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Hanoi is the best value destination in the world for a city break, according to TripIndex Cities, an annual TripAdvisor cost comparison study.
TripIndex Cities, conducted by independent research firm TNS, compares the cost of a three-night break during the travel period of June to September in 20 key tourist cities around the world, taking into account typical in-destination costs for two people. These include; a four-star hotel for three nights, a visit to three attractions, lunch each day, a taxi to and from dinner each day, plus the cost of dinner itself. [1]
The study found that the average price for a short break across the 20 cities is $1,2382, excluding flights, with prices varying significantly from the least to the most expensive. Hanoi is the lowest cost destination with a break costing less than $631, while New York costs the most at almost $2,342, double the average.
“When including the cost of return flights to the 3 day city trip in Hanoi, it’s still cheaper than the on-the-ground cost of staying in New York over the same period. We also see that while Bali continues to be a very popular destination for Aussies, it continues to offer great value as one of the cheapest places to visit,” commented TripAdvisor spokesperson, Joanne Kershaw. “Aussies looking for a holiday close to home this winter should look to these two South East Asian destinations for that best value escape.”
Asia offers best value
When looking at the on-the-ground cost of a three-night city break, the 2016 TripIndex Cities report shows that travellers can find the best value in Asia, with four of the top ten cheapest destinations located within South East Asia; Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Bali take first, fourth, fifth and seventh places respectively.
However, travellers must be destination conscious when selecting Asia, as three of the most expensive destinations are also located in this part of the world. Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong are revealed as the second, sixth and seventh most expensive destinations respectively.
City break cost breakdown – what makes up the total price?
On average, accommodation costs make up around half of the in-destination costs of a break (52%). However, when it comes to the highest price destinations, accommodation makes up more of the total - particularly in New York, Paris and Cancun (61%, 61%, 71%).
In contrast, visitors to the lowest cost destinations can expect to spend less on accommodation with a higher share of their in-destination budget going on eating out. For example, in Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur, 50% of the travel budget goes on eating out, while in Bangkok, it’s 54%.
Key report findings
TripIndex Cities at a glance
From the least expensive to the most expensive (green and red indicate least and most expensive destinations for each item respectively):
Cheapest:
Rank |
City |
Accommodation |
Lunch |
Dinner |
Attractions |
Taxi |
TOTAL |
1 |
Hanoi |
$320.48 |
$114.70 |
$224.84 |
$6.58 |
$9.28 |
$675.89 |
2 |
Mumbai |
$485.47 |
$99.37 |
$162.20 |
$13.46 |
$12.80 |
$773.30 |
3 |
Cape Town |
$472.48 |
$84.01 |
$157.75 |
$66.97 |
$19.35 |
$800.57 |
4 |
Kuala Lumpur |
$350.16 |
$130.45 |
$305.99 |
$60.76 |
$13.25 |
$860.61 |
5 |
Bangkok |
$346.66 |
$133.25 |
$332.01 |
$53.47 |
$13.31 |
$878.70 |
6 |
Moscow |
$360.54 |
$116.31 |
$261.34 |
$122.38 |
$19.59 |
$880.16 |
7 |
Bali |
$586.79 |
$84.81 |
$218.46 |
$18.46 |
$9.97 |
$918.49 |
8 |
Madrid |
$466.82 |
$167.42 |
$281.90 |
$44.58 |
$51.08 |
$1011.80 |
9 |
Berlin |
$529.39 |
$200.61 |
$352.33 |
$37.15 |
$99.83 |
$1219.30 |
10 |
Vienna |
$556.01 |
$228.46 |
$402.88 |
$110.88 |
$53.40 |
$1351.63 |
Most expensive:
Rank |
City |
Accommodation |
Lunch |
Dinner |
Attractions |
Taxi |
TOTAL |
1 |
New York City |
$1501.47 |
$232.48 |
$464.28 |
$133.52 |
$146.54 |
$2478.28 |
2 |
Tokyo |
$1087.89 |
$264.90 |
$508.51 |
$9.12 |
$147.41 |
$2017.83 |
3 |
London |
$1090.78 |
$257.56 |
$438.26 |
$108.03 |
$89.53 |
$1984.16 |
4 |
Cancun |
$1340.51 |
$100.19 |
$228.80 |
$187.10 |
$26.22 |
$1882.83 |
5 |
Paris |
$1033.26 |
$179.98 |
$318.02 |
$55.72 |
$105.63 |
$1692.61 |
6 |
Singapore |
$740.41 |
$223.10 |
$501.38 |
$100.53 |
$44.13 |
$1609.56 |
7 |
Hong Kong |
$734.31 |
$270.76 |
$491.26 |
$0.00 |
$43.67 |
1$540.00 |
8 |
Sydney |
$684.85 |
$230.13 |
$457.01 |
$57.60 |
$92.25 |
$1521.83 |
9 |
Rome |
$727.23 |
$173.10 |
$315.42 |
$55.72 |
$157.24 |
$1428.71 |
10 |
Rio de Janeiro |
$775.75 |
$195.02 |
$328.88 |
$49.77 |
$23.55 |
$1372.95 |
Visiting TripIndex Cities most expensive destinations on a budget
Travellers shouldn’t be put off planning a trip to one of the five most expensive TripIndex Cities destinations. It’s still possible to bring the costs down compared to the average traveller’s budget to these cities, particularly by choosing more affordable hotel options. Here TripAdvisor presents highly-rated value hotels (at least $90 cheaper than the city average) in the five priciest destinations3, plus tours of the local sights for $63 and under4, bookable on TripAdvisor this summer: