(NerdWallet) – In addition to having a roof over your head and the device you’re reading this on, you can now add the price of your Thanksgiving turkey to your list of things to be thankful for.
According to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), the average price of an 8–16-pound turkey was $1. 27 per pound in August 2023 — a 22% decline from August 2022. The U. S. Department of Agriculture likewise lists the average price per pound for frozen, whole hen turkeys as $1. 27 in August 2023 — down just over 22% from $1. 64 in August 2022.
Prices for some turkey products dropped more sharply. For instance, according to the AFBF, male turkey breasts that were boneless and skinless cost 20%23 percent less in August 2020 than they did the same month the previous year.
Turkey has long been a well-liked destination for tourists looking for an exotic getaway because of its breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and ancient wonders. However, Turkey has gained notoriety recently for something else: its affordability.
Even though there have been some fluctuations in the value of the Turkish Lira, traveling to Turkey is still surprisingly affordable, especially when compared to other European countries. This makes it a great option for travelers on a tight budget who want to get more travel for their money.
We’ll explore the reasons behind Turkey’s low cost in this in-depth guide, giving you the information you need to organize a trip there on a tight budget in 2024.
Factors Contributing to Turkey’s Affordability
Several factors contribute to Turkey’s affordability:
- Favorable Exchange Rates: The Turkish Lira has weakened against major currencies like the US Dollar and Euro, making Turkey a bargain for international travelers.
- Lower Cost of Living: Compared to Western countries, the cost of living in Turkey is significantly lower. This includes everything from accommodation and food to transportation and entertainment.
- Government Incentives: The Turkish government actively promotes tourism and offers various incentives to attract visitors, further contributing to lower prices.
- Abundance of Budget Options: Turkey boasts a wide range of budget-friendly accommodation, dining, and transportation options, making it easy to save money without sacrificing comfort or convenience.
Breakdown of Travel Costs in Turkey
To give you a clearer picture of how much a trip to Turkey can cost, let’s break down the expenses:
Accommodation:
- Hostels: $8-$20 per night for a dorm bed, $34-$75 per night for a private room
- Hotels: $45-$80 for a 3-star hotel, $65-$120 for a 4-star hotel, $150-$250 for a five-star hotel
- Vacation rentals: $70 per night for a room, $120 for entire apartments, $250 for houses
Food:
- Average cost of a meal: $4-$8 per dish
- Street food: Even cheaper, with options like stuffed mussels for around $0.35 USD per mussel
- Groceries: Fruits, vegetables, and meat are very affordable, with items like tomatoes costing around $0.30 per pound and chicken fillets at $2.65 per pound.
Transportation:
- Internal flights: $80-$120 per flight
- Long-distance buses: $25-$40 per journey
- Inner city transport: Trams at $0.10 USD per trip, metro and bus at $1.00 USD per trip, taxis at $0.50-$0.70 USD per 1km
Attractions:
- Average cost of attractions: $20-$80 per attraction, depending on the type and whether you need to organize transport.
Additional Costs:
- Water: $0.26-$0.48 per bottle, although tap water is drinkable in many cities.
- Sun loungers at the beach: Around $5.38 (100 Lira)
- ATM fees: Check with your bank.
- Tipping: 10% in restaurants and cafes, sometimes for hotel chambermaids.
- Resort tax: Some five-star hotels and resorts charge an extra 1% of the total stay price per night.
- Visa: Americans require a $85 visa.
- SIM card: Varies depending on the data plan.
- Travel insurance: Shop around for the best deals.
Tips for Saving Money in Turkey
Even though Turkey is already affordable, there are ways to save even more money:
- Travel during the off-season (November to February) for the cheapest prices.
- Opt for budget accommodation like hostels or guesthouses.
- Cook your meals or eat at local restaurants instead of tourist traps.
- Take advantage of free activities like visiting mosques, parks, and hiking in Cappadocia.
- Use public transportation instead of taxis.
- Haggle at markets for souvenirs and other goods.
- Consider volunteering or working remotely in Turkey to extend your stay and reduce costs.
Final Thoughts: Is Turkey Really That Cheap?
Yes, Turkey is a surprisingly affordable destination, especially for budget-conscious travelers. With careful planning and by taking advantage of the tips above, you can easily experience the wonders of Turkey without breaking the bank. So, pack your bags, book your flights, and get ready to explore this incredible country!
Poultry industry ‘holding its breath’
In early 2022, what would become the largest bird flu outbreak in U.S. history started infecting wild and commercial flocks. Since then, it’s killed more than 60 million birds, and those shrinking supplies drove sharp increases in poultry and egg prices.
But the situation has improved. In September 2023, a little over 500 birds contracted the avian flu. That’s a dramatic decline from the same period one year earlier, when 8. 15 million birds contracted the flu, according to the AFBF.
“We’re holding our breath,” says Gregory P. Martin, an extension educator in poultry at Penn State University Extension, speaking about the broader poultry industry.
But while the situation is much better than last year, avian flu cases have started climbing again. There were 520 new avian influenza cases in September; in October, there were 1. 37 million new cases. So far in November, 1. 09 million new cases have been detected.
How the avian flu could affect turkey availability
Martin notes that because of the supply chain involved in poultry production, the availability of particular varieties of turkeys is influenced by the timing of bird flu outbreaks.
Martin asserts that there ought to be a “ample supply” of frozen turkeys because producers can keep them frozen for up to a year before they appear on supermarket shelves. However, Martin notes that it will be harder to find fresh turkeys due to the recent increase in influenza cases. That outbreak coincided with the end of the poultry industry’s “seasonal processing,” Martin says. If fresh turkeys were going to be in grocery stores by Thanksgiving, they needed to be processed four or six weeks ahead of time.
According to Martin, most of the fresh stock has already been processed and is being kept chilled at this late stage. “If you need a fresh bird, you should be ordering it now. Not later — now. ”.
Frozen turkeys are often cheaper than fresh turkeys. As of Nov. 3, the average cost of a frozen turkey is roughly $1.18 per pound in the northeastern U.S., compared to $1.69 per pound for fresh turkeys, according to the USDA’s most recent nationalturkeyretail report. (The USDA lists the prices of both fresh and frozen turkeys only in the northeast.)
Martin notes that you might not be able to get a fresh turkey from a small farm this year because they are unable to process and store turkeys as far back as larger producers can.
“If you’re ordering from a local farm, you probably should’ve done it last month,” Martin says.
Below, you’ll find the listed online prices for frozen turkeys at several grocery stores. Note: Each product’s price per pound was checked in several U. S. cities, but prices may still vary in your area.
Target:
- $1.49 per pound: Butterball premium all-natural young turkey.
- Good, at 99 cents per pound.
Albertsons:
- $2.59 per pound: Butterball whole turkey.
- $2.49 per pound: Signature Farms whole turkey.
- $4. Signature Select fully cooked, hickory-smoked whole young turkey, $49. 49 per pound .
Publix:
- $69 cents per pound: Publix whole turkey Grade A.
- $2.99 per pound: Plainville whole turkey, raised without antibiotics.
Walmart:
- $1.28 per pound: Butterball premium whole turkey.
- 98 cents per pound: Shady Brook Farms whole young turkey.
Why is Turkey so CHEAP?
FAQ
Why is it so cheap in turkey?
Why is frozen turkey so cheap?
What is cheaper chicken or turkey?
Is ground turkey the cheapest meat?
Is Turkey cheap?
No, Turkey is cheap, especially if you opt for budget accommodation and dine at local restaurants. However, it’s not as cheap as it used to be because of the declining currency rate. How much is a Coke in Turkey? Coca Cola costs on average around $0.50 USD. How much is a beer in Turkey?
Is Turkey a cheap place to visit?
The simple answer is no, Turkey is a cheap place to visit when compared to other European countries, but it’s getting more expensive. In recent years, we have found that more hotels, restaurants and tour companies have increased their prices to accommodate for the declining value of the Turkish Lira.
Does Turkey cost more if you don’t drink?
If you don’t drink or plan to travel around Turkey, your daily budget will be cheaper. Prices vary depending on your travel style, time of year, and where in Turkey you visit. Coastal regions such as Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye, and Antalya tend to cost more as they are popular tourist destinations.
Are frozen turkeys cheaper than fresh?
Not later — now.” Frozen turkeys are often cheaper than fresh turkeys. As of Nov. 3, the average cost of a frozen turkey is roughly $1.18 per pound in the northeastern U.S., compared to $1.69 per pound for fresh turkeys, according to the USDA’s most recent national turkey retail report.