Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

$2000, Turkey and Syria

Country forums / Middle East / Syria

I was thinking of a trip to Syria. I would fly in through Turkey and make my way overland to Syria. I know Turkey is more expensive than Syria so I was planning on only staying there for a couple of days...mainly just for transit.

How long would $2000 US last me? I want to stay for a while. I don't mind eating cheap street vendor food or at cheap restaurants...definitely wouldn't be eating anywhere pricey. As for hotels, I am fine staying in cheap, basic, not-too-dirty rooms. I would like to see classical Arabic music for entertainment, mainly. I would mainly be spending my time just hanging out.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Well it depends upon how thrifty you are ... Turkey varies in cost but you can find hostels in Istanbul for $12 a night and eat a hearty meal in Taksim for around $5 a bus or tram ride costs around $1.20, If you are a student your student card helps with entry fees to places of interest.
Shared bus from Ataturk airport to Taksim square is around $15 - All prices approx and maybe
slightly on the high side. Bus ticket from Istanbul -Antakya is approx $50. If you really want to save money join couchsurfing.org it has a massive membership in Turkey and people offer free accommodation and they have weekly get togethers in Istanbul (Taksim) where everyone is welcome. Google and check it out. They also have an active participation in Syria and other countries in the Middle East. If you haven't visited Turkey it would be a pity just to transit just because of the cost. If you know how to travel cheaply you can manage anywhere. Turkey has lots of delicious pastry shops with filled bread rolls and pide - more than a meal. In Turkey if you want to stop along the way stay in Pansiyon (small guest house) which is usually very cheap and good. Yes, Syria is cheaper and you can find accommodation along the way from around $6 - shared dorm type or around $10 for a single room with ensuite tv etc.
Hope this helps.

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i think the only expensive place in Turkey is Istanbul , but if you go by the mountains , the hotels and the food is very cheap and Syria is really one of the cheapest countries in middle east , so the the budget you are putting is really good to spend good time in Turkey and Syria

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