Simply showing up and finding a bed for the night is usually not an issue in Turkey, except during peak seasons at the busier coastal resorts and major cities like Istanbul. Many places offer online booking services, allowing you to reserve a room in advance if you prefer. Despite Turkey’s thriving economy, prices remain reasonable by most Western European standards, though Istanbul can be quite pricey. In many of the larger coastal resorts, major cities, and popular inland areas like Cappadocia, there’s a wide range of accommodation options available, from modest guesthouses to luxurious five-star hotels. However, in less touristy towns inland, there’s often limited choice between budget accommodations or upscale four-star luxury options.

Rooms are typically smaller by European standards, with low lighting and often insufficient power outlets. In newer three- to five-star hotels, single rooms typically cost slightly more than half the price of a double room, as they cater to solo male business travelers. Rooms with private bathrooms usually incur an additional 25% charge compared to those without plumbing. Triple rooms are also available, typically priced around thirty percent higher than doubles.

For a quieter stay, select a room situated away from main streets or next to a mosque. It’s perfectly acceptable to request to see another room if necessary, and it’s wise never to agree to a room rate without inspecting it first. While break-ins are not common in Turkey, it’s advisable to consider basic security measures.

Hot water isn’t always dependable, even in top-rated hotels, as the solar-powered systems commonly used in coastal resorts struggle to meet demand – check for an electric backup. Plumbers often connect the taps incorrectly, so verify that the tap marked as hot actually dispenses hot water. Bathtubs and sinks frequently lack plugs, so bring a universal plug from home. Particularly along the south and southwest coasts, most accommodations, including guesthouses, offer air conditioning, though some may charge extra due to high electricity prices. Double beds, referred to as “French” beds, are increasingly popular for couples.

In some conservative rural areas, hotel management may refuse to let unmarried heterosexual couples share a room without proof of marriage, as mandated by law. Touts can hassle travelers along the backpacker trail, such as in Cappadocia, Selçuk, and Eğirdir, by offering accommodation as soon as they step off long-distance buses. It’s best to disregard them and rely on recommendations in this guide. If you do consider their offers, ensure the quality meets your standards before agreeing, as there will be plenty of other options available.

Elevator buttons may cause confusion. “Ç” indicates “call,” a lit “K” means the car is already on your floor, “M” indicates it’s in use, “Z” denotes the ground floor, and “A” signifies the mezzanine floor.

Hotels

In Turkey, hotels are categorized on a one to five-star scale by the Ministry of Tourism, with additional ungraded options overseen by local municipalities. For four or five-star accommodations, expect to shell out anywhere from $130 to $220 for standard rooms, while rates can climb to $250 to $600 for luxuriously restored palaces or high-end boutique hotels. Two or three-star lodgings range from $60 to $100, offering simpler amenities like showers instead of tubs and more modest breakfast options, though some may feature small pools, terraces, and bars in resort areas. Walk-in rates for three-star and above hotels are typically higher than pre-booked rates, but bargaining for a better deal is possible if occupancy is low.

Boutique hotels are sprouting up across Turkey, especially in renovated historic homes in Amasya, Cappadocia, Gaziantep, Istanbul, Mardin, Safranbolu, and Urfa. However, the term “boutique” is sometimes used liberally to describe any accommodation with a minimalist or modern design, leading to a wide range of prices.

Ungraded hotels authorized by local municipalities can offer quality comparable to one-star establishments, often featuring private bathrooms, TVs, and phones for $40 to $50. On the lower end, some may only provide a basin in the room with shared showers and toilets down the hall, priced between $25 and $35. Solo female travelers may feel uneasy in ungraded, one, or two-star hotels, particularly in less touristy areas of the country.

Pensions and Apartments

Often, the most enjoyable places to stay in touristy areas are pensions, which are small guesthouses. These accommodations typically offer private facilities, and many have communal gardens or terraces where breakfast (usually included in the price) is served. The rooms are usually simple but clean, furnished like one-star hotels and always with two sheets on the bed. While there’s always hot water available, it might not always be right when you need it due to solar-powered systems. Many pensions offer air conditioning for an additional fee.

Especially with family-operated pensions, you might discover that the owner has connections with similar places in other towns. They might even offer to arrange both your stay and transportation from the bus station for you. This informal network is a great way to avoid dealing with aggressive sellers and scrambling for a bed late at night.

Along coastal resorts, self-catering apartments are prevalent, primarily catering to Turkish vacationers or foreigners on pre-arranged packages. Some apartments accept walk-in guests, and local tourist offices keep lists of available ones. In addition to the weekly rental fee, you’ll likely need to pay for the large gas bottle for the stove, which is negotiable. Make sure the kitchens are adequately equipped for true self-catering.

Hostels, lodges, and treehouses

Although there are only a few internationally affiliated hostels catering to foreigners in the country, this gap has been effectively filled by backpackers’ hostels, primarily located in Istanbul, Canakkale, Selcuk, Koycegiz, and Fethiye. Typically, these hostels are former 1970s guesthouses that have been transformed to offer multi-bedded rooms, laundry and internet facilities, self-catering kitchens, tours, and lively bars. They provide good value, with costs ranging from $12 to $20 per person in a large dormitory, and considerably more for a double room.

In recent years, a significant number of trekkers’ lodges have emerged in the foothills of the Kackar mountains, especially on the southern slope, and along the Lycian Way. These lodges generally offer a choice between communal sleeping arrangements on mattresses arranged on a wooden terrace, or enclosed double to quadruple rooms without en-suite facilities. Strangely, cooking facilities may often be absent. Costs are generally comparable to backpackers’ hostels, though some are more expensive.

So-called “treehouses,” typically elevated shacks, are primarily found on the southwest coast between Antalya and Fethiye. Some have dormitory rooms, while an increasing number are designed for two people and feature doors, windows, electricity, air conditioning, and occasionally en-suite facilities.

Campsites

In areas frequented by independent travelers, guesthouses and hostels with gardens often allow camping. Charges range from a couple of dollars to $8 per person in a well-equipped site at a major resort, and you may also have to pay for parking your vehicle. The most attractive campsites are those managed by the Ministry of Forestry, open from April to October. Look for brown wooden signs with yellow lettering. Twenty of these campsites are located in shady groves at strategic locations, mostly along the coast in the western part of the country. They are an ideal choice if you have your own transportation, especially a camper van or a car and caravan.

Camping in the wild is not illegal, but hardly anyone does it except when trekking in the mountains. Since you can expect a visit from curious police or even nosy villagers, it’s not really an option for those who value privacy.