Turkey Is Expensive Now (Here’s Why)
In our latest video, “Turkey Is Expensive Now (Here’s Why),” we dive deep into the pressing question: What has driven up the cost of living in Turkey, particularly in its bustling metropolis, Istanbul? Through the unique perspectives of three distinct groups—the tourist, the local resident, and the foreign investor—we unravel the complex factors at play.
Tourists flock to Istanbul’s breathtaking sites, but they’re met with rising prices at every corner, from dining to accommodations. Locals, on the other hand, grapple with the everyday realities of inflation and changing wages, while foreign investors strategize in a landscape that’s both promising and daunting.
Join us on this insightful journey as we explore the vibrant streets of Istanbul, offering a well-rounded view of the current economic climate. Whether you’re a traveler considering your next destination or an investor eyeing opportunities, this video will equip you with crucial insights into why Turkey is becoming more expensive and what it means for the future.
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Video “Turkey Is Expensive Now (Here’s Why)” was uploaded on 06/28/2026. Watch all the latest Videos by Doug Barnard on Gretopia


































Its Türkiye not „Turkey“
Go for an all-inclusive holiday to manage costs.
Remember, there are prices for locals and prices for tourists almost 10x more expensive
Been there last year Dalaman Coast. 200% inflation rate. McDonald's meal in Istanbul airport was around 22 Euros 😮
Don’t go there anymore, end of the story.
Pahalıysa gelmeyin yraagimlar biz orda yaşamaya çalışıyoruz amk
not only ISTANBUL……
As a Turkish citizen, even I do not vacation in Turkey. The prices are extremely high due to both economic factors and human immorality, so I would not recommend anyone to travel here during these times.
Also, our taxes are incredibly high! Have you ever heard of a tax on a tax? Yeah, this is possible in Türkiye, guys. When you want to buy a car, you have to pay two taxes: the first one is ÖTV and the second one is KDV. Here is the formula: (Car price + ÖTV = X) and then you have to pay (X + KDV), and believe me, when they come together, sometimes it means the price of two cars!
Edit: Oh sorry I forgot the TRT payment while buying a car 😆 it means, if you have radio in your car you can listen TRT radio channles so you have to pay TRT part (they dont call it as tax but it is!)
Yes this might be true but you are living in the most faught after land in all of civilizations!!! It should be more expensive!
Maybe Turkiye is ahead of the game. Make tourism too expensive and then reduce the damage tourism is doing to the world. İt's not the 1970s anymore. There are 8 billion of us , not 3 billion. İf too many people travel we will just head to oblivion that much faster… However, I am guessing Turkey is not ahead of the game!
Turkey has always inflated his currency faster than everyone else over the last 200 years.
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620 usd per month min wage and 80 percent of workers get that money. it has become normal wage 🙂 and 620 usd will become 310 usd in a year cause economy will collapse. I sold my condo and the money was in the trunk of a taxi around 100 kg. 🙂
Erdoğan istifa
Even as recent as July 2025 it was a good budget destination
what you thing turkiy is not the Africa . you get better food and bets country in the world. You go england 1 coffee $6. in istanbul $3 only. difrent city $2 .
Son secimini haziran 2024 te yapmış bir topluluk burası ve karar güleryüzlü monarşi. Şimdi en büyük sorunu damatmı yoksa kücük prensmi . Gerisi fasafiso. O iş bitti. Reklam arası sona erdi ve özüne döndü bu topluluk. Bu günlerin tatını cıkarın.
There is only 1 reason: TAYYIP AND GANG OF BANDITS💡
ONLY REASON: ERDOGAN 💡
Ey guys, I haven't got the patience nor the time to sit through 3 screaming Dutch ads before the video will start!
AMPÜLLER ÜLKENIN İÇİNE ETTİĞİ İÇİNDİR 🙄
WRONG! U compare with FASTlane tickets. Obviously he try to downgrade the country.. I did the cheapest airballon and rafting and zipline adventures in TURKIYE, also the paragliding is best and cheap in this country. Fruits are way more delicious and the meat dishes are amazing.Everyone knows this. This country used to be very cheap for europeans thats true but people should be aware that in fact Europe is not that rich anymore! It is not just Turkiye lost that very poor cheap title, it is also the europeans lost their wealth
I feel sorry for Turkish people, I was a university student from Somalia from 2014 as to 2018 and the life in Istanbul was amazing and super cheap during my stay.
Turkish people need to be congratulated for electing Reccip Tayeb Ergodan as President for life.
If he continues,It will be cheaper to use LIRA then to buy toilet paper
Spain minimum wage 1679$? LOL since when? Last time I checked the average salaries are still around 1100-1200€ thats 1250-1360$ and I live here. Where did u get that BS statistic.
Museum entrance 50€
Can you imagine? Even a European museum in west Europe is never 50€
Back in the 80s Turkey was having hyper inflation, the currency was in the 1000s ! So I am not surprised that the whole country is suffering, they tried their hardest to get into the EU , and the EU know that the Turkish government will try to ask the EU to bail them out ! That’s what they go and beg for money from the Gulf countries!
WHAT A VIDEO. FIRSLY EKREM HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR CURRUPTION REASONS. AS U LOVE ASKING QUESTION, U SHOULD RESEARCH HOW A MAYOR OF ISTANBUL COULD HAVE A HOUSE WOULD WORTH 75 MILYON DOLLARS , WHICH IS ONE OF HIS PROPERTIES. YES TURKIYE HAS BEEN EXPENSIVE BUT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING ABOUT TURKIYE ALONE, I LIVE IN LONDON AND MY RENT GONE UP %110 IN LAST 4 YEARS AFTER COVID. ITS NOT ONLY RENT EVERY THING ELSE GONE UP. OF COURSE TURKIYE WILL GET EFFECTED BY THIS AS WELL. ALSO DO NOT FORGET TURKIYE SURROUNDED BY WARS, IN SOUTH ISRAIL, SURIA, EAST IRAN AND ARMANIA, NORTH RUSSIA… HOW AN ECONOMY COULD STAND STILL WITH THIS. WHICH TURKIYE IS DOING GREAT JOBS IF YOU THINK OF THESE, IM NOT EVEN TALKING ABOUT MAYORS LIKE EKREM WHO STEAL HUNDREDS MILYONS EUROS ETC.OH THAT GUY WHO SELLS SIMIT WILL NEVER WORK FOR MINIMUM WAGES. HE MINIMUM MAKES 10 TIMES MORE THAN MINIMUM, PEOPLE LOVE TO COMPLAIN AND TALK SHIT. IF U COME AND ASK LONDONERS 95% WILL COMPLAIN ABOUT THE EXPENSES AND RENTS ETC.
****
Kardeşime helal olsun açık ve net açıklamalarından dolayı ayrıca özgüveninide takdir ettim.
Istanbul has had great PR over the last 10 years. Of the course it is expensive now that it has become a global vacation destination.
We went on an all-inclusive holiday to Turkey a couple of years ago. I was shocked at how expensive it was even then. It didn't give me any incentive to go back again.
Clearly it was very cheap a while ago ..but those days are gone
I went to Turkey in 2018 and hagia sofia is free back then and the palace is free too? And now it cost an arm and leg? I wouldn’t go back then it was that pricey
Turkey is no longer a cheap destination—it's a world-class tourist destination. If you're looking for budget holidays, countries like China, Vietnam, and Thailand may offer better value.
My wife and I have been living in Istanbul for the past four years, and during that time we've watched prices and inflation skyrocket. As a result, we've decided to move back to Toronto later this year.
It's unfortunate that the government has been unable to stabilize the economy. The rising cost of living has made it increasingly difficult for many families, and the level of corruption people perceive only adds to the frustration. We truly hoped things would improve, but for us, it's time to move home.
I was visiting a Greek island (actually a couple, island hopping) and was amazed how many Turks I saw, seemingly enjoying their holiday.
Talked to them and turns out holiday in Greece was much cheaper for them as compared to holiday in their own country.
Crazy times
It’s been very expensive since mid 2023
Turkey is not expensive you just poor
A Chevrolet Tahoe rst cost 452000$ in turkey. Lol
American 😳. I thought you were Dutch.
Not surprising seeing this happening knowing that Turkey has been ruled by a islamist dictator for decades
Let me tell you one small truth, when prices goes UP, you find the thieves that takes them up and you put them in prison. You don't put interests up because a stupid economist said "that's the only way". Economists are just priests of capitalism.
The key to Europe is to avoid capital cities. Go to small towns in the countryside.
Even was cheaper I never wanted to go back there ….. The ppl was enough to change my mind never go back … absolutely horrible experience… scammer country
A nice breakfast for 2 in a local restaurant in Istanbul cost us 65€! I don't know if they ripped us off as they never showed us prices, but it's definitely expensive as it was not a fancy place.
Nobody is telling WHY is the inflation so high in Turkeyie?