Are hotel shops and airport-transfer souvenir stops in Turkey overpriced, and where should I buy souvenirs and beach items instead?
Based on 2 discussions with 3 participants · Last activity: 4 days ago
TL;DR
Hotel shops and airport-transfer souvenir stops can be significantly more expensive. Buy beach essentials at Carrefour where possible, and calculate airport-stop purchases in Turkish lira yourself before paying.
What the community said
A cap cost $5 at a shopping mall, while a similar one was priced at $10 in a hotel shop. The hotel seller would not lower the price to $8.
5 days ago Cap: $5 at the mall, $10 at the hotel
At the souvenir shop stop on the transfer from a hotel to the airport, add up every item in Turkish lira yourself before converting the total. One basket was recalculated from $160 down to $110.
17 days ago Recalculation: $160 → $110
Do not automatically buy inflatable rings and other small beach items at the hotel shop: a Carrefour about a 10-minute walk away had the same inflatable ring for several times less. It is also a more reliable place for returns if an item is defective.
21 days ago Carrefour, 10-minute walk