School Costs in Türkiye: Stationery and Transport Expenses Reach Record Levels

With only two weeks left before schools reopen, millions of families across Türkiye are facing mounting financial pressure due to soaring education expenses. Driven by high inflation and a sharp rise in the cost of living, the price of basic school supplies and transport services has climbed to record highs.

In Istanbul, a student’s stationery and school supply costs now approach 12,000 TL, while service fees in the three largest cities have reached unprecedented levels. Without a mid-year raise in the minimum wage, many families are forced to allocate a significant share of their income to education before the first school bell rings.

The Rising Burden of Stationery Costs

From backpacks to uniforms, the cost of equipping a child for the school year has nearly doubled compared to last year. In 2023, a complete set of supplies could be purchased for an average of 3,500 TL. Today, the same list starts at 6,500 TL and can rise to 12,000 TL, depending on product quality.

Research across Istanbul neighborhoods reveals how expenses vary but remain steep in all districts:

• Avcılar Cihangir Mahallesi: A basic list costs 6,555 TL, while a higher-quality set can climb to 12,180 TL—more than half of the minimum wage.

• Avcılar Denizköşkler: Prices begin at 4,562 TL and stretch to 9,872 TL depending on product choices.

• Beyoğlu: Even an incomplete 12-item list ranges between 4,096 TL and 6,554 TL.

Local shopkeepers warn that prices are likely to rise further in the final week before schools reopen, as demand peaks.

What a School Bag Costs in 2025

According to a field survey in Avcılar, a basic school supply list for one student includes the following price ranges:

• Backpack: 2,500 – 5,000 TL

• Water bottle: 500 – 1,000 TL

• Lunch box: 200 – 500 TL

• Pencil case: 280 – 800 TL

• Pastel crayons (12-pack): 380 – 480 TL

• Colored pencils (12-pack): 270 – 430 TL

• School uniform (one set): 1,000 TL

Adding notebooks, pens, and additional items quickly pushes the total beyond the 6,500 TL starting point. This means that for a family with more than one child, stationery alone can consume nearly an entire minimum wage salary.

Transport Fees Add to the Financial Pressure

Beyond stationery and uniforms, one of the biggest financial burdens for parents comes from school transport fees. In Türkiye’s three largest cities—Istanbul, Ankara, and İzmir—service prices have climbed sharply, reflecting both fuel costs and broader economic conditions.

Istanbul

The Chamber of Tradesmen has requested a 50% increase in school bus fares. If approved, the cost for the shortest distance (0–3 km) will rise to 3,800–3,900 TL, while the longest routes could reach 9,150 TL per month.

Ankara

The capital city has already implemented a 30% price increase. Under the new tariff, the shortest distance (0–3 km) costs 21,745 TL, while distances of 10–15 km now stand at 33,210 TL.

İzmir

New fees have been set, with short-distance rides (0–3 km) priced at 2,762 TL in state schools, while kindergartens and private schools charge 3,313 TL. If an assistant (hostess) is present in the vehicle, families must pay an additional 30% fee.

The Economic Reality for Families

These increases come at a time when living costs are already at record highs. Rent in cities like Istanbul has surpassed 25,000 TL per month, while food, energy, and healthcare expenses continue to rise. For parents, this means school-related costs are not isolated—they stack on top of already strained household budgets.

In many households, education spending for just one child now equals half the monthly minimum wage, leaving families with difficult financial choices. As a result, some parents are turning to installment payments or opting for lower-quality products in order to manage expenses.

A Challenging School Year Ahead

As Türkiye prepares for the new academic year, the financial strain on families is clear. With stationery costs doubling, transport fees climbing, and no mid-year adjustment in minimum wage, parents are entering the school season under heavy economic pressure.

Unless inflation slows or additional support measures are introduced, families may continue to struggle in balancing education expenses with basic living costs. For many, the excitement of a new school year is overshadowed by the question: “How can we afford it?”