Taking Advantage of the Free Stuff (Well… Almost Free) as a Student in Istanbul
Being a student in Türkiye, especially in Istanbul, comes with a LOT of perks. And I’m constantly surprised that so many foreign students don’t use any of these opportunities. (I’m guilty too… but that’s beside the point🤫.)
This little guide is your wake-up call to all the nearly free things you can enjoy as a student here. And I say “Nearly Free” because, honestly, the prices feel non existant. Let’s get into it.
1. The Student Istanbul Card, The Holy Grail
If there’s one thing Istanbul does right, it’s student transport. Once you register at your university, even without your residence permit, you can immediately get your student certificate and apply for the student IstanbulCard, either on the app or by calling ALO 153. You can even apply with your passport, something many newcomers have no idea about.
The magic part is that the student monthly subscription is about 384 TL at the time of this writing. That’s less than $10 to travel to the entire city for the whole month. You can use it on almost every mode of transport, either by metro or by ferries, trams, buses, everything except taxis and minibuses. It’s unbeatable.
2. Student Discounts Everywhere
Some restaurants (especially those close to universities) offer discounted meals for students. It’s not extremely common, but when you find them, you feel like you’ve unlocked a cheat code. Then you have shops, art spaces, cafés, stationery stores, a surprising number of places knock the price down once they see a student card.
3. The Government Gyms (İBB Spor), Basically Free Fitness
Another hidden gem: İBB government gyms.
As a student, you can pay around 500 TL monthly or about 2000 TL for six months. For what you get, this price is insane. The facilities usually include Gym access, Group Classe, Optional swimming pool access and very flexible membership plans
For example:
I once paid 650 TL for a full month of swimming , 3 days a week, every week, with the option of joining swim lessons at the same price. As in… the same price whether you swim alone or get a whole instructor included. If that’s not “Nearly Free,” then I don’t know what is.
when it comes to non-students, they pay a more but honestly considering that is almost 2 and half times more I’d even say its also almost free.
4. Museums, Galleries, and Cultural Spots
Museums and art galleries across Istanbul usually charge one-third of the original price for students. Some are even free. This includes archaeology museums, modern art galleries, historical palaces, and special exhibitions. If you’re a student and you’re not taking advantage of this… girl/boy/friend, please start.
5. Government Libraries...Free, Clean, and Cozy
Government libraries in Istanbul are completely free, and many of them are gorgeous. You just create an account online, walk in, and enjoy:
fast WiFi, study areas, cold and hot water and sometimes… free snacks. Most of these libraries are open almost 24 hours, closing only briefly for cleaning. If you’re a student who studies outside home, this is paradise.
THAT BEING SAID,
Being a student in Istanbul can be ridiculously affordable if you know where to look. The transport card alone is worth shouting about, but when you add gyms, museums, discounts, and libraries… it starts to feel like the city is secretly sponsoring your lifestyle.
Use these. Enjoy them. Don’t sleep on them.
