Prices in the country: how much does life cost in Turkey

Housing expenses

You can buy an apartment in the main resort of the Mediterranean coast - Antalya - for an average of €1000 per square meter. We are talking about new apartments in a high-quality complex with a swimming pool and landscaped grounds, located a kilometer from the sea. If you want to save money, look for real estate on the secondary market, in houses that are 5-10 years old, it’s cheaper there. Or in smaller cities - in Alanya, for example, prices are 20-30% lower.

If you are not yet “ripe” before buying, rent an apartment for a couple of months, feel the local style and rhythm of life, understand whether this is your country or not.

Rental prices in Turkey greatly depend on proximity to the sea. A “kopeck apartment” in Antalya (they are usually called “one-bedroom apartment”), located 100 meters from the beach, will cost €350-400 per month. If you agree to live 500 meters from the sea, you will find an apartment for €300-350, and a kilometer away for €220-300 per month.

These are prices for long-term rentals. If you come to Antalya for just a month during the season, you will pay 2-3 times more.

Don't forget about utility costs. When renting for a long term, they will fall on your shoulders:

• Electricity – €0.1 per kW
• Water – €0.5 per ^m3
• Gas – €0.3 per ^m3

You will probably still have communication expenses. Budget €13-15 per month for the Internet, €8-10 for a mobile phone.

Food expenses

Any local will tell you that vegetables and fruits in Turkey must be bought at markets. A special feature here is the mobile markets. They take place every day, but all the time in different areas of the city. In fact, the same sellers migrate from one place to another. For example, in the popular Liman district of Antalya there is a market on Tuesdays.

Average prices for seasonal vegetables and fruits in Turkey, kg:

• Pears – €1
• Oranges – €0.5
• Quince – €1
• Apples – €0.6
• Kiwi – €1.5
• Lemons – €0.9
• Bananas – €1.5
• Grenades – €1
• Peppers – €1-1.5
• Tomatoes – €1
• Cucumbers – €1
• Carrots – €0.5
• Spinach – €0.5-0.7
• Zucchini – €0.8
• Eggplant – €1
• Cauliflower – €0.8
• Broccoli – €1
• White cabbage – €0.4
• Onion – €0.3
• Potatoes – €0.3
• Greens – €0.3 per bunch

At the Turkish bazaar you will find an excellent selection of nuts and dried fruits, prices are similar to Russian ones. For example, a kilo of almonds, hazelnuts and pistachios will cost €12-15, walnuts - €10. Raisins sell for €3, dried apricots and dried figs for €6-7.

Local residents buy other products in chain stores. There are economy class chains, for example, BIM, SHOK, A-101, and there are also expensive grocery supermarkets - Migros, Carrefour, Macro. Please note that the cheap shops do not sell alcohol. And in those shopping centers where it is available, it is relatively expensive. For example, a bottle of Ephesus beer is €1.5-2, a simple bottle of wine is €6-10. A pack of cigarettes will cost an average of €3.

Average prices in chain stores in Turkey, kg/liter:

• Olives – €5
• Sugar – €1
• Delight – €2-3
• Tea – €6-7
• Instant coffee – €10
• Rice – €1.8
• Flour – €0.8
• Pasta – €0.8
• Beef – €10-12
• Lamb – €9-11
• Chicken – €2
• Fish – €5-7
• Milk – €0.8
• Natural yogurt – €1.3
• White cheese – €4-6
• Eggs – €1.3 per dozen
• Butter – €9-10
• Olive oil – €7-10
• Vegetable oil – €2-3

If you live in Turkey not in an all-inclusive hotel, but in your own or rented apartment, you will probably become a frequent visitor to local cafes and restaurants. Prices allow you to have lunch and dinner outside the home every day without much damage to your wallet.

Average prices in cafes and restaurants in Turkey:

• McDonalds, Big Mac Menu – €4.5
• Starbucks, cappuccino + dessert – €5
• Breakfast in a bakery/bakery, pastries + tea – €1.2
• Buffet breakfast in cafes/restaurants by the sea – from €5 per person
• Lunch in an inexpensive cafe – €4-5 per person
• Dinner for two in a restaurant – €17-25
• Beer or glass of wine in restaurants – on average €4-5
• Lunch in a cafe with home cooking – €2 average cost of one dish

You can have a quick snack with traditional Turkish dishes. On average, in street cafes in Antalya, doner (kebab) costs €4-5, pide (Turkish pizza) – €3-4, durum with meat (shawarma) – €2, cutlets with a side dish – €4.

In Turkey, as in Russia, there is home delivery of food. For example, pizza can be ordered for an average of €4-5.

Transport costs

In Antalya, travel on public transport is paid for by cards. The card can be bought on any bus and topped up in small street shops where the AntKart Dolumnoktasi sign hangs or on the Internet on the antalyakart website.

One trip on a city bus in Antalya will cost you €0.5, a transfer within an hour will cost €0.25, however, this benefit is not valid on all routes. For a ticket on the tram you will be charged €0.4. Taxi ride - €0.5 per km.

In order not to depend on public transport, you can rent a car. On average, renting a car in Antalya costs €15-20 per day. You can refuel for €1.3 (liter of gasoline) or €1.2 (liter of diesel fuel). Washing a car will cost €4-7.

The cost of bus tickets for intercity flights depends on the length of the route. For example, you can travel from Antalya to Alanya for €5.

Expenses on clothes and shoes

Türkiye is known for its affordable prices for clothes and shoes. Many people come here specifically for shopping. In large cities, such as Antalya, for example, you will find both traditional clothing markets and modern shopping centers - Migros Shopping Mall, Deepo Outlet Center, Ozdilek Park, Alanyum Mall, TerraCity, etc.

Prices for clothes and shoes in Turkey, as elsewhere, greatly depend on the brand. But on average, in the mass market segment you can focus on the following prices:

Men's wardrobe: jacket – €45; suit – €95; trousers – €25; shirt – €20; sweater – €15; T-shirt – from €7; boots – €35; sneakers – €40.

Women's wardrobe: dress – €25; skirt – €17; trousers – €20; T-shirt – from €7; shoes – from €25; sneakers – €40.

Children's wardrobe: trousers – €10; shirt – €7-10; sweater – €7; pajamas – €7; dress – €10; shoes/boots – €12-15; sneakers – €20.

Separately, it should be noted leather clothing, for the purchase of which many come to Turkey. Leather jackets in local markets are sold from €130, leather bags – from €50.

If while living in Turkey you need to have your shoes repaired, on average such a service will cost €2-3; for dry cleaning you will spend about €1.5 for each item.

Other expenses

Turkish resorts are full of attractions for children. They definitely won’t be bored, and the ticket prices should please their parents.

• Lunapark, 1 attraction – €1.3
• Cinema – €4
• Children's club – €2.5 per hour
• Playgrounds in shopping centers – €4 per hour
• Horseback riding – €4 for 10-15 min

Turkey has many saunas, spa centers and beauty salons where you can relax and get yourself in order.

• Visit to the hammam and sauna – €10-12
• Massage – from €15
• Women's haircut – from €7
• Men's haircut – from €4
• Hair coloring – from €12
• Manicure – from €8
• Shellac manicure – from €13