Turkey university students confront soaring private dorm fees, Istanbul offers cheap summer housing

Private university dormitories in Turkey's major cities are seeing sharp price hikes for the 2026‑2027 academic year. In Istanbul, three‑person rooms now cost between 180,000 and 390,000 Turkish lira annually, while Ankara ranges from 150,000 to 350,000 lira and Eskişehir starts at about 110,000 lira. The rise, quoted at 27‑40 % over last year, adds to already high living expenses such as rent, food and transport for students and their families.

In response, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) will keep seven of its city‑run dorms open during the summer, offering accommodation to around 2,000 university students. The service, available from 1 July to 31 August, costs 95 TL per day and includes breakfast and dinner, along with access to library, sports and other facilities.