$2 cocktails anyone? Where to find the world’s cheapest destinations and most expensive cities

THE bad news is, Australians are copping some of the world’s highest prices.

Sydney ranks as the 10th most expensive city in the world to enjoy a weekend away, according to a new travel global cost comparison.

Another cocktail? That’d be a yes please, if you’re in Cancun. Source: ThinkStock

The good news is, there’s a whole host of bargain destinations just waiting for you to visit - places where two cocktails cost less than $4 (Cancun) and where a 3km taxi return trip costs only $3 (Jakarta).

TripAdvisor’s annual TripIndex Cities cost comparison reveals a single night out in Sydney costs an average of more than $400 - an amount that could cover almost three nights of the same standard of luxury in the world’s cheapest city, Hanoi.

The latest research comes hot on the heels of survey of TripAdvisor reviewers that saw Sydney rated fifth worst in the world for value for money among travellers, ahead of only London, Copenhagen, Rio and Moscow.

The reviewers weren’t too far off, with the latest research revealing London as the most expensive city of all, with a night out and accommodation racking up a hefty bill of $560.

For the cost of dinner for two in Stockholm, you could afford dinner as well as a night in a hotel, cocktails and cab fare in Bangkok.

The World Heritage listed Halong Bay lies off the coast from Hanoi, the world’s cheapest city for travellers. Source: ThinkStock

The TripAdvisor study compares the cost of an evening out in 48 key tourist cities around the world, taking into account typical costs for two people to enjoy a pre-meal cocktail at a five-star hotel, a meal out, taxis, and an overnight stay for two in a four-star hotel during the travel months of June to August.

“This year’s results show that Asian destinations are still the most affordable, while European destinations continue to top the most expensive list. However, Eastern European countries such as Bulgaria and Czech Republic seem to be bucking this trend so may serve as the alternative places for Australian travellers looking for a city break in Europe,” TripAdvisor spokesman Scott Wegener said.

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Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, rates as the third cheapest destination. Source: ThinkStock

Source: TripAdvisor TripIndex Cities, conducted by Ipsos Mori. Source: Supplied

World No.1: London is the world’s most expensive city, outranking Paris, New York and Stockholm. Source: ThinkStock

Source: TripAdvisor TripIndex Cities, conducted by Ipsos Mori. Source: Supplied

Prices specify the average cost of two traditional dry martinis from a top-rated five-star hotel on TripAdvisor in each destination. Source: Supplied

Pre-dinner drinks: Cancun cheapest for cocktails

A pre-dinner vodka martini for two is cheapest in Cancun, Mexico, coming in at an average of $3.63. For the same amount of money you could get one and a half cocktails in Cape Town, half a cocktail in Hanoi and just the olives in Paris where two cocktails are more than 15 times more expensive than in Cancun costing an eye-watering average of $55.70.

Prices specify the average cost of a traditional or common two-course meal (starter and main) for two people with a bottle of house (or cheapest available) white wine. Source: Supplied

Evening meal: Stockholm most expensive for dinner

This year’s TripIndex results show that Stockholm, Sweden is the most expensive destination to get a bite to eat. For the average cost of an evening meal for two with wine in Stockholm ($184.39), you can have dinner for two with wine plus cocktails, cab fare, a night in a four-star hotel in Hanoi and still have change left. Dinner in Hanoi will set you back an average of just $36.83, a fifth of the price in Stockholm.

Prices specify the approximate cost of two taxi journeys of 3km each. Source: Supplied

Getting around: Travel further for less in Jakarta

Grabbing a cab to take a short 3km round trip in Oslo will hit your wallet hard at $60.71 – nearly 20 times more than in Jakarta where the same trip costs just $3.12. For the same price as a 6km return taxi ride in Oslo, you could actually travel 13km in Tokyo, 27km in Cape Town and a whopping 122km in Jakarta.

Prices specify the average per-night cost of a room at 4-4.5 star hotel found on TripAdvisor in each destination for the travel period June 1 - August 31, 2014. Source: Supplied

Hotel room: New York still the most expensive

When it comes to hitting the hay for the night, for the second year running New York tops the most expensive list with one night in a four star hotel costing an average of $392.22. At four times less than New York, an overnight stay in a four-star Bangkok hotel comes in at an average cost of $92.43. For the price of just one night in New York, you could sleep for three nights in Buenos Aires and two in Barcelona.

Prices were taken in local currencies between March 5 and 31 and converted into Australian dollars. Source: Supplied

Source: The Australian - 13 June 14