In general, travel costs in Turkey are highest in Istanbul and at Turkish beach resorts in July and August; lowest in the small towns of eastern Turkey, and off-season (November through March; see my Turkish Almanac.)
Here are current Turkish Lira exchange rates. Note that new Turkish Lira bills/notes were introduced starting January 1, 2009.
The daily travel cost estimates below are per-person, per day, for two people traveling together (that is, sharing a hotel room) and include lodging, three meals, and some transportation. (If you’re traveling alone, expect to spend 35% more.)
First, check the rate of exchange for your currency and the Turkish Lira.
Rock Bottom: TL40 to TL60 staying in pensions with breakfast included, eating one picnic and one restaurant meal daily, and riding buses and trains.
Budget: TL60 to TL85 staying in one- and two-star hotels with private baths and breakfast included, eating most meals in average restaurants, and traveling more comfortably by bus and train.
Moderate: TL85 to TL140 staying in three- and four-star hotels, dining in restaurants all the time, riding buses, trains, and low-fare airline flights; in a party of four, an occasional car rental.
Comfort Class: TL120 to TL200 staying in four-star hotels, dining at quite good restaurants, traveling by air, the best trains, and rental car.
Deluxe: TL200 to TL600 and up, staying at the top luxury hotels, dining regally at the best restaurants, getting around by plane, chauffeur-driven rental car and the occasional hot-air balloon flight or private yacht cruise.
The Turkish Lira is divided into 100 kurus (koo-ROOSH). More…
Note that the New Turkish Lira (YTL: Yeni Türk Lirasi), current from 2005 through 2008, are being withdrawn from circulation, and you should not accept them. Accept only the “E9″ series Turkish Lira bills/notes introduced on January 1, 2009.