How to Reach?
Mate, I just got back from Turkey and honestly it wasn’t as complicated as I thought it’d be. I flew from Delhi straight into Istanbul with Air India. Took about 7 hours and cost me around 28k return if you book early. Ngl the layover options via Dubai or Doha can be cheaper sometimes but they’re a pain.
The main airports are Istanbul, Antalya and Izmir. I landed at IST and it was massive. Like seriously confusing at first. Immigration was quick though which was a relief. From the airport you can grab the Havabus to Taksim for like 150 lira. It’s reliable but the wifi was terrible the whole way.
Trains are decent if you’re moving around the country. The high-speed ones between Ankara and Istanbul are actually pretty good. I took one and it wasn’t bad at all. Buses are everywhere too. The Metro bus system in Istanbul is cheap but packed like sardines during rush hour. I learned that the hard way when my backpack kept hitting people’s faces.
To be fair, domestic flights are super cheap with Pegasus or AnadoluJet. I flew from Istanbul to Cappadocia for like 1800 rupees one way. That’s a steal. Just don’t expect much legroom. I’m 6 feet and my knees were crying by the end.
Where to Stay?
I stayed in a mix of places because I’m not made of money. In Istanbul I booked this basic hostel in Beyoglu for 1200 rupees a night. It wasn’t fancy but the location was decent. The beds were clean enough and they had free tea all day which was nice. The wifi was terrible though. Like dial-up bad. I ended up using my phone data most times.
In Cappadocia I went for a cave hotel because why not. Cost me about 3500 rupees per night with breakfast. Honestly it was worth it. Waking up in a literal cave was pretty cool. To be fair the bathroom was tiny and I banged my head twice on the low ceiling. Self-deprecating moment – I’m clearly too tall for cave living.
Antalya was more beachy so I stayed in a cheap guesthouse near the old town. 1800 rupees a night. The AC barely worked and it was roasting in May. I wouldn’t stay there again if I’m being real. The owner was lovely though. Made me fresh orange juice every morning.
If you’re on a tight budget look for places on Booking that offer free cancellation. I changed my plans twice and it saved me hassle. Ngl some of the hostels have weird vibes. One in Istanbul had this guy who wouldn’t stop talking about conspiracy theories at breakfast. I ate faster than I’ve ever eaten in my life.
What to Eat?
Bro the food is actually the best part. Don’t listen to anyone who says otherwise. I lived on doner and borek for most of the trip. A proper doner wrap is like 120 rupees and it’ll keep you full for hours. I had one in Istanbul that was so good I went back the next day.
Turkish breakfasts are mental. They bring out like 15 small plates of cheese, olives, honey, bread and eggs. I was stuffed after two mornings of that. Costs around 800-1000 rupees for two people which is decent. The tea they serve everywhere is strong and perfect. I drank so much I think I have permanent tea stains on my teeth.
In Cappadocia I tried the test kebab which is cooked underground. It was different but honestly a bit dry. The pottery kebab though? That was fire. They bring it in a clay pot and smash it open at your table. I looked like an idiot trying to figure out how to eat it but it tasted amazing.
Street corn and simit were my go-to snacks. Simit is like a bagel with sesame seeds for 30 rupees. I ate about 40 of them. No regrets. The baklava though is expensive. Like 400 rupees for a decent portion. It’s worth it once but don’t go crazy. My sweet tooth got me good in one shop and I spent 1500 rupees on desserts. Rookie mistake.
To be fair some tourist restaurants are proper ripoffs. I got charged 1800 rupees for a basic lamb dish in Sultanahmet that wasn’t even that good. The waiter was pushy too. Just walk an extra 10 minutes away from the big mosques and you’ll find better stuff for half the price.
Best Time to Visit
I went in May and it was pretty much perfect. Not too hot, not too cold. The crowds weren’t insane yet. June gets busier and hotter. July and August are brutal in Istanbul. Like 40 degrees and sticky. I wouldn’t do that again.
Spring is ace if you want flowers everywhere. Autumn is actually my recommendation for first timers. September-October has nice weather and the sea is still warm enough to swim. Winter is cold especially in the east. I met a couple who went in January to Cappadocia and they said the balloon flights got cancelled half the days because of snow.
Ramadan is a thing to consider. Things close earlier and some places don’t serve alcohol. I didn’t mind it but if you’re after nightlife maybe avoid that month. The iftar meals are actually pretty cool to join if you’re invited though.
Honestly the shoulder seasons are where it’s at. You save money on hotels and don’t have to queue for hours at the main spots. I went to Ephesus and it was manageable in May. I heard horror stories from people who went in peak summer.
Budget (Indian Rupees)
Let’s be real with the numbers for 2026. I spent about 2800 rupees per day on average. That covered everything except my flights. You can definitely do it on 2200 if you’re careful but you’ll be eating basic stuff and taking night buses.
Hostels and cheap guesthouses are 1000-2500 per night. Food is your biggest variable. You can eat for 600-800 a day easily if you stick to street food and local spots. I averaged around 1200 because I like coffee and the occasional beer.
Transport adds up. Those domestic flights are cheap but the buses between cities cost 2000-3500 depending on distance. I spent 18000 on transport over 18 days. Entrance fees are getting higher. Hagia Sophia is 1800 now I think. Cappadocia balloon ride is 25000 minimum. I skipped that and just watched them from the ground like a cheapskate.
Total for 3 weeks including flights from India? Around 1.45 lakhs. That was with some mistakes and a few splurges. You could probably do it for 1.1 lakhs if you’re smarter than me. Ngl I wasted money on taxis when trams were available. Learn from my stupidity.
The currency is always changing so check rates before you go. Lira keeps doing weird stuff. I paid with my Indian card most places but carried some euros as backup. ATMs charge fees so take out bigger amounts.
Tips for First-Timers
Don’t be a hero with the spice. I thought I could handle Turkish chilli but one dish destroyed me for 24 hours. My stomach still hasn’t forgiven me. Pack some basic medicines.
Learn a few Turkish words. They really appreciate it when you say thank you or hello in their language. Merhaba and tesekkurler go a long way. The people are actually so friendly once you make an effort.
Watch your drinks in some bars in Istanbul. I had a friend who got charged 8000 rupees for two cocktails that were basically juice. Seriously. Stick to places with visible prices.
The toilets can be a shock. Some are just holes. I wasn’t prepared mentally for that. Download an offline map because Google Maps sometimes sends you down random alleys.
Haggle in the markets but not in proper shops. I got ripped off on a carpet because I didn’t know when to stop bargaining. The guy started at 45000 and I paid 18000. It still wasn’t worth it. My suitcase was already full anyway.
Take the ferry in Istanbul. It’s like 60 rupees and you get insane views. I did it at sunset and it was one of my favourite moments. Just sitting there with a tea watching the city go by.
Don’t overplan. I had this massive spreadsheet and ended up changing everything after day 3. Turkey has a way of making you slow down whether you want to or not.
FAQ
Is Turkey safe for solo travellers?
Yeah mostly. I was solo for most of it and didn’t have issues. Just use normal big city smarts. Some areas in Istanbul aren’t great at night. I got followed once near the Grand Bazaar but nothing happened. I just went into a shop and waited it out.
Do I need a visa?
Indians need an e-visa. It’s easy to get online and costs about 1800 rupees. Valid for 90 days. Just don’t overstay because they fine you heavily.
Can I drink tap water?
No. Seriously don’t. I did once in a small town and regretted it for days. Bottled water is everywhere and cheap.
Will my Indian phone work?
Get a local SIM at the airport. Turkcell was good. Cost me 1400 for 20GB and it lasted the whole trip. Airport ones are a bit more expensive but convenient.
Is it easy to get around without speaking Turkish?
Mostly yes. Young people speak English and Google Translate works fine. Older folks in smaller towns might not. I had some funny moments with hand gestures.
Should I go to the tourist traps?
Some are worth it like Hagia Sophia. Others like the whirling dervish shows are overpriced and not that great. I went to one and fell asleep halfway. Not my finest moment.
What’s the dress code?
Be respectful at mosques. Cover shoulders and knees. I saw people getting turned away for wearing shorts. In beach areas it’s more relaxed. I wore normal clothes everywhere and was fine.
Honestly Turkey surprised me. It’s not perfect. Prices are rising fast, some tourist areas feel too commercial now, and the infrastructure isn’t always great. But the food, the history, the random kindness from strangers… that stuff is real. I spent too much on baklava and not enough time in the smaller towns. Next time I’ll fix that. You should go before it gets even more expensive. Just don’t be an idiot with your planning like I was sometimes. Safe travels mate.
plan your trip
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.