Imagine being at an airport and being asked to pay 20 euros for a simple burger. That has to be some kind of joke, right? Well, that is what happened to Hayley Duffy when she visited Dalaman Airport in Turkey. She was so shocked by the prices that she decided to take her frustration to TikTok, where it went viral. The post from her currently sits at over 7,000 likes, with many laughing at it and shaking their heads in disbelief.

In came Hayley’s viral video with the shock revelation of a quarter-pounder burger for 20 euros! “The food prices at Dalaman Airport are an absolute joke,” Hayley said in her viral video. She couldn’t believe her eyes and wanted to make sure everyone else knew just how outrageous it was, too. Her frustration resonated with many, and people from all walks of life shared their own stories about high prices when traveling.

One person commented on Hayley’s post that they paid £120 just for McDonald’s for a family of five. Another tourist, who has been coming to Turkey for 20 years, said this year would be the last because of the crazy prices. It does sound like the high prices make tourists think twice about visiting Turkey.

And it didn’t stop there. Some in shock took to talking: One viewer said Dalaman Airport was “most dear airport in the world”. So he could not understand why customers do pay all these prices after so many warnings online. Then there were those travelers who asked others to eat before they arrived at the airport and bring some snacks with them so they would avoid such hefty charges.

It would appear that Dalaman Airport is not the only one with high prices. Many in the world are notorious for expensive food and drinks, and these situations are really no different from them, though irritating. Some have even commented that they do expect high prices in the airports, but Dalaman Airport seems to have taken it to a whole new level.

Besides the price shock in food items, there’s growing trepidation that Turkey’s tourism industry may take a hit. Tourists seem to share their surprise at how quiet popular holiday destinations have become this year. Some say if prices keep rising, Turkey might soon be a “ghost town” for tourists.

A TikToker going by the name slimwadie5 drew attention to the increased prices. He referred to the recent experiences in comparison to past ones, underlining that the speedboat outing nowadays takes £120 for the mere hour of fun, while it used to be far less costly. He noticed it was sad when a simple burger at a local Burger King used to cost about £5, while it is now £12 at some places. That really makes many wonder whether the trip is worth it.

It’s not just the high prices of food that keep people away: many visitors have been talking about how different Turkey looks compared to previous years. The usually busy touristic areas were much quieter, which has raised concerns about the future of Turkey’s tourism industry.

The story of Hayley Duffy’s pricey burger is only one example of unexpected costs that can ruin a travel experience. It’s normal for any airport to have prices significantly higher than regular places, but the steep rise at Dalaman Airport has brought shock to many. For the time being, travelers are left to question whether the high prices are here to stay and should begin preparing for sticker shock when they visit.

Ultimately, outrage over high food prices at Dalaman Airport serves to remind the traveler of the need for planning and effective budgeting. Whether finding cheaper places to eat or being prepared for high costs, an understanding of what to expect can go a long way toward a smoother and more enjoyable travel experience.

As for Hayley Duffy, her TikTok post has most definitely created quite a bit of discussion and even got more people to share their stories about travel costs. While Dalaman Airport prices do sound outrageous, it’s crystal clear this is just part of an ongoing greater trend that travelers should be aware of. The good news? People are talking, and sharing such experiences arms the rest of them for their own adventures.

Next time you travel and see a high price for a burger, remember what happened with Hayley. It may just save you from the big surprise and enjoy your trip to fullest without breaking the bank.