Large price differences for long-distance travel - a comparison from the USA to Sri Lanka

If you are currently looking for a trip to the south, you can get a real shock. Prices have risen more than they have in decades. A 20 percent premium compared to the previous year is not uncommon. And because many holidaymakers did not travel at all during the pandemic, the perceived price increase since the last long-distance trip in 2019 is significantly higher.

If you look closely, however, you will see that the price developments are very different. A lot of money can be saved by choosing the travel destination and the form of travel. We compare nine very different travel destinations.

The United States complains of eight percent inflation. The exchange rate, which is improving again, is currently costing German holidaymakers around seven percent more. The overall price increase from a German perspective of around 15 percent meets the cost of living that is around nine percent higher than in Germany anyway. According to the US Travel Association's TPI travel price index, domestic flights have become 45 percent more expensive within a year.

In comparison, hotels and motels experienced only a moderate price increase of 3.1 percent. A scoop of ice cream or a glass of wine in the restaurant can cost up to seven dollars. You should budget at least $50 a day for food. Restaurants are 50 (Miami) to 80 (New York) percent more expensive than in Germany. Savings can be made outside of the big cities and on public transport: the weekly ticket for the subway and buses in New York costs just $33.

Price level: high

Prices in Canada have recently risen faster than at any time since the 1980s, but still less than in the US. In October 2022, inflation reached 6.9 percent. After all, the Canadian dollar has risen by only 0.5 percent over the past year, resulting in inflation from a German perspective of a good seven percent over the previous year.

The cost of living in Canada's major cities is about 14 percent higher than in Germany. Grocery prices in Toronto are 60 percent higher than in Berlin, restaurants are only twelve percent more expensive. Transport costs are similar to those in Germany, while leisure activities are 20 percent cheaper than in Europe. On the other hand, Germans pay up to 15 percent more for hotels than at home.

Price level: high

In the Dominican Republic, October inflation was 8.2 percent. In addition, there are currently twelve percent fewer Domrep pesos for the weak euro than a year ago; together, this makes prices for Europeans a good 20 percent higher than at the end of 2021. The costs for excursions, buses and taxis have risen even more.

However, the whole thing is happening at a relatively low price level, according to the OECD, World Bank and Numbeo, the cost of living in 2021 was less than 50 percent compared to Germany. In the restaurant, you pay around 38 euros for a three-course meal for two. Good to know: The package tour prices for the Dominican Republic have so far only increased by nine percent, reports Check24. If in doubt, it is better to book through an organizer.

Price level: medium

Inflation was recently as hot as the summer sun: It is nine percent in the country, the peso has gained almost 14 percent against the euro, both together result in 23 percent higher prices from a German perspective. The increase in food prices is felt to be even higher.

For German vacationers, however, the average prices are still 30 percent lower than at home. Public transport is around 40 percent cheaper than in Germany, and restaurants are a good 30 percent cheaper. A taco is available from 50 cents. For a mid-range hotel room, around 70 euros have to be invested. For holidays in a four-star hotel in the chic seaside resort of Cancún, however, Check24 calculates a daily rate of 209 euros - seven percent more than a year ago.

Price level: medium

For years, the glittering metropolis on the Arabian Gulf has managed to be both a refuge for the rich and a bargain destination. In fact, the cost of living is not even 80 percent of Germany. With just 3.5 percent inflation and a currency that is seven percent cheaper for Germans than in the previous year, the situation for German holidaymakers has even improved.

However, the package tour prices for Dubai rose by 20 percent within a year to a daily rate of 231 euros. With cheap flights and constant bargains at newly opened hotels, you can save quite a bit of money by planning your trip yourself. Attention: restaurants are up to 60 percent more expensive than in Germany, but lunch in simple restaurants can be had for as little as twelve euros.

Price level: medium to high

Inflation in the Cape country was 7.8 percent in October 2022 - the highest level in 13 years. The exchange rate has recently become cheaper for Europeans and in December returned to the level of the previous year. However, the cost of living in Cape Town is still about a third lower than in Berlin.

Simple accommodation is available from ten euros, a holiday home costs from 75 euros. A kilometer in a taxi costs 90 cents, and a bottle of wine in the supermarket costs 4.75 euros. A safari tour in a national park can be booked with local providers from as little as 25 euros per day.

Price level: cheap to medium

Inflation in Egypt was 16 percent in October. Locally, however, you get 46 percent more Egyptian pounds than a year ago; All in all, from a German perspective, prices have fallen by 30 percent. The whole thing is also happening at a low price level, according to the OECD and the World Bank, the cost of living in 2021 was not even 30 percent of Germany.

However, very few holidaymakers benefit from this, because most guests book “all-inclusive” in a beach hotel on the Red Sea. And since the prices have increased by 21 percent in the past year. According to Check24, the daily price per person rose from 97 to 117 euros, which is still cheap. Of the important travel destinations, only Turkey is even lower. Savings can be made in Egypt when eating out of the hotel: lunch can be had for as little as 3.50 euros and a beer for 1.40 euros.

Price level: still cheap

Inflation in Thailand was last at 6.3 percent. The currency also developed positively for German holidaymakers: the Thai baht is currently around 3.5 percent less than a year ago. Due to the very low price level so far, the Land of Smiles remains an affordable travel destination.

The OECD and the World Bank estimate the cost of living to be 60 percent cheaper than in Germany. You can stay in a mid-range hotel for 35 euros. Restaurants are 45 percent cheaper than in Germany, transport and leisure activities are even 70 to 80 percent cheaper than in Germany.

Price level: cheap

Sri Lanka breaks the inflation record of 70 percent - also due to political turbulence in the past year. So you should never exchange money in advance. However, the Sri Lankan rupee appreciated by 40 percent against the euro. For the German purse, the spice and tea island has become cheaper by around 30 percent.

The price level is thus even cheaper than before. The OECD and the World Bank estimate the cost of living in Sri Lanka to be two-thirds cheaper than in Germany. A third of German prices are charged in restaurants and for shopping, and 30 to 40 percent less than at home in hotels and for groceries.

Price level: very cheap

Every winter, ski lift operators hope that it snows a lot and that snow cannons are used as little as possible. This season, however, there is a lot at stake because of the high electricity prices.

Source: WORLD | Peter Haentjes