Backpacking Istanbul On A Budget: Ultimate Guide (2024)
Turkey is quickly becoming one of the most popular European countries to visit on a budget, so backpacking Istanbul should be on your bucket list too!
I spent several days exploring Istanbul, and I was impressed by how the city offers such a diverse experience, from lively nightlife to intricate mosques and stunning palaces.
Istanbul is also a great destination for backpackers with many affordable hostels, cheap eats, and fun experiences to add to your itinerary.
Let’s plan your Istanbul backpacking trip!
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Is Istanbul good for backpackers?
Yes, Istanbul is a great destination for backpackers.
The city is lively, with many things to do, and has many backpacker hostels to stay in.
At the same time, it is the most popular place to visit in Turkey and is constantly busy with tourists.
That can make you feel like a walking wallet when interacting with locals, which is something I didn’t expect.
Istanbul is a modern city, and certain neighborhoods are more enjoyable than others. I preferred walking around more residential and quieter areas, like Cukurcuma, Cihangir, Kadikoy, and Balat.
PROS:
- Things to do: something is always going on in Istanbul, and the city is so large that your itinerary will be filled with activities every day of your trip.
- Many hostels: Istanbul is the most visited place in Turkey, so you’ll have a great selection of hostels to stay in.
- Lively nightlife: I was surprised to see how Istanbul lives at night, streets are still filled with people way after midnight!
- Affordable: Despite recent price increases, Turkey is still one of the more affordable European countries.
CONS:
- Pricey tourist attractions: Visiting the most popular places in Istanbul is expensive, with entry tickets from 20-50€.
- Scams: There are SO MANY scams in Istanbul, to the point I hesitated to talk to anyone on the street.
- Loud: Istanbul is an attack to all senses, with so many things happening at the same time that I felt like I was in a way or disturbing someone constantly.
How To Get To Istanbul
The most common way to reach Istanbul is by flying.
Even if you’re already in Turkey, flying to Istanbul can be cheaper than taking long-distance buses or trains.
Istanbul has two airports – Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) on the Asian side and Istanbul International Airport (IST) on the European side.
Generally, budget airlines and most domestic flights land at SAW Airport. I took Pegasus Airlines and that’s where both of my flights were.
You can easily get to the city center of Istanbul by public transportation from both airports, so you don’t need to pay for a taxi.
You can use Google Maps to determine the route – both airports are connected to the metro system.
However, it is worth noting that both airports are quite far from the city center.
It took me almost two hours to get from SAW Airport to Taksim Square by metro and bus (I even took a ferry one time!) so keep that in mind when planning your arrival.
Getting Around Istanbul
Istanbul is a large city, so you’ll need to use transportation to get around.
Luckily, public transportation in Istanbul is cheap, reliable, and frequent.
You can also get around by taxis or private transfers if you’re traveling in a group, or you’re in a rush.
I didn’t use taxis during my trip, but there is also Uber in Istanbul if you prefer to know the price of the ride in advance.
You don’t need to rent a car in Istanbul. In fact, getting around Turkey without a car is probably easier as you don’t have to deal with the traffic which can get chaotic.
How does public transport in Istanbul work?
Firstly, you need to buy an Istanbul City Card from the blue/yellow ticket machines – you can find them at the airport and most stations too.
Once you have the card, you need to add money to it – you can pay by cash or card.
As you enter buses, trams, and metros, tap your Istanbul card to pay for the ride and get in.
Currently, one ticket is about 20 lira – which is around 0,60€. It is quite affordable, but keep in mind it is a single-ride ticket and you’ll have to get a new one when transferring.
People in Istanbul don’t joke about paying for transportation!
Even street-level tram stations have doors and guards making sure everybody pays their ticket. I’ve witnessed a bus driver stop a bus and demand people in the back of the bus come back and tap their card!
You can also use your Istanbul City Card for ferries! The rides are slightly more expensive, but still around 1€ per ride.
Where To Stay In Istanbul On A Budget?
So, where to stay in Istanbul?
Most backpackers will enjoy staying in the Beyoglu or Sultanahmet neighborhoods – most tourist attractions and nightlife are in this area.
Istanbul has well-developed public transportation, but getting from one place to another still takes time, especially if you’re not close to the metro station.
I wouldn’t stay too far from the city center or on the Asian side for a short visit to the city.
Hostels are your best option if you’re on a budget.
I stayed in two different places in Istanbul and found budget accommodation options somewhat disappointing. Most places look better in photos than in real life.
However, I’ve noticed that the quality increases dramatically as soon as you’re ready to pay more than 50€ per night – it is worth looking into if you’re traveling with a friend or as a couple.
Best Hostels In Istanbul
- Cheers Hostel – the best hostel in Istanbul, organizes daily events and tours.
- Lola Backpackers Hostel – great budget-friendly backpackers hostel
- Archeo Hostel – hostel with female-only rooms, and comfortable dorms
Backpacking Istanbul Itinerary
If it’s your first time in Istanbul, you should know that Istanbul is a large city, with more than 16 million people living here!
I wasn’t aware of how big Istanbul was, and I thought I could fit more activities in one day than it was possible unless you were running from one place to another.
You’ll need at least 3 days, but you could easily spend 4 to 5 days in Istanbul if you want to take your time sightseeing and add some day trips from Istanbul to your itinerary.
DAY 1: Istanbul Sultanhamet
On your first day in Istanbul, you will explore the historic center of Istanbul – Sultanahmet.
This is where you’ll find Istanbul’s most iconic UNESCO-listed landmarks!
You’ll visit a lot of mosques today, so be sure to dress appropriately (covering knees and shoulders) and bring a scarf to cover your hair.
Most places will let you borrow one for free, but I prefer having my own.
You can also join one of Istanbul free walking tours if you’d like to meet other backpackers and learn about the city from the locals!
Galata Bridge
Start your day exploring the historic center from the Galata Bridge area.
You can start with a quick visit to the Yeni Cami Mosque, I quite liked it even though it is not usually on the list of Mosques to visit in Istanbul.
Egyptian Bazaar
Next up is a visit to the Egyptian Bazaar, also known as the Spice Bazaar.
This is a smaller covered market, with about 100 vendors selling random trinkets, spices, and tea on the Market.
It dates back to the 17th century and it is quite organized and clean. As always with markets in Turkey,
Suleymaniye Mosque
It’s hard to pick a favorite when it comes to Istanbul’s Mosques, but Suleymaniye Mosque might be the one for me.
The Mosque itself is quite impressive and beautiful, but I also liked its surroundings.
The gardens and the cemetery are quite peaceful, and in front of the mosque, you’ll get a stunning view over the Beyoglu side of Istanbul.
It is one of the best free viewpoints in the city!
Beyazit Square
I accidentally stumbled upon Beyazit Square, also known as the University Square, when walking from the Mosque to the Grand Bazaar, but it was quite an impressive square.
Grand Bazaar
I was surprised by Grand Bazaar, I expected it to be more chaotic with people selling things and yelling to attract customers.
Instead, the Grand Bazaar was quite organized – the only chaos was from the river or tourists walking through it.
You can find anything you can imagine there, from counterfeit designer items to spices and gold.
The market covers a huge area and is divided into different sections so you can find what you’re looking for easier.
Topkapi Palace
If you’re backpacking Turkey you’ll quickly notice that historical attractions are pricey. The entrance fee for Topkapi Palace is around 50€, so I had to skip it on this trip.
Still, if you’re not on a strict budget it must be a fantastic experience to walk the hallways and rooms where Sultan and his harem used to be.
Hagia Sofia
Hagia Sofia is one of the most famous Istanbul landmarks. This impressive mosque used to be a Byzantine Church, giving it a unique appearance compared to other mosques in the city.
Until recently, you could visit Hagia Sofia for free. Unfortunately, now you need to pay an entrance fee unless you’re Muslim entering during prayer time.
Visiting Hagia Sofia is popular despite the entrance fee, so I suggest you book your tickets online to avoid waiting in line for an hour.
Blue Mosque
If you’re visiting Istanbul on a budget, keep walking towards the Blue Mosque. This impressive 16th-century Mosque is free to visit and equally beautiful as Hagia Sofia.
Basilica Cistern
Another cool paid attraction in Istanbul is the Basilica Cistern. It is one of several ancient cisterns beneath Istanbul, dating back to the 6th century.
I find it impressive how such a complex system of water filtration was built thousands of years ago and continued to provide water in Istanbul for centuries to come.
Little Hagia Sophia
Finally, if you still have time you can take a short walk from the Blue Mosque to Little Hagia Sofia.
Just like its larger and more popular counterpart, this mosque was originally a Byzantine church.
It’s quite interesting to see how its unique design has been incorporated into its current function as a mosque.
If you want to visit more than 4 paid tourist attractions it could be more affordable to get an Istanbul tourist pass. Compare the prices and see if it’s a good deal for you!
🎫 Check out the Istanbul tourist pass!
DAY 2: Istanbul Beyoglu Side
On your second day in Istanbul, you’ll explore the modern city center of Istanbul – Beyoglu.
Once you cross Galata Bridge you can walk around the area, and you don’t need to use transportation unless you want to take the historic tram through İstiklal Street.
Galata Bridge
Start by admiring the Galata Bridge and the seafront promenade with a view of Sultanhahmet’s side.
Galata Tower
The main tourist attraction on this side is the famous Galata Tower. It is on a small hill, so you can see it from many parts of the city.
You’ll have to pay an entrance fee to get inside the tower, but I just admired it from the outside.
The whole area around Galata Tower is very picturesque, with charming coffee shops serving the famous burnt Basque cheesecake and Turkish tea.
Istiklal Street
You can walk along Istiklal Street, the main shopping street in the city, or take a historic tram for a couple of stops.
It is the same type of tram they have in Lisbon, and it was fun to see the same type in Istanbul!
There is also an interesting catholic church to visit as you walk along the street – St. Anthony of Padua Church.
Taksim Square
My favorite part of the Taksim Square was the Taksim Mosque.
I don’t know why more people don’t visit it, as I found it as mesmerizing as the popular mosques in the Old City.
The square is quite lively, with many food carts selling simit bread in the morning, and corn and mussels in the evening.
There’s also an Istanbul sign where you can take a photo, but I don’t think you’ll spend a long time here.
Dolmabahçe Palace
After visiting Taksim Square you can walk through the less touristy neighborhoods of Cukurcuma and Cihangir to Dolmabahçe Palace.
These neighborhoods reminded me a lot of a blend of Montmartre in Paris and Lisbon, it’s quite a unique atmosphere with many restaurants and coffee shops.
It’s also a great opportunity to grab lunch in Vegan Istanbul – the portions are huge and it’s so affordable!
The Palace is stunning and worth visiting even if you don’t go inside. The gates are majestic and the area around the Palace is very picturesque.
Ortaköy Mosque
Ortaköy Mosque is a mesmerizing seafront mosque and one of the most popular photo spots in Istanbul.
It is quite far from the city center, and you’ll have to catch a bus to get there from the Dolmabahçe Palace area.
I visited many mosques in the city, but this one felt quite different from the others, so it is worth a detour if you have time!
Baklava in Karaköy Güllüoğlu
You’ll need to take a bus back to the Karakoy area from Ortaköy mosque, or a tram from Dolmabahçe palace if you decide to skip the mosque.
There are many baklava shops in the city, but Karaköy Güllüoğlu is my favorite – probably because they were the only ones with vegan baklava!
They have so many different types of baklava to choose from, and the place is quite spacious despite being busy.
That concludes your sightseeing and is the perfect place for a little pick-me-up baklava and tea before a night out.
DAY 3: Bosphorus Ferry to Kadikoy
Today is the day to cross over to the Asian side of Istanbul.
In case you didn’t know, the city of Istanbul spans over two continents!
The Asian side of Istanbul is more residential and less touristy, as there are no particular tourist attractions to visit.
However, taking a ferry over to the Asian side doubles as a Bosphorus cruise for those backpacking Istanbul on a budget! If you go back during sunset, it’s a sunset cruise!
Jokes aside, I really like the Kadikoy area of Istanbul.
It is more affordable than the touristy European side, so many people cross over for shopping and restaurants.
The area felt modern and traditional at the same time, with cafes filled with young people gathering for a coffee or a drink.
More Things To Do In Istanbul
If you have more than 3 days in Istanbul, you can also add some day trips to your itinerary.
Princes Islands
Taking a ferry over to Prices Islands is one of the most popular Istanbul day trips.
It is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city and enjoy nature and a more laid-back atmosphere.
A popular activity on the islands is renting a bike and cycling around the island.
There are no cars on the island, so it is really enjoyable and peaceful.
Balat Neighborhood
Another popular activity to add to your Istanbul itinerary is a visit to the Balat Neighborhood.
This charming area north of Sultanahmet is popular for its Instagrammable colorful houses and charming cafes.
Istanbul Backpacking Budget
So, how much does backpacking in Istanbul cost?
Istanbul was more expensive than I expected, but it is still possible to visit on a budget.
In fact, one of the most interesting things about the city is the diversity of options and prices.
I had a cig-kofte wrap from a popular street food stand for 1€ and later that day I paid 15€ for a vegan burger.
Here’s how much money you should budget per day in Istanbul:
- Hostels: 20-60€ per night
- Food: 10-15€ per day
- Drinks: 0-10€ per day
- Transportation: 0-10€ per day
- Activities: 0-50€ per day
Total: 40-80€ per day
Accommodation will be your biggest expense, especially if you want to stay in private rooms. Interestingly, private rooms in hostels are often more expensive than rooms in budget hotels!
It is easy to eat cheaply in Istanbul. I’ve had simit (sesame pretzel kind of bread) for breakfast for less than 0,50€ and cig-kofte wraps for 1€.
At the same time, eating in restaurants and nicer cafes and bars can quickly get pricey. I’m vegan, and prices in vegan restaurants were almost the same as in France – 10-15€ per dish.
If you use public transportation to get around Istanbul, you shouldn’t spend more than 10€ per day. One ride is about 0,60-1€ so you can do the maths.
Your transportation budget can increase if you take a ferry to the Princes Islands or a taxi to the airport.
Your activities budget can range from 0 to 100€ per day.
While there are many free things to do in Istanbul, many popular tourist attractions, like Topkapi Palace and Aga Sofia Mosque, are quite pricey.
Turkey is known for medical tourism, but don’t forget to get travel insurance before coming.
Prices in Turkey increased in recent years, so the country is not cheap despite the inflation.
Don’t plan your budget using prices from several years ago thinking it couldn’t have changed that much, as you will be very surprised once you’re here!
Is Istanbul Safe For Solo Female Travelers?
I generally felt safe as a woman in Istanbul, but the city can be a bit much for some.
Apart from a couple of intrusive sellers, I didn’t have any negative experiences.
However, I wasn’t alone at night, and I’d generally advise against walking alone at midnight in any city you don’t know.
You should be prepared people will try to sell you things all the time or get you to come inside their restaurants.
I’m completely fine with ignoring them or saying no thank you and walking away but be ready that some will be very insistent, try to put things on you, etc.
Another thing to consider is scams. I read about shoe-shining scams, but I didn’t expect to see it 5 times during my time in Istanbul!
Basically, someone walks past you and drops a shoe-shining brush, you tell them they lost it, they pick it up and they are so grateful they want to thank you by polishing your shoes for free.
Of course, it’s not free in the end, and they demand a lot of money.
I guess the main takeaway is not to take anything offered for free on the street.
FAQ:
Istanbul is not very cheap. Sure, it is cheaper than most major European cities, but the prices have increased in the past several years. Istanbul is still one of the cheaper places to visit in Europe, but SE Asia is cheaper.
No, Istanbul is a large city with so much to see and do, that you could easily spend a week in Istanbul. A week is also great if you like to take things slow and discover Istanbul like a local.
Summary: Istanbul Backpacking Guide
Turkey is a great destination for backpackers, and Istanbul is a fantastic big city to explore on a budget.
As Europe is getting more expensive, Istanbul offers so many free things to do, affordable hostels, and unforgettable experiences.
You’ll need at least 3 days to see the best of Istanbul, try all the delicious food, and drink all the tea!
Now that you know what to do in Istanbul, it’s time to start planning the rest of your Turkey itinerary!
The south of Turkey is beautiful, with some of the best beaches I’ve ever seen!
