In our data, the cheapest Istanbul stays rated 4.0 or higher start at about 26 to 28 euros a night for two guests (Fors Hotel, E5 Park Otel, HHK Hotel Downtown).
Few cities have a skyline like Istanbul's: domes and minarets above the Golden Horn, and ferries criss-crossing the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia. For travellers on a budget the city is a gift. Hotels in our data are among the cheapest of any big city, from about 26 euros a night for a well-rated room, and a ferry to Asia costs a normal transport fare. The big exception is the entrance fees: since 2024, foreign visitors pay about 25 euros for Hagia Sophia.
The cheapest well-rated stays right now
We kept only places with a Google rating of at least 4.0. Prices are for two guests, 25 to 28 November 2026, read from Google Hotels in October 2026, lowest price we found for that offer.
| Hotel | From per night | Rating | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fors Hotel | about 26 € | 4.1 (505 reviews) | 10 sites |
| E5 Park Otel | about 28 € | 4.7 (921 reviews) | 6 sites |
| HHK Hotel Downtown | about 28 € | 4.0 (450 reviews) | 13 sites |
| Hayriye Hanım Konağı Hotel | about 31 € | 4.1 (909 reviews) | 13 sites |
| Hotel Palm | about 31 € | 4.0 (490 reviews) | 7 sites |
| Cheers Lighthouse | about 33 € | 4.0 (820 reviews) | 10 sites |
Good to know: Hostels may list a dormitory bed or a private room, so open the hotel page and check what the cheapest offer includes. Prices change daily, so treat the table as a snapshot.
Why people love it
- The skyline. Mosques and palaces above the water.
- Two continents. Europe and Asia, connected by cheap ferries.
- The bazaars. The Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar.
- The food. Simit, fish sandwiches, meze and Turkish breakfast.
What to experience
- Visit Hagia Sophia by the tourist route through the upper gallery (about 25 €).
- See the Blue Mosque and the Süleymaniye Mosque for free, outside prayer times.
- Lose yourself in the Grand Bazaar (closed on Sunday) and the Spice Bazaar.
- Take the ferry from Eminönü to Kadıköy at sunset with an Istanbulkart.
- Eat at the Kadıköy market on the Asian side.
- Walk up İstiklal Avenue to Taksim in the evening.
What does it cost?
Entry prices we checked on 30 October 2026: Hagia Sophia about 25 € for foreign visitors; Topkapı Palace has a high foreigner price paid in lira, so check the official site. Mosques, bazaars and parks are free, and the public ferries cost a normal fare with the Istanbulkart. In our weekly hotel prices Istanbul was cheapest for a check-in in mid-December and most expensive in April, during the tulip season. Our full list with entry prices, opening hours and how to get there is on the Istanbul city page.
How to save even more
- Compare the total price with taxes and fees, see taxes and fees explained.
- Choose free cancellation while your plans are open, see free cancellation explained.
- Check smaller booking sites and the hotel's own website too, see cheapest way to book a hotel.
Questions
How much is Hagia Sophia for tourists? About 25 € for foreign visitors, by a separate route through the upper gallery. Children under 8 are free.
What is the cheapest Bosphorus trip? The public city ferries, paid with the Istanbulkart; for a long trip, the public Bosphorus line to Anadolu Kavağı.
Are these prices permanent? No. They are a snapshot for late November 2026. Compare your own dates.