Vacationers shocked: Burger King at Istanbul Airport charges exorbitant prices!

Vacationers shocked: Burger King at Istanbul Airport charges exorbitant prices!

Many Germans are already looking forward to their summer vacation, which often takes them to distant countries. Turkey, known for its picturesque beaches, cultural treasures and a variety of culinary offerings, is one of the most popular travel destinations for Germans. Istanbul Airport in particular is a central point of contact for tourists who either arrive, transit or depart here.

However, vacationers who want to eat at the airport will face significant prices. A recent example from a social media discussion shows that a German encountered exorbitant prices at Burger King at Istanbul Airport. A picture of a menu shows that a Double Whopper costs a whopping 23 euros, while a grilled beef burger costs 18.50 euros.

Prices at Istanbul Airport

The high prices at Burger King are not just a shock for this individual holidaymaker. A user on Reddit expressed his dissatisfaction with the high prices and associated them with rip-offs. A Facebook survey of holidaymakers shows their dissatisfaction with the costs at the airport. The prices for other burger options are as follows:

• Whopper: 22 Euro
• Triple Whopper: 30 Euro
• Double Whopper-Menü: 26,50 Euro
• Big King- und Double Cheeseburger-Menü: 21,50 Euro
• Rodeo Whopper-Menü: 24,50 Euro

The video, which documents frustration over the high prices, has now received almost 1.5 million views. Facebook users react predominantly negatively and show great understanding for the critical voices.

Reasons for the high prices

Behavioral economist Gianluca Scheidegger explains the pricing policy at the airport as a combination of high operating costs and strict security controls. These factors contribute significantly to the higher prices. In addition, the shops at the airport have an almost virtual monopoly, which allows them to significantly increase their prices. Additional taxes and fees that airports impose or pass on to companies also explain the exorbitant costs.

In addition, other vacationers report high expenses in Turkey. For example, a German tourist paid 800 euros for a mini doctor's visit, which also raised his displeasure on Facebook. Vacationers' experiences highlight a growing problem that goes beyond food prices.

Turkey secured the title of the most popular holiday destination for Germans in 2024, according to the German Travel Association (DRV). Nevertheless, many holidaymakers seem to be unsettled by the high costs at Istanbul Airport and beyond when it comes to their stay and cost planning.