There are plenty of inexpensive Istanbul budget hotels for those who are watching their spending on vacation. However, most people do not know what budget means as far as hotels in different parts of the world. In general, a budget hotel is somewhere between in two to three star hotel in Istanbul. For those who do not know the star system, a two to three star hotel is the equivalent of roadside motel in North America. If you do book in any of the budget accommodation in Istanbul, or anywhere else for that matter, check out hotel reviews before you go. Remember, you get what you pay for and shouldn’t be expecting the Ritz Carleton. However, sometimes you are lucky enough to find a small gem which increases the pleasure of you vacation in Istanbul.
For the visitor who wants to come to Istanbul, it is essential to know what you can afford and where you want to stay. Most Istanbul budget hotels are located in the central downtown area but a few may be found in the periphery – further away from the major tourist sites. The majority of budget lodgings in Istanbul offer a comfortable bed, private bathroom, satellite TV, a refrigerator, Wifi and a bar or restaurant. Air conditioning is not always an option. However, if you are travelling in the summer months, an air conditioner is a nice thing to have because it can get rather warm. The décor is usually quite simple, sometimes reminiscent of Ottoman era furniture. Remember, one has to be practical and realistic about these hotels- do not expect valet service or changing of the guards every morning. There might or might not be room service.
Istanbul accommodation is all about location. The majority of visitors stay somewhere near the Sultanahmet district. This is the historical district with all the monuments, landmarks and historical sites you will want to see. The Hippodrome, Topkapi palace and Ayasofya are in this vicinity, to just name a few. While the sites are close by, most budget hotels in this location are small, and none will have a pool or offer exotic massages and spa treatments. The place does have a few decent restaurants but overall this is a tourist area. Whatever you save on your choice of hotel and taxi fare, you will end up spending on food.
Some people may want to stay in the Beyoğlu district near Taksim Square. This is a lively entertaining place with an active night life, great shopping and only a ten minute taxi ride from Sultanahmet. Some of the budget hotels will either offer a pool, massage or a Turkish sauna. If you are lucky, your hotel may have a view of the Bosphorus or the Golden Horn.
Others may want to stay near the Bosphorus shore and this probably offers the best scenic views of Istanbul. While the scenery is superb, there are no nearby shopping plazas (which you probably don’t want anyway and you will definitely need to get a taxi to get to Sultanahmet and the important tourist sites in the old city center. The taxi takes about 60 minutes and it could be more depending on traffic. For those who complain about traffic in North America, you have not seen anything until you visit Istanbul. The traffic is maddening here.
Throughout this site, you will find many of the Istanbul budget hotels, reviews and travel tips and information to assist you in booking your hotel room and your holiday.
