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

• Accommodation prices are lowest in Hanoi, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur ($295, $319, $323 for three nights) while the highest prices are found in London, Cancun and New York ($1,004, $1,234, $1,382 for three nights) – around four times greater than in the cheapest cities.
• When it comes to eating out, travellers can get the best value for lunch and dinner in Cape Town, Mumbai and Bali ($222, $242 and $279 over three days). At around three times higher, Hong Kong and Tokyo offer the highest prices for lunch and dinner at $703 and $713 respectively across a three-night break.
• Prices to visitor attractions vary significantly, with some destinations predominantly offering free entrance attractions such as Hong Kong, Hanoi and Tokyo where just 1% or less of trip spend is made up of attraction costs, compared with other destinations where attractions are a larger part of the overall cost such as Moscow where on average, 14% of trip spend goes on visiting attractions.
• Like the cost of attractions, taxi fares are also vastly different from destination to destination. The cost of a 3km return taxi journey in the higher priced destinations is around 16 times more expensive than the lowest price destinations. A return taxi journey in Bali will set a traveller back $9 while in New York, Tokyo and Rome, travellers will fork out $135-$144.

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:

Most expensive:

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:

1. New York City, USA – Average nightly summer hotel rate: $462

• Bag a bargain at highly rated value hotel Distrikt Hotel, bookable on TripAdvisor for $360
• Check out the sights with the Complete Manhattan Island Cruise bookable on TripAdvisor for $41

2. Tokyo, Japan – Average nightly summer hotel rate: $334

• Bag a bargain at highly rated value hotel Richmond hotel Asakusa, bookable on TripAdvisor for $196
• Check out the sights with the Tokyo Asakusa Rickshaw Tour bookable on TripAdvisor for $52

3. London, UK – Average nightly summer hotel rate: $335

• Bag a bargain at highly rated value hotel The Westbridge Hotel, bookable on TripAdvisor for $218
• Check out the sights with the Historical Pub Walking Tour of London bookable on TripAdvisor for $45

4. Cancun, Mexico – Average nightly summer hotel rate: $411

• Bag a bargain at highly rated value hotel The Royal Caribbean, bookable on TripAdvisor for $227
• Check out the sights with Early Access tour of Tulum Ruins with an Archaeologist bookable on TripAdvisor for $63

5. Paris, France – Average nightly summer hotel rate: $317

• Bag a bargain at highly rated value hotel Grand Hotel Francais, bookable on TripAdvisor for $200
• Check out the sights with a Skip the Line Eiffel Tower Behind-the-Scenes Theatrical Tour bookable on TripAdvisor for $41