Everyone, regardless of their budget, can travel. What you expect from your trip and what activities you want to do during your travel greatly affect your travel costs. In this article from Saad News, we aim to introduce some tips to help you have an affordable trip to Turkey.
Maybe you've been planning and saving for a trip to a neighboring country like Turkey for a long time, but with fluctuating exchange rates, you might feel like your plans are ruined and decide to settle for a domestic trip. However, with simple planning and applying a few tricks, you can travel to Turkey much cheaper than usual. For example, have you heard about free tours in Istanbul? Do you know how you can reduce accommodation costs in Turkey? What season do you think lowers the cost of traveling to Turkey? Let's continue and answer these questions together.
Take Advantage of Free Tours in Istanbul
For those looking to reduce travel costs, the availability of free tours or walks is a great piece of good news. Imagine visiting the main attractions of Istanbul with a skilled guide and not needing to pay anything. You can only tip if you'd like. These tours are often called "walking tours" and have become popular among tourists. Dalaho also organizes free tours in Istanbul. If you're interested in modern Istanbul, join the "Free Taksim to Galata Bridge Tour," and if you're more into historical sites and traditional Istanbul, participate in the "Free Old Istanbul District Tour."
One of the biggest expenses when traveling to Turkey is transportation. Recently, with the introduction and expansion of bus and train services from Tehran to Turkey, this problem has been solved. Some people might give up on traveling to Turkey when they see the high prices for flights from Iran to Turkey, but with the option of traveling overland, travel costs have significantly decreased. In addition to public transportation, personal cars are another option for an affordable trip to Turkey. Traveling by personal car reduces costs, gives you more freedom, and lets you enjoy the scenic route. If you're driving your own car to Turkey, we recommend taking the southern route through Turkey and enjoying the coastal views and cities like Antalya, Marmaris, Bodrum, etc.
Wherever you want to go in Turkey, if you've chosen to travel by air, the best way to get the cheapest flight to Turkey is to book a charter flight. Everyone knows that charter flights offer cheaper tickets than regular flights. To buy a flight ticket to Turkey, make sure all your documents are ready, your suitcase is packed, and your travel items are prepared. Once you've purchased your charter flight ticket to Istanbul or another city in Turkey, head to the airport. Although these flights require full preparation, they allow travelers to cut their flight costs by up to half, providing an affordable way to travel to Turkey.
Turkey has its own beauty in every season, but spring and autumn are considered the best seasons to visit. To reduce your travel costs, you should choose a season when fewer tourists are visiting. The least crowded and cheapest seasons to visit Turkey are late autumn and winter. During these seasons, the prices of everything in Turkey drop. Accommodations, round-trip costs, and even sales in Turkey occur during these seasons. The weather during these times is ideal for enjoying beach activities, especially if your destination is Antalya, Bodrum, Cappadocia, or Kusadasi.
By doing a little more research, you can find clean and affordable 3-star hotels or hostels in most Turkish cities for your stay, helping you arrange the cheapest trip to Turkey. Istanbul, being one of the most touristy cities, offers plenty of affordable 3-star hotels with the best services, cleanest rooms, and excellent access for travelers at lower prices. In Istanbul, you can easily find over 100 3-star hotels offering the best deals. If you want to splurge on a high-end hotel, we recommend the 4-star hotels Port Bosphorus and Nupelda Bosphorus, both of which are exceptional for accommodation.
Use Websites Like Couchsurfing
Such websites allow travelers who enjoy hitchhiking to stay for free (with specific conditions) in the homes of locals in any city around the world. If you're the kind of person who accepts travel risks, has high social skills, or is looking to make friends in every country, you can submit your request on these sites. Free accommodation is definitely the cheapest way to travel to Turkey and is something everyone will seek.
During your trip to Turkey, you don't have to dine in fancy, expensive restaurants by the Bosphorus serving costly seafood. The best way to reduce travel costs and have the cheapest trip to Turkey is by trying local dishes. Not only does trying local food introduce you to Turkish culture and customs, but you can also enjoy some of the tastiest Turkish dishes at the lowest prices. Try famous Turkish dishes like Gözleme, Pide, Kofte, Kumpir, Manti, Börek, and various Dolmas. You can also find the cheapest restaurants in cities like Istanbul, such as Dey Pera Restaurant, Antiochia Restaurant, Hala Manti, Ginger, and many others. Additionally, street food is a great way to reduce travel costs and experience the tastiest, healthiest, and sometimes the best Turkish dishes.
Public Transport for a Budget Trip to Istanbul
As mentioned earlier, if you rely on taxis to get around in Turkey, your travel costs will significantly increase. It's better to use buses, which take tourists to major attractions in groups. If you want to visit surrounding areas of famous cities like Istanbul, Izmir, Kusadasi, etc., the best way is to join day trips or multi-day group tours. For example, taking a two-day tour to Cappadocia is much more affordable than taking a taxi. Many of these tours offer discounts, and joining them reduces your travel costs.
Affordable Shopping in Istanbul
Although shopping isn't typically considered a low-cost activity, it would be a shame not to enjoy shopping in Istanbul. With a little effort, you can reduce your shopping costs. Instead of going to luxury shopping malls, try the outlets in Istanbul, or check for sale dates before your trip, especially if you're visiting in the summer when prices are higher.
Final Thoughts
You may know people who believe that if you're not willing to spend on travel, it's better not to go at all. However, remember that even a limited trip can be so exciting and enjoyable that you won't notice the difficulties. On the other hand, if you want to travel like a pro and increase your trips every year, you need to find ways to reduce costs. That's why, in this article, we shared various tips to help reduce the costs of traveling to Istanbul. There are always newer, better ways to cut travel expenses—now, how do you think we can travel cheaply in Istanbul?
