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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to worry about spending money for Turkey??

25 replies

user0786 · 15/03/2023 17:20

Hi All,

Due to go on holiday in April. My sisters currently in Istanbul and she's been saying that it's quite pricey and that you need to take a decent amount of spending money.

I'm going to Antalya and was going to take £1000 for the two of us (a couple) and we're going for a week all inclusive. She's gone with her son and partner and they've got breakfast only.

Do I need to take more than £1000 for a week? I'd like to do some excursions and do some shopping but nothing too crazy

Thanks

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 15/03/2023 17:22

Look up on Trip advisor what trips you want to do and the cost. I'd say that £1000 is about enough on a AI.

BackOfTheMum5net · 15/03/2023 17:33

A capital city is likely to be more expensive than a coastal resort. Especially if you’re all inclusive.

We we’re in Antalya a few months ago and trips were around 30-50 Euros, so if the three of you do a lot you might spend £1000 but I think you’ll be fine.

Freshstarts22 · 15/03/2023 17:34

I’d never spend nowhere near that much on AI but I suppose it depends what you want to do. We do a couple of meals out and maybe one excursion.

Qwertyyui · 15/03/2023 17:36

Depends what you are doing! We took about £300 for the week AI for me hubby and 2 kids. We don't drink and stayed in the resort most the time but that was more than enough we brought home change. If you eat out of your hotel a lot you might need more. I am half board for 6 nights just me and DD and I am taking £600 and we will eat out most nights but only pasta/pizza as she is fussy and I will be drinking diet coke and she only likes water (strange child)

I use a monzo account though which doesn't charge for purchases and has a decent exchange rate so just transfer money into that and anything left is just uk money when we get home so don't lose out on selling money back.

GiltEdges · 15/03/2023 17:37

There's not really any comparison between a city break to Istanbul and an AI holiday to Antalya. Last time I was in Istanbul was 2015, so a long while ago, but don't recall it being expensive relative to other city breaks I've been on.

ItIsMyName · 15/03/2023 17:41

That sounds quite a lot to take AI. Have you checked the cost of excursions? It may also be worth getting a credit/ debit card with no fee when using abroad, check MSE for the best cards.

FinallyHere · 15/03/2023 18:55

Does AI mean all inclusive, so that you would pay for excursions or any trips away from the resort?

So £1000.00 spending money, while meals, drinks and accommodation all already covered ?

That seems a lot to me... though I echo the idea that taking a multi currency card would be an excellent idea.

Original poster
user0786 · 15/03/2023 20:04

Yes it's all inclusive. We would probably eat breakfast and lunch at the hotel and go out for dinner.

So probably have dinners out and then shopping and excursions in the £1000. Would that still be fine?

OP posts:
HermioneWeasley · 15/03/2023 20:07

Why would it not be enough? That would be enough for london

by the way, don’t take Turkish lira. Take euros

EggyBreads · 15/03/2023 20:16

Eating out in Antalya will be roughly half the cost of eating out in the UK. Istanbul is more expensive because it's the capital city. If you are going all inclusive then that much cash will be far too much.

Clymene · 15/03/2023 20:34

Have you been there before?

Because my Turkish AI in Antalya was in the middle of nowhere. It was nice and there were 5 different restaurants to choose from but you certainly couldn't go for a stroll along the sea front to find a restaurant every evening. As far as I know, that's pretty standard there.

So you might not need as much cash as you think

DuvetDownn · 15/03/2023 20:44

I think that’s plenty, you can always bring some back home. You may find yourself going out for dinner every other night and an excursion every other day for example snd that would still be enough. I find Turkey pretty cheap for excursions and also for spa treatments.

Quveas · 15/03/2023 20:51

It obviously depends on what you intend to do on top of what is in the AI. But my friends came back from Turkey a couple of weeks ago and also said they were shocked at the expense.

justasmalltownmum · 15/03/2023 21:05

Compared to the UK, Turkey is much cheaper.

Of course inflation is high but generally eating and getting around is cheap.

£1000 for Antalya is more than enough.

justasmalltownmum · 15/03/2023 21:07

user0786 · 15/03/2023 20:04

Yes it's all inclusive. We would probably eat breakfast and lunch at the hotel and go out for dinner.

So probably have dinners out and then shopping and excursions in the £1000. Would that still be fine?

Have you been there before?

Antalya is not built up. I doubt you will find restaurants to eat out at every night.

Ducksurprise · 15/03/2023 21:11

Just take GBP, and barter.

Lcb123 · 15/03/2023 21:11

get a credit card which is free to use abroad, like Halifax clarity card. Much safer than cash and don’t have to worry about how much to take

troppibambini6 · 15/03/2023 21:19

Where are you staying? On Lara beach? because if you are there isn't really anywhere to eat out....
I've been quite a few times with our four kids never really ventured out except a bit of shopping because there isn't really anything within walking distance.
Antalya itself is supposed to be nice but a lot of people I spoke to about it had been ripped off.

LughHaurie · 15/03/2023 21:31

We went self catering in August last year for 2 weeks. 2 adults and 2 children and spent around £1200. We ate what we wanted and drank what we wanted and did a couple of activities too. I’d say you’ve got plenty!

Cheeseandlobster · 15/03/2023 21:34

HermioneWeasley · 15/03/2023 20:07

Why would it not be enough? That would be enough for london

by the way, don’t take Turkish lira. Take euros

No . Take a small amount of lira to get you through the first day and exchange sterling to lira in a reputable exchange shop. We have been going to Turkey for years and this always works out cheaper

EmmaDilemma5 · 15/03/2023 21:36

Why have you paid for all inclusive if you're eating out each night? I'd have paid half board, it just seems like a waste of money?

But either way £1000 is plenty! If you run low, then you know to stop the trips and eat at the restaurant. Personally I'd be coming home with change from that.

prescribingmum · 15/03/2023 21:42

Agree with comment above - no point paying for AI if eating out every night. Turkish AI tends to be very heavy on food and variety so doesn’t make sense not to make use of it.

Have been several times as family of 4 and never spent more than £100 once there but kids haven’t reached age to appreciate excursions and the shopping there doesn’t appeal to me (lots of fake designer goods)

DuvetDownn · 15/03/2023 22:50

I often eat out when I go all inclusive. It’s nice to try a few different lunch places when out and about and then we normally have diner out every other night. It’s still worth going all inclusive for us to have the drinks, entertainment etc.

Ilovemycatalot · 15/03/2023 22:58

Was in Antalya last year not impressed tbh unless I went to the wrong part. They are money mad beware do things cost the same as here definitely not cheaper. They prefer euros over anything and everything is priced in euros if you pay in GBP they just make up a price so definitely take euros.

Bellesboy1218 · 15/03/2023 23:05

I go to Turkey each year as have a family apartment there. GBP to TL exchange rate is really good. You will get more for your money spending in lira.

Depends where you are staying in antalya as to where you might eat out, the big resorts often have nothing nearby. Food is very reasonable in most places anyway.

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