Stay at a hostel or a cheaper hotel. This will help you modify your budget by allowing you to use the money for other things, like traveling or eating. Visit Instanbul's Sultanahmet district, since it is filled with hostels and low cost hotels, costing about $20 to $90. The Sultanahmet district is conveniently located near the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofya and Topkapi Palace, which are all great spots for sight seeing and adventure. Try calling Instanbul Hostel at 011-90-1-212-516-9380; [email protected] on Kutlugun Sokaates. You may be able to find a place as cheap as $6 a night.
Go to the Taksim District at night. There are scheduled minivan buses called "dolmus" to Taksim Square. Spend the evening walking along the Istiklal Caddesi where this historic pedestrian boulevard is where a lot of people watching can be done with the people of Turkey. Walking along the Istiklal Caddesi can be fun, but cost very little to do. If you need help locating these destinations, remember to purchase a guide book before you head off to Instanbul.
Visit a water-pipe cafe in Instanbul. Backgammon is a popular game in Instanbul that is often played in cafes while drinking cay and smoking hookah or flavored tobacco. Backgammon is a very social game since tables and couches are communal so be prepared to mingle with the locals. Also, staying at one of these cafes will cost you about $3, a very inexpensive way to mingle with the locals and take part in Instanbul culture.
