Hotels in Istanbul

Hotels in Istanbul: prices, timing and areas

When to book a stay in Istanbul for less

Istanbul is cheapest in early spring. March is usually the bottom of the market, around 195 dollars a night on average, when the weather is still cool and tourist traffic is lighter. May is the priciest, at the height of the spring season, when rates reach about 297 dollars, half as much again as March. Late autumn, September to November, is the second good window with mild weather and lower prices. The arrival day matters too: Tuesday is cheapest, Saturday the most expensive. For a regular trip it pays to book ahead, as prices in the popular districts climb quickly in the spring season.

What a stay costs by property type

Istanbul has a very wide price range, so a hostel bed and an apartment with a Bosphorus view are worlds apart. The cheapest sleep is in hostels and budget rooms; you pay the most for spa hotels and luxury places over the strait. Below are indicative nightly rates.

Indicative rates for a double room, outside the May peak. In Istanbul the same standard can differ in price depending on the bank of the Bosphorus and how close the landmarks are, so check the real price for your dates in the search above.

What a stay costs by district

In Istanbul the location shapes the price too. The cheapest sleep is on the Asian side; the priciest is in Beyoglu around Taksim Square and Galata. Below are average nightly rates in a few popular areas.

Atasehir on the Asian side runs about 40 percent below the city average, while Beyoglu is about 54 percent above it. With ferries and trams, a stay on the cheaper side of the strait is still convenient.

Which stay in Istanbul suits whom

• First time in Istanbul. Sultanahmet, in the heart of the Old City, is the easiest base. From here it is a walk to Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace.
• For families. Hotels with family rooms, where children often stay free. Sultanahmet keeps you close to the landmarks, and places with a breakfast buffet make the morning start easier with kids.
• For couples and nightlife. Beyoglu with Taksim Square, Galata and Karakoy, where the evenings have the most restaurants, bars and clubs. A short walk from there along the Bosphorus.
• Close to the landmarks. Sultanahmet is a stay within a walk of the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar and the Galata Bridge, where people fish in the evening.
• Local feel. Kadikoy on the Asian side, with markets, cafes and fewer tourist crowds. The ferry ride across the Bosphorus is part of the appeal.
• Near the airport. Istanbul has two airports, Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen. Hotels around them suit an early flight or a long layover, often with a shuttle.

Example hotels in Istanbul with prices

From a room by Taksim Square to five stars over the Marmara Sea, a few Istanbul names with a from price. Just a starting point, as rates can climb noticeably in May and on weekends.

From prices for a double room. In Istanbul the same hotel can differ a lot between a Tuesday and a Saturday, so check your exact dates in the search.

When Istanbul costs more

Most tourists arrive in spring and early summer, with prices peaking in May. Prices also rise around big events, such as the summer music festival or the art biennial held every two years, when the city fills with concerts and exhibitions. If you want a lower rate and smaller crowds, aim for March or late autumn.