How much does a trip to Turkey cost?
The August heat in Ankara is dry and deliberate, the kind that presses on your shoulders as you walk up the hill toward the ancient stones of the Temple of Augustus. Below you, the city stretches out in a haze of concrete and plane trees, and from the terrace of Ulus you can hear the muezzin mix with the clatter of a tram. It’s late high summer here: melons pile high in the bazaars, the evenings cool into something almost crisp, and the Perseid meteors still trace the sky above Atakule. I’ve lived in this city for years, and I can tell you exactly what a day here will cost you — not in vague dollar figures, but in the lira you’ll actually hand over at the lokanta, the metro kiosk, and the ticket counter (if there is one). Turkey is not the bargain it once was, but Ankara, the capital of the Republic, remains far kinder to your wallet than Istanbul. This is your realistic budget breakdown for a trip to Turkey — specifically, to Ankara — in the summer of 2026.
Getting around: transit and taxis
Your first move in Ankara should be to buy an AnkaraKart at any metro-station kiosk. This reloadable tap card works on the M1/M2/M3 metro lines, the Ankaray light rail, and the EGO buses — including the handy EGO bus 157 that takes you out to Mogan Lake. A single ride currently costs ₺35, but mark your calendar: on 23 August 2026 that fare jumps to ₺40. That’s inflation in real time — a constant companion in Turkey these days. If you’re staying more than a week and plan to move around a lot, a student abonman pass is a steal at ₺650 for the month (the full-price pass is unconfirmed but expect it to be substantially more). Taxis start at ₺54 and run about ₺35 per km — fine for short hops, but for longer distances the metro is your friend. Avoid the area around the intercity bus terminal (AŞTİ/otogar) at night, and stay alert around Kızılay Square, where demonstrations occasionally draw out tear gas.
Where to stay: from the historic quarter to the hills
Ankara’s neighborhoods each offer a different vibe and price tag. For the classic experience, base yourself in Ulus, the historic old quarter below Ankara Castle, where you can walk to the Temple of Augustus, Hacı Bayram Mosque, and the bazaars. Here you’ll find budget options like A Apart Otel or Grand Hamit Hotel — both real, both central. Mid-range travelers should look to Kızılay, the transport hub, where ANKA KONUTLARI KIZILAY and Ankara Koza Suite Hotel offer convenience and reasonable rates. If you want to splurge, head to Çankaya or Gaziosmanpaşa (GOP) — the diplomatic and luxury enclaves — where Occidental Ankara will set you back a good chunk of the city’s average monthly rent. For reference, a modest 1-bedroom flat outside the center rents for about ₺25,000–30,000 per month, while a central one averages around ₺35,000 (roughly $840). Hotel prices are higher than rents in most tourist cities, but Ankara is not a tourist city — you’ll find deals if you book ahead.
Food: from lokanta to meyhane
Turkish cuisine is the soul of this country, and Ankara has its own signature dish: ankara tava, a lamb and bulgur stew that you must try. A lokanta portion will run you about ₺350–450 — a hearty, filling meal that reflects the city’s no-frills dignity. At an inexpensive local restaurant, expect to pay around ₺490 per meal (ranging from ₺345 to ₺800). That’s roughly $15, which still fits a budget traveler’s plan if you focus on street food and bazaar snacks. For a nicer evening, a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant will cost about ₺1,920 (≈₺960 per person). The best spots are in Kavaklıdere around Tunalı Hilmi Caddesi — try Göksu Restoran – Nene Hatun or Trilye Restaurant for fresh fish. If you’re feeling fancy (or just want a view), Louise Cafe Brasserie & Loft and Fige Restaurant are excellent for a splurge. Coffee culture has exploded in Ankara: a cappuccino at a café like Verte Coffee House or OAK Coffee Co. will cost around ₺187 — yes, that’s $6, which might sting, but it’s the price of a good bean. A domestic draft beer is about ₺220 at a pub, perfect for an evening on a rooftop like Atakule Çim Teras, where summer electronic nights draw a young crowd.
Attractions: mostly free, all fascinating
This is where Ankara shines: the city’s most significant attractions are free. Anıtkabir, Atatürk’s hilltop mausoleum, charges no entry fee — you can walk through the ceremonial grounds, watch the hourly changing of the guard, and explore the museum for free (closed Mondays). The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ulus is one of the world’s great archaeology museums, housed in a 15th-century bedesten, and its entrance fee is modest (included in the museum pass that’s well worth it if you plan to visit several sites). Ankara Castle offers panoramic views and is free to wander. And the Temple of Augustus, with the Res Gestae inscription — the oldest record of Augustus’s deeds — is just there, open to the sky, a 1st-century BC wonder beside the modern mosque. Even the city’s modern landmarks, like Kocatepe Mosque and the 125-meter Atakule tower, are free to view from outside; the tower’s observation deck is worth a small fee. On a summer evening, check the free open-air cinema at CSO Ada Ankara — they’ve been screening family films like Ratatouille in Turkish dub. That’s a classic Ankara evening: free, communal, and under the stars.
Daily budgets: the realistic numbers
Let’s put this together. A budget traveler in Ankara can survive on about ₺1,200–1,800 per day (roughly $37–55). That’s a hostel or budget hotel in Ulus (say ₺600), a couple of lokanta meals (₺400–500 total), one or two metro rides (₺35 each), a street-side simit for breakfast, and coffee from a chain rather than a specialty café. Add another ₺100 if you want a beer. A mid-range traveler will spend about ₺2,500–3,500 per day ($76–107). You’ll stay at a decent hotel in Kızılay (₺1,200–1,500), eat at mid-range restaurants for meals (₺500–800 per lunch and dinner), take taxis occasionally, and enjoy a cappuccino or two. Include an occasional entrance fee or a rooftop concert ticket. A comfortable traveler — think GOP or Çankaya, dining at Trilye or Fige, drinking wine at a meyhane on Tunalı — should budget ₺4,500–6,000 per day ($137–183). That accounts for a luxury hotel (₺2,500+), a three-course dinner for two (₺1,920), taxis everywhere, and a cocktail or two. Remember, these are daily totals; a longer stay will lower your per-day cost, especially with a kitchen.
Practicalities: SIMs, banks, and paperwork
Before you arrive, check if your nationality requires a visa — many Western countries get 90 days visa-free, others can get an e-Visa in minutes at evisa.gov.tr. If you’re staying longer, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit (ikamet) within 90 days, plus a tax number (Vergi Kimlik Numarası) from a local tax office, and open a bank account at a foreigner-friendly bank like Ziraat Bankası, İş Bankası, or Garanti BBVA — bring your passport, tax number, proof of address, and residence permit (or receipt). For your phone, buy a prepaid SIM from Turkcell, Vodafone, or Türk Telekom with your passport — your IMEI will be registered to your ID, and the line stays active for a limited period before you need to re-register. These bureaucratic details sound dry, but they’re the difference between a smooth trip and a bureaucratic headache.
So, how much does a trip to Turkey cost? In Ankara, it costs less than you think — and more than it did two years ago. Inflation has doubled rents and meal prices since 2024, but the city remains a place where a traveler can live well for under $100 a day. The free sunsets on the castle walls, the taste of fresh grapes from the bazaar, the sight of the Perseids over the steppe — those cost nothing. The rest is just numbers, and now you have them.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a meal cost in Ankara in 2026?
An inexpensive lokanta meal costs around ₺490 (roughly $15), while a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant runs about ₺1,920. Ankara tava, the local lamb stew, is ₺350–450.
Is Ankara cheaper than Istanbul?
Yes, noticeably. Ankara is Turkey's bureaucratic capital, not a tourist hub, so accommodation, food, and transit are all more affordable than in Istanbul. Expect rents and meals to be 20–30% lower.
Are the main attractions in Ankara free?
Many are. Anıtkabir (Atatürk's mausoleum) is free, as is Ankara Castle and the Temple of Augustus. The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations charges a modest entry fee, but it's worth it.
How do I pay for public transport in Ankara?
Use the AnkaraKart, a reloadable tap card for the metro, Ankaray, and EGO buses. A single ride costs ₺35 (rising to ₺40 on 23 Aug 2026), and a student monthly pass is ₺650.
What is a realistic daily budget for a trip to Ankara?
Budget travelers can manage on ₺1,200–1,800 per day, mid-range around ₺2,500–3,500, and comfortable travelers should budget ₺4,500–6,000, covering hotels, meals, and activities.
