Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Tbilisi 🇬🇪
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Population | 15,520,000 | 8,850,000 | 1,305,737 | 1,270,169 | 1,108,700 |
Official language(s) | Turkish | Spanish | Czech | Bulgarian | Georgian |
Level of English | Low | Moderate | High | High | Low |
Main airport | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) | Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September and October | March - May, October, November | June - October | April-June, September-October | March - June |
Currency | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) | GEL - Georgian Lari (₾) |
Credit cards | Accepted in most places | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted most places (some places are cash only) | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $659 | $1867 | $1806 | $1289 | $1462 |
Rent | $354 | $778 | $780 | $567 | $752 |
Groceries | $44 | $281 | $158 | $10 | $112 |
Dining out | $81 | $182 | $240 | $227 | $169 |
Cafe | $18 | $49 | $53 | $27 | $45 |
Coworking space | $49 | $159 | $175 | $140 | $125 |
Mobile internet | $3 | $25 | $24 | $10 | $4 |
Public transportation | $6 | $11 | $61 | $30 | $8 |
Taxis | $6 | $9 | $33 | $12 | $14 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $2 | $24 | $19 | $40 | $27 |
Sport and cultural events | $11 | $81 | $19 | $18 | $21 |
Museums and sights | $15 | $20 | $35 | $12 | $9 |
Nightlife | $22 | $64 | $50 | $82 | $53 |
Gym | $9 | $69 | $56 | $23 | $33 |
Yoga | $23 | $65 | $66 | $62 | $37 |
Massage | $15 | $51 | $37 | $29 | $53 |
SIM card options | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Telcel, Movistar | Vodafone, T-Mobile | A1, Telenor, Vivacom | Magti GSM, Geocell, Beeline |
Tipping | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés | 10% usually included in bill, not expected at bars or cafés. |
Taxi apps | BiTaksi | Uber | Uber, Liftago | TaxiMe, TaxiStars | Yandex, Bolt |
Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable |
Overall cuisine | A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish | Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese | Thick soups are often combined with stewed vegetables and baked meats to produce rich dishes. Gravies and creams are popular in Czech cuisine, as is beer! | Vegetables and mild spices are often mixed with dairy products to create rich chicken and pork products. Seafood dishes also popular in some regions of the country, making them popular in the capital. | Cuisine of the Caucasus meets regional diversity in Georgia. Emphasis on spices and meats (poultry, beef, pork and mutton) as well as soups and creams. |
Local food specialities | Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas | Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. | Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator | Kachapuri, kuchmachi, khinkali, chikhirtma, kharcho with gomi, jonjoli |
Eat like a local | Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee | Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) | Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. | Small local restaurants, open bars, terraces and wine bars |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 112 options on HappyCow | 20 options on HappyCow | 10 options on Happy Cow |