Major city · Türkiye (Turkey)
Erzurum
Give Erzurum 1–2 nights on the Ankara–Kars rail line: Seljuk stonework in a half-day walk, cağ kebap at night, Palandöken skiing in winter.
Erzurum sits at 1,890 m on the old road between Anatolia and the Caucasus, so it collected Seljuk, Ottoman and Russian layers in a compact centre. The sights are a 20-minute walk apart and the food is meat-heavy and cheap. Most travellers use it as a stop on the Doğu Express or as a winter ski base on Palandöken, 6 km south.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- TRY
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for the city; Dec–Mar for skiing
- avoid Jan–Feb for sightseeing (daytime often below -10°C (14°F))avoid Jan–Feb for sightseeing (daytime often below 14°F (-10°C))
- Airport
- ERZ
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 5
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Check whether your passport is visa-exempt; if it is not, apply only at evisa.gov.tr — lookalike sites charge extra and some sell nothing.
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗At mosques cover shoulders and knees, take shoes off at the door, and women carry a headscarf; stay out during prayer times.
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Taxis must run the taximeter; refuse flat quotes, or book through BiTaksi or Uber so the ride is logged.
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Carry lira in small notes for tea, markets, tips and toilets; prices move with inflation, so treat every printed price as dated.
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Do not take stones, coins or tiles from ancient sites, and export no antiques without a museum certificate; travellers have been detained at airport customs.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Erzurum112 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance (all)112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Erzurum, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Turkish lira (₺, TRY).Türkiye (Turkey)-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckTurkcell, Vodafone and Türk Telekom sell tourist SIMs at airports (passport needed); they are dearer than in town shops — check.Türkiye (Turkey)-wide
- Tap waterTap water is treated and chlorinated but tastes of it; locals buy bottled or 19-litre dispenser water.Türkiye (Turkey)-wide
- TippingcheckSit-down restaurant: 5–10% in cash, even if the card machine does not offer a tip; check for a 'servis' charge first.Türkiye (Turkey)-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Türkiye (Turkey)-wide
- SafetyErzurum is a calm, conservative city and street crime is low.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and restaurants; squat toilets (alaturka) in older mosques and bus stops.Türkiye (Turkey)-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police, fire, ambulance (all) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidayscheckMany museums close Monday (Topkapı closes Tuesday) — check; mosques close to visitors during the five daily prayers and Friday midday…Türkiye (Turkey)-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportERZ Erzurum Airport (15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of the centre; frequent flights from Istanbul IST and SAW, also Ankara, Izmir and Antalya.ERZ Erzurum Airport (9.3 mi (15 km) northwest of the centre; frequent flights from Istanbul IST and SAW, also Ankara, Izmir and Antalya.
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable: castle, Çifte Minareli Medrese, Ulu Cami, Yakutiye and the museum sit within about 1 km (0.6 mi).The centre is walkable: castle, Çifte Minareli Medrese, Ulu Cami, Yakutiye and the museum sit within about 0.6 mi (1 km).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeTea / Turkish coffee₺30–80 (≈ US$1–2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across the centre₺150–300 (≈ US$4–8) (check)
- Metro or bus rideCity bus or dolmuş ride₺20–40 (≈ under US$1) (check)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (castle, Yakutiye, Erzurum Museum)₺150 (≈ US$4) each (check)
- Budget bedHostel or basic guesthouse bed, a night, per person₺500 (≈ US$13)
- Mid-range bedCentral double room, a night, per room₺2,500 (≈ US$65)
- High-end bedCentral double room, a night, per room₺5,000 (≈ US$130)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₺1,200 (≈ US$30) · Mid ₺2,200 (≈ US$55) · High ₺4,000 (≈ US$100)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ERZ Erzurum Airport (15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of the centre; frequent flights from Istanbul IST and SAW, also Ankara, Izmir and Antalya. Local bus or taxi to town.)ERZ Erzurum Airport (9.3 mi (15 km) northwest of the centre; frequent flights from Istanbul IST and SAW, also Ankara, Izmir and Antalya. Local bus or taxi to town.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Care
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Feb
Care
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Mar
Best
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
Best
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Best: Mar, Jun–Sep, Dec. Mixed: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C) low), wettest May (15 rain days), driest Aug (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Erzurum: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
8 rd
Feb
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
8 rd
Mar
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
10 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
13 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
15 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
5 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
9 rd
Dec
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable: castle, Çifte Minareli Medrese, Ulu Cami, Yakutiye and the museum sit within about 1 km. Buses and dolmuşes run along the main streets and to Palandöken; the airport and otogar are 10–15 km out and need a bus or taxi.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Kars
overnightDoor to door: About 4 h
Doğu Express eastbound, about 4 h
Longer Russian occupation shows in the grid streets and buildings; sleep there rather than return.
Door to door: About 5 h
Bus over the Pontic Mountains via Gümüşhane, about 4 h 30 min
The Black Sea coast, Sümela Monastery and the region's main airport.
Door to door: 6 h+
Bus or car east on the E80, long day
Too far for a day; treat it as a separate stop towards the Iranian border.
Door to door: About 6 h
Doğu Express westbound, about 6 h
Seljuk Great Mosque and hospital; the train calls here.
Çobandede Bridge
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Car or bus east on the Kars road, 60 km (37 mi)Car or bus east on the Kars road, 37 mi (60 km)
13th-century bridge; only worth it if you are already driving east.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Cumhuriyet Caddesi / city centre
Walk to the castle, madrasas and museums; most hotels and restaurants are here.
Railway station end
North edge of the centre, walking distance to hotels; convenient for the Doğu Express.
Palandöken (ski base)
6 km (3.7 mi) south, on the mountain road; only worth it in ski season.3.7 mi (6 km) south, on the mountain road; only worth it in ski season.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₺1,200–2,000 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₺2,000–3,500 (≈ US$50–90) excl. bed
- High
- ₺3,500 (≈ US$90)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Central double room1 × 1 night × ₺2,500 | ₺2,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₺2,200 | ₺4,400 |
| Airport taxi, one way1 × ₺600 · check | ₺600 |
| Museum entries, castle + Yakutiye + Erzurum Museum2 × ₺450 · check | ₺900 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₺400 | ₺800 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₺920 |
| Trip total≈ ₺5,060 per person per day, bed included | ₺10,120≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in lira; long-distance travel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Cağ kebap (lamb on a horizontal spit) | ₺250–450 (≈ US$7–11) |
| Kadayıf dolması dessert | ₺120–250 (≈ US$3–7) |
| Tea / Turkish coffee | ₺30–80 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Museum entry (castle, Yakutiye, Erzurum Museum) | ₺150 (≈ US$4) each (check) |
| City bus or dolmuş ride | ₺20–40 (≈ under US$1) (check) |
| Taxi across the centre | ₺150–300 (≈ US$4–8) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude 1,890 m and dry cold: winter days often stay below -10°C (14°F), nights near -20°C (−4°F). Pack for it.Altitude 1,890 m and dry cold: winter days often stay below 14°F (-10°C), nights near −4°F (-20°C). Pack for it.
- Snow that falls tends to linger; pavements stay icy for days.
- Some hotel listings are wrong on map apps — confirm the address before you book.
- Signage in several museums is Turkish-only.
- 5G had not rolled out in Turkey as of late 2025; 4G works in the city but drops on the highways.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance (all)
- 112
Pocket card
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ErzurumErzurum
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Bu adrese, lütfenTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance (all)112
Embassy
No embassies in Erzurum; the US, UK and most others are in Ankara, with consulates-general in Istanbul. Consular help for the east is usually handled from Ankara.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → city centre, taxi: about ₺600 (≈ US$15), 20–25 min (check)
- Otogar → city centre, bus K4: about ₺30 (≈ under US$1), 25 min (check)
- Doğu Express Erzurum → Kars: about 4 h, couchette; book on TCDD (check)
Say or show
- Merhaba — Hello (mer-hah-BAH)
- Teşekkürler — Thank you (teh-shek-kewr-LEHR)
- Ne kadar? — How much is it? (neh kah-DAR)
- Hesap, lütfen — The bill, please (heh-SAHP, lewt-FEN)
- Tuvalet nerede? — Where is the toilet? (too-vah-LET NEH-reh-deh)
- Kartla ödeyebilir miyim? — Can I pay by card? (KART-lah ur-deh-yeh-bee-LEER mee-yeem)
Carry small lira notes for buses, tea houses and museum tickets.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Erzurum. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep for the city; Dec–Mar for skiing · avoid Jan–Feb for sightseeing (daytime often below -10°C) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for ERZ: bus K4 and taxi options field-checked, late-arrival rung.
- Walking cluster with rescue anchors: castle, Çifte Minareli, Ulu Cami, Yakutiye, museum, Taşhan.
- Place pages with verified hours and ticket prices (castle, Çifte Minareli, Yakutiye, Erzurum Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter fixture for Palandöken: lift status, bus times, ski-rental prices.
Sources
- officialErzurum Metropolitan Municipality
- officialErzurum Airport (DHMI)
- officialTCDD train tickets (Doğu Express)
- officialPalandöken Ski Center
- secondaryWikivoyage: Erzurum, revision 5290016 (CC BY-SA 4.0)