Worlds Most Overpriced Travel Destinations Oslo, Norway Like the most opulent cities in the Middle East, Oslos wealth is fueled by oil money. So its not entirely surprising that Norways capital is, according to the Prices and Earnings report, the most expensive city in the world. If you want to enjoy the best of cosmopolitan Oslo, expect to pay prices that are about 20 percent higher than youd find elsewhere in Western Europe. And keep in mind that this is a city where goods and services are nearly 70 percent higher than the world average, a fact that burns a fast hole in travelers wallets. Zurich, Switzerland Zurich offers visitors plenty: pure mountain air, gorgeous surroundings, and walkable neighborhoods. But youll pay for the privilege of a visit. In fact, according to the Prices and Earnings report, its actually the most expensive city in the world for a weekend getaway that includes the cost of accommodations in a nice hotel, dinner with wine, transportation, and extras. And Zurich also has among the highest public transportation and taxi costs in the world. Case in point: A three-mile cab ride in Zurich runs about $28. New York, New York Heres the thing about New York City: Its going to play chicken with your budget, and its going to win. Along with Tokyo, NYC has the worlds most expensive average costs for both luxury and mid-range hotel stays. Were talking $730 per night for luxe digs or $340 per night for mid-range accommodations. Its also the most expensive city in North America for a weekend getaway that includes accommodations, a nice dinner, and in-town transportation. Home to a $350 steak and a $1,000 sundae, its a city that has taken overpriced to a whole new level. Bora Bora, French Polynesia Exclusive, isolated, and a favorite of the rich and famous—if theres a perfect recipe for high prices, Bora Bora has it. The South Pacific islands tropical beauty has earned it plenty of accolades, including a place on U.S. News & World Reports list of the worlds best islands. But it all comes at a very steep price. The average nightly rate for one of Bora Boras famed overwater bungalows is around $1,000. And its not just staying there thats expensive: Fares for a summer flight from San Francisco start at around $2,500. Sydney, Australia Sydney is prepared to give you the friendliest fleecing youll ever get. The sunny city was recently ranked one of the most expensive in the world by Expatistan, and in an analysis by Deutsche Bank on world prices, a weekend getaway was more expensive in Sydney than in New York City. The exchange rate doesnt help either: Between 2009 and 2012, the Australian dollar appreciated by about 50 percent. While the currency took a slight dip in 2013, its still an expensive destination. Tokyo, Japan Visit Tokyo and you wont need souvenirs—youll bring home plenty of credit card debt to remind you of the good times. At 50 percent more expensive than most other cities in Asia, Tokyo ranks as the third most expensive city in the world. Not to be outdone by its pricey competitors, it is actually the most expensive city in the world when it comes to food and shopping. And it shares bragging rights with New York City as the most expensive city in the world for luxury and mid-priced hotel stays. London, England London has everything a cosmopolitan traveler could wish for: incredible museums, a thriving theater culture, and with more than 60 Michel Telón-starred restaurants, a dining scene that has finally taken its place on the world stage. But it also has one of the highest costs of living in the world, a fact that seriously impacts even the casual traveler. Expect to pay more than $400 per night for a four-star hotel and around $200 per night for a three-star hotel. And youll need to up the budget even for the small things: Coffee is 60 percent more expensive in London than in Rome, for instance, and it costs about $36 for two people to catch a movie. Even leaving is expensive: London has one of the highest prices for train tickets in the world—about 70 percent above the Western Europe average. Monte Carlo, Monaco In Monte Carlo, everyone wants to live like royalty. But the price tag on the priceless is not for the faint of heart. According to Hotelss 2013 Hotel Price Index, Monte Carlo delivered the worlds highest overall hotel prices, with an average of $308 per night. Steep prices dont stop at the hotel bill, either: Leisure is a pricey pursuit too. Greens fees at the Monte Carlo Golf Club run $176 and up, and a day pass to the Thermes Marins Monte Carlo spa is about $130. Even a simple trip to the beach can cost you more than $100 if you opt for a spot at the see-and-be-seen Monte Carlo Beach Club. Singapore Until a few years ago, Singapore was a true bargain. But an increasingly strong currency and an influx of wealthy expats have driven prices up enough that Singapore was named one of the worlds most expensive cities in The Economist Intelligence Units cost-of-living survey and Expatistans Cost of Living Index. A report last year put average hotel rates at around $260 per night, making it a pricey stop for travelers as well. If you are considering any of these destinations we can do it for less without sacrificing the trip. 631-604-9954
Posted on: Sun, 09 Feb 2014 04:22:07 +0000