Sunny Turkey not only remains the favorite foreign tourist destination of Russians, but also continues to break records in the number of tourists from the Russian Federation. So, in 2021, about 6 million Russians visited the country, which is almost 1 million more than in 2021. One of the important advantages of Turkish resorts is a relatively low price level with decent service. Labor migration is also frequent - seasonal and constant. When planning a trip or moving, it is worthwhile to find out in advance what are the average prices in Turkey in 2021 for goods and services that are important for a fulfilling life.
Seasonal price fluctuations
Like most other countries in whose economy tourism plays an important role, the price level for many goods and services in the resort regions of Turkey varies markedly with the seasons.
The high season lasts from July to September - it is during these months that the warmest and most comfortable weather sets in the Black Sea and Mediterranean resorts. The air warms up to + 35 ° С, and the water - up to + 29 ° С.
A weekly trip to a 4-star hotel for 2 people will cost $ 1,100 these months. Popular tourist cities set maximum price levels for food, entertainment and souvenirs during these months.
The transitional season in Turkey starts in April with the first really warm days and lasts until June. The average air temperature at this time is about + 24 ° С, and the Mediterranean Sea warms up to + 18 ° С.
A beach vacation in such conditions attracts a noticeably smaller number of guests, so from April to June a weekly tour for 2 people will cost an average of $ 700. Prices for most goods and services during this period will also be about 10-15% lower than in the high season.
In October, the velvet season begins, when the water and air are still warm enough for a beach holiday, but most of the guests have already gone home. The price of a regular week-long tour for two is dropping to $ 600 this month, while food and entertainment is down another 5-10%.
From November to March in the country of two continents, the low season begins, when, due to cold weather, a beach holiday becomes impossible. At this time, only fans of excursions come, so the cost of a tour for 1 week for 2 people drops to $ 500. The rest of the prices also fall to the minimum level.
The difference between the cost of the same product in January and August can reach 100% or more. A sharp rise in prices to those characteristic of the high season occurs only during the New Year holidays, but by January 15, the cost of most goods returns to their previous level.
Thus, when planning how much money to take with you to Turkey, you must take into account whether you are traveling in the high season or in a month when there are almost no tourists in the country. The cheapest sightseeing trip will cost from November to March, and the cheapest beach holiday - in October or from April to June.
Food prices
If you do not plan to purchase an all-inclusive tour or plan to live in the country for a long time, then you should find out in advance how much food will cost on average. At the same time, it is worth considering separately the average prices for food in Turkey when buying them in supermarkets and the cost of a full meal and snack in various cafes, restaurants and fast foods.
Prices in shops and markets
If you are going to cook yourself, it is important to be familiar with the average cost of staple foods in stores and supermarkets. It is most convenient to estimate the average food prices in Turkey, presented in the form of a table. Please note that the figures given are averaged both by month (which means they correspond to the level of the transition season) and geographically (prices will be higher at popular resorts).
| Product | Cost, $ |
|---|---|
| 1 liter of milk | 0.74 |
| 1 liter ayran | 0.6 |
| Loaf of white bread | 0.43 |
| 1 kg of rice | 1.53 |
| Dozen eggs | 1.81 |
| 1 kg of cheese (locally produced) | 5.24 |
| 1 kg chicken breast | 3.63 |
| 1 kg of beef | 11 |
| 1 kg sausage | 8 |
| 1 kg of mackerel | 4 |
| 1 kg of shrimp and other seafood | 8 |
| 1 kg of apples | 0.88 |
| 1 kb bananas | 1.7 |
| 1 kg of oranges | 0.78 |
| 1 kg persimmon | 1 |
| 1 kg of tomatoes | 0.98 |
| 1 kg of cucumbers | 0.3 |
| 1 kg of potatoes | 0.76 |
| 1 kg of onion | 0.79 |
| head of cabbage | 0.57 |
| 1 kg of pasta | 0.8 |
| 1 kg sugar | 0.7 |
If you are a smoker, it is worth knowing that a pack of cigarettes costs about $ 2.50 on average. As for alcohol prices, a bottle of wine will cost $ 7.70 on average, 0.5 liters of local beer (for example, Efes Pilsner) costs $ 1.75, and for a 0.33 liter can of imported beer you will have to pay about $ 2.25.
If you are traveling with small children, keep in mind that instant cereals and purees of the following brands dominate the baby food market in Turkey:
- Bebelac,
- Hipp,
- Hero Baby,
- Humana.
There are certain problems with the availability of buckwheat-based monocash and cereals, as well as gluten-free and lactose-free products. It is very difficult to find meat purees and vegetable purees from one ingredient. There are no fermented milk products specially adapted for children on the Turkish market.
So if your little one needs special nutrition, suffers from food allergies, or you are just starting to introduce complementary foods, it is better to take your usual foods with you or plan on-site cooking with separate ingredients.
Famous Turkish markets meet customers with slightly lower prices than in stores for most fruits, vegetables and traditional sweets.
Famous Turkish markets meet customers with slightly lower prices than in stores for most fruits, vegetables and traditional sweets.So, a kilogram of peaches or plums will cost only 40 cents, and for 1 kg of cheese you will have to pay about $ 5. A kilogram of potatoes on the market usually costs about 20 cents. A kilogram of beef will cost about $ 8.40, and for a kilogram of chicken meat you will have to pay about $ 2.80.
At the same time, while Turkish supermarkets generally differ little from Russian ones, the markets are dominated by the local flavor and norms of Islam. In most cases, bargaining will be appropriate, and frankly non-halal products like alcohol and pork are unlikely to be found in bazaars.
Prices in cafes and restaurants
If you don't have time to cook, you want to spend a pleasant evening outside your home or have a snack between excursions, you should navigate the average price level in catering establishments:
- The average check for a 3-course dinner for two at a decent restaurant in a large city is about $ 20.
- A light snack at a cafe will cost about $ 5.
- The cost of a combo menu at places like McDonalds and other fast food will be up to $ 4.
- Coffee and pastries in a small coffee shop will cost from $ 1 to $ 4, depending on the proximity of the establishment to the sea.
Fans of ethnic cuisine and national flavor should find out in advance what food to try in Turkey. Some of the most popular local dishes to be found in gourmet restaurants and street vendors:
- Kokorech - roasted mutton giblets on a spit with the addition of spices and vegetables, which are usually served in a bun. Such a delicacy will cost $ 1.
- Doner kebab is a shawarma well known to Russians, cooked according to traditional Turkish recipes. The cost of such a kebab is up to one and a half dollars.
- Borek - puff pies stuffed with meat, potatoes or cottage cheese, which cost about 80 cents.
- Balyk-ekmek - grilled fish served wrapped in a flat cake along with vegetables. The price is about $ 1.40.
How much will it cost to stay
Most of the guests of Turkey prefer to stay in hotels. The price of living in them depends on the category: for a night in a 5-star hotel you will have to pay $ 200, a 4-star hotel will cost $ 150, and for a night in a three-star hotel you will need to pay $ 100.
When planning to stay in the country for a long time, it is worth finding out how much real estate in Turkey costs on average: depending on the city and region, the price per square meter of housing ranges from $ 400 to $ 2,000.
So, in Alanya, 1 m2 will cost an average of $ 680, in Antalya - already $ 800, and in Fethiye - $ 1150. Thus, the average cost of an apartment will be about $ 45,000.For elite apartments in the center of Ankara, you will have to pay about $ 90,000.
For those who do not know how to rent a house in Turkey, the following application will help.
The cost of renting an apartment in the resort of Antalya and Alanya is about $ 60 per day or $ 600 per month. Renting luxury housing in Istanbul and near the sea will cost even more - about $ 1000 / month.
If you plan to live in the country for a long time, it should be borne in mind that you will have to pay for utilities from $ 40 to $ 100 per month.
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Transportation costs
As one of the most developed countries in the region, Turkey boasts an extensive transport system:
- There is a metro in Ankara and Istanbul, which will cost you $ 1.
- All major cities have a system of city buses, which will also cost about $ 1.
- Another popular form of transport is fixed-route taxis, known as dolmushi. The average fare for them is $ 2.
- Electric vehicles are not that popular. For example, the trolleybus system as of 2021 operates only in Malatya. This is due to the fact that the cost of fuel in Turkey is noticeably lower than in most EU countries, and environmental legislation is much less strict.
- To use a taxi, you will have to pay about $ 0.77 for landing and another 60 cents for each kilometer of the journey.
- For intercity trips, the train is popular, to get from Istanbul to Ankara costs $ 40.
Those who prefer to take their own car on a trip or use a rental service should find out how much a liter of gasoline costs in Turkey. The average cost is $ 1.23, but depending on the region, it ranges from $ 1.15 to $ 1.34.
Education cost
As in most countries in the world, the education system in Turkey is divided into 3 levels, namely pre-school, school and higher. All kindergartens in the country are paid, a month of attendance costs about $ 260. But education in public schools can be obtained for free, provided that you and your child have a residence permit. It is possible to study in private schools, which will cost from $ 2970 to $ 9530 / year.
Education in Turkish universities is paid for.
- If you are ready to study in Turkish, you will have to pay from $ 240 to $ 750 per year.
- If you want to get knowledge in English, the cost will rise to the range from 450 to 1000 $ / year.
For those who entered a state university, subject to good grades, it is possible to receive a scholarship, which will cover up to 40% of the cost of training.
Medical services
The Sunshine State has long been a major center for medical tourism, rivaling Germany, Austria and Israel. This is due to the fact that Turkey combines high professionalism of doctors, good medical equipment, a developed healthcare system and low prices compared to other countries with comparable quality of services:
- consultation with a specialist doctor will cost about $ 70;
- an oncologist consultation will cost an average of $ 200;
- Ultrasound - $ 70;
- blood test - $ 35;
- day of hospital stay - $ 600;
- computed tomography - about $ 1000;
- chemotherapy course - from $ 600 to $ 4,500;
- bone marrow transplant surgery - from 35,000 to 135,000;
- for artificial insemination you will have to pay about $ 3,500;
- for deep brain stimulation - about $ 40,000.
If you do not have health insurance, you will have to pay for all the procedures yourself.
Wellness centers
The cost of one hour in Turkish spas ranges from $ 30 to $ 50, depending on the city, season and the range of services provided. A day of stay in spa hotels costs from 160 $ / person.
Accommodation in a hotel on thermal springs with a course of therapy will cost an average of $ 100 / day.
A comprehensive wellness program at the hotel with thermal, mineral and mud springs, a salt cave, massage, sauna, physiotherapy exercises and other healing procedures will result in about $ 1300 per week.
Clothing cost
Frequent visitors to the Mediterranean are well aware that clothing prices in Turkey are, on average, significantly lower than in EU countries and European brand stores in Russia.
Turkish leather goods are especially popular - a good jacket can be bought for an amount of $ 150 to $ 500. A high-quality sheepskin coat will cost from $ 300 to $ 1,500. At the same time, experienced shoppers advise to purchase these goods in Punto stores.
Other things are also relatively inexpensive. For example, quality jeans can be purchased for $ 50. A good T-shirt can actually be purchased for $ 10, and a good swimsuit will cost $ 30. A tracksuit can be bought for $ 40, a skirt will cost $ 12, and for a good dress you will have to pay from $ 20.
Good quality shoes aren't cheap, though: leather boots start at $ 100, and the price range for boots starts at $ 140.
It is not surprising that shopping tours to Turkey are becoming more and more popular among Russians. At the same time, if you wish, for about $ 100 per day, you can hire a consultant who will indicate the stores with the best deals.
Buying souvenirs
Many guests of the country think about what to buy in Turkey special, so that this item will remind you of the trip all your life.
- The most popular souvenir is hookahs. A decorative model can be purchased for $ 15, a functional device will cost $ 30, but a huge and pretentious one can cost $ 100. And do not forget to buy shisha (tobacco for a hookah), a pack of which will cost from $ 2 to $ 4.
- Another great souvenir is a cezva (turk for brewing coffee). Quality products cost about $ 20.
- Of course, having visited Turkey, you must definitely bring the famous sweets: Turkish delight, halva and baklava. Sets with them will cost about $ 10.
- The cost of gift sets of famous oriental spices is comparable to sweets and is about $ 15.
- A great gift idea is a teapot and kitchenware set that costs $ 40 on average.
- If you are interested in larger-scale souvenirs, you can buy a handmade oriental carpet, the cost of which, depending on the complexity and size, will be from $ 100 to $ 1000.
Consider: how much souvenirs cost in Turkey depends largely on your bargaining skills. The same thing can be sold to different people at the market in Kemer with a difference of several times.
Price level for popular entertainment
Turkey is known not only for its seaside resorts, but also for its rich history. Sociable guides will happily guide you to the most interesting sights and tell you the most exciting and informative things.
A short walk with a tour of Alanya (without going to shops) will cost $ 13-15. The price of a sightseeing tour of Istanbul and other cities will be from $ 45 to $ 150, and a trip to natural wonders like the waterfalls of the Duden River will cost up to $ 150.
A visit to the water park will cost $ 30, and a trip to the cinema is about $ 5.
If excursions and hikes to the beach seem too boring, you need to find out what are the prices in Turkey for various types of outdoor activities. Diving in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea is very popular: 1 session will cost about $ 40. If you are a lover of adrenaline, then try rafting down the rough waters of a mountain river: 1 seat in the raft will cost up to $ 50.
Regional differences
The most expensive cities in Turkey for life are its current capital Ankara and the former capital Istanbul. Prices for food and accommodation in these cities are on average 8% higher than even in the famous resort Antalya.
In turn, living in Alanya will cost several percent less than in Antalya, with comparable food prices. Cheapest products and services in non-coastal cities:
- prices in Adana are on average 5-10% lower than in Alanya;
- even cheaper is life in Kayseri, which is very far from both the Mediterranean and the Black Seas. Almost all prices in Kayseri are 8% lower than in Adana.
Conclusion
The cost of food and accommodation in Turkey is noticeably lower than in most resorts in the European Mediterranean.If you want to simultaneously enjoy swimming in the warm sea waters and save money, then remember that the cheapest trips from the warm months will cost you in April, May and October. And keep in mind that prices in resort cities can be almost one and a half times higher than in those far from the sea.
