Cost of Living in İzmir - Tips for living in Izmir on a student budget

1. Tips for studying abroad in İzmir - Study abroad in İzmir
2. How to get to Izmir - Getting to İzmir by train, plane, car or bus
3. Accommodation in Izmir - Top tips and advice
4. Cost of Living in İzmir - Tips for living in Izmir on a student budget
5. İzmir Neighbourhoods - The most important districts in İzmir
6. Where to eat in İzmir - Gastronomy in İzmir
7. Nightlife in İzmir - A guide to nightclubs and going out in İzmir
8. Top İzmir Attractions - 10 places you can't miss in İzmir
9. What to do in İzmir - The best things to do and see in İzmir
10. İzmir in 3 days - What to see and do in İzmir in 3 days

İzmir is not a very expensive place compared to İstanbul or other European cities. For a single person excluding rent, the estimated monthly cost is 3,455 TRY (£295).

Food Shopping

How much you spend on your weekly shop depends of course on the supermarket you choose to go to. A101 and ŞOK supermarkets are the cheapest options. You will see Migros, Kipa and Tansaş supermarkets everywhere around the city and are not so much more expensive and of very good quality.

Here are the average prices for food and drink:

• 12 eggs, large: 8 TL (£0.68)

• Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink): 25 TL (£2.13)

• Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar): 17 TL (£1.45)

• 500 g of boneless chicken breast: 8 TL (£0.68)

• 1 litre of whole fat milk: 2.69 TL (£0.23)

• 1 kg of apples: 3.08 TL (£0.26)

• 2 litres of Coca Cola --- 3.48 TL (£0.30)

Mobile Phones

It’s inevitable that you will need a mobile phone during your year abroad. If you choose to buy a mobile phone once you arrive in İzmir, there are three big mobile phone companies to choose from. They all have special offers for foreigners visiting the country.

They are: Turkcell, Vodafone and Turk Telekom. Turkcell is the least expensive option amongst students as it is more expensive than the other two.

Save Money in İzmir - Tips for living in Izmir on a student budget

If you're moving to Izmir to study, then chances are that you’re going to have a tight budget, so these helpful tips below will prove very useful in helping you save a lira or two.

İzmirim Card (Kart)

This is a payment card which incorporates many forms of public transport including the metro, ferry and buses. You can pay money into the card to get credit for using public transport as well as to get discounts off fares every time you use it. Bilet 35 (Ticket 35)

With this card you can also save money on public transport journeys. You can choose between a 3,5 or 10 ride journey.

School Canteens instead of Restaurants

Whilst restaurants may offer fancier food, canteens are a much more affordable substitute and often offer traditional Turkish food.

Make the most of free activities

There are plenty of interesting things which you can do in Izmir which won’t cost you a penny. Why not take a long and relaxing stroll down Kordon, Izmir’s famous seaside promenade or get lost in the colourful Kemeralti Market and explore its shops, hidden courtyards, churches and synagogues or take the sun or a dip in one of its many beaches.

• Continue to İzmir Neighbourhoods - The most important districts in İzmir
• Back to Accommodation in Izmir - Top tips and advice

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