🇹🇷 12-Day Turkey Budget Trip — Istanbul Chapter

Day 1: Arrival & Taksim Exploration ✈️ Afternoon: Landed in Istanbul, took the metro to Taksim (bought transport card for 300 TL, ~¥25). 🏨 Accommodation: Stayed near Taksim Square (3 nights, ¥422/person). 🌃 Evening: Explored Taksim Square & İstiklal Street, then soaked in the nightlife near Galata Tower. Day 2: Old & New City Highlights 🌉 Morning Route: 8:30 AM: Walked İstiklal Street → Galata Tower (skipped the €30 ticket, took pics outside) → Bosphorus Bridge (free, stunning views!) → Grand Bazaar (shopping paradise 🛍️). 🕌 Afternoon: 1:00 PM: Blue Mosque (free, prettier than Hagia Sophia!) → Topkapı Palace (Ottoman opulence 🏰). 🌇 Evening: 7:00 PM: Sunset ferry ride (33.5 TL / ¥5) → Ate grilled fish wraps (225 TL / ¥42, best Chinese-friendly meal). 📍 Must-Do: Ferry Location: Karakoy_Kadikoy Turyol Instagram Spots: Colorful wooden houses & Sarayburnu Park (windy but gorgeous!) Galata Tower: Galata Kulesi (skip if on a budget). Day 3: Asian Side (Kadıköy) ⛴️ Took a ferry to Asia—cheaper prices but less exciting. Shopped & headed back. Day 4: New City Walk 🚶 10:00 AM: Walked from Taksim to Ortaköy Mosque, passing: Dolmabahçe Palace Rainbow Stairs (near Istanbul Modern Art Gallery) 💰 Budget Breakdown Transport: Metro/ferries = under ¥50/day Food: Street eats + kebabs = ~¥100/day Attractions: Mostly free (except palaces & Galata Tower). #IstanbulOnABudget #TurkeyTravel #BackpackerDiaries