With holiday season in full swing, tourists have been left shocked at the extortionate prices in one popular travel destination – with one man advising his followers to avoid it at all costs
Brits are turning their backs on a beloved holiday destination as soaring costs leave them feeling “skint”.
Whispers of skyrocketing prices last year have turned into loud complaints this season, with once-bustling spots now eerily quiet. The cost shock is real for tourists who are finding the price of enjoyment in these areas to be through the roof.
TikTok user Tez has been particularly outspoken, warning his followers to steer clear of Antalya in Turkey “unless they want to be skint”. He’s shared that the cost of eating out and enjoying a drink has become exorbitant, reports Belfast Live.
He made his warning after years of rising inflation in Turkey, which has hit 85% in recent years. It has turned the once bargain holiday hotspot into a place where tourists have to pinch their pennies a little more.
Have you been shocked by the price of holidays to Turkey? Email webtravel@reachplc.com to share your experience
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For those looking to ride the waves on a jet-ski, expect to shell out close to £100 for less than an hour of fun.
Fancy a pint? Tez cautions that you won’t find one under £5. And for Vodka lovers, brace yourselves for a steep bill. Tez points out that bars in Antalya are cashing in big time on booze sales. Drinking water prices in the country increased by over 100 per cent in 2023, according Türkiye Today. Recently, Istanbul Airport was also dubbed the most expensive airport in the world.
Fin-tech global money transfers company Wise puts Turkey’s cost of living (COL) at 37.4 as of April 2025, with Antalya’s cost of living at 35.9 and Istanbul at 37.9 on the COL Index.
According to Holiday Hypermarket, the cost of eight bottles of sunscreen at Marmaris in Turkey would be around £53.36, whereas in the UK the same would cost approximately £17.36.
Tez’s travel tip? Going all-inclusive might just save your bank balance.
Turkey’s ongoing battle with inflation means that Brits are getting less value for their money and feeling the pinch on their holidays to Turkey, due to rampant inflation, with the country’s economic struggles causing it to lose its shine as a budget-friendly destination. High inflation in Turkey has been linked to several factors, including surging energy costs and the economic impact of the COVID pandemic.
A report from World Data indicates a staggering 310 per cent surge in inflation in just five years, taking a toll on Turkey’s appeal for cost-conscious holidaymakers.
The days of Turkey being a cheap getaway are dwindling, as costs for essentials like hotels, meals, and travel inflate. This shift has prompted many Brits to rethink their travel plans, seeking places where their pound stretches further.
Fast Cover Travel Insurance’s senior travel claims analyst, Sarah Donaldson, highlighted “hyperinflation” as the key factor denting tourism, remarking that “even foreigners find it hard to justify the cost of accommodation and dining”.
Despite a jaw-dropping 75% inflation rate in May 2024, Turkey managed to reduce this figure to 44% by December, sparking optimism that the dip in tourists last summer may be a short-lived setback. As of March, Turkish inflation is at 2.46 per cent month-on-month, falling below the 2.9 per cent consensus.
Consequently, the annual inflation in the country has continued its downward trend, dropping to 38.1 per cent year-on-year from the 39.1 per cent it was at in February. However, the inflation rate still exceeds the Central Bank of Turkey’s (CBT) forecast of 24 per cent.
The food sector was once again the main driver of the country’s inflation, contributing 1.23 percentage points. The monthly inflation in this sector hit a peak in March, reaching its highest level according to the current inflation series. This is largely due to the escalating prices of unprocessed food. Alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and housing were the next major contributors, each adding 0.33 percentage points.
Tez’s video quickly went viral, racking up thousands of views and sparking a wave of comments from viewers who’ve experienced Turkey’s inflated prices firsthand.
One viewer lamented: “I went there last year, all inclusive. Still spent £2,000 – never again!” Another shared their own pricey tale: “We stopped at the shop on the way from the hotel to the airport. Ordered two kebabs and two drinks – they charged me £52.”
One disgruntled tourist grumbled: “Turkey is so expensive now. I went to Marmaris. I will never go to Turkey again.”
Meanwhile, another holidaymaker expressed their astonishment at the prices, saying: “Won’t be going back to Side. Nearly £1,300 spent between two people for five days and that was doing no excursions, having two meals a day and barely drinking.”
Yet, not all travellers feel the pinch, as one person argued: “Still cheaper than the UK.”
So, what’s behind the soaring costs in Turkey?
A mix of factors are driving up expenses in Turkey, with Statista shedding some light on the situation. The site notes: “Domestic producer price indices have been continuously rising, which has directly resulted in a price increase in all consumer goods and services. Accordingly, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in all commodity groups increased extremely since 2022.
“In the same year, the food and non-alcoholic beverages category had one of the highest inflation rates in the CPI. This particularly affected Turkish consumers, as these products accounted for the highest share of household expenditure in 2023.
“Since 2020, food prices have increased significantly around the world, and Turkey is no exception. Although inflation has started to slow down recently, food prices in Turkey continue to go up steadily, increasing by 48.6 percent in November 2024 compared to the same month in the previous year.”
Despite this, it’s reported that Turkey is making strides to boost tourism by addressing the issue of rising costs, diversifying tourist attractions and improving infrastructure. The authorities are aiming to rein in inflation, with a focus on promoting niche tourism sectors such as spas and health care.
