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When most people hear about a getaway to Europe or a beach vacation on the Mediterranean, they always assume they’ll have to sell their house, car, and kidney to afford a decent weeklong trip.
But what if I told you there’s a place that offers all that and more in one surprisingly low budget?
That’s right, Turkey (or Türkiye) is still one of the most affordable gemstones in Europe, and that is exactly why the head of TUI Group GermanyStefan Baumert recently revealed that the country is expected to become the continent’s favorite trendiest travel destination this fall.
And considering how fierce the regional competition is, it’s time to discover why so many people can’t seem to get enough of this Mediterranean gem (well, at least partially).
Unbeatable prices
Any local will tell you that prices across Turkey have risen significantly in recent years, but just because the country is no longer as cheap as it used to be doesn’t mean it isn’t one of the regions that destinations with the best price-quality ratio.
Now flights can be a bit expensive because you’re essentially traveling to the other side of the world.
The good news is that October is actually the cheapest time of year to fly from the US to Turkey Skyscanner), of return tickets starting from net $757 – not too shabby.
What you can really save on, however, is accommodation and daily expenses.
For example, most hotels in Istanbul (easily the country’s largest tourist center) charge anywhere from $20 to $60 per night, and these are high-quality, highly rated places in great locations.
The last time I went, I stayed there Erten Konak Hotel – with a classic Turkish design style, comfortable rooms, excellent location (a 10-minute walk from the Blue Mosque) and a price range of $30-$70 per night, you’re guaranteed a good time here.
Here’s what you can expect to pay for other travel-related expenses in most tourist hotspots in Turkey:
- Quick (full) meal for one – $8
- Small bottle of water – $0.4
- Bus ticket – $0.6
- Average taxi ride (within a city) – $5 – $7
- Admission to a popular tourist attraction – $15 – $30
The place where you will find everything from dreamy beach getaways to unforgettable city trips
When someone asks me to recommend a destination, I always default to places like Turkey, Italy, France or Greece.
Why?
Because they all are so versatileit’s impossible not to find at least one place that offers exactly what you’re looking for.
Do you want a classic? city trip? Istanbul and Ankara should be at the top of your bucket list.
Looking for a sunny one beach holiday instead of? Bodrum, Antalya and Fethiye are calling your name.
How about if you want the more unique, one-of-a-kind, historical side? You can’t go wrong with Ephesus or, an all-time favorite of mine, Cappadocia.
It has never been easier to fly in and out of Turkey
Flying to Turkey has not always been easy.
Finding a comfortable yet cost-effective airline that will take you the entire journey of approximately 13 hours without any stops has historically been a challenge, but that is no longer the case.
Carriers are quickly responding to the ever-increasing demand.
Last June, Turkish Airlines announced one enormous expansion with over 20 new US routes.
After Denver gets its connection to Istanbul, Orlando, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Minneapolis and many, many other major cities will get their own direct routes to Turkey, so keep your eyes peeled for updates.
A paradise for gourmets
If there’s one thing I’ll never take the time for in Turkey, it’s food.
Hearty, cheap and delicious: that’s what I would describe almost every meal I’ve had here.
You always want to start your day with ‘kahvaltı’, what locals call their most common breakfast spread, consisting of bread, olives, cheese, eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, honey and jam – of course you’ll want to drink all that alongside a cup of that iconic Turkish tea.
Dolmas, kebabs and balık ekmeks are all must-tries too.
Make sure you don’t get too full, though, as you always want to leave some room for a piece of freshly made baklava or a piece of lokum.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
