Planning your summer vacation, but don’t want to break the bank? If so, you might wish to avoid the following 20 destination as airport transfer company Hoppa has ranked them as the world’s most expensive for 2017. Hoppa’s annual survey reviewed 84 destinations worldwide, revealing the total average price of a hotel, food, drink and 2 mile a taxi journey per person per night. Interestingly, they also took the cost of a beer, a cup of coffee, and a bottle of wine into account. Because what holiday is it without some beer with lunch, wine with dinner and a strong coffee at the breakfast bar the following morning? Here’s a run-down of the top 20, to see which destination makes it to the top.
If you want to see “The World’s 20 Most Expensive Cities to Live in” instead click here.
#20 Hong Kong- $141
At the lowest place of list (but within the 30th percentile Hoppa’s overall ranking) we find Hong Kong, where an average beer costs $6. Located on China’s southern coast, Hong Kong has a population of 7 million, with a Gross Domestic Product of $56,000 per capita. Its top tourist attractions include the Victoria Peak mountain, its Ocean Park, picture-perfect Lantau Island and of course, its very own Disneyland.
#19 Helsinki – $146
The capital and largest town of Finland is included in our list of most expensive destinations worldwide. The average dinner bill in Helsinki comes close to $80 (per person), meaning that more than half the cost of a one-night stay goes towards dining. Top tourist attractions of the Finnish capital, include the Suomenlinna (a UNESCO-listed 18th century sea fortress), the Temppeliaukio Church (built in the 1960s into excavated rock), the Helsinki Senate Square (which features impressive neoclassical buildings) and the open air museum of Seurasaari.
#18 Las Vegas – $148
Home to many a movie set, dreams and hopes of beating the bank at the casino, Las Vegas boasts many notable landmarks which are hot tourist spots. Think of the Las Vegas strip and Red Rock Canyon national park. This man-made city built out of the desert features an impressive number of hotels. Some of the most famous ones include Cesar’s Palace, the Bellagio and the Mirage. Many of the exclusive hotels were central to the golden age of the original 1960 Rat Pack, which was led by the great Frank Sinatra. A number of them also featured in the revived Ocean franchise, starring George Clooney and friends. Even if you’re not planning to hit the casino, you’re going to have to keep an eye on expenses, with the average beer costing just under $7.
#17 Tokyo – $149
Although Japan’s buzzing capital is thought-of as a city, it is officially a metropolitan prefecture. It is also home to the sushi, bright neon street lights, some 13 million people and an impressive 51 of the Fortune Global 500 companies. Here, the average 2 mile taxi ride costs some $58 dollars. Thinking of vacationing in the orient over the summer? Tokyo’s must-see attractions include the Imperial palace, the Meiji Shrine (which is interestingly framed into a garden), the historic temple of Senso-ji (dedicated to the goddess of mercy), the Roppongi art museum at the heart of the nightlife and entertainment hub and the Tsukiji fish market.
#16 Manama – $150
Manama is the capital of Bahrain and a key trading center in the Persian Gulf. It is home to a tiny but diverse population of around 157,000 people. An tiny espresso in Manama will set you back some $5. Concerned about what to do while on vacation in Manama? Fear not- between the Qal’at al-Bahrain Museum, the Bahrain National Museum and the Bab Al Bahrain shopping mall, you’ll find a way to while the time away.
#15 Paris – $151
Aaaah! Paris… city of romance, lights and art. Also known as the capital of France and home to 2.3 million people. It might not be a cheap destination to visit, but ask anyone who’s been there and they will tell you that it’s worth every penny. It is after all home of the Louvre and all the magnificent art pieces within, as well as that of the European Disneyland.
#14 Doha – $152
Hitting the number 14 mark on our list is Doha – the capital of the State of Qatar, which has been named after “the big tree”. Located on the Persian Gulf, it has a population nearing the 1.5 million mark. This is one of the few Middle Eastern states which allows the sale of alcohol – however the drinks are pricey, with cocktails going for a whopping $17 each and the average beer, costing just over $8.
#13 Dubai – $155
This modern Emirati state also permits the sale of alcohol, but it does so at a higher than average price. This is why it is considered to be the most expensive destination for wine lovers, with an average bottle costing some $40. City sightseeing bus tours make for a popular holiday activity, ideal for becoming acquainted with a new city. However, this is not a budget-friendly idea in Dubai, which has the most expensive sightseeing coach tours in the world, at around $70 per person!
#12 London – $156
Home to the Buckingham Palace, the Big Ben, the Tower, the London Eye, the British Parliament and one of the most famous fictional characters – the world’s only consultant detective Sherlock Holmes. The capital of England is one of the best-loved destinations for those with a travel bug. An average dinner for one might cost as much as $70. However, this doesn’t hinder its tourism industry, which enjoys an average of 20 million tourists visiting London every year, making it the second most popular city destination worldwide, after Hong Kong.
#11 Dublin – $157
The Irish capital was originally a Viking settlement and now is home to a population of 1.4 million people. The Globalization and World Cities Research Network (GaWC) ranked the Dublin as one of the top thirty global cities of the world. Top attractions include the Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol, National Museum of Ireland and St Patrick’s Cathedral. Dublin has frequently been used as a film set and has appeared in The Tudors, Michael Collins, and In the Name of the Father, among others. Your average burger in the Emerald Isle costs a whopping $9.
#10 Caracas – $158
The capital of Venezuela, Caracas is officially known as Santiago de León de Caracas. As the largest city of Venezuela it is home to a population of almost 2 million. The tourism industry contributes some 3.8 per cent of the country’s GDP – and with the highest per capita murder rates in the world, Caracas is not known as the safest destination! While you may have to fork out some $25 for a bottle of wine, Caracas boasts some lovely attractions, including The Simon Bolivar Museum, the Parque del Este, El Avila National Park and Altamira Parks.
#9 Rome – $159
La vita e bella (which is Italian for ‘life is beautiful)… especially if you’ve got the funds to splash on pleasure and leisure. Apart from good food and a pleasant lifestyle, the Italian capital of Rome is home to the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, Castel Sant’Angelo, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. With the second cheapest coffees in the world (going at $1.43), Rome ranks in the ninth place on our list.
#8 Honolulu – $160
Given centre stage on the set of Magnum PI, Hawaii Five-0 and countless other movies, Honolulu is the capital and largest city of the state of Hawaii. It is the main gateway to the city and also an important international travel and business hub. Hawaii is also known for its fragrant and colorful dishes, with a blend of east-west and Pacific culinary traditions. And with the average meal costing some $70, Honolulu is the ninth most expensive city to dine in.
#7 Amsterdam – $162
The seventh most expensive city for vacations is the Dutch capital Amsterdam. Located in the north of Holland, Amsterdam was originally a small fishing village and grew to become a main trading and maritime port in Europe. Its canals, which date back to the 17th and its 19th century Defence Line included by UNESCO on the World Heritage List. While The Hague is the seat of the Dutch government, Amsterdam remains its commercial capital.
#6 Venice – $163
Best known as the literary backdrop to Shakespeare’s masterful Merchand of Venice, the city is located in the north east of the Italian peninsula. It is the city of bridges, gondolas, canals and a world-famous film festival. The capital of the Veneto region is not budget-friendly – it is home to the world’s most expensive coffee. Additionally, a fast-food meal can cost as much as $17 (almost twice as much as it would cost in New York!)
#5 Stockholm – $169
Entering into the top 5 most expensive destinations is Stockholm – the capital of Sweden and the most densely populated city in Scandinavia. A cab ride of 2 miles will set you back some $16, while an average dinner goes for the tune of just under $80 – ranking as the sixth most expensive city to dine in. While spending your hard-earned cash in the Swedish capital, make sure you visit Gamla Stan for the churches, architecture and museum, the Vasa maritime Musem (which comes complete with a 17th century ship) as well as the Skansen and Djurgarden museums and zoos.
#4 Oslo – $189
Another Scandinavian city makes the top 5 entries of our list. The Norwegian capital of Oslo was founded in 1040 and quickly became a major trading post. Still today, it remains a major banking, trading and maritime hub in Europe. It has been ranked as the eighth most expensive city to sleep in and the third most expensive for dining out. If you’re thinking of indulging in some booze to warm you up in the cold Norwegian nights, choose carefully as alcohol is pretty price. Some of the city’s main attractions include the Oslofjord, the former prison of Akershus Fortress by the waterside, the Viking ship museum and the Norwegian Museum of Cultural Heritage.
#3 Copenhagen – $193
The third Scandinavian capital makes it into the top 3. Copenhagen, capital of Denmark (which served as the backdrop to Shakespeare’s Hamlet). Coffee lovers might be disappointed to find out that the city holds the title for the most expensive coffees, with a minute espresso totalling almost $7. Copenhagen is the fourth most expensive city in which to stop for a burger ($10). While sightseeing bus tour tickets are reasonably priced at $25, a 2 mile taxi ride will cost $17. Alcohol in Copenhagen doesn’t come cheap, either. The Danish capital’s best known personality is children’s storyteller Hans Christian Andersen.
#2 New York – $201
The city that never sleeps, might have trouble sleeping for a very good reason. It is destination with the most expensive accommodation prices in the world, with the average cost of one night’s stay estimated at $143. However, the pay-off is that you get to wake up in the hometown of the Lady of Liberty herself!
#1 Zurich- $219
Zurich is considered to be Europe’s the banking capital and this is partially why it takes the top spot on our list. It is a wealthy city where there is money to be made… and spent! From bankers to cab drivers, the city’s economy is doing well. Talking about cab drivers, the Swiss taxis are the most expensive of the world, with the average cost for a 2 mile ride costs around $20. In addition to expensive accommodation, dining out isn’t a piece of cake either, with an average dinner costing some $98 – the most expensive worldwide!
Source: topexpensive.com
