Here’s my ultimate travel guide to Istanbul on a budget.
I last visited Istanbul about ten years ago, and ever since, everyone I spoke to before this trip warned me the same thing: prices have gone up, it’s not the bargain destination it used to be, you’ll be shocked at how expensive it’s become. So I went in braced for it.
Honestly? I could not have been more surprised. I had five days that felt luxurious… I’m talking rooftop pools, hammam spa experience, sunset cocktails, boat trips, incredible food, and came home having spent a fraction of what the same trip would cost in most European cities. Some of the best moments of the whole trip cost next to nothing.
If you’ve been putting off Istanbul because you think it’s pricey, I’m here to tell you it really doesn’t have to be.
MORE ABOUT MAXINE BRADY
Maxine Brady is an award winning interior stylist in Brighton. She has 25 years experience styling homes and interiors for magazines, brands and TV shows across London, the UK and internationally. Follow her on Facebook (113k) and TikTok (12K)) Listen to Maxine’s Interiors Podcast: How to Home
Follow on Instagram @maxinebradystyling 96K and counting
Istanbul On A Budget: On How To Have A Luxury Trip Without Spending A Fortune
When To Go To Istanbul
I went in late spring and the timing felt perfect for a five day trip. Istanbul is such a cafe culture city, and life happens outside on the pavements, on rooftops, along the waterfront, in the little market squares. If you visit in the colder months you’ll miss a huge part of what makes the city feel so alive.
Late spring gives you warm enough days to sit outside for every meal, without the intensity of high summer. I’d say this is the sweet spot. I went at the start of June, and the weather was perfect!
Where to Stay: Karaköy & Cihangir
I stayed at The Marmara Pera, a brilliant design hotel in the Karaköy/Beyoğlu area, and it set the tone for the whole trip. The interiors are full of mid-century furniture, which as an interior stylist I obviously loved, and our room had a fabulous bathroom. The hotel has a rooftop bar and pool, which became my daily ritual: sunbathing up there during the day to rest my tired feet, then sunset cocktails in the evening. Oh, and I had the best Palomas of my life up there (£14 each) with views over the rooftops as the light changed.
That alone felt like a five-star experience for a fraction of the price. The location was the best I could have dreamed of, and we had everything on my doorstep.
It was £100 per night between the two of us.
Karaköy itself is brilliant for exploring on foot. Next time, though, I’d consider basing myself in Cihangir instead, just because it’s where some of the best Turkish breakfast spots are, and I’d love to be able to roll out of bed straight into one.
Getting Around Istanbul
Istanbul’s transport is absurdly cheap. The local ferry to Kadıköy was around £2 each way, trams and buses are around 50p a journey, and Ubers cost a fraction of UK prices. The Princes’ Islands ferry was around £3.50 each way. You can buy tickets on the day for the ferries, or pick up a local red card that you can load up with credit from the ferry ports. Or on the bus, tap in and out with your credit card.
Honestly, so much of the city is walkable too, which costs nothing at all.
Avoid flagging down taxis, or getting a taxi booked through your hotel as from my experience these were nearly three times the price.
My Five Day Istanbul On A Budget Itinerary
Here’s exactly what I got up to, day by day, in case it’s useful for planning your own trip.
DAY ONE: ENJOY A MEZE DINER
I arrived late in the evening, dropped our bags, and went straight out for dinner at Bülce Kebap, a brilliant little local spot. It cost just £12 for a vegetarian mezze for two, and properly delicious. It was the perfect, low-key start to my trip.
DAY TWO: WALK THE CITY
This was my big “explore on foot” day. I walked along the riverside from our hotel, did a bit of shopping, visited the cat museum (free, and one of my favourite random things we did), and browsed vintage shops. I stopped for coffee and the most incredible San Sebastian cheesecake, then went hunting for the famous photogenic umbrella streets.
From there we wandered through a French market area, stopped for a beer, then carried on along the marina seafront. I found a little local market, and completely by chance stumbled across a parkour championship taking place right there on the waterfront.
In the evening I did a sunset cruise up the Bosphorus with an audio guide, which was a brilliant way to see the city from the water as the light dropped. The trip was £13 from Get Your Guide.
On the walk home I found more street art, then headed up to the hotel rooftop for sunset cocktails before heading out again for dinner at Galata Meyhanesi, a proper Turkish meyhane with live music and dancing. I was lucky to get a walk in but you are best to book. A four course meal with wine was £54 each, and the live music was included. The place was packed, and we were the only tourists. Make sure you go!
DAY THREE: COFFEE & KADIKOY
I had coffee by the riverfront, then took the local ferry across to Kadıköy on the Asian side. I spent the day walking the streets, shopping (including bagging some brilliantly convincing fake Adidas trainers for £21), having lunch on the coast, and finding yet more umbrella streets and independent homeware shops. The highlight, totally unplanned, was stumbling across a daytime rave happening inside a chicken shop. Only in Istanbul.
In the evening I headed to the Theodosius Cistern, (entry was £12) where we got into a free concert in this extraordinary underground Roman setting by a Norwegian all-female choir. It was magical!
Then I walked over to the Blue Mosque in the Old City area to see it lit up at night, before finishing with dinner at a small local restaurant.
DAY FOUR: HAMMAN & A TURKISH BREAKFAST
If there’s one thing to splurge on (and it’s still not really a splurge), it’s a hammam. Hammams are part of Turkish culture and the ones in Istanbul are in beautiful buildings. I did a lot of research and decided upon Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı, Not only was it all female environment, it was recently renovated so was sparkling clean. This beautifully restored historic hammam that dates back to the 15th century. I paid £54 for two hours hamman spa, which included a personal treatment and coffee afterwards. It was completely indulgent: steam rooms, scrubs, the whole ritual, in a beautiful old building.
One practical thing to know: the ladies’ session finishes at 4.30pm, so plan your day around that if you’re going as a pair or group of women. I did our sightseeing first thing, then arrived at the hammam mid-afternoon, and went straight from there to a slow breakfast-turned-brunch (more on that below). It was one of the best mornings of the whole trip. You will need to prebook your experience.
After Kılıç Ali Paşa, I went for a proper Turkish breakfast at Van Kahvaltı Evi, which was an enormous spread and exactly what I needed after the hammam. I spent the rest of the morning walking the area and photographing the street art, then went back to the hotel to make the most of the rooftop pool.
In the afternoon I visited the Egyptian Spice Market, then headed over to Balat to see the famous rainbow steps, do a bit of shopping, and have coffee. I got a taxi back into town and ended the day with cocktails at Popstel, an achingly cool cocktail bar packed with cool locals. It’s in a renovated old mansion overlooking the Golden Horn and Galata Tower. The area is packed with record shops, and little local bars and places to eat.
DAY FIVE: ISLAND DAY TRIP
On my final day I went on a boat trip out to the Princes’ Islands, The ferry was £3.50 each way. I paid to go into one of the beach clubs, which was £15 each, and then lunch, beers and cocktails was another £25 each. I spent the afternoon at a beach club swimming in the sea, and in the pool before heading back for a last local dinner.
I loved the islands, and next time I would be tempted to stay on there for a few days and hire bikes and explore all the coves.
My Top 7 Istanbul On A Budget Tips
- ✅ Avoid tourist traps and the high entrance fees.
- ✅ Don’t eat dinner in the old town, head back towards Karaköy and Cihangir for better value and better food.
- ✅ Walk around the Blue Mosque area at night for a free water and light show
- ✅ Hunt out rooftop bars for the most insane sunset views. The ones around the Galata Tower are top tier
- ✅ Try the San Sebastián cheesecake and stuffed flatbreads.
- ✅ I never got a fish wrap from the river front but they looked so good and cheap… next time!!! 🐟
- ✅ Skip the Grand Bazaar and head to the Egyptian Spice Market instead for the same atmosphere without the hard sell.
Are you ready to explore Istanbul On A Budget! I want to know if you are now tempted to now go?
If you’re planning to a trip and want more ideas for combining culture, food and a bit of luxury without the price tag, you might also like my guide to where to stay in Marrakech, another city that proves you really can do both.
Don’t forget to save this post for your next adventure.
You May Also Like
Where to Stay in Marrakech: An Interior Editor’s Guide to Riads, Areas and the Best Time to Go
Your Ultimate Travel Guide To Mexico City – Check it out!
Mexico Travel Guide: Everything You Need To Know
Insider’s Guide To The Best Brunch Spots In Brighton
8 Of The Best Bottomless Brunch Spots In Brighton
The Habour Hotel Spa – Is this the best Spa In Brighton?
Insider’s Guide To The Best Brunch Spots In Brighton
10 Of The Coolest Brighton Coffee Shops