO advises against travel.
Do you need cash in Türkiye? Credit cards and debit cards are accepted all over Türkiye, but it's also a good idea to have some lira with you. If you're visiting a market like the Grand Bazaar, you may find that cash is preferred.
According to FinanceBuzz, turkey prices are up 11.2% in 2025, averaging $2.31 per pound. That puts a 15-pound bird at about $34.65. The good news? That's still lower than the peak prices we saw in 2022 and 2023.
It's not safe to travel to places like Burkina Faso, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Haiti, and Myanmar, where major governments advise "Do Not Travel" due to conflict, terrorism, or instability, while areas near borders in Turkey, Israel/Palestine, and Togo also carry high risks. You should always check the latest advisories from your government (like Smartraveller.gov.au, GOV.UK, or Travel.State.gov) for current warnings on specific regions.
Hyperinflation and President Erdoğan's economic policies mean prices are constantly increasing – and these are inevitably passed on to visitors, meaning Turkey is no longer the budget destination it once was.
Although they're both beautiful destinations on the west coast of Turkey, there are quite a few differences between the two. Bodrum resembles a Greek landscape, it's dry and dotted with whitewashed houses, while Marmaris is lush and has a more Turkish vibe.
In the Marmaris region, the price of beer varies depending on location. Local beer such as Efes or Tuborg is the cheapest and costs around £2 at the supermarket but the price is higher on the beach or in Bar Street. On Longbeach in Marmaris, a bottle of local beer is about £2.30 and a glass is about £1.50.
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.
It is important to take care not to say anything offensive about the Turkish nation or the Turkish flag or to write such things on social media. It is also a criminal offence to deface or tear up Turkish currency. The penalty for these crimes is from 6 months up to 3 years imprisonment.
Yes, it is fine to kiss your girlfriend in Turkey. Public displays of affection, including hugs and short kisses, are generally tolerated in Istanbul, Izmir, or Ankara.
Heavy drinking includes binge drinking and has been defined for women as 4 or more drinks on any day or 8 or more per week, and for men as 5 or more drinks on any day or 15 or more per week.
For men, having 4 to 5 drinks a day for six months or longer raises the risk of the disease. Not everyone who drinks this much will get the disease, but the chances are much higher. Several factors can increase your risk of alcohol-related liver disease or make it worse, including: Sex.
