Whether you wish to stay near the Asian side that has blossomed into a contemporary hub of the hip and artistic or relax in luxurious suburbs along the Bosphorus offering you a refined experience, there’s a choice awaiting you. As you plan your next unforgettable trip to this city of dreams, you need to have your accommodation locked and ready to ensure your travel experience to Istanbul is worth every penny. This is why, in this blog our travel experts have compiled a list of cheap flights and hotels to Istanbul from the US to make your Istanbul tour a memory you’ll cherish forever.

Read More: Affordable Destinations in Turkey for Budget Travelers

Top Cheap Flights and Hotels in Istanbul for Budget Travelers in 2024

A comfortable accommodation can make or break any travel trip. In our experience, we’ve always focused on providing comfortable and accessible accommodations to tourists to ensure their travel experience never falls short of perfection. Istanbul has many affordable accommodation options, from quiet ones nestled away in the hidden gem locations to sky-high ones offering an exciting glimpse into the famous Istanbul city life. Here are our top choices for cheap flights and hotels in Istanbul that you should consider for your 2024 travel trip there:

1. Ruz Hotels, Pera

The top pick in our list of the cheap flights and hotels in Istanbul, The fascinating Ruz Hotel is something else. Located in the heart of the opulent Pera district, this boutique hotel is in an artistically renovated historic building that will make you feel as though you have been transported back in time to Istanbul’s glitzy belle époque. The Ruz Hotel has unique touches, such as live jazz piano music in the lobby upon your arrival, antique telephones in the rooms, and art deco table lamps in the restaurant.

A rooftop terrace overlooking the city skyline and knowledgeable staff who can point you in the direction of all the sights that are at your doorstep are just a couple of the amenities it offers to ensure you make the most of this amazing location. Small touches, like the complimentary minibar and the original artwork in each room, add to the feeling of luxury.

Address: Asmalı Mescit, General Yazgan Sk. no 6, 34430 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye

Check Out: Istanbul Tour (3 Days)

2. Georges Hotel, Galata

When you enter Georges, a boutique hotel created by the Turkish-French couple Alex Varlik and Eric Kahmi, you will feel as though you have entered one of Paris’s most fashionable neighborhoods. The hotel’s amenities and services are on par with one of the finest hotels in Istanbul at a fraction of the price, making it another good option to choose from our list of the cheap flights and hotels in Istanbul 2024. Redesigned by local architect Han Tumertekin, this 140-year-old building is located in Galata, in the refined atmospheric backstreets. You can expect fantastic food, luxurious bed linens, and a prime location in the heart of the city for the same amount of money that would barely cover a budget meal in a French restaurant. 

Address: Müeyyedzade, Serdar-ı Ekrem Cd. No:24, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye

Check Out: Istanbul Tour (4 Days)

3. Alilass Hotel

Want accommodation that’s in the heart of the city center near all the ideal attractions at an affordable price point? Check out the Alilass Hotel, another must-pick option in our list of the cheap flights and hotels in Istanbul 2024. The Alilass is conveniently located near the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace, which welcomes tens of thousands of tourists each day. Set your alarm early and head outside to witness the sun rising over the skyline as the Islamic call to prayer resonates throughout the horizon. The hotel itself is brimming with all the ideal amenities including room service, valet, laundry, restaurant, etc.

Address: Cankurtaran, Bayram Fırını Sk., 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Check Out: Istanbul Tour (5 Days)

4. Belizia Hotel, Kadikoy

Asian neighborhoods in Istanbul were among the last to develop in the hotel scene, but in the last five years, a number of astute hoteliers have turned these once-ancient homes into cozy lodgings that serve as a base for exploring some of the city’s greatest areas. No.4 on our list of the cheap flights and hotels in Istanbul is the Belizia Hotel. Located in the center of Kadikoy, a hip neighborhood that attracts young professionals, artists, and students, Belizia is a perfect place to book your accommodation. The hotel is located in a traditional portside home tucked away among more modern concrete buildings, just a short stroll from Kadikoy port. You can have a Turkish coffee in the morning in the charming private garden out back.

Address: Rasimpaşa, Beydağı Sk No.49, 34716 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Türkiye

Check Out: Istanbul & Cappadocia Package (5 Days)

5. Angel’s Home Hotel

There’s nothing like a travel experience that’s made perfect with some elbow grease spent finding hidden gems to visit and stay in. When you stay at Angel’s Home, be prepared to do a lot of hill walking because, like many old houses in Istanbul, it is tucked away at the base of a narrow street. However, the quick hike is worthwhile because you can see many of Istanbul’s attractions in a matter of minutes. Approaching the hotel through the backstreets instead of coming through the bustling crowds of tourists has a certain something special about it. There are affordable rooms as well as suites with a private hammam in Agel’s Home, making it another good option to choose in our list of the cheap flights and hotels in Istanbul, for a cheap yet incredible hotel option to stay in the heart of Turkey.

Address: Sultan Ahmet, Amiral Tafdil Sk. No:24-26, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Check Out: Istanbul, Antalya, Konya, & Cappadocia Tour (8 Days)

6. Legacy Ottoman–iLinkTurkey’s Personalised Affordable Hotel Pick

Legacy Ottoman Hotel invites visitors from all over the world to Istanbul’s finest neighborhood, hosting all the splendor of history. Its history’s texture blends with the modern day to provide its visitors with an outstanding lodging experience. The rooms with high ceilings are wide, light, and boast spectacular views, ready for visitors to capture unforgettable moments. 

Our most Istanbul tour packages include pre-booked accommodation to Legacy Ottoman, ensuring our tourists get an affordable yet luxurious travel experience, embellished with comfortable amenities such as: free WiFi. airport shuttle, spa and wellness center, onsite parking, family rooms, fitness center, non-smoking rooms, bars, and buffet breakfasts, that makes it a top pick in our list of the cheap hotels and flights to Istanbul.

Address: Hobyar, Hamidiye Cd. No. 16, 34112 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Check Out: Our Best-Selling Istanbul Tour Packages 

Affordable Flights to Istanbul in 2024

Perhaps one of the most expensive aspects of embarking on a travel trip, regardless of the destination, is booking flights. Flight tickets are usually expensive, even more so if you’re buying them on a deadline. Booking flights from the USA to Istanbul at least 40 days early can help you save 15% compared to buying tickets on the week of your departure.  

Most of Istanbul’s tourist population increases in the summer months, so planning your Istanbul trip in the fall or winter months, such as October to February, can help you get discounted flight deals. Here are some roundtrip US to Istanbul flight deals we found for 2024: 

Data From: One Travel

Check Out: Istanbul and Cappadocia (7 Days)

Enjoy Complete Travel Bliss With Our List of Cheap Flights and Hotels in Istanbul

Turkey is known for its love of haggling and bargaining, and a quick trip through the ancient Grand Bazaar in Istanbul will help you attest to that. But if you are not in the mood to haggle with the locals over the cost of a decorative kilim rug you can simply get the experience by picking out the hotels and flights our list cheap flights and hotels in Istanbul to ensure your trip to Turkey this year is budget-friendly. 

Just because you’re willing to spend over a grand to book luxurious lodging in Istanbul doesn’t mean you have to stay in a run-down, shabby hotel for your trip. From modern boutique hotels in the refined neighborhoods of the city, historic gardens beneath 500-year-old hammams, and family-run guest homes serving homemade jam for breakfast, there’s a budget-friendly choice awaiting you along with affordable flight deals to make sure your 2024 Istanbul travel trip doesn’t break your bank. 

But all this trouble can be easily lifted off your shoulders if you trust a reliable travel operator to manage it all for you. Do you want to explore the incredible city of Istanbul? All with pre-booked accommodations, guided tours, and the opportunity to skip the lines? iLinkTurkey offers a diverse range of guided tour packages for destinations in Istanbul. Head over to our packages and book one of our best-selling Istanbul packages now.

The post Affordable Istanbul: Cheap Flights and Hotels in Istanbul You’ll Love appeared first on IlinkTurkey.

The ancient peninsula, flanked by the Bosphorus strait, is home to a plethora of beautiful historical monuments that are standing proof of this city’s long and glorious history. Putting aside its geographical and historical value, Istanbul is also one of the world’s largest cities, which makes it difficult for travellers to pinpoint which historical sites they should visit. This is why we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 Istanbul historical sites and tourist attractions you should visit when travelling to Istanbul for the first time.

Top 10 Istanbul Historical Sites to Visit When Traveling the City

Though it has seen many name changes, from Byzantium to Constantinople to Istanbul, the importance of this city hasn’t changed. The ages, empires and history are all reflected in the majestic structures and monuments that dot this city. Here are the some of the most famous Istanbul historical sites you shouldn’t miss when visiting this wonderful city:

1.    Sultan Ahmet Mosque

The Sultan Ahmet Mosque, also known as Blue Mosque, is named after the blue tiles that decorate its interior. This structure was built in the early 17th century during the reign of Ahmed I, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1603 to 1617. The Sultan Ahmet Mosque, which is one of the most recognized in the world, has inspired the design of numerous other mosques, notably the Mohammed Al Amin Mosque in Beirut. Beautiful still to this day, this mosque attracts a huge amount of tourists every day that makes it a top Istanbul historical site.

2.    Princes’ Islands

Another famous Istanbul historical site, the group of nine islands known as the Princes’ Islands is located in the Sea of Marmara, about an hour’s boat journey from the city. The islands were used as a site of exile for princes and other members of the royal family during the Byzantine era, and later for family members of Ottoman sultans as well. Most recently, between 1929 and 1933, the largest of the islands, Büyükada, was home to an exiled Leon Trotsky.

The streets of Büyükada, the largest of the Princes’ Islands, are lined with Ottoman-era homes. The primary mode of transportation in these islands is horse-drawn carts, which combined with the 19th-century Ottoman mansions and cottages that can still be found in Büyükada, give visitors a sense of being transported back in time. Only four of the islands are open to the public, but they are more than enough of a treasure mine for history lovers and fanatics of the Istanbul historical sites scene.

Check Out: Istanbul Tour (3 Days)

3.    Hagia Sophia

In terms of architectural brilliance, the Hagia Sophia’s enormous dome is considered to be the paragon of Byzantine architecture. It was built by Emperor Justinian I in 537 CE, served as a Greek Orthodox cathedral and acted as the seat of the Patriarch of Constantinople until 1453. It was converted into a mosque for the next 500 years before becoming a museum in 1935 under the authority of Kemal Ataturk, the first President of the Republic. Currently, it is Turkey’s second most visited museum after Topkapi Palace, with over 3 million tourists each year drawn to the stunning interior chambers covered with golden mosaics of the most famous place among all of the various Istanbul historical sites.

4.    The Grand Bazaar

Rivaling the Hagia Sophia in terms of being the most famous Istanbul historical site, The Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, is a must-see for anyone who enjoys bargaining. The bazaar was built in the mid-15th century, shortly after the Ottomans conquered the city, and it now has over 4,000 businesses running in 61 covered streets. The bazaar is famous for its traditional rugs and jewellery, but visitors can also find clothing, bags, handicrafts, spices, food, footwear, etc to take back home from this Istanbul historical site.

Check Out: Istanbul Tour (4 Days)

5.    Kariye Museum

Located some distance from the lights and attractions of central Istanbul, this former Greek Orthodox church is well worth a visit. The outside is grand, if a little plain, but the interior is decorated with some of the world’s oldest and most exquisite Byzantine mosaics and paintings. It predates Islam and was built in the fourth century, yet it is now surrounded by the city’s most orthodox Muslim neighbourhoods and is another contender in list of the top Istanbul historical sites.

6.    Topkapi Palace

The famous Istanbul historical site of the Topkapi Palace, built around four main courtyards and numerous smaller buildings, served as the main residence of the Ottoman sultans for over 400 years (1465-1856) of their 624-year reign and hosted various imperial ceremonies. Nowhere else in Istanbul historical sites landscape, draws as many history and architecture fans as this palace to visit its exquisite architecture, collections of calligraphic manuscripts, robes, porcelain, and some of the Muslim world’s most valuable sacred treasures that make it one of the most famous among the many Istanbul historical sites.

Check Out: Istanbul Tour (5 Days)

7.    Underground Basilica Cistern

The majority of James Bond fans are familiar with the cistern from the movie “From Russia with Love.” The massive stone columns that supported the cistern that provided water to Sultanahmet, Istanbul’s old district appeared in the movie and brought awe from people unfamiliar with the Istanbul historical sites scene. Aside from the huge carp fish, visitors do not have access to the water. Most tourists instead go to the back of the cistern to observe Medusa’s unusual upside-down heads in this ideal Istanbul historical site.

8.    Rumelihisarı

Another famous Istanbul historical site, Rumelihisarı or Rumeli Castle, is a stronghold of 16 acres of high walls, towers with a lush green landscape. It was built over four months in 1452 by Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II on the European side of Istanbul, at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus Strait, in preparation for a final attack on Constantinople and the eventual destruction of the Byzantine Empire. As a series of destructive earthquakes struck the city, much of the interior structures sustained significant damage. Nowadays, the site is open to the public as an open-air museum, and its amphitheatre often holds concerts and events for tourists from all over the world interested in this Istanbul historical site.

Check Out: Istanbul & Bursa Package (4 Days)

9.    Chora Church

The Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora is a former Byzantine church that can be compared to the Hagia Sophia in more ways than one. It was converted into an Ottoman mosque in the 16th century, similar to the Hagia Sophia, and afterwards shifted to a museum. Despite its small size, it is no less gorgeous or majestic than any other Istanbul historical site. Located in the Edirnekapi neighbourhood, close to the historic city walls, the interiors of this church have stunning medieval mosaics and frescoes that date back to 1312 and are a treat for history lovers exploring the various Istanbul historical sites.

10.    Galata Tower

Last but not least, the cone-capped, cylindrical Galata Tower is an unmissable Istanbul historical site on any turkey tour. The tower was known as the Christea Turris back then and towers high above the Karakoy neighbourhood. This tower was built as part of the Genoese colony’s development in 1348. For centuries, it was the highest structure in Istanbul, and it still dominates a significant portion of the city’s skyline. After waiting in long lines and often-crowded elevator rides, visitors are rewarded with a 360-degree panoramic view of the historic peninsula, making the trip to this Istanbul historical site worth every minute.

Check Out: Istanbul and Izmir Tour (5 Days)

Istanbul Historical Sites: A Haven for History Aficionados and Travelers Alike

Visitors can run out of time on their trips but they can’t run out of places to visit in Istanbul. With a city so diverse in terms of history and modernism and brimming with tourist attractions and sites, it’s important to learn about the most famous destinations and places to visit to make the most out of your trip to this gorgeous city.

So are you ready to embark on a wonderful journey to the Gateway to Ancient Wonders otherwise known as Turkey, where you’ll experience wonderful cultures, and rich culinary delicacies, all with pre-booked accommodations, and guided tours? iLinkTurkey offers a diverse range of guided tour packages for destinations in Turkey. Head over to our packages and book one of our featured Turkey packages now.

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