First time in Istanbul? The Budget Travel Guide that you need! 2023 🇹🇷

First time in Istanbul? This Istanbul Travel Guide should help you pick the spots to go to and places that we think you must visit!
Wondering what to do in Istanbul? We show you some of the things to do and must see attractions such as the Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Balat, Sultan Ahmet Park and also the Galata Tower.
How much is Istanbul? Well, we include some prices so you have a rough idea of average costs before you go and if you are travelling to Istanbul on a budget like us then you will gain our tips to keep it cheap!
Travelling around Istanbul by tram is your best option at 9.90tl per trip, but be sure to pick up your Istanbul travel card beforehand!
Fancy an all inclusive attraction pass? Take a look at the Istanbul Tourist Pass where you can choose from 1-10 day cards at www.istanbultouristpass.com
We would recommend to stay 4 nights in Istanbul to do it comfortably, although if you are pushed for time then 3 nights minimum.
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#istanbul #istanbulturkey #turkey

[@ChelseaFCMario]

I’m going next week so thank you for sharing your experience ♥️

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Hey! Hope you have a fantastic time and that it has helped! Thanks for watching 🙂

[@hilarygamble4238]

What a lovely memory to Ash. Our thoughts are with his family. Another great, informative vlog, just a shame everywhere was so busy.

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Thanks Hilary! Yeah it was carnage 😆

[@abdulkhayum8361]

I’m one that never writes a comment but gotta say guys use done a brill job, keep it up and staying travelling.

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Thank you Abdul, that means a lot to us. Unfortunately our travelling came to an end during May as we were out of cash but hopefully we can get back on the road sometime soon. Thanks very much for watching and supporting us. John & Becky x

[@Kowalek94]

I wana go to Instabul in january : ) Thx for guide .Love Turkey from Poland 🥰🥰🥰

[@ParksTravelGuide]

It's a lovely city with a lot to see! Dziękuję za obejrzenie 🙂

[@VisualArt1-ik4kf]

Aaaah they finally opened it. Great tips on the food and transport. Thx for sharing those 👍

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Hey! It certainly is. Thanks very much for watching 🙂

[@masarashanti7609]

this is very helpful for my upcoming trip to Turkey in November. thank you!

[@ParksTravelGuide]

We are glad you enjoyed it. Happy travels! John & Becky x

[@kezzacollinson621]

Hi guys ❤ Wow, the city of Istanbul looks amazing. And I totally agree….who needs a restaurant when you have street food like that 😊😊😊 I do agree with the crowds though……… shame, but that’s life 😅 Take care you two. Love to Ash’s family and friends ❤❤❤

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Ey up Kezza! It would have been much better if it had been a week before or after. We were just fighting a losing battle to get anywhere. The guys cart really was something special. We went back for another but he had moved on. Thanks for watching love! X

[@anotherway007]

Nice to see a travel video without 2 faces showing fake surprise, shock or questioning in the thumbnail picture, thanks!

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Thank you for the compliment 🙂

[@tonyrose160]

Very good vlog Istanbul is not a place I would have thought about going but after watching this would definitely consider it. Very colourful

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Thanks for watching as always Tony!

[@photoholic11]

Funny that when i booked a trip to Chiang Mai, i came across your excellent video from there and subscribed to your channel. I just booked a trip to Istanbul/Cappadocia/Antalya and sure enough you guys have been there and done another excellent video from there. My trip isnt for another 60 days, but your video will help me get sorted before i go!

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Hey Jim! Istanbul was released this morning so it's good timing on your part! We're back in the UK now after our 6 month trip from Singapore to Santorini via Japan, so there's plenty of inspiration on our channel. Thanks very much for watching and we hope you have a fantastic time! John & Becky x

[@redeyeboy100]

Fantastic video guys thank u 🙏

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching 🙂

[@joannerose1019]

Fantastic vlog both of You, and yes very busy busy but a lovely place to visit,plenty of markets And shops for the shopper's And loved the colour full street s And houses, thankyou so much And Lovely to mention ash ❤ xx

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Thanks for watching Joanne! A tribute was the least we could do x

[@glennagabin4110]

You made me so excited to visit Istanbul next month, just waiting gor my Appointment to get my Visa.

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Hey Glenn! Glad you've found it useful and we hope you have a fantastic time. Thanks very much for watching. John & Becky x

[@davidelkins9861]

good insights thank you ,heading there soon for the third time. Current exchange rate 2nd Oct 2023 1 pound = 33.50 Lira. Aus $ 1 = 17.6 Lira . $1 Au = .53 pound

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Thanks for watching David!

[@davidelkins9861]

will be watching the Sri Lankan video too.. cheers! @@ParksTravelGuide

[@lina8144]

Hello, it is incredibile your excellent explanation and video. I have to go with my daughter in december and we are very happy. One question for the transportation card, is it possibile to buy with credit or debit card at the machines, especially the card for using one or two people?. Thanks Lina.

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Hey Lina! Sorry we are late getting back to you. We've been filming in the Caribbean and had no WiFi. Yes you can pay by card at the machines and it makes life much easier. Just buy 1 card, top it up and share it. It's completely fine to do that. Have a great trip and thank you for watching 🙂

[@mesutakaln2710]

Güzel gezilmesi gereken yer

[@ParksTravelGuide]

İzlediğiniz için teşekkürler 🙂

[@ylmazagzkucuk7712]

Çok güzel bir video

[@ParksTravelGuide]

İzlediğiniz için teşekkürler 🙂

[@ChawkyVirus]

Is this was a few months ago, it's crazy how prices have skyrocketed I'm there right now, and it's insane Istanbulcart fares are now all 15 tl Galata Tower entry is 650 tl Most street foods have risen too

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Wow! Must have put them up for summer. We filmed this around the 20th April but it shows how quickly things can change. Thanks very much for watching and letting us know 🙂

[@ChawkyVirus]

@@ParksTravelGuide Inflation is crazy here in Turkey But this is still too much, especially for tourists from low paying countries

[@ParksTravelGuide]

@@ChawkyVirus Agreed. Places are becoming less and less cost effective these days in a bid to attract tourism.

[@MuhammadAli-de1td]

seems honest

[@ParksTravelGuide]

It's a lovely city Muhammad!

[@JourneyTo.Travel]

Istanbul 🫶😍😍

[@ParksTravelGuide]

It's beautiful! Thanks for watching 🙂

[@antoniomorais1503]

Great video ! I heard about the hills in Istanbul. Are they hard ones to walk ? If so, which area/flat in Istanbul do you recommend to stay ? Thank you !

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Hey Antonio. We wouldn't say they are extreme but some can test your fitness. We don't think we came across a totally flat area but the best was probably near the spice bazaar. Most tourists stay in the Sultan Ahmet area like we did from what we found. Trams are very frequent though which takes some of the strain away. Hope it helps!

[@ahmedadnan1854]

when did you guys visit istanbul? month and year? btw such a great video

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Hi there. We visited in April this year during the time of Eid/Bayram so it's pretty fresh. Thanks so much for watching, we're glad you enjoyed it!

[@nimraakhlaq9037]

How much does it cost to balat by bus??

[@ParksTravelGuide]

We should have put the price up in text. If we didn't then it won't have been that much as it was only about 5 stops or so. We've heard prices have gone up for summer so expect a slight change.

[@MuratFeyzi-m5m]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Thanks for watching 🙂

[@ZaidZakir]

for first timers wats the best area to stay in ?

[@ParksTravelGuide]

We'd probably say where we stayed in Sultan Ahmet as it's the main area for tourists. If you can get anywhere near the grand bazaar or spice market then that's handy too.

[@richielucas6825]

Is $800 for a 6-day stay enough?

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Hey Richie. It's pretty tough to estimate a budget as everyone is different with spending habits. We provide info for those on a low budget as a baseline, although you could pick a nice restaurant and it be a lot more. If you like partying then this won't be cheap either and costs rack up as Istanbul isn't that cheap. We'd say it's a healthy budget and you should be fine but keep in mind the cost of excursions or entry to attractions etc can soon drain the funds.

[@richielucas6825]

@@ParksTravelGuide Thanks. I’ll be mostly spending money on food, smokes and drinks. Won’t be partying, but planning to do pub crawls! Won’t be spending on any touristy locations!

[@ParksTravelGuide]

@richielucas6825 You should be ok then, although alcohol isn't the cheapest. Depending where you are from you may think differently though as each country's cost of living is different. Cards are widely accepted if you really get stuck but you should be fine.

[@murattahan2391]

👍👍👍

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Thanks for watching Murat!

[@mistybehaviours]

How do you get that red travel card? I’m visiting in July and I know I would need that card

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Hey Misty. You'll need it for all public transport. We got ours at the Sultan Ahmet tram stop as that's where we were staying. You make one transaction to get the card and then another to top it up. It could be a lot more more tourist friendly if we are honest. No doubt they will be available elsewhere but we didn't check as we had ours. They are also available at Istanbul Ataturk airport (IST) as it has a metro station at the airport.

[@mistybehaviours]

@@ParksTravelGuide thank you so much for that info, hopefully I will remember to pick one up when I leave the airport

[@ParksTravelGuide]

No worries. If you forget then your hotel reception should be able to give you the nearest location. Have a great time! 🙂

[@fabbydabby7194]

Great video, thanks for putting the prices up really helps. Are there always queues to visit the mosques?

[@ParksTravelGuide]

@fabbydabby7194 no worries. We do it on all of our vlogs but like anything else they do change over time and we can't alter them. The queues do move quickly but expect them at the popular sights. Thanks for watching 🙂

[@Julie-hl2ny]

Hiya what month did you go please

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Hi. This was filmed in April this year

[@Julie-hl2ny]

Thanks.

[@mia92275]

Hiii☺ did you use the same tram card for the buses?

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Hey Cara! Yes we used the same card that we shared and just tapped it twice 🙂

[@notmyname8527]

@@ParksTravelGuide Thanks that information is very useful. Most other guides do not say how to use it for multiple people.

[@ParksTravelGuide]

We always try to give as much info that we think is beneficial and will save people some money 🙂

[@NzePriddie]

What date did you filmed this vlog ?.

[@ParksTravelGuide]

This was filmed in mid April this year

[@MartinParkes]

Its on me chin. That's what they all say love lol

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Hilarious 😆😆

[@deanandconner5194]

So sad r.i.p. ash .

[@ParksTravelGuide]

It is. At least we could do our bit though.

[@FunnyShk]

I will come to Turkey in the middle of October, please guide me , I m from Pakistan, we are Pakistani, guide me sir which city in Turkey am I looking for an apartment or flat for 3500 thousand Turkish lira, 1 room furnished, which city am I looking for girls living

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Hey buddy. Really sorry but we can't really help with this question as we don't know, but good luck with your search.

[@FunnyShk]

Thank you so much buddy 😊

[@nolkigenceli1665]

Arkadaşlar bu videolari begenib karşiliginda para kazanacaginizi soyluyenner tokatçilar video begenin başkada para yatirmayin

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Thanks very much 😊

[@ylmazagzkucuk7712]

Çok güzel bir video

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Thank you 🙂

[@MuratFeyzi-m5m]

❤❤❤

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Thank you 😊

[@سعودالسعود-ظ5ض]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ParksTravelGuide]

Thanks for watching 🙂