Turkey: Two Continents, Zero Excuses
Hot air balloons over Cappadocia. Roman ruins you can walk through. Beaches that cost basically nothing. Here’s how to see it all.
Turkey is one of those destinations that’s genuinely hard to summarise. It’s not just the geography — though straddling two continents is a decent opening move. It’s more that you can go from a Roman amphitheatre to a rooftop bar in Istanbul to a fairy chimney valley in Cappadocia in the space of a week, and none of it feels like the same country. Add food that’ll genuinely change your standards for kebabs, a coastline that does the Mediterranean proud, and some of the best value for money on the planet right now — and you’ve got a trip that’s almost impossible to get wrong.
3.5–4 hrs
From the UK
Apr–May & Sep–Oct
Best time
Turkish
Main language
TRY
Currency
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Best Time To Visit
It depends on what you want to do! Here’s the lowdown:
Spring (April-May) & Fall (Septembaer-October): My top picks! Temperatures are pleasant, the crowds are smaller than in summer, and it’s perfect for exploring cities and enjoying outdoor activities without the intense heat.
Summer (June-August): Beach season in full swing! Great if you want to soak up the sun on the coast, but expect crowds and higher prices, especially in popular spots. Inland, it can get seriously hot.
Winter (November-March): If you don’t mind the cold, it’s a quieter, cheaper time to visit. Istanbul dusted with snow has a certain charm. Plus, if you love skiing, Turkey has some decent resorts!
Remember: Turkey’s a big country, so the weather varies a lot depending on where you’re headed. Always check the forecast for your specific destinations!
Further Reading: Best Time to Visit Turkey: Seasons & Tips
What To Expect
25°C
- Temperature
Capital: Ankara
Population: 86 million (2023)
Language: The official language of Turkey is Turkish. However, you will also find that Kurmanji, Arabic, English, and Zazaki are also widely spoken.
Currency: The official currency of Turkey is the Turkish Lira (TRY). Check the latest rates here
Credit Cards & ATMs: You can use your credit and debit cards in most places in Turkey, especially Visa and Mastercard. American Express might only work in fancy hotels or restaurants. For market stalls and smaller shops, it’s best to have some cash on hand. Don’t worry, finding an ATM is easy – just try to stick to the ones attached to actual banks. They’re safer, and you’ll usually get a better exchange rate compared to those random standalone ATMs.
Plugs: In Turkey, the standard plug is type F, the standard voltage is 220 V, and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. I recommend buying a universal adapter
Safety: Understandably, recent news about Turkey might have you a bit worried about safety. While it’s always smart to stay up-to-date on travel advisories (check your government’s website!), popular tourist destinations like Istanbul, Antalya, and Cappadocia remain generally safe for travelers. Just use the same common sense precautions you would at home – be aware of your surroundings, don’t flash valuables, etc. It’s always a good idea to check current travel recommendations before you go, as situations can change.
Explore Turkey
From Istanbul’s skyline to Cappadocia’s valleys — every guide you need, in one place.
City Guides
Itineraries + Maps (coming soon)
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do
Best Time to Visit
Travel Tips
Everything Else
How Much Does Turkey Cost?
Turkey is genuinely one of the best-value destinations in Europe — or Asia, depending on where you’re standing. Here’s what to actually budget.
🎒
Backpacker
~£15/day (~€18 / ~$20) | ₺900/day
- Hostel dorm: £5–10/night
- Street food & markets
- Public buses & dolmuş
- Free mosques, parks & beaches
🍜
Mid-Range
~£32/day (~€40 / ~$43) | ₺2,000/day
- Private rooms & budget hotels
- Restaurants & café culture
- Mix of transport & taxis
- Historical sites, tours, day trips
🏨
Upscale
~£73+/day (~€90+ / ~$98+) | ₺4,500+/day
- Boutique hotels & coastal resorts
- Rooftop dining & fine mezes
- Private tours & yacht charters
- Cappadocia balloon rides, gulets
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Budget
- Hostel dorm£5–10 / €6–12 / $7–13 per night
- Hostel private room£11–24 / €14–30 / $15–33 per night
- Budget hotel£16–40 / €20–50 / $22–54 per night
Mid–Luxury
- Airbnb room£13–29 / €16–36 / $17–39 per night
- Airbnb apartment£32+ / €40+ / $43+ per night
- Campsite£5–13 / €6–16 / $7–17 per night
City Travel
- Local bus / metro (single)£0.25–0.50 / €0.30–0.60 / $0.33–0.65
- Istanbulkart daily cap~£1.50 / €1.80 / $2
- Istanbul to Cappadocia bus£8–16 / €10–20 / $11–22
Long Distance
- Istanbul to Ankara train£6.50–13 / €8–16 / $9–17
- Taxi per km£0.16–0.32 / €0.20–0.40 / $0.22–0.43
- Car rental per day£16–40 / €20–50 / $22–54
Eat & Drink
- Budget meal (lokal restaurant)£1.30–3.25 / €1.60–4 / $1.75–4.35
- Mid-range restaurant meal£4–10 / €5–12 / $5.50–13
- Turkish coffee£0.80–1.60 / €1–2 / $1.10–2.20
- Beer (0.5L)£1.60–3.25 / €2–4 / $2.20–4.35
Budget Fun
- Museum entry (Hagia Sophia, Ephesus)£3.25–8 / €4–10 / $4.35–11
- Guided tours£16–48 / €20–60 / $22–65
- Bosphorus / boat tour£12–32 / €15–40 / $16–43
Big Experiences
- Hot air balloon (Cappadocia)£56–105 / €70–130 / $76–141
Tips for Saving Money in Turkey
🍅 Eat where locals eat — find the lokal restaurant one street back from the tourist strip
🚌 Use dolmuş (shared minibuses) — cheapest way between towns
💧 Bring a reusable bottle — tap water is fine in cities
🚶 Walk Istanbul’s old town — Sultanahmet to Karaköy is very doable on foot
🧭 Take free walking tours — tipping is optional, guides are genuinely excellent
🌙 Book overnight buses — saves a night’s accommodation, crosses big distances
📅 Travel shoulder season — April–May or September–October, prices drop noticeably
🛒 Shop at local markets — not the Grand Bazaar tourist markets, the actual produce markets
🎫 Get the Museum Pass Turkey — covers Hagia Sophia, Topkapi, more. Worth it within 2 days
📱 Get an Airalo eSIM before you land — much cheaper than roaming, works instantly on arrival
Getting Around Turkey
Turkey is bigger than you think. Much bigger. The good news is it’s cheap to get around — once you know which option to actually use.
Domestic Flights
Fast but adds up. Turkey’s coast-to-coast distances make flying sensible for some routes.
✅ Istanbul to Cappadocia in 1.5 hrs
✅ Budget carriers (Pegasus, Turkish Airlines)
❌ Book early — last-minute prices spike fast
Car Rental
Best for the Turquoise Coast and Cappadocia. You’ll want to stop whenever you feel like it.
✅ From £16/day — genuinely affordable
✅ Access to smaller towns and coastal spots
❌ Istanbul traffic is not worth the stress
City Public Transport
Istanbul has an excellent network. Metro, trams, ferries — all work on one card.
✅ Istanbulkart covers everything
✅ Under £1 per journey
❌ Useful within cities only
High-Speed Train
Istanbul to Ankara in under 4 hours. Comfortable, cheap, and a lot less stressful than flying.
✅ From £6.50 one-way
✅ City-centre to city-centre
❌ Limited routes — mainly Istanbul–Ankara–Konya
Intercity Bus
The backbone of Turkish travel. Comfortable coaches, reclining seats, served tea on board.
✅ Covers everywhere trains don’t
✅ Istanbul to Cappadocia from £8
❌ 10–12 hours overnight is a long haul
Ferries & Boats
Istanbul’s Bosphorus ferries are as scenic as they are useful. Also worth it for coastal hopping.
✅ Bosphorus crossings under £0.50
✅ Scenic and faster than the bridge at rush hour
❌ Seasonal for some island routes
Which Is Right For You?
Exploring Istanbul only
Get an Istanbulkart and use the metro/trams
Multiple cities
Fly between them, bus for shorter gaps
Turquoise Coast & beaches
Hire a car — it’s cheap and you’ll want the freedom
Tight budget, long distance
Overnight bus — saves transport AND accommodation
Quick Tips
✈️
Skip Airport Taxis
Havaist bus from Istanbul Airport is a fraction of the taxi price and barely slower
💳
Get an Istanbulkart
Cheaper than single tickets, works on everything in Istanbul
🌙
Travel Overnight
The Istanbul–Cappadocia overnight bus is 10 hours — budget for snacks
🚗
Book Transfers in Advance
Welcome Pickups for airport runs — fixed price, no meter surprises
Book Tours & Tickets
Related Resources
Travel Problems
Missed flights, lost luggage, dodgy hotels. It happens. Here’s how to handle all of it without losing your mind.
Theft & Scams
Pickpockets, tourist traps, and cons you won’t see coming. We break down the most common ones and how to avoid every single one.
Travel Insurance
Don’t skip this one. Especially travelling solo. We compare the best policies and explain exactly what you actually need.
FAQs
Do UK citizens need a visa for Turkey?
No. British citizens with a full UK passport can visit Turkey visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period — no e-Visa needed, no cost. Just show up with a valid passport. One thing to check: your passport must be valid for at least 150 days after your arrival date (not the standard 6 months — 150 days specifically) and have at least one blank page. That’s the rule that catches people out. Check the FCDO website before you travel for any last-minute changes.
Is Turkey safe for tourists?
Popular tourist areas — Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, Bodrum, Fethiye — are generally safe and heavily visited. Petty theft in crowded areas is the main thing to watch for, same as any major European city. The FCDO advises against all travel within 10km of the Syrian border, which is well away from anything tourists normally visit. Check the official FCDO advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey before you go — it updates regularly.
How long do I need in Turkey?
A week gets you Istanbul plus one other region (Cappadocia is the obvious choice). Two weeks is more satisfying — you can add the coast, Ephesus, or the south. Three weeks and you can actually relax into it instead of just ticking boxes. Turkey is bigger than most people expect. Don’t try to do all of it on a first trip.
What's the best time to visit Turkey?
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are the sweet spots — weather’s pleasant, crowds are manageable, and prices are noticeably lower than peak summer. Summer works well if you’re purely beach-focused, but Istanbul in July is hot and busy. Winter is fine for Istanbul (it has a certain atmosphere in the cold) and brilliant if you want to ski. The coast is essentially dead November to March.
How expensive is Turkey?
Very affordable by European standards, especially right now. The Turkish lira has weakened significantly, which means your pounds, euros, and dollars go further than they did a few years ago. Budget travellers can get by on around £15/day (€18/$20). Mid-range is roughly £32/day (€40/$43). A sit-down meal with drinks can easily come in under £8 for two. The main costs to plan for are the Cappadocia balloon ride and any guided day trips — budget for those specifically.
What currency does Turkey use?
Turkish Lira (TRY). Worth noting: Turkey still has high inflation, so prices can change faster than the exchange rate does. Always check xe.com for the latest rate before you travel. Cards are widely accepted in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants, though smaller markets and rural areas often prefer cash. Get liras from an ATM on arrival — bank-attached ATMs give better rates than standalone ones.
What's the best way to get around Turkey?
Depends on your itinerary. Within Istanbul, the metro/tram/ferry network on an Istanbulkart is cheap and very good. Between cities, long-distance buses (from companies like Metro Turizm) are comfortable and remarkably affordable — overnight buses are especially useful. For the Turquoise Coast, a rental car is your best friend. If you’re pressed for time, Pegasus Airlines and Turkish Airlines both have cheap domestic routes.
Is the food in Turkey safe to eat?
Yes, generally. Turkey has a strong food culture and fresh ingredients — the street food is not the sketchy kind. The practical rule: stick to busy spots with high turnover, avoid anything that’s been sitting around in the heat, and be slightly cautious with raw shellfish. Tap water in major cities is technically safe but most locals drink bottled or filtered water, so that’s worth following.
Do I need travel insurance for Turkey?
Yes, and it’s non-negotiable here. Turkey has no reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK, which means if you need medical treatment, you’re paying full price. A broken leg or an emergency hospital admission can cost thousands. Decent travel insurance is far cheaper than the alternative. Compare policies before you go — we have recommended options in the Travel Resources section above.
Can I use my phone in Turkey?
UK networks usually cover Turkey but roaming charges apply if you’re on a pay-monthly plan that doesn’t include Turkey. The better option is an eSIM — buy one before you fly (Airalo is good, linked above) and activate it on arrival. You’ll get data at local rates for a fraction of what roaming costs. Physical SIM cards are also available from Turkish operators (Turkcell, Vodafone Turkey) at the airport, though you’ll need to register your passport.
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