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RoseMarie · Joined: 03 Apr 2004 Posts: 23

I'm dying to go somewhere very friendly and relaxed for a nice long vacation. I've already been in Istanbul so I thought it might be nice to see somewhere else, maybe Izmir.

Does anyone have any suggestions in Turkey about where to go or how to find cheap lodging. It seems like hostals have gotten much more expensive since I was there two years ago. I'm looking for an inexpensive place to stay for a month or two where I can do nothing but recuperate.

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

The trick in Turkey is to negotiate.

Places are more expensive than in the past, but you will still get really good deals....but you have to negotiate.

Last year, in Antalya, one stayed at a very good little hotel (guest house) right in the centre of things, near the clock tower.

The owner was charging backpackers 20 million a night. However, this poster was able to get it down to 10 million a night, because the owner was told that poster would stay for at least one month, was studying at Tomer (Turkish Language), and was rather impoverished, etc.....

Time and time again, poster has always reduced initial prices down to a reasonable level, and you can do the same.

Things are not that different, and you should still be able to find places in the 10-12 million a night range. If you pay one week ahead of time, as one did, you will get a better deal as well.

Message one if you decide to go to Antalya or Ankara.

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 8:18 am Post subject: Try the right place first .

Hi RM

Yes I think we all need a bit of r and r at the moment , as the ONE suggested the fact that you want to stay more than the average weekend or week gives you a good chance to strike a bargain . I would however suggest that heavy tourist area like Antalya are avoided unless you really want to go there ,pick a place thats just ever so slightly off the beaten track or a typically Turkish resort and the prices can drop significantly . Places to avoid are the centre of Bodrum and Marmaris but Kusadasi is a cheap option and its less than an 1and a half hours from Izmir so is Didem and Foca and Cesme all quite close try the Pensions first they are usually clean and cheap first then move up to the 2 and 3 star hotels not usually a lot of difference in price and use cash when you negoiate preferably Euros or Dollars even Stirling ,that will do nicely . The season has only just started in the Aegean so there are quite a few bargains to be had .

RoseMarie · Joined: 03 Apr 2004 Posts: 23

I just wanted to thank you both for the tips. I was hoping that I would be able to bargain for my lodging, so I'm glad you both suggest it. I'm so excited about going to Turkey...now I just have to decide where I really want to go.

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 5:14 am Post subject: Places to go to ,places to avoid

Hi RM

There is a great number of places to go which are typically Turkish and if you are after a bit of culture I could reel off a number of places over and above those already mentioned , on the other hand if you are a bit of a party animal there are a few places that might suit you ,depends what you're after and your budget ,minimum expenses should be about 25-40 dollars a day in a tourist area ,more if you want to live well,other more sedate areas a lot less . PM me if you want more info .

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

One has to disagree with Ollie's budget per day of $25-$40 dollars a day....that is quite high.

One was always (up to this year) able to live in Turkey for around $15-$20 per day, and that included hotel/guesthouse and three meals a day.

Even in tourist areas you can find decent places to stay.

The exception is the centre of Istanbul, near the Blue Mosque area...all the guesthouse prices and youth hostels have raised their prices in the last couple of years...it is no longer economical.

But (even in Istanbul) if you are willing to travel to the Asian side and pull a 'ghost" (negotiating for cheap accommodation stating you will stay at least a month etc...) you will still find cheap hotels there for about 12 million a night.

My average last year staying in Antalya was $18 a day, and that included buying expensive daily newspapers from England, going to the Cinema a few times a week and spending hours in Internet cafes. You should not have to spend more than $20 a day anywhere in Turkiye if you are careful.

Otterman Ollie

Hi RM and GHST

As you haven't been the country for a while and as the OP was thinking about having a vacation or holiday my estimate was about right if you want to eat reasonably well and enjoy the place I think these are correct figures even outside places like Bodrum a Miliyar does not go very far these days . Turkey is not the cheap place it used to be .

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

Mr Ollie - sure, if you choose to eat in ex-pat. style western restaurants the costs can add up to the figures you mention (up to $40/day).

However if you choose like the Turks you will spend much, much, less.

Go to those Restaurants (Lokanta) where you see a full house of Turkish people and families...those are always the best deals, because Turks are wise when it comes to their palates and pocket books.

If you eat in those local Turkish Restaurants you can really get good deals for around 3 million per meal, but you have to shop around, and go down some sidestreets, where the Restaurant rents are cheaper, and one of the reasons why the owners can charge lower prices to the patrons.

Many students in Eskisehir at Anadolou University told one that they only spent about 3 million a day on food. Follow them and save.

Another point - the tourist restaurants you go to do not necessarily have better quality than the cheap lokantalar...often the opposite is true. Turks demand fresh food, and good portions, and that is what you can get.

As for lodging, the best deals are often found in the Pansiyons where Turkish students elect domicile for the year. These places (throughout all the cities where there are Universities) will have very good deals....

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Thu May 06, 2004 8:25 am Post subject:

Forget the Mr its just ollie OK!!!

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

3 million for a meal in a Lokanta. Where? The one round the corner from this cafe charges 3 million for rice! Ok so it is Galatasaray and a bit more expensive. 3 million will get you a karasik simit

RoseMarie · Joined: 03 Apr 2004 Posts: 23

hmm, I was really hoping to not spend more than 20 dollars a day if I want to get away with being unemployed for so long. I figure after lodging, the next big expense is food, but I've always pretty simple when it comes to that. I usually eat a decent breakfast, skip lunch and have a giant dinner (yes I know it's unhealthy, but I've survived for years that way), so I would be happy only eating out once a day. I shouldn't have any problem getting enough tea to drink Very Happy

and I can always buy things for breakfast like fruits and bread.

I usually don't do super touristy things because they're so expensive in Turkey compared to the overall cost of living, and I really enjoy just hanging out and talking with people I meet. My big goal with all that spare time is to work on my Turkish. I am not a party animal either, so I'd prefer a more cultural experience. Hence, I'd rather avoid anywhere excessively touristy.

The thing is, I really do miss Istanbul and I've always preferred big cities so I'm tempted to head straight there and plop myself down. But I haven't seen anything else yet so I feel like I would be cheating myself. I'm sure that I can't really get a good understanding of Turkish culture if that's the only place I've been there, and the cost of living in Istanbul is rather inhibitive if I'm not going to be employed.

I will need to go to Ankara in mid July for business though, so I could possibly get off the plane in Istanbul, spend a few days saying hi to friends, and then find somewhere nice to visit en route...

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

I am currently unemployed in Istanbul(and having agreat time) I'm spending about 30 dlloars a day- but that usually involves good restaurants and a few Efes along the way.

MarcusK · Posted: Thu May 06, 2004 4:27 pm Post subject:

Hey, dmb, does your $30 include lodging, too? Or is that just for food and entertainment?

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

In Ankara in the centre of town "Kizilay" district they have many Restaurants which serve a three or four course meal for approx 2 million turk lira. They are cafeteria style restaurants geared to the thousands of office workers in Ankara and the thousands of students.

These meals in Ankara are advertised as "Uc Cesit" or "Dort Cesit" meals, which mean three or four course meals. They include a starter, main course, dessert and a drink.

Another way to save money in Turkey is to eat in University or school cafeterias. Most do not require affiliation to the school, and they are heavily subsidized. At Antalya Koleji, for example, visitors could eat a three course meal for just 1.5 million. At Anadolou University, Eskisehir, the same sort of price could be had.

When at Tomer, last July, most of the students would go there for lunch, and it is excellent value for money.

Not sure about Istanbul, but everywhere in Turkey you can eat cheaply if you go where the average Turks go....

Soup or rice should not cost more than 1 million in a cheap place, and if you choose a main course like 'fasulye with rice" that would be about 1.5 million. Another good alternative is the aubergine type dish which goes for about 1.5-2 million, very tasty, healthy and nutritious. Also remember that you can have as much bread as your belly can take, and that is good for penny pinchers.

One English guy in Eskisehir used to live on soup and bread. He would ask his Restaurant owner to give him a bit of olive oil and garlic, and in the process made very tasty garlic-olive oil sandwiches for free!

In places like Eskisehir, Isparta, Erzurum and Kayseri, there are plenty of places where you can have soup for just 750.000, and a tasty Doner with salad for 500.000.

In Turkey they usually provide a free small side salad with your main course, so that is another 'freeby.'

In Cities like Isparta and Egridir, follow the soldiers to eat when they are on leave...they always know the best deals....get in line behind them and order the same food, and you will get the same price...if not walk...

Turkey is still dirt cheap compared to Western Europe, but some foreigners get ripped off because they let themselves...

FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

I have two personal recommendations.
1) Bogazkale, Corum. About 4 hours east of Ankara. The ancient Hittite capital. Now there is a small village with one pansiyon, one carpet shop, lots of ducks, some eagles flying overhead, beautiful scenery, friendly locals and HISTORY (in capital letters!)
2) Kekova, Antalya. Can be reached by boat from Kas. Lots of people go there on day trips but very few stay over night. I'm talking Kale Koy, not neighbouring Ucagiz which is now accessible by road - Kale Koy isn't, which makes it special. Not the cheapest place (water has to be bought in) but well worthwhile. The Koc family like it (the richest in Turkey) so why not?
I agree with whoever it was that quoted �20 a day. You could do it for less, maybe even half that if you really tried.