Where do people in Istanbul buy groceries?
Day to day, Istanbul residents use supermarkets and discount supermarkets in every district, plus a bakkal on almost every street for bread, water and basics. Weekly neighbourhood markets are the main source of fresh produce for many families, and the Tuesday market in Kadıköy is one of the largest.
The Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar in Eminönü are worth a visit, but they mainly serve visitors, and prices there are set with bargaining in mind. Market stalls often lower prices on fruit and vegetables late in the day as they pack up.
How much do transport and small daily spends cost in Istanbul?
Metro, tram, metrobüs, buses and ferries all run on a rechargeable city transit card, which you top up at machines in stations and piers. Fares per ride are lower than paying for single tickets, and transfers within a short time are discounted.
Small spends are a large part of a visitor's day: tea served in small glasses, a simit from a street cart, börek from a bakery or a quick lunch at an esnaf lokantası, a simple workers' restaurant. In restaurants it is customary to leave around 5 to 10 percent, or to round up the bill in cafés.
Is Istanbul more expensive than the rest of Türkiye?
Prices in Istanbul tend to be higher than in most other Turkish cities, especially for eating out and anything sold in tourist districts such as Sultanahmet, Beyoğlu or along the Bosphorus. Supermarket prices differ less, because the big chains price similarly across the country.
To stretch a budget, buy fruit, vegetables and cheese at a neighbourhood market rather than near the main sights, and eat where office workers eat. Crossing to the Asian side, around Kadıköy or Üsküdar, often brings menu prices down too.
What things cost in Istanbul
| Product | Local product name | Price per unit | Pack sizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk - 1 L | UHT milk, full fat | TRY 52.75 / 1 L | 1 L |
| Eggs - 10 pieces | Standard eggs | TRY 89.75 / 10 pieces | 10 pieces, 15 pieces |
| Rice - 1 kg | White rice, standard | TRY 80.95 / 1 kg | 1 kg, 1,000 g |
| Pasta - 500 g | Dried pasta | TRY 36.50 / 0.5 kg | 500 g |
| Bread - 500 g | White sliced bread | TRY 65.00 / 0.5 kg | 500 g, 200 g |
| Cooking oil - 1 L | Sunflower oil | TRY 125.95 / 1 L | 1 L, 1.25 L |
| Chicken - 1 kg | Whole fresh chicken | TRY 137.48 / 1 kg | 1 kg |
| Beef - 1 kg | Boneless beef (cubes / cuts) | TRY 969.93 / 1 kg | 400 g, 1 kg |
| Ground beef - 1 kg | Ground beef | TRY 879.90 / 1 kg | 400 g, 1 kg |
| Potatoes - 1 kg | Potatoes | TRY 40.42 / 1 kg | 1 kg |
| Tomatoes - 1 kg | Tomatoes | TRY 106.95 / 1 kg | 1 kg |
| Onions - 1 kg | Onions | TRY 38.92 / 1 kg | 1 kg |
| Bananas - 1 kg | Bananas | TRY 119.95 / 1 kg | 1 kg |
| Apples - 1 kg | Apples, Starking | TRY 82.43 / 1 kg | 1 kg |
| Yogurt - 1 kg | Plain full-fat yogurt | TRY 97.23 / 1 kg | 1 kg, 1,000 g, 1.5 kg |
| Drinking water - 1.5 L | Bottled drinking water | TRY 26.73 / 1.5 L | 1.5 L |
| Shampoo - 400 ml | Shampoo | TRY 219.00 / 0.4 L | 400 ml |
| Shower gel - 400 ml | Shower gel | TRY 156.50 / 0.4 L | 400 ml, 650 ml, 500 ml |
| Bar soap - 100 g | Bar soap | TRY 29.31 / 0.1 kg | 100 g, 800 g, 375 g, 90 g, 150 g |
| Liquid soap - 500 ml | Liquid soap | TRY 73.95 / 0.5 L | 500 ml |
| Toothpaste - 100 ml | Toothpaste | TRY 179.00 / 0.1 L | 100 ml, 150 ml, 75 ml, 125 ml |
| Toothbrush - 1 piece | Toothbrush | TRY 79.90 / 1 piece | 2 pieces, 1 piece |
| Deodorant - 150 ml | Deodorant | TRY 290.00 / 0.15 L | 150 ml |
| Toilet paper - 4 rolls | Toilet paper | TRY 34.26 / 4 pieces | 12 pieces, 16 pieces |
| Paper towels - 2 rolls | Paper towels | TRY 31.00 / 2 pieces | 6 pieces, 2 pieces |
| Laundry detergent - 1.5 L | Laundry detergent | TRY 249.00 / 1.5 L | 1.5 L |
| Dishwashing liquid - 500 ml | Dishwashing liquid | TRY 64.41 / 0.5 L | 650 ml, 750 ml, 653 ml, 1 L |
| Multi-purpose cleaner - 1 L | Multi-purpose cleaner | TRY 61.25 / 1 L | 1,000 ml, 1 L, 2.5 L, 1,500 ml, 750 ml |
| Trash bags - 20 pieces | Trash bags | TRY 80.00 / 20 pieces | 20 pieces, 30 pieces |
| Basic cotton T-shirt - 1 piece | Basic cotton T-shirt | TRY 379.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Jeans - 1 pair | Jeans | TRY 1,149.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Trousers - 1 pair | Chino or cotton trousers | TRY 1,149.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Shorts - 1 pair | Shorts | TRY 999.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Socks - 3-pack | Socks | TRY 269.94 / 3 pieces | 3 pieces |
| Casual sneakers - 1 pair | Casual sneakers | TRY 1,299.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Towel - 50 x 90 cm | Towel | TRY 282.95 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Basic jacket - 1 piece | Padded winter jacket | TRY 2,999.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Single bed linen set - 1 set | Single bed linen set | TRY 999.45 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Pillow - 1 piece | Pillow | TRY 249.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Blanket - 1 piece | Blanket | TRY 624.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Frying pan - 24 cm | Frying pan | TRY 524.48 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Cooking pot - 24 cm | Cooking pot | TRY 974.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| LED bulb - 9W | LED bulb | TRY 134.95 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Instant noodles - 1 pack | Instant noodles | TRY 19.85 / 1 piece | 75 g |
| Individually packaged cake - 1 piece | Individually wrapped cake | TRY 17.83 / 1 piece | 45 g |
| Biscuits - 1 pack | Biscuits | TRY 25.95 / 1 piece | 100 g |
| Chocolate bar - 1 bar | Chocolate bar | TRY 34.23 / 1 piece | 45 g, 43 g |
| Shirt - 1 piece | Basic long-sleeve shirt | TRY 1,099.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Gloves - 1 pair | Knitted or fleece gloves | TRY 224.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Beanie - 1 piece | Knitted beanie | TRY 289.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Boots - 1 pair | Ankle boots | TRY 1,849.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Women's dress - 1 piece | Women's everyday dress | TRY 1,699.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
Compared with the other cities
US dollar prices for 51 products that we also have in at least three other cities. The percentage shows the difference from the average of those cities.
Lower in Istanbul
- Multi-purpose cleaner - 1 L$1.22-75%
- Paper towels - 2 rolls$0.62-64%
- Biscuits - 1 pack$0.52-59%
- Toilet paper - 4 rolls$0.68-58%
- Gloves - 1 pair$4.49-58%
- Bar soap - 100 g$0.58-57%
Higher in Istanbul
- Blanket - 1 piece$12.46+162%
- Deodorant - 150 ml$5.78+52%
- Single bed linen set - 1 set$19.93+51%
- Basic jacket - 1 piece$59.82+50%
- Cooking pot - 24 cm$19.44+48%
- Women's dress - 1 piece$33.90+42%
Local product types can differ between cities. The comparison tool only matches the same product type.
Compare Istanbul with another country
Same budget, same products: see where your money goes further.
Insights and guides about Istanbul
All articles →Travel and life in Istanbul
Pictures of Istanbul
How these prices were read
Prices come from public shop pages and haven't been independently verified. The Data & methodology page has the details. Data & methodology
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Questions people ask
What is the price of milk in Istanbul?
The local shop price we read on November 8, 2026 was TRY 52.75 per 1 L, about $1.05 at that day's reference rate.
What is the price of eggs in Istanbul?
The local shop price we read on November 8, 2026 was TRY 89.75 per 10 pieces, about $1.79 at that day's reference rate.
What is the price of rice in Istanbul?
The local shop price we read on November 8, 2026 was TRY 80.95 per 1 kg, about $1.61 at that day's reference rate.
How much is US$100 in Turkish lira?
At the reference rate of November 8, 2026, US$100 comes to about TRY 5,015.28.
Which products cost less in Istanbul than in the other cities?
By dollar price, the clearest gaps are multi-purpose cleaner (-75%), paper towels (-64%), and biscuits (-59%).
How do I pay for public transport in Istanbul?
In Istanbul, metro, tram, metrobüs, bus and ferry fares are paid with a rechargeable city transit card that you top up at machines in stations and at piers. Paying per ride with the card is cheaper than buying single tickets.
Should I bargain at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul?
Yes, bargaining is expected at the Grand Bazaar and in other covered markets in Istanbul, especially for carpets, leather, jewellery and souvenirs. Prices in Istanbul supermarkets and chain stores are fixed.
Where do these prices come from?
Prices come from public shop pages and haven't been independently verified. The Data & methodology page has the details.
