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Study: The most and least expensive travel destinations (that are all worthy of Instagram)

From the lavish to the cheap, we have the travel destinations for all budgets

Dannielle Beardsley
By

When planning that next trip, it’s always a decision between living your best life or still having money to live when you get back. If you are in that unknown area where you aren’t sure how much you want to spend on your next vacation, look at the most expensive and cheapest travel destinations to help you decide.

A gorgeous view of Monaco.

How the spots were ranked

A new study from Traveller’s Elixir investigated the most affordable and most expensive travel destinations, based on average hotel and food prices, transportation costs, and attraction prices for a five-day trip for a single person. You’d still have to factor in your personal transportation to get there and other additional accommodations on top of it.

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Key metrics

  • Daily transportation costs (once there to get around, not your flight there)
  • Prices for main attractions/things to do
  • Daily food costs
  • Nightly hotel prices for a 3-star stay

The most expensive travel destinations

You only live once, so if taking the risk and booking a fancy vacation is in your sights, check out these spots.

Top 3 priciest destinations

  • Monaco – $2,258

Full of rich history, international events, and upscale living, Monaco attracts the wealthy. With around 70% of the population there holding millionaire status, it’s no wonder a vacation runs over a couple thousand dollars for not even a full week.

  • Saint Barthelemy – $2,181

Commonly known as St. Barts, this spot is a known getaway for all kinds of celebrities. Due to its small size, it’s an escape for the wealthy who want a villa for themselves.

  • Gstaad, Switzerland – $2,065

If gorgeous views of the Swiss Alps are worth the extra money, then Gstaad, Switzerland, has the mountain views to make your social media followers jealous.

Bonus spots

  • Honolulu, USA – $1914
  • San Fransisco, USA – $1,885
  • New York City, USA – $1,779

Coming in at numbers six, seven, and eight are some of the most expensive cities in the USA to live in, so it’s no surprise that a five-day visit puts them in the top ten.

A view of a landmark in Delhi.

The easiest travel destinations on the wallet

When you want to travel to a gorgeous place, but your bank account doesn’t agree, here are the inexpensive vacation destinations to go to.

  • Delhi, India – $181

If you want culture and ancient history at an affordable price, Delhi, India, needs to be on your list. You could spend the whole five days in Delhi for less than one day in Monaco.

  • Phnom Pehn, Cambodia – $224

As the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh is an affordable spot to visit to see an actual Royal Palace and maybe catch a glimpse of a king.

  • Kathmandu, Nepal – $229

Another affordable capital city to put on your maybe list is Kathmandu, Nepal. With attractions like the Himalayas there, you’ll find the spiritual adventure of your dreams there.

Check out the whole list of the most expensive and least expensive travel destinations and make a plan to get somewhere this year. No matter what your budget is, you can afford to give yourself a trip to somewhere other than your backyard.

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Dannielle Beardsley
Dannielle Beardsley
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