ISTANBUL HAS CHANGED: Important Things to Know Before Traveling in 2025

Today we're diving into something super important. If you're planning a trip to Istanbul in 2025 what has changed and most importantly the updated fees you need to know. From museum tickets to transportation and even taxi fares things have gotten pricier and you don't want any surprises so if you're ready let's get started. All right let's start with some of Istanbul's most famous Spoiler alert! Some of this might shock you. Hagia Sophia. In 2024 the entrance fee was 25 euros. In 2025 it will remain the same at 25 euros. Basilica sister. So far there has been no price increase compared to 2024 when it was 900 Turkish liras. In 2025 the entrance fee remains 900 liras Galata Tower. The entrance fee for Galata Tower will remain unchanged in 2025 at 30 euros. Topkapi Palace. Previously 1,700 liras in 2024 the price has now increased to 2,000 liras in 2025. Dolmabahce Palace. In 2024 its entrance fee was 1,200 liras but as of 2025 the entrance fee increased to 1,500 liras. Beylerbeyi Palace. In 2024 the price was 400 liras and in 2025 it has increased to 600 Turkish liras. A more reasonable rate but still a rise from last year. Now this one's a bit of a mystery. There's a rumor that as of April the Blue Mosque might charge tourists an entrance fee. Right now it's still free but what do you guys think? Should a place of worship like the Blue Mosque start charging visitors? Let me know in comments below. Many people have also asked about the prices of the different museum passes offered by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Turkey. For now the prices remain the same as last year and are as follows. Museum Pass Istanbul is 105 euros. Museum Pass Cappadocia is 65 euros. Museum Pass Mediterranean 90 euros. Museum Pass The Aegean 95 euros and Museum Pass Turkey is 165 euros. If you want to learn in detail which museums and regions each pass covers, how long they are valid, where to purchase them and more I invite you to watch this other video where I explain everything in detail. The link is in the description box and pinned comment. Before we continue with our video and if you're wondering what's a great, affordable and easy way to get internet abroad, let me introduce you to Nomad Easy. This is a reliable solution that will save you time and money, covers over 170 countries, offers regional plans, simply download their app, browse plans, select one, purchase it, click to install and activate the plan. The process takes less than five minutes and can be done before your trip. This way you'll have internet as soon as you land in your new destination. Installation and activation instructions are emailed after purchase. Just make sure that your mobile device is unlocked and supports eSIM. Use my promo code for five dollars off your first purchase. Thank you Nomad for supporting our channel. If you're visiting Istanbul, the best, easiest and most affordable way to get around the city is by public transportation. However, like everything else in the city, it just became more expensive as of January 18. Here's what you'll be paying now. Metro, buses, trams, tunnel, funiculars and cable cars are now 27 liras per ride. Marmaray, which is this train connecting Europe and Asia, is now 59.76 liras per ride. Ferries, single ride ticket prices have gone up as well and the prices depend on the route one is taking. I'll just mention a few of the most common routes that tourists take. Karaköy to Kadiköy, Eminönü to Kadiköy and Beşiktaş to Kadiköy are now 38.11 Turkish liras and Eminönü to Üsküdar is 34.20 Turkish liras. For this, you will need a special card called Istanbul card. The plastic still costs 130 liras and has a monthly top-up limit of 2750 liras. If you want to learn more about how, where and how to purchase it and how to easily top it up, you can watch this other video linked in the description box and pinned comment. If you're spending a short time in Istanbul and don't really want to purchase and top up an Istanbul card, then you can opt for electronic passes which come in different packages. Single ticket is 40 liras, two-pass ticket 70 liras, three-pass ticket 110 liras, five-pass ticket 160 liras and 10-pass ticket 305 liras. These can also be purchased from the yellow machines in the metro and tram stations and ferry ports. If you must take a taxi, here are the fares you should be aware of. The taximeter starts at 42 liras, not zero. The rate per kilometer is 28 Turkish liras but most importantly, the minimum fare is now 135 liras. Even if your trip is just one kilometer or less, you still have to pay this minimum amount, 135 liras. If you're looking to explore Istanbul and dive deeper into its fascinating history, then joining a group or private tour is a great option. Here are the approximate prices to keep in mind for 2025. Group tours without museum entrance fees start from 50 to 60 dollars per person. Group tours including museum tickets start from 80 to 90 dollars per person. Keep in mind that some group tours can include up to 40 people and are usually not flexible with timing or itinerary. Private tours range from 100 to 140 dollars per person depending on the number of people in your group. These offer much more flexibility in scheduling and itinerary as they are exclusively for you and your travel companions. Depending on your budget, you can choose the option that best suits your needs. If you're for private tours in Istanbul or other cities in Turkey, you can check our circuits on www.remindertour.com. The link and WhatsApp contact are in the description box and pinned comments. A crucial factor to consider when planning a travel budget is estimating the approximate cost of meals. The most touristic areas of Istanbul, Sultanahmet, Taksim, Istiklal and Galata tend to have significantly higher prices compared to local neighborhoods. Let's take a look at the prices of some popular street snacks. Seameat, the sesame-covered ring-shaped bread commonly sold in red carts across the city currently costs 15 Turkish liras. The grilled corn, a classic Turkish street food, costs 50 Turkish liras in tourist areas. Roasted chestnuts range from 80 to 800 Turkish liras depending on the quantity. In Sultanahmet, one of Istanbul's busiest tourist areas, a meal at a mid-range restaurant typically costs 600 to 850 Turkish liras for different types of kebabs. If you're looking for breakfast near tourist attractions, expect to pay anywhere from 60 liras for a seameat and a glass of tea to 225 liras for a traditional Turkish breakfast which is a plate that includes a boiled egg, cheeses, tomato, cucumbers, olives and a glass of tea. For example, my family and I recently went out for breakfast, four people in total. We ordered acma which is a very traditional Turkish olive bread, two menemen or Turkish scrambled eggs, an americano, a cappuccino and two teas, three small cheese and cucumber-filled pastries. The total bill was 815 Turkish liras. At Hafiz Mustafa, one of Istanbul's most famous dessert shops, we recently paid 1150 liras for four people. Our order included a slice of cake, a slice of tres leches or trilece, lotus biscuit pudding, chocolate supangle and a glass of tea. I'm also sharing Hafiz Mustafa's menu prices for other desserts like baklava so you can have a better idea of the costs. For those interested in fine dining, here's an example. This restaurant located in the heart of Sultanahmet specializes in Ottoman cuisine featuring dishes that were once prepared for Topkapi Palace during the Ottoman Empire. It has also earned three Michelin stars for three consecutive years. For this type of establishment, here's what you can expect to pay. For travelers and a tight budget, the best option is to eat in local neighborhoods where prices are significantly lower. Another great alternative is to dine at Lokantas, traditional Turkish eateries offering homestead meals at affordable prices. One of my favorite is Balkan Lokantasi which has several branches including locations near Sultanahmet and also taxing. Another important change affects transportation from Istanbul airport with the Hava East company. Now depending on your route, different payment methods will apply. In the chart displayed on the screen, you can see the routes, their bus numbers and the accepted payment methods. As you can see the routes to or from Taksim, Kadikoy and Aksaray, the closest one to Sultanahmet, now once again accept payment with the Istanbul cards. And when it comes to the new fees for the Hava East which is this bus from the Istanbul airport to different routes within the city, then these are the new fees that you have to pay and are displayed here on the screen. And that's your 2025 Istanbul travel update. What do you guys think? Are these prices still reasonable or are things getting too expensive? Let me know in the comments and don't forget to like, subscribe and hit the notification bell so you don't miss the next videos about Istanbul. See you in the next one. Bye bye!