Istanbulkart how to buy and where video ⬇️ ruclips.net/video/8nuZb91ceTM/видео.htmlsi=RUie5XNQKIQLAh-e 🛜 Do you want to have internet wherever you travel, including Turkey? Then take a look at the option of Aíralo's eSim cards! They are a great choice for those who will be traveling through different countries or regions and don't want to waste time finding local companies in the countries they visit. You buy your eSim online, and as soon as your flight lands at your new destination, you can have internet! To get a 10% discount on your next eSims, click on the following link and enter the discount code ‘BIT’ before completing your transaction. airalo.pxf.io/c/4673026/1268485/15608 📕 Check out our amazing itineraries and guides! We have carefully created many itineraries not just in Istanbul but in many cities around Turkiye, organized useful information for you, including a list with plenty of hotels for all budgets in each city we mention, a list with more than 100 restaurants including one with vegan options, desserts, and much more! All the guides are LIVE, that means that they're updated daily and surely we’ll keep adding more and more! The new changes will automatically sync even after you get it WITHOUT an extra cost! All you have to do is sign up for free and get the guide or itinerary you're interested in! 🎉 www.thatch.co/@beryistanbul 🗺️ Guided tours in Istanbul Looking for a hassle-free way to book your city tours? Whether you're interested in historical landmarks, cultural experiences, or culinary delights, we've got you covered. Experienced guides will show you the best of what the city has to offer, all while providing a comfortable and enjoyable experience. www.remindertour.com/tours/ Licence number: 14213
Nop, the method is barely being tested but in very few buses, it cannot be found in every metro, bus, ferry, etc, so I do not suggest going without an Istanbulkart, as someone who uses the transport almost every day, I can tell you that I have seen it a very few times and just in few buses. The Istanbulkart is the way to go still.
Thanks for the heads up. Unfortunately, I am not excited for this trip. Today or tonight, I am flying from Zurich to Istanbul for the 1st time, but unfortunately, I am not looking forward to my trip. My family wants to visit Istanbul, but I don't want to go because I am scared, I will listen to my parents.
Great video! I'm in shock by these prices, absolutely ridiculous prices! When it was a museum, the entry fee to Hagia Sophia was around 10 euros and you could visit the ground floor and upstairs... Paying 25 euros to just visit the upstairs area is quite insane...
Im from Brazil and im going to Turkey next week, and i would have reconsidered traveling there if i saw those prices beforehand, that's more expensive than Austria/Swiss, from Palace perspective, i think Versailes is around 25£ and Scholls schonbrunn is around 30£.
@@barbarasestak9085 topkapi Palace isn't €50. I went last November and for 2 of us cost less than £50 which I paid on my UK debit card. Topkapi Palace is well worth the price. We were there for around 4 hours. It's such a big place
I just returned from 9 days in Istanbul. Yes, the prices to several top museums/sights are high (but if you’re going to enough, buy a museumcard, which covers most but not all of them). BUT ISTANBUL REMAINS A VERY INEXPENSIVE DESTINATION FOR TOURISTS. Don’t be frightened away by the inflation crisis. It is a difficult time for many locals, but not for visitors (and your presence only helps the economy as well). And Istanbul was one of the most amazing cities I have ever visited (and I travel a lot).
25 USD for Hagia sofia and 50 USD for Topkapi palace is actually crazy! way too much expensive, you will never see a museum or a church in Europe at this price
We just visited and were pretty shocked by the prices of the tourist attractions. Together, we spent nearly 200 per person on them which is quite high for any city. The only attraction we actually decided wasnt worth the price was galata tower, which also is currently under construction and you cant even go all the way up for $30.
That's useful! Thanks. Will be visiting soon and Galata tower would have been the only monument I was planning on visiting (visited everything else years ago on my 2 previous trips over). Guess Sultan Rejep Tagip will have to seek elsewhere for suckers in order to fuell up his economy
Wow…..Thank you so much for this….even living here in Singapore (equal to Zurich as the most expensive city on the planet)….these prices are crazy. But I think what shocked me is that local people have to pay the same price as a tourist to HS. That’s very sad.
I'm so happy I visited in November 2023 where the prices were significantly lower (I paid 950TL for entrance to Topkapi Palace & Harem) and in some cases did not exist (for the mosques). Nevertheless, I do plan on visiting Istanbul again (whenever I can afford to 😄). The city was a beauty, the culture rich and I felt alive and SAFE (esp. as a solo black female traveler. I will continue to follow your channel religiously. Turkey forever 🥰
The prices seem to have doubled from when I visited last year in July 2023, I’m planning to go again and do Basilica cistern and some other things that we missed, but I don’t recall paying anything for Hagia Sophia at all..wasn’t it free ? Or maybe I’ve forgotten …we only paid for Topkappi Dolmabache and the Galata Tower
@fatimaabid5824 For Basilica Cistern I paid 450TL, Galata Tower was closed due to construction and I went to Dolmabache Palace for free (although it was the anniversary of Ataturk's passing and the daily routine was changed up a bit so I don't know if that was a factor). I only did a few hours on the Asain side and didn't get the chance to see a dervish show or visit Balat/Fener so those will be my aim on my next visit.
Hello! I live in Istanbul and find your videos very informative and well made! I am glad I got to see all those places over 10 years ago when they were dirt cheap. :)
The prices for the museums and palace are shocking. Even where I'm from in the U.S., I would never pay that much money to visit a museum. That's definitely going to deter a LOT of people from visiting these beautiful places. :\
Hi Berry. Thanks to your RUclips videos , we have learned a lot about Turkey, especially Istanbul. God willing, my wife and I are planning to visit Turkey in May. We are pleased that visas are not required for those coming from USA; On the other hand, we are disappointed by the increase in the price of the museum entrance ticket and the cost of transportation. It would be great if you could share other more informative videos. Thank you.
Shocking and sad to know that museums are that high to get into. Visiting London recently, I appreciated that the local museums are free to enter for everyone to enjoy!
Thank you for the updates, they will be very useful for my next trip to Istanbul in May. Fortunately I have visited all the major sights several times before, so I can save a lot of money! Also fortunately there are a lot of other things to see and do and literally thousands of mosques that are free to enter.
Thanks for the info. I am back in Istanbul in March. Sadly I did not get to see the Topkapi palace last time. Not sure we will see it this time either with those new prices. Pleased to see Uber is now in Istanbul now though.
Thanks very much. I visited Istanbul in the fall of 2014. Spent at least 2 hrs wandering around Agia Sofia, & another two round Topkapi. So sorry about the prices. I was fascinated by the art and architecture and important historical buildings and sites, nd the educated people. One of my favourite cities in the world.
grateful to be able to visit turkey in jan-feb 2022 when most countries just open back from covid travel ban...the prices were lower and the air was fresher. I can't afford to travel there nowadays. The hot air baloon price in Cappadocia was only 50euro...the airbnb i stayed in Balat for a month was 700euro but today i checked is 1600euro...crazy lucky...
I’m from Malaysia. Visited Istanbul twice in 2016 and 2019. I’m lucky to have visited majority of the tourist attractions there as the prices were still very reasonable..all the best Istanbul
This video is really useful, thank you. We are in Istanbul at the moment, and are genuinely shocked at the prices here - much more expensive than in the UK 😳
Thanks for a very informative video. Good to know the current prices, so thank you. Luckily I have visited all the major attractions in Istanbul but not be willing to pay these extortionate prices.
Thanks for the heads up, as an avid traveller I find it helpful to be aware of costs/entrance fees to tourist attractions. I am also surprised by the reactions of others, when visiting a foreign country you always have to be prepared for fees that cities and countries have agency to decide and we as foreigners need to respect.
Prices are insane. Taxis charge anything they want. I was charged 150 lira one day and a few days later I payed 300 for the same route. You need to do some serious search in order to get some decent food which is extremely expensive also. Nice city BUT...
The info you often provide about Istanbul and Turkey are really helpful and handy. I always watch your videos prior to travelling to Istanbul whenever I visit
I went more than 8 years ago and the prices were a fifth of that. I was intending on taking my children but now I will have to reconsider. I haven't paid more than 6 euros to enter a museum. This is insane.
I have a 20 hr layover inbetween my flights in Istanbul next month. Luckily I will get to take the Tourististanbul tour which will cover a lot of tourist places free of cost 🤩
Yep, just returned from trip to Istanbul. Insane prices for the biggest tourist sites. I skipped them. Visited the free ones and just toured around the city. Hamam's also gone x4-x5 over the past two years, as many more.
Thanks you for this. A year ago we visited Hagia Sophia and only saw the bottom floor. Now we can visit the upper floor. That’s good. The $25 feet is not good. But we might still do it.
Hi Bery, me and my friends are in istanbul from Jan 13 to 24th, I made my to do lists based on your videos. As someone from NYC, I find these price hikes absolutely insane! I understand there is bad inflation and currency devaluations but sudden price hikes of almost double is just greedy! We went to the Topkapi and they charge 1500 Lira but to see the Harem the guide said we had to pay 2500 Liras, the Dolmabahce is 1050 Liras, they doubled the Basilica Cistern its now 600 Liras and now they are charging roughly ~900 Liras to visit the Hagia Sophia. This is just not right ... Also just wanted to say I love your videos they have been very helpful, besides the overpriced tourist locations, we really loved the Istanbul neighborhoods based on your videos. Galata, Balat, Kadikoy, and Karakoy were all great but Kadikoy was the most fun 😁
It is crazy - the greed level is off the charts. But so many people here assume "all tourists are rich". They don't think they have travel budgets - I assume that theory is based on a few rich arabs coming here and spending 1000s of dollars on their trips. Lets hope tourists now start looking outside of these areas and vote with their feet. Because it is insane - imagine a family of four, 3 days Istanbul, 4 days in Cappadocia... they would be spending so much money (and that is before we get onto all of the hotels charging Euro based amounts for mostly shitty rooms).
Oh, no! Sorry to say this, but the guide gave you a much higher price for Topkapi! Literally he took 1,000 TL extra from you. 😡 The price is 1500 full ticket and that already includes the harem and even Hagia Irene the little byzantine church in the gardens of the palace. Also the fees are written in the ticket office, whenever a guide tells you a price, double check it just in case, guides are very honest but for what you just shared, I can tell that your guide took advantage of you with the Palace’s price. If I were you, I would write the agency you booked with and let them know about it because of those few guides taking advantage of customers then people will think all are the same.
Prices are absolutely insane, I had to skip the visit to palace and Hagia sophia and decided to see only Basilica cistern. Same goes for food, its same as Australia, the only difference is you get better quality and quantity food in Australia. I told my friends who have visited a while ago and they couldn't believe. I can understand people feeling the pinch due to inflation but dont milk the tourist's every step of the way.
I stayed in a hotel about two blocks off of Taksim Square. My wife and I slept with the window open to get a bit of breeze and in the morning we got to listen to the call for prayer from the large mosque on Taksim Square. That alone was worth going to Istanbul, it was so memorable. Istanbul is great.
Thank you for the very helpful video. I am going in a month after visiting Paris. I think the museum’s will be less there than Istanbul which we had selected as a budget destination. Glad to go but not so happy about the price increase as when I booked my travel in September last year.
I agree with this! Even many Turks say the same, that prices are exaggerated especially when being compared with many palaces and museums in Vienna, London, Paris 🥹
Even the visa rates have doubled (At least from India). From being a budget holiday when we planned it 2 months ago, it has become suddenly very expensive😪😪. Looks like will have to give a miss to all the highly priced tourist attractions.
I returned from Istanbul last week. I found it extremely expensive. Some items were three times the London price. It was the Swiss price with Turkish service.
Prices are absolutely ridiculous 🙄 I understand inflation but it's more expensive than London. I'm visiting Istanbul in February for first time and I'm not visiting Topkapi Palace. Government should understand tourist also have budget and maximising prices this much not justifiable.
I will be visiting Türkiye in May. Will definitely get the Museum pass. Yes I know it doesn’t work in the Aya Sofya but I will be touring the country for the month and I think it will save money over all. Thanks for this valuable information.
I am returning to Istanbul in November. This will be my 7th time to visit. I knew when I bought my plane ticket that the prices for everything had increased considerably since my last visit. My friends and "adopted" family live in Istanbul and if it wasn't for them, I would not be returning at this time. Since I have already visited the biggest "tourist" attractions a few times in Istanbul, there is no need for me to return to see them. I will be only going to places that I haven't been to yet, like the Rumeli Fortress (it was under renovation the last couple of times I was in Istanbul) and the Çamlıca Mosque. I am renting a Airbnb with a kitchen in Kadıköy again, so I will be eating a lot in the apartment. Thank goodness I understand and speak enough Turkish that I (hope) will be able to avoid the price gouging happening in Istanbul now. Regardless, I know I will have a wonderful time in this beautiful city.
Thanks Bery for another informative video. The prices are shocking, especially the minimum wage !!. However, it depends on how much we value sonething as to how much we are prepared to spend on it.
Comforting to know with a trip booked for this year! I remember years ago and I’ve been seven times it used to be much cheaper than Greece which is my motherland. Now it seems Greece maybe much cheaper. Lucky I’ve been to most of the landmarks only place I will visit is the Basilica Cistern
It would be very good if you post a video about places that are stroller friendly and nice to go with kids. Also about car seat for kids in Istanbul taxis. Thank you so much for your videos.
My mom has been asking me to go to Turkey with her. Tonight, I bought the tickets. Now this! I don’t appreciate being taken for a sucker. I will contact the airline to cancel the ticket since it’s less than 24hrs. It I’ll fly to Tokyo and take advantage of their Turkish Airline layover program.
Very helpful video; thank you. The prices for museums are certainly high; I hope the locals get a discount. I visited Hagia Sophia about a year ago on a late cold evening and the mosque was not busy but it was great to be among families and children who were also visiting. It had a very relaxed and informal atmosphere. I had sadden to hear now the Ground Floor is only open for Muslims during worshiping hours.
I just came back from Turkey. Museum entrance fees were insane, so we didn't go to quite a few. Food prices are on par with Australia (expensive) and the food wasn't very good, even at more up market places.
i have been to Istanbul and Turkey about 6 times, I am surprised at the increase in prices. what other options would you suggest? i was thinking Blue Mosque and Rustem Pasha or Suleymaniye Mosque. I am bringing my sister and friend on their first visit in September. we only have a day and a half as we are coming on a cruise ship. Thanks for all of your hard work through the past couple years. you have always been one of my favorite RUclipsrs for Turkey.
@@BeryIstanbulTips Tq😄. Bery, may I ask your opinion. Where's better area to spend sunset scenery? Whether uskudar coast walkway or sultanahmet from rooftop.
Thank you for the very informative video. New prices are way too expensive. Was considering visiting this year but have to think about whether it will be affordable to me. The only good thing in 2024 is that the visa requirement has been waived. Ironically this will draw people to Istanbul and Turkey and are captive to the high prices. Hope the government reconsiders at least some of these changes or tourism will suffer for sure.
Been missing you and this program... Do you offer Spanish language (learning opportunities) in any of your Istanbul presentations? I see Istanbul & Turkiye as a place to go & I would like to visit (?)... Your presentations have been and are a great resource - Appears to be a great resource! It's winter in the US Pacific Northwest. I've been feeling lonely lately. Thanks for sharing, gracias - (found 'em & subscribed: Bery Istanbul Tips en Español - thanks again) -
I just got back from Austria and Czech, and $50 is a lot for a palace and two of the sites. i think that is the most expensive ticket for a palace, that i can think of.
I just got back from Istanbul and Turkiye on the 10th of November. It was amazingly beautiful and wonderful. It was disappointing not being able to enter the main floor of the Hagia Sophia, but still, being able to finally get to go into that building was such a privilege. Two things I would point out: skip the dinner cruise, it was grossly disappointing, but do go to see the Whirling Dervishes (between the Spice Bazaar, the Grand Bazaar and the Blue Mosque); it was wonderful.
Thank You so much for providing useful information for a tourist. You are a wonderful ambassador to your country. I have been to Turkey many years ago and I was so impressed with the wonderful history and culture. As far as prices, I hope there is a reconsideration of the prices for local people. There should be a free day every week for people of Turkey. It is important that people who live and work in Turkey can go and enjoy their heritage for free. As far as tourist tickets, I agree, they are about 30% too high. Turkey should welcome tourists by making it more affordable. Many young people learning about the world need to be able to come at affordable prices and visit these wondrous sites. I think lower prices would encourage people to spend more money at restaurants, and in the craftsman shops.
Great info! Cancelled my upcoming trip to Turkey and reoriented to Egypt. I simply don't like to feel I'm getting robbed :). Nevertheless, good channel, it was a great ride :)
Dear Bery, I am travelling to TR with my family in August and I'm going through your videos one by one. Please keep the amazing work going, your tips are life saving! I am just confused with Istanbulkart: 3 of us will spend 2 days in Istanbul and 7 days on Büyükada (vacation). So will use tram, funicular, bus, ship and if I am not mistaken even electric minibus on the island. Which card to buy and can I even top it up for 10 days and 3 pax? Thank you in advance for a feedback.
We visited Türkiye in June 2023 and had a blast! We purchased two Museum Passes Türkiye at Topkapı Palace and used them in Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Izmir (including Ephesus). We spent $200 for those passes and frankly, it was the best $200 we’ve ever spent on travel passes abroad! We stayed in the Sultanahmet area so walked to Topkapı, Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Basilica Cistern. We took the (modern) tram to Grand Bazaar and across the Golden Horn to Galata Tower, then we walked to Istiqlal Avenue and Taksim Square from Galata. The tram was efficient, convenient, and economical.
Thank you for the info. I will be visiting late this year. Which musks can we visit for free? Which musks are not so famous but worth visiting as well? Thank you
Good sake I made Topkapi, Hagia Sophia, Cisterne and Dolmabashe 2016, 2017, 2018, when comining to Istanbul 4-5 days each visit in off season... Last year I spent 24 Nights there and and next week coming for an other 24 nights again... Taxi was using minimum charge already last Autumn already...
Very good information. Thank you. I have been to many cities in Europe and USA, but have never had to pay prices like this. In Spain, for ex, pensioners usually pay about 50% less than regular fee. I sure won't go to Istanbul. There are many other places to see at resonable prices.
Thank you for the new information!!! My husband and I are planning to visit March 2024. If we stay in Kadikoy or Taksim which airport do you recommend we fly into, so we can use the metro and walk alot?
During my trip to Istanbul last week I was shocked by these prices. Haven’t visited any of these places because of them. Lines are crazy, too many people seemed to be inside so it didn’t seem worth the fee.
love your videos, very informative. I plan to Istanbul this year and I wath almost your video about Istanbul. How about Istanbul card, can I use it in Bursa? or I should user BuKart? Does Google Maps works well for access public transportation there?
Thank you very much for this current information. Ive been watching other videos but not as updated. I’m visiting Istanbul only for a day and would really like to visit the palaces and mosques. Where can I get a good deal for the entrances if theres any? Or what alternatives to see?
The prices are insane. The turists will feel like they are not welcomed anymore in Istanbul. Higher prices than in Paris for museums. Even the food is rather expensive now.
Do you know the prices of food and alcohol in Istanbul right now? I will be travelling to Istanbul in few weeks, and I am starting to get worried if I will have enough money. I was delighted few months back when I saw the prices of stuff in Istanbul, however from that point it just gets worse and worse… Do you know what is the average price for example of Doner Kebab and Bottle beer, that will probably be the only thing I will spend money on on this trip😢😅
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Istanbulkart how to buy and where video ⬇️
ruclips.net/video/8nuZb91ceTM/видео.htmlsi=RUie5XNQKIQLAh-e
🛜 Do you want to have internet wherever you travel, including Turkey? Then take a look at the option of Aíralo's eSim cards! They are a great choice for those who will be traveling through different countries or regions and don't want to waste time finding local companies in the countries they visit. You buy your eSim online, and as soon as your flight lands at your new destination, you can have internet!
To get a 10% discount on your next eSims, click on the following link and enter the discount code ‘BIT’ before completing your transaction.
airalo.pxf.io/c/4673026/1268485/15608
📕 Check out our amazing itineraries and guides!
We have carefully created many itineraries not just in Istanbul but in many cities around Turkiye, organized useful information for you, including a list with plenty of hotels for all budgets in each city we mention, a list with more than 100 restaurants including one with vegan options, desserts, and much more! All the guides are LIVE, that means that they're updated daily and surely we’ll keep adding more and more! The new changes will automatically sync even after you get it WITHOUT an extra cost!
All you have to do is sign up for free and get the guide or itinerary you're interested in! 🎉
www.thatch.co/@beryistanbul
🗺️ Guided tours in Istanbul
Looking for a hassle-free way to book your city tours? Whether you're interested in historical landmarks, cultural experiences, or culinary delights, we've got you covered. Experienced guides will show you the best of what the city has to offer, all while providing a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
www.remindertour.com/tours/
Licence number: 14213
I read somewhere you can pay with credit card instead of istanbul kart.
Nop, the method is barely being tested but in very few buses, it cannot be found in every metro, bus, ferry, etc, so I do not suggest going without an Istanbulkart, as someone who uses the transport almost every day, I can tell you that I have seen it a very few times and just in few buses. The Istanbulkart is the way to go still.
@@BeryIstanbulTips so if i want go to mosque pray hagia sofia so need pay 50 dollar then
I am turkısh, I love you ♥♥♥
Thanks for the heads up. Unfortunately, I am not excited for this trip. Today or tonight, I am flying from Zurich to Istanbul for the 1st time, but unfortunately, I am not looking forward to my trip. My family wants to visit Istanbul, but I don't want to go because I am scared, I will listen to my parents.
Wow! Ticket prices went up really high!!! I know the Turkish economy is hurting but these prices will discourage many budget travelers.
exactly like prices of everything, including food, which doubled during the last year (and same the year before) in Turkey.
Sure!
Suggests enough rich Arabs enters with a big family! wow
Booked flight one month ago without knowing this...paying this amount for Museums etc is Just rigged
Yes they’re clearly aiming for high end tourism.. good luck with that😮
Great video! I'm in shock by these prices, absolutely ridiculous prices! When it was a museum, the entry fee to Hagia Sophia was around 10 euros and you could visit the ground floor and upstairs... Paying 25 euros to just visit the upstairs area is quite insane...
Agreed, because of that price we will likely skip it, there are plenty of other sites that are also very beautiful
@@HeatherengelsmanTotally. will skip it too on our trip in April and visit the Blue Mosque which I believe is free.
Yes, the average price for a museum ticket is EUR 12-18. A skip the line ticket would be € 21.
Im from Brazil and im going to Turkey next week, and i would have reconsidered traveling there if i saw those prices beforehand, that's more expensive than Austria/Swiss, from Palace perspective, i think Versailes is around 25£ and Scholls schonbrunn is around 30£.
Would love to hear your experiences from your trip! We’re on the verge of finalizing our vacation to Turkey. We’re on the fence right now.
Everything else is so much cheaper than Western Europe.
concordo eu moro aqui e ta cada dia mais dificil viver....sinceramente os turistas deveriam crrer daqui ta ridiculo
Prices are absolutely insane. I am from London, and some of these prices would be considered too expensive even here...
Agreed. I would never pay 50 euros for Topkapi or for anything else...
I was there and dident enter these tourist places too many people and not worth hanging around...
Was in Istanbul in November price's have triple from 2 yrs ago
@@barbarasestak9085 topkapi Palace isn't €50. I went last November and for 2 of us cost less than £50 which I paid on my UK debit card. Topkapi Palace is well worth the price. We were there for around 4 hours. It's such a big place
@@binkyslapass1you missed out. All tourist places are full of people
Those new prices for museums are absolutely INSANE. I will miss the days where I could visit Hagia Sofia for free.
For sure. Maybe in 100 years the government changes it back into a museum.
Absurd prices, thanks for keeping us informed
These prices are an insult , there is no way tourists will keep coming to Turkey if they keep ripping people off.
I am in Istanbul now, it’s full of tourists unfortunately. Prices will only keep on rising, common people can’t do anything about it
I just returned from 9 days in Istanbul. Yes, the prices to several top museums/sights are high (but if you’re going to enough, buy a museumcard, which covers most but not all of them). BUT ISTANBUL REMAINS A VERY INEXPENSIVE DESTINATION FOR TOURISTS. Don’t be frightened away by the inflation crisis. It is a difficult time for many locals, but not for visitors (and your presence only helps the economy as well). And Istanbul was one of the most amazing cities I have ever visited (and I travel a lot).
Thanks for helping Turkiye. Teşekkürler !
Exactly.
Expensive entrance fees is not good for tourism. Thank you for your informative video!!
Thank you. This was most informative. Her info is right to the point and helpful. I'm here today from America
25 USD for Hagia sofia and 50 USD for Topkapi palace is actually crazy! way too much expensive, you will never see a museum or a church in Europe at this price
Mmm I would argue that isn't true. Let's say in Rome... You have to pay to enter almost EVERY single church.
I’m from Rome actually u can visit almost every single church for free, what u said is complete misleading
@@emip3008 That is not true. Even the Vatican is free to enter.
You don’t pay for church entry in Rome. Even the Vatican is free to enter.@@emip3008
We just visited and were pretty shocked by the prices of the tourist attractions. Together, we spent nearly 200 per person on them which is quite high for any city. The only attraction we actually decided wasnt worth the price was galata tower, which also is currently under construction and you cant even go all the way up for $30.
That's useful! Thanks. Will be visiting soon and Galata tower would have been the only monument I was planning on visiting (visited everything else years ago on my 2 previous trips over).
Guess Sultan Rejep Tagip will have to seek elsewhere for suckers in order to fuell up his economy
Wow…..Thank you so much for this….even living here in Singapore (equal to Zurich as the most expensive city on the planet)….these prices are crazy. But I think what shocked me is that local people have to pay the same price as a tourist to HS. That’s very sad.
For the local people it’s 5€ no same prices as for tourists
I'm so happy I visited in November 2023 where the prices were significantly lower (I paid 950TL for entrance to Topkapi Palace & Harem) and in some cases did not exist (for the mosques). Nevertheless, I do plan on visiting Istanbul again (whenever I can afford to 😄). The city was a beauty, the culture rich and I felt alive and SAFE (esp. as a solo black female traveler. I will continue to follow your channel religiously. Turkey forever 🥰
You’re always welcome in Istanbul ❤️ I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed your trip last year, thank you for watching us and your support! 💐
The prices seem to have doubled from when I visited last year in July 2023, I’m planning to go again and do Basilica cistern and some other things that we missed, but I don’t recall paying anything for Hagia Sophia at all..wasn’t it free ? Or maybe I’ve forgotten …we only paid for Topkappi Dolmabache and the Galata Tower
I went back in December of 2023.
It's not Turkey. It's Türkiye!
@fatimaabid5824 For Basilica Cistern I paid 450TL, Galata Tower was closed due to construction and I went to Dolmabache Palace for free (although it was the anniversary of Ataturk's passing and the daily routine was changed up a bit so I don't know if that was a factor). I only did a few hours on the Asain side and didn't get the chance to see a dervish show or visit Balat/Fener so those will be my aim on my next visit.
Hello! I live in Istanbul and find your videos very informative and well made! I am glad I got to see all those places over 10 years ago when they were dirt cheap. :)
Thanks for watching!
The prices for the museums and palace are shocking. Even where I'm from in the U.S., I would never pay that much money to visit a museum. That's definitely going to deter a LOT of people from visiting these beautiful places. :\
Hi Berry.
Thanks to your RUclips videos , we have learned a lot about Turkey, especially Istanbul. God willing, my wife and I are planning to visit Turkey in May. We are pleased that visas are not required for those coming from USA;
On the other hand, we are disappointed by the increase in the price of the museum entrance ticket and the cost of transportation.
It would be great if you could share other more informative videos.
Thank you.
From USA also traveling in May and I'm glad about the Visa 😊
@@scrungus9620
Hope see you there.
This is the first video of yours that I've seen and it was very good. Yes, $50 is too much to charge, even for three sites at one location.
Shocking and sad to know that museums are that high to get into. Visiting London recently, I appreciated that the local museums are free to enter for everyone to enjoy!
Thank you for the updates, they will be very useful for my next trip to Istanbul in May. Fortunately I have visited all the major sights several times before, so I can save a lot of money! Also fortunately there are a lot of other things to see and do and literally thousands of mosques that are free to enter.
Thanks for the info. I am back in Istanbul in March. Sadly I did not get to see the Topkapi palace last time. Not sure we will see it this time either with those new prices. Pleased to see Uber is now in Istanbul now though.
Thanks for this update. Entrance fees are very expensive.
Thanks very much. I visited Istanbul in the fall of 2014. Spent at least 2 hrs wandering around Agia Sofia, & another two round Topkapi. So sorry about the prices. I was fascinated by the art and architecture and important historical buildings and sites, nd the educated people. One of my favourite cities in the world.
grateful to be able to visit turkey in jan-feb 2022 when most countries just open back from covid travel ban...the prices were lower and the air was fresher. I can't afford to travel there nowadays. The hot air baloon price in Cappadocia was only 50euro...the airbnb i stayed in Balat for a month was 700euro but today i checked is 1600euro...crazy lucky...
I’m from Malaysia. Visited Istanbul twice in 2016 and 2019. I’m lucky to have visited majority of the tourist attractions there as the prices were still very reasonable..all the best Istanbul
Is it visa free for Malaysian to enter Turkey?
Very helpful video. Prices are really really excessive though now.
Thanks for the informative video; came just in time as i was planning my visit in March. With the steep price, perhaps might just opt out
This video is really useful, thank you. We are in Istanbul at the moment, and are genuinely shocked at the prices here - much more expensive than in the UK 😳
Thanks for a very informative video. Good to know the current prices, so thank you. Luckily I have visited all the major attractions in Istanbul but not be willing to pay these extortionate prices.
Thanks!
Thank YOU for the extra support! Much appreciated 🫶🥰
Prices are ridiculous considering even what the new minimum wage is.
Huh? In Istanbul, people earn an average salary of 1000 USD. In Istanbul, no one works for minimum wage.
@@istanbulportraitlol
Turkey prices is just becomin n becomin high prices like goin to a visit maldives for 3days
Thanks for the heads up, as an avid traveller I find it helpful to be aware of costs/entrance fees to tourist attractions. I am also surprised by the reactions of others, when visiting a foreign country you always have to be prepared for fees that cities and countries have agency to decide and we as foreigners need to respect.
I absolutely enjoyed almost 3 wks in Istanbul and look forward to returning. I used Uber and train almost all the time there, no taxi.
Prices are insane. Taxis charge anything they want. I was charged 150 lira one day and a few days later I payed 300 for the same route. You need to do some serious search in order to get some decent food which is extremely expensive also. Nice city BUT...
Day light robbery, these prices r too high. If I had known these prices before I booked my trip, I would have gone to some other country.
hope you enjoyed the trip regardless, when you said you would've booked trip to another country, which country did you have in mind?
The info you often provide about Istanbul and Turkey are really helpful and handy. I always watch your videos prior to travelling to Istanbul whenever I visit
Truly appreciate your info on this RUclips channel👍
I went more than 8 years ago and the prices were a fifth of that. I was intending on taking my children but now I will have to reconsider. I haven't paid more than 6 euros to enter a museum. This is insane.
been all these places i paid 50TL max
Wow! Im glad i went there last October and got in for free.
Went in Nov 2021. Loved it . Saw this coming once the cruise ship line was set for galataport
Same here😂. I went in November and saved the entrance fee. But hopefully I go again I can pray without walking past 100s of people🤣
I have a 20 hr layover inbetween my flights in Istanbul next month. Luckily I will get to take the Tourististanbul tour which will cover a lot of tourist places free of cost 🤩
It doesn’t include entrances to any of these places, you only get to see them from outside
Yep, just returned from trip to Istanbul. Insane prices for the biggest tourist sites. I skipped them. Visited the free ones and just toured around the city. Hamam's also gone x4-x5 over the past two years, as many more.
Thanks you for this. A year ago we visited Hagia Sophia and only saw the bottom floor. Now we can visit the upper floor. That’s good. The $25 feet is not good. But we might still do it.
Hi Bery, me and my friends are in istanbul from Jan 13 to 24th, I made my to do lists based on your videos. As someone from NYC, I find these price hikes absolutely insane! I understand there is bad inflation and currency devaluations but sudden price hikes of almost double is just greedy! We went to the Topkapi and they charge 1500 Lira but to see the Harem the guide said we had to pay 2500 Liras, the Dolmabahce is 1050 Liras, they doubled the Basilica Cistern its now 600 Liras and now they are charging roughly ~900 Liras to visit the Hagia Sophia. This is just not right ...
Also just wanted to say I love your videos they have been very helpful, besides the overpriced tourist locations, we really loved the Istanbul neighborhoods based on your videos. Galata, Balat, Kadikoy, and Karakoy were all great but Kadikoy was the most fun 😁
It is crazy - the greed level is off the charts. But so many people here assume "all tourists are rich". They don't think they have travel budgets - I assume that theory is based on a few rich arabs coming here and spending 1000s of dollars on their trips.
Lets hope tourists now start looking outside of these areas and vote with their feet. Because it is insane - imagine a family of four, 3 days Istanbul, 4 days in Cappadocia... they would be spending so much money (and that is before we get onto all of the hotels charging Euro based amounts for mostly shitty rooms).
Oh, no! Sorry to say this, but the guide gave you a much higher price for Topkapi! Literally he took 1,000 TL extra from you. 😡
The price is 1500 full ticket and that already includes the harem and even Hagia Irene the little byzantine church in the gardens of the palace. Also the fees are written in the ticket office, whenever a guide tells you a price, double check it just in case, guides are very honest but for what you just shared, I can tell that your guide took advantage of you with the Palace’s price.
If I were you, I would write the agency you booked with and let them know about it because of those few guides taking advantage of customers then people will think all are the same.
Very good info I couldn't find anywhere else!
Thank you for useful info. I am visiting Turkey again in September this year.
Thanks VERY much for the visa-free information. That makes it easier (and less expensive) for long layovers.
I think that lot of people won't go to these places any more.. the prices are really too much, especially Topkapi...
Prices are absolutely insane, I had to skip the visit to palace and Hagia sophia and decided to see only Basilica cistern. Same goes for food, its same as Australia, the only difference is you get better quality and quantity food in Australia.
I told my friends who have visited a while ago and they couldn't believe.
I can understand people feeling the pinch due to inflation but dont milk the tourist's every step of the way.
Gracias Bery por tus videos tan honestos y acertados!
Love your informative and educational video. Very helpful for first time visitors to Türkiye.
Glad it was helpful!
I stayed in a hotel about two blocks off of Taksim Square. My wife and I slept with the window open to get a bit of breeze and in the morning we got to listen to the call for prayer from the large mosque on Taksim Square. That alone was worth going to Istanbul, it was so memorable. Istanbul is great.
Thank you for the very helpful video. I am going in a month after visiting Paris. I think the museum’s will be less there than Istanbul which we had selected as a budget destination. Glad to go but not so happy about the price increase as when I booked my travel in September last year.
Thank you for keeping us updated
I agree with this! Even many Turks say the same, that prices are exaggerated especially when being compared with many palaces and museums in Vienna, London, Paris 🥹
Even the visa rates have doubled (At least from India). From being a budget holiday when we planned it 2 months ago, it has become suddenly very expensive😪😪. Looks like will have to give a miss to all the highly priced tourist attractions.
coming from italy i was really disappointed about the prices, never saw prices that high for entrances in all the other countries that i have visited
Hi Mrs Bery thanking for your nice videos very interesting. Do you organise tours and accommodation plz. Thx.
I returned from Istanbul last week.
I found it extremely expensive. Some items were three times the London price. It was the Swiss price with Turkish service.
Thank you Bery, ill be there end of July In Shaa Allah.
Agree .. Topkapi entrance fee is now somewhat high.
Prices are absolutely ridiculous 🙄 I understand inflation but it's more expensive than London. I'm visiting Istanbul in February for first time and I'm not visiting Topkapi Palace. Government should understand tourist also have budget and maximising prices this much not justifiable.
I will be visiting Türkiye in May. Will definitely get the Museum pass. Yes I know it doesn’t work in the Aya Sofya but I will be touring the country for the month and I think it will save money over all. Thanks for this valuable information.
Been there 2 years ago and will visit again this weekend.glad i'been visit many places.so just enjoy the food and atmosphere there.
I am returning to Istanbul in November. This will be my 7th time to visit. I knew when I bought my plane ticket that the prices for everything had increased considerably since my last visit. My friends and "adopted" family live in Istanbul and if it wasn't for them, I would not be returning at this time. Since I have already visited the biggest "tourist" attractions a few times in Istanbul, there is no need for me to return to see them. I will be only going to places that I haven't been to yet, like the Rumeli Fortress (it was under renovation the last couple of times I was in Istanbul) and the Çamlıca Mosque. I am renting a Airbnb with a kitchen in Kadıköy again, so I will be eating a lot in the apartment. Thank goodness I understand and speak enough Turkish that I (hope) will be able to avoid the price gouging happening in Istanbul now. Regardless, I know I will have a wonderful time in this beautiful city.
Thanks Bery for another informative video. The prices are shocking, especially the minimum wage !!. However, it depends on how much we value sonething as to how much we are prepared to spend on it.
Comforting to know with a trip booked for this year! I remember years ago and I’ve been seven times it used to be much cheaper than Greece which is my motherland. Now it seems Greece maybe much cheaper.
Lucky I’ve been to most of the landmarks only place I will visit is the Basilica Cistern
Thank you for the information very well explained !
Wow!! These new prices!! Thank you for the update!!
You are so welcome!
It would be very good if you post a video about places that are stroller friendly and nice to go with kids. Also about car seat for kids in Istanbul taxis. Thank you so much for your videos.
My mom has been asking me to go to Turkey with her. Tonight, I bought the tickets. Now this! I don’t appreciate being taken for a sucker. I will contact the airline to cancel the ticket since it’s less than 24hrs. It I’ll fly to Tokyo and take advantage of their Turkish Airline layover program.
Very helpful video; thank you. The prices for museums are certainly high; I hope the locals get a discount. I visited Hagia Sophia about a year ago on a late cold evening and the mosque was not busy but it was great to be among families and children who were also visiting. It had a very relaxed and informal atmosphere. I had sadden to hear now the Ground Floor is only open for Muslims during worshiping hours.
Thanks, maybe i will visit in next 10 years :D crazy fees
I just came back from Turkey. Museum entrance fees were insane, so we didn't go to quite a few. Food prices are on par with Australia (expensive) and the food wasn't very good, even at more up market places.
i have been to Istanbul and Turkey about 6 times, I am surprised at the increase in prices. what other options would you suggest? i was thinking Blue Mosque and Rustem Pasha or Suleymaniye Mosque. I am bringing my sister and friend on their first visit in September. we only have a day and a half as we are coming on a cruise ship. Thanks for all of your hard work through the past couple years. you have always been one of my favorite RUclipsrs for Turkey.
Thanks Bery for sharing. I'll be there at the end of Feb. InshaAllah
Welcome to Istanbul! 🇹🇷
@@BeryIstanbulTips Tq😄. Bery, may I ask your opinion. Where's better area to spend sunset scenery? Whether uskudar coast walkway or sultanahmet from rooftop.
The min of taxi now is 100 TL, and if you request via uber, they add the tax on you so they charge 120 or even 130. I hatw them
Thank you for the very informative video. New prices are way too expensive. Was considering visiting this year but have to think about whether it will be affordable to me. The only good thing in 2024 is that the visa requirement has been waived. Ironically this will draw people to Istanbul and Turkey and are captive to the high prices. Hope the government reconsiders at least some of these changes or tourism will suffer for sure.
Been missing you and this program... Do you offer Spanish language (learning opportunities) in any of your Istanbul presentations? I see Istanbul & Turkiye as a place to go & I would like to visit (?)... Your presentations have been and are a great resource - Appears to be a great resource! It's winter in the US Pacific Northwest. I've been feeling lonely lately. Thanks for sharing, gracias
- (found 'em & subscribed: Bery Istanbul Tips en Español - thanks again) -
I just got back from Austria and Czech, and $50 is a lot for a palace and two of the sites. i think that is the most expensive ticket for a palace, that i can think of.
I just got back from Istanbul and Turkiye on the 10th of November. It was amazingly beautiful and wonderful. It was disappointing not being able to enter the main floor of the Hagia Sophia, but still, being able to finally get to go into that building was such a privilege. Two things I would point out: skip the dinner cruise, it was grossly disappointing, but do go to see the Whirling Dervishes (between the Spice Bazaar, the Grand Bazaar and the Blue Mosque); it was wonderful.
Thank You so much for providing useful information for a tourist. You are a wonderful ambassador to your country. I have been to Turkey many years ago and I was so impressed with the wonderful history and culture.
As far as prices, I hope there is a reconsideration of the prices for local people. There should be a free day every week for people of Turkey. It is important that people who live and work in Turkey can go and enjoy their heritage for free.
As far as tourist tickets, I agree, they are about 30% too high. Turkey should welcome tourists by making it more affordable. Many young people learning about the world need to be able to come at affordable prices and visit these wondrous sites. I think lower prices would encourage people to spend more money at restaurants, and in the craftsman shops.
Great info! Cancelled my upcoming trip to Turkey and reoriented to Egypt. I simply don't like to feel I'm getting robbed :). Nevertheless, good channel, it was a great ride :)
You'll feel robbed in Egypt, too. Check the entrance fees there🙁
Bro egypt is worse in that aspect 😂
I actually felt safer in Turkiye when I visited in 2022 than my trip to Egypt a few years ago.
Dear Bery, I am travelling to TR with my family in August and I'm going through your videos one by one. Please keep the amazing work going, your tips are life saving! I am just confused with Istanbulkart: 3 of us will spend 2 days in Istanbul and 7 days on Büyükada (vacation). So will use tram, funicular, bus, ship and if I am not mistaken even electric minibus on the island. Which card to buy and can I even top it up for 10 days and 3 pax? Thank you in advance for a feedback.
We visited Türkiye in June 2023 and had a blast! We purchased two Museum Passes Türkiye at Topkapı Palace and used them in Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Izmir (including Ephesus). We spent $200 for those passes and frankly, it was the best $200 we’ve ever spent on travel passes abroad! We stayed in the Sultanahmet area so walked to Topkapı, Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Basilica Cistern. We took the (modern) tram to Grand Bazaar and across the Golden Horn to Galata Tower, then we walked to Istiqlal Avenue and Taksim Square from Galata. The tram was efficient, convenient, and economical.
Thank you for the info. I will be visiting late this year. Which musks can we visit for free? Which musks are not so famous but worth visiting as well? Thank you
Can you do a video about changes for foreigners who want to relocate to Istanbul? For example, guidelines regarding residence visas? Thanks!
Every nation is looking for hard currency. I love your handbag. Good information. Seems like the museum pass is the way to go.
Good sake I made Topkapi, Hagia Sophia, Cisterne and Dolmabashe 2016, 2017, 2018, when comining to Istanbul 4-5 days each visit in off season... Last year I spent 24 Nights there and and next week coming for an other 24 nights again... Taxi was using minimum charge already last Autumn already...
This is very useful information to prep my upcoming IST trip in Feb. Thank you so much!
Glad it was helpful!
Very good information. Thank you. I have been to many cities in Europe and USA, but have never had to pay prices like this. In Spain, for ex, pensioners usually pay about 50% less than regular fee. I sure won't go to Istanbul. There are many other places to see at resonable prices.
Thank you for the new information!!! My husband and I are planning to visit March 2024. If we stay in Kadikoy or Taksim which airport do you recommend we fly into, so we can use the metro and walk alot?
Thank you for this information. I guess I’ll say pass on Turkiye this summer then.
During my trip to Istanbul last week I was shocked by these prices. Haven’t visited any of these places because of them. Lines are crazy, too many people seemed to be inside so it didn’t seem worth the fee.
love your videos, very informative.
I plan to Istanbul this year and I wath almost your video about Istanbul.
How about Istanbul card, can I use it in Bursa? or I should user BuKart?
Does Google Maps works well for access public transportation there?
Very helpful, I wish I knew about the visa free travel two weeks ago. Now watching your video about the Istanbulkart
Glad it was helpful!
50 dollars to visit topkapi palace? That is insane,not even In the U.S are prices that high to visit any museum. Glad I went there last year.
Thank you very much for this current information. Ive been watching other videos but not as updated. I’m visiting Istanbul only for a day and would really like to visit the palaces and mosques. Where can I get a good deal for the entrances if theres any? Or what alternatives to see?
watching your video about a year now and i'm actually booked the ticket go Istanbul on May 😁😁just want to thank you so much !!!
Yayyyy! That’s great news! Enjoy your time here ✈️🇹🇷❤️
The prices are insane. The turists will feel like they are not welcomed anymore in Istanbul. Higher prices than in Paris for museums. Even the food is rather expensive now.
Do you know the prices of food and alcohol in Istanbul right now? I will be travelling to Istanbul in few weeks, and I am starting to get worried if I will have enough money. I was delighted few months back when I saw the prices of stuff in Istanbul, however from that point it just gets worse and worse… Do you know what is the average price for example of Doner Kebab and Bottle beer, that will probably be the only thing I will spend money on on this trip😢😅
@@vojtechhaisman4002 Alcohol is very expensive (USD5-8 for beer) Kebabs in the touristy area are about USD7-10
Thanks very much for this helpful video, I will be arriving next week. I cannot wait.
Welcome and enjoy your trip!
Would love to hear your experiences from your trip! We’re on the verge of finalizing our vacation to Turkey. We’re on the fence right now.