Budget Accommodation in Turkey 2024
Budget Accommodation in Turkey
If you’re planning a trip to this beautiful country of Turkey, then finding an affordable place to stay is one of the ways that can help you save money.
Turkey is a holiday destination that offers plenty of budget-friendly options, from budget hostels to budget-priced boutique hotels. In some cases, you can even find free accommodation.
In this guide, we´re going to give you all the essential tips and travel advice that you need to find budget-friendly accommodation in both Istanbul and the rest of Turkey. It will help you plan an unforgettable and
cost-effective getaway.
Key Takeaways
- Turkey is a popular tourist destination, with a wide range of accommodation options to suit different budgets.
- It is important to calculate your accommodation budget and know where in the city you would like to stay.
- Planning ahead and pre-booking accommodation can save you money on your trip to Turkey.
- The best time to visit Turkey can impact accommodation costs, with the summer peak season being more a lot more expensive.
- Consider different budget accommodation options, including hostels, Airbnb, budget hotels, and luxury on a budget.
- Booking online through comparison websites can help you find affordable and secure accommodation options.
- The price of accommodation can often depend on the neighbourhood and its distance from the main attractions.
10 Things to Consider When Choosing Accommodation
Even though prices have increased in recent years, Turkey is still an affordable destination for travellers on a budget. When it comes to planning your next holiday, one of the most important things to think about is the cost of your accommodation. By considering the following factors, you can plan your accommodation expenses more effectively and hopefully make your travel budget stretch further.
1: You need to have an approximate idea of how much you can spend on your entire trip. For most people, about a third of their budget will be allocated to accommodation costs.
2: The length of your stay will often determine the type of accommodation you look for. If you are staying just a few days in Istanbul, you may be able to spend more on accommodation than if you are planning to spend a month travelling around the whole country.
3: Choosing your holiday destination is often the biggest difficulty. Sometimes it is obvious, where you want to spend your holiday, for example, you just want to stay a few days in Istanbul. However, sometimes travellers want to go to a Turkish beach resort and can´t decide which one is the best. Some resorts, like Kaş or Kalkan are more expensive than others and this will affect your accommodations spending.
4: If you want to avoid the crowds, you should consider visiting in the shoulder seasons of mid April to mid June or mıd September to end of October. This is especially true if you are planning to spend time in Cappadocia and southeast Turkey, where summer temperatures can often rise above 40 o C.
5: Another important factor in your accommodation budget, is how many people are going to share the accommodation costs. Solo travel is generally more expensive than travelling as a couple, or in a group.
6: Depending on all the previous factors, you should start thinking about the choices of accommodation that are more suitable for your budget. Hostel, hotel, apartment rental, etc.
7: Travellers often have certain criteria for the essential amenities that their accommodation must have. For example, free Wi-Fi, a pool, breakfast included. Sometimes budget holidays require cutting certain amenities in order to become more affordable,
8: You should always take a look at the reviews of guests who have stayed in hotels and apartments to help you decide if it´s the right place for you. You might find somewhere cheap, but by reading reviews, you will know if the place offers good value for money.
9: The way you buy your accommodation can often have some impact on the price you pay. There are many online comparison sites that can help you find the best price. Always check the hotel website too and see if you are really getting a good deal.
10: Buying on a Turkish hotel website can often help you get a better price than a website based in your home country. Using a VPN to change your location is necessary for this strategy to work.
Popular Destinations in Turkey
Turkey is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It is a country that has just about everything you could want for a good holiday.
It has culture, history, beaches, mountains, friendly people and a lot of delicious food, in fact, Turkey has something for everyone. Perhaps one of the best things, is that for most international travellers, in spite of hight inflation in Turkey, the country is still a very affordable destination to visit, with great service and good value for money.
There are so many nice places to see that touring the country is a great option for those who are a little more adventurous and have the tıme and money.
Accommodation in Istanbul
Istanbul is the most popular holiday destination in Turkey and is on the itinerary of most international travellers. If you fly to Turkey on a long-haul flight, the chances are that you will arrive at Istanbul airport, as it is the main hub for international flights.
However, it is also probably the most expensive city in the country to find accommodation. Despite this. the city still offers a wide range of affordable accommodation options to suit every taste and budget, from economic hostels for as little as 10 euros per night to luxurious five-star hotels at more than 1,000 euros.
The choice of the neighbourhood where you stay in Istanbul can often determine the price of you accommodation.
Istanbul Neighbourhoods
If you’re looking for a more affordable stay in Istanbul, then you should think about staying in a neighbourhood such as Sultanahmet. This area of the city is popular among budget-conscious tourists, and offers a variety of low-cost hostels, hotels, and apartments. Let’s take a look at some of the best neighbourhoods to stay in.
Sultanahmet is also home to many of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar, and Topkapı Palace.
Other popular neighbourhoods include Taksim Square, which is considered the heart of the city, and the nearby district of Beyoglu, which is known for its trendy cafes, bars, and restaurants.
Kadikoy is another good and affordable neighbourhood that is located on the Asian side of the city and offers a more laid-back atmosphere.
In general, accommodation on the Asian side of the city can often be cheaper than on the European side. However, most of the major tourist attractions and landmarks are located on the European side, which means you will spend more travel time catching ferries and metros to the European side of the city.
For travellers who prefer to have a more luxurious experience, there are several high-end, but affordable options available. The best luxury hotels are located in areas like Beşiktaş and Nişantaşı. These neighbourhoods are known for their upscale restaurants, bars, accommodation, and excellent nightlife.
Istanbul can be very cold in the middle of winter, but if that doesn’t bother you, it’s a good time for budget friendly travel. During the winter months, you can find flights to Istanbul Airport for less, and accommodation will also be much cheaper. (See the Istanbul guide)
Staying Outside Istanbul
If you travel outside Istanbul and away from the trendy Turkish coastal resorts the price of accommodation is usually lower.
Hotel prices generally tend to be more affordable in smaller seaside resorts that are popular with Turkish tourists. Prices also tend to be cheaper in less touristic destinations that are off the beaten path. In addition, saving money on a place to stay, you will spend a lot less on food and drink.
Choosing the right neighbourhood to stay in any town or city is important. You need to do some research into which area is the most suitable for your needs and budget. Generally, the further you go from the town´s attractions, the cheaper the cost of accommodation will be.
However, there is no point in staying somewhere cheap on the edge of the city if you need to spend a lot of time and money on transportation. Sometimes, it is better to look for a balance between distance and price.
In recent years the resorts in some parts of the Black Sea have become more expensive due to the increase of the number of tourists going there from the Gulf States and you may need to shop around in order to find a good idea.
Cappadocia is another part of the country that has seen an increase in the price of accommodation. Especially for those travellers who want to stay in a traditional cave hotel.
One of the best value for money regions for accommodation in Turkey is in the South East. It is a part of the country that doesn´t receive many foreign tourists, even though it is a very interesting place, with lots of history, natural beauty and fantastic food.
Budget Accommodation Options
Free Accommodation:
Couch Surfing & Volunteering
People who are travelling on a tight budget, consider free accommodation options like Couchsurfing and volunteerıng.
Couch surfing allows you to stay with locals who offer their couch or spare room for free. They normally do this in exchange for practicing English with you.
Volunteering in Turkey may be an option for some people who have more time and are looking for a unique experience. However, always try to get some references from the places where you intend to go before arriving, so that you can check it and stay safe. It is also your responsibility to find out if you need any special visas to work as a volunteer. Workaway is one of the best volunteering organisations.
These options not only save you money but also provide the opportunity to connect with locals and experience the Turkish culture first hand.
Hostels in Turkey
Hostels are a popular choice among budget travellers in Turkey. They offer affordable dormitory-style accommodation and is a good way for meeting other travellers. Many hostels also provide private rooms at a slightly higher cost.
Hostels often have communal areas, such as shared kitchens and living rooms, where you can socialise and exchange travel tips with other guests. Many, but not all, smaller holiday destinations offer hostels. If they don´t there will be other affordable options available.
You can find and book budget-friendly hostels in Turkey online by using websites such as:
hostelworld and hostelz are two of the best websites to help you find hostels in Turkey.
Home Rentals
Renting and sharing an apartment is a popular choice for many travellers. There are several companies that can help you find a holiday apartment rental. Sometimes there is a minimum stay, and many will add other fees, such as a cleaning fee. So always check the small print.
The first two are popular choices because they are so well known in both the West and Asia. These are Booking.com and Agoda.com
Each website has its own rules and regulations regarding payment and confirmation from the apartment owner. For example, Agoda can often take up to 24 hours, which is quite stressful if you are planning to arrive in your destination the following day.
Airbnb is another popular choice, and the confirmation process is often much faster and smoother than Agoda. If the apartment is unavailable, you can quickly make an alternative reservation. The company even tells you the average time that it takes for owners to reply to your request.
There is also a Turkish alternative to Airbnb for renting entire apartments. Missafir (which means guest in Turkish) is not widely known outside Turkey, but offers information in several languages.
In general, prices seem to be slightly higher when compared with similar apartments on Airbnb. However, you may be lucky and find a bargain.
Sharing an Apartment
On Airbnb there are two possibilities for a shared apartment.
The frist option is that you have your own bedroom, but have to share the kitchen and usually the bathroom too. This option will usually be described as OWN ROOM.
The second option is to share a bedroom with the host, as well as share the rest of house. This is the perhaps only a good option for people who are on a very tight budget. In reality, it is like sharing a dorm room in a hostel. This option is usually described as SHARED ROOM.
To avoid any surprises, you should always check the Airbnb description carefully to be sure which of the two options you are booking. Staying in an apartment share offers more privacy than staying in a hostel dormitory and gives you the opportunity to meet local Turkish people.
An apartment with access to a kitchen can also help you save money on meals by allowing you to cook your own food. However, this is often, (but not always) a much cheaper option, than renting a room in a budget hotel.
It is important to check the price of cheap hotels and compare it to what apartment owners are charging for renting a room.
Renting an Entire Apartment
Renting an entire apartment for yourself is usually the most expensive option. This can offer value for money if you are travelling with friends or family.
Renting an entire apartment can be an expensive choice if you are travelling alone. For some people, the freedom that staying in your own apartment offers is worth the extra money.
Of course, there are all types of apartments, from basic studio apartments to luxury penthouses with a pool. In addition, there are good neighbourhoods of town as well as poorer and uglier neighbourhoods that may be far from the city centre or popular landmarks.
You need to do some research and take into account certain factors before deciding which is the best option for you. Hometogo Airbnb, and Missafir can all help you find an apartment.
Turkish Guest House: Pansyon
A guesthouse, which is called “pansyon” in Turkish, is a family-managed guest house that offers affordable accommodation options. Pansyons are often found in smaller towns and rural areas, providing an authentic and cultural experience.
These guest houses are usually managed by local families and can usually be considered a 1-star hotel. They offer basic amenities and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, at an affordable price. For many budget travellers, that is just what they are looking for.
Staying in a pansyon allows you to experience Turkish hospitality and learn more about the local culture, Another nice thing about staying in a Pansyon is that they usually offer a delicious traditional Turkish breakfast, which is an unforgettable eating experience.
Unlike hostels, hotels, and apartment rentals, most pansyons don´t have the money or knowledge to invest in sales and marketing on websites, so sometimes it is difficult to find them on the internet. They also usually only speak Turkish, which limits them to mostly Turkish guests. Good and economic pansyons usually get booked early by Turkish tourists who have been going there for years, and work through word-of-mouth recommendations.
2 & 3 Star Hotels
Budget hotels are another option for affordable accommodation in Turkey. These hotels typically offer basic amenities, comfortable rooms, and friendly service. They are a good choice for travellers who want a private room and bathroom at a reasonable price.
A great way to find budget hotels and guest houses is by looking on Turkish travel websites, instead of international ones. You may find that international websites such as booking.com or agoda.com don´t always include accommodation in some smaller Turkish towns and cities.
Most Turkish accommodation websites will give you the option of changing from Turkish to English or other popular languages. enuygun.com and obilet.com are both popular choices.
However, if your computer IP address shows that you are outside Turkey, the hotel price may be higher than if you are booking from inside the country.
You should try to compare the prices on different Turkish and international websites. For example, they may all show the same price, but one of the websites includes breakfast in the price, while the other websites are room only.
Google Maps & Accommodation
Google is a useful tool to help you find affordable accommodation in your travel destination. It is not widely used but should be one of your go-to strategies for getting to know more about prices, and desirable neighbours in your travel destination.
How to Use Google Maps to Help You Find Budget Accommodation
1: Type in the name of the Turkish town or city you want to visit together with the word “accommodation.”. For example: Bodrum accommodation, and hit enter.
2: Scroll down the page a little, and you will see a small map, (on the right side of the page which will have many price markers). You can double click on the map to make it bigger.
3: You can then look at the area of the map where you would like to stay in the city and hover over the price markers with your mouse, it will open a photo of the hotel on offer.
4: If you double click on the price marker, you will be taken to a website. Sometimes the website will be the hotel itself and sometimes it will be a third party website, like Booking.com
5: You can see all the different hotels in the area and check out their prices easily this way.
4 & 5 Star All-Inclusive Hotels
If you prefer a more luxurious travel style without spending a fortune you should consider booking a five-star all-inclusive resort. These resorts offer a range of amenities and services, including various dining options, spa facilities, private beaches and entertainment activities.
Many people like the idea of knowing how much they will spend before leaving their home country. At an all-inclusive resort, you don’t need to calculate how much extra you will spend on Food and drink. Although you might not get the chance to try much authentic Turkish cuisine.
Normally, these hotels are sold as packages from a travel agency outside Turkey. The package usually includes flights and airport transport. The only thing you will need to pay extra for is to go on optional excursions.
These types of hotels are normally located on the Aegean or Mediterranean coasts of Turkey. Some resort towns, such as Belek near Antalya, have many 5 star all-inclusive hotel, as well as many private golf courses.
When compared to other similar types of hotel in Southern European countries, Turkish luxury hotels still offer great value for money. However, when compared to similar ones in Egypt they are a little more
expensive. Booking.com can be a great way of finding hotels in the area you want an within your budget.
Solo Female Travellers
If you’re a solo female traveller who is planning to visit Turkey, finding safe and comfortable accommodation are two essential factors to take into consideration.
Here are some tips that may be helpful:
1: There are hostels and hotels that are especially reserved for female travellers.
2: Some female apartment owners on Airbnb only rent rooms to female travellers.
3: Research the neighbourhood before booking your accommodation, and try to choose areas that are well-lit, easily accessible, and have good public transportation options.
4: Reading reviews from other solo female travellers can give you valuable insights into their experiences and help you assess the safety and suitability of a particular accommodation.
5: Make sure that your accommodation has reliable internet access and has a secure Wi-Fi connection. Let´s people know exactly where you are, and where you are planning to go next.
Accommodation Prices
When it comes to accommodation expenses in Turkey, prices can vary depending on the location, season, and type of accommodation.
You can expect to spend around 30 percent more on accommodation when visiting Istanbul compared to most other Turkish travel destinations.
Rough Guide to Average Price of Accommodation in Turkey, 2024
- Hostels and apartment sharing: Prices start at as low as 10 euros, but normally range from 15 to 30 euros per night.
- Budget hotels and budget small apartments You can expect to spend between 30 and 50 euros per night.
- Mid-range hotels and boutique hotels can typically range between 50 and 100 euros per night.
- Luxury hotels and all-inclusive resorts can range from 100-1.000 euros per night.
It is important to research and compare prices in each town and city to find the best deals. You can definitely get lower prices than the ones mentioned above if you travel outside the main tourist areas, outside of the peak season.
When to Travel
When planning your trip to Turkey, you should consider the best time to visit, in terms of weather, crowds, and affordability. By choosing the right time to travel, you can have a better holiday experience and save on accommodation costs.
The peak season in Turkey typically starts in mid June and finishes at the middle of September, when the weather is warm and sunny. During this time, popular tourist destinations can get crowded, and accommodation costs may be higher than usual. If you prefer a lively atmosphere and don’t mind the higher prices, visiting during the peak season could be your best option.
If you plan to visit the Black Sea and Northern Turkey, the summer months are best time of year to visit because it usually rains a lot and gets cold during the rest of the year.
In the Aegean and Mediterranean, the shoulder months of April, May, late June, late September, and October offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds in most of the holiday destinations on the west coast, it is also a little cheaper.
In the low season, (winter months), most coastal resorts are a little cold and quiet. Many restaurants, bars, and hotels in smaller seaside towns close down for winter. So it is probably not the best time of year to visit.
Enjoy Your Stay in Turkey!
Turkey offers a wide range of budget-friendly accommodation. Even in big cities like Istanbul and Ankara, you can easily find something that is withing your budget.
Choosing the right time to visit the country will ultimately determine how much you pay on accommodation, as will the location and quality of the the place you stay in. However, with a little planning and research it is easy to enjoy a great holiday in Turkey that won´t break the bank.
