Top Summer Destinations & Their Average Holiday Costs

There is no question that travel is getting more expensive! The travel industry has been struggling to rebuild itself after being crippled during the pandemic, and now it has been hit by the huge jump in fuel prices. Not only does that mean that flights are now significantly more expensive, but even car rental prices have increased by 24% compared to their cost last year.

In 2021, most travellers anticipated that their next trip would cost them between $1000 and $2,300. In 2022, that number has increased by almost 40%. So, if you are planning a holiday to one of the world’s top international destinations, how much should you expect to pay in the summer of 2022?

A Note on Flights

Before looking at the cost of travelling to some of the most popular individual destinations in the world, let’s talk about flights. Currently (May 2022), on average, flights are more than 30% more expensive than they were a year ago.

This is because airlines are still readjusting their availability in the aftermath of the pandemic, during which they had to ground much of their fleets, and demand has also become more unpredictable. Add to this the rocketing fuel prices linked with the Russian war on Ukraine and flights are pricey.

While cheap flights still exist if you shop around and you are flexible with your dates, be prepared to pay at least 30% more than the anticipated price a few months ago, and even more than before the pandemic.

But don’t be discouraged! If you shop around, below are some examples of return flight deals!

London

London is one of the most exciting destinations in the world as a big international city with a vibrant multicultural community and a monopoly on museums and Indie music venues. But London is also an expensive city to live in and visit, and the British Pound (GBP) is strong, despite Brexit, and 1 GBP is currently worth USD 1.26 ( ₦558.00 – CBN rate) as of (May 2022).

In London, you can expect to spend around USD200 per day per person. The average London hotel costs $226 per night (for a couple), and then you can expect to pay $40 per day on meals and $25 per day on transportation on the excellent London Underground and taxis.

There are lots of free things to do in London, such as museums and walking the historic streets. But there are also plenty of opportunities to splurge, with Michelin-starred restaurants and West End shows on offer.

Paris

Paris, the city of romance, is one of those places where you can just walk the streets and people-watch in cafes and bars and feel like you are having a good time. The wine and cheese are excellent and affordable, and there are historic sites on every corner. But as a big international capital, Paris is an expensive city, and the Euro is strong, currently worth a bit more than a USD. Presently, EUR 1 is ₦464.00 – CBN rate.

Travellers can probably expect to pay around $200 per day per person while in the city. The average hotel price in the city is $250 for a couple. But food and wine are affordable, with the average traveller spending around $30 a day to eat well, but not luxuriously, and $18 per day on transport.

While there are some free sites in Paris, most have a reasonable fee to cover costs. The standard entrance to the Louvre Museum is EUR 15. Entrance to the Palace of Versailles is EUR 12 per person. While seeing the Eiffel Tower is, of course, free, it costs EUR20 to go up the tower.

Miami

Sunny Miami is one of America’s more expensive cities, but an attractive destination thanks to its beautiful beaches and eclectic multicultural lifestyle.

The average traveller can expect to spend around $165 per day in the city this summer. The average hotel price for a couple is $211, and you should probably expect to spend around $33 per day per person on meals. Transportation is relatively expensive, costing around £32 per person per day.

How expensive your time in the city will depend on what you want to do. If you plan to spend your time on the beach and sample local beers and food truck delights, you can visit on a budget. But the city is also full of high-end restaurants and bars frequented by celebrities.
Barbados

If you plan to spend your holiday in Barbados, be prepared to shell out some dough when you visit this island paradise.
The average traveller can expect to spend around $300 per person per day, with one USD buying two Barbadian dollars. Resorts dominate, so accommodation is more expensive at around $375 per night for a couple. Restaurants also tend to be higher-end, and you can expect to pay around $75 per day for meals. Transport on the island costs the average traveller $24 per day.

There are lots to do on the island in terms of snorkelling, diving, boat trips, and water sports. Of course, these all add up, but gaining this experience here is a lot more affordable than in other parts of the world.

Mauritius

The African nation of Mauritius is often considered an island paradise, and it is still a surprisingly affordable destination once you arrive. Don’t let price tags fool you! The Mauritian rupee is currently worth less than USD0.03. So those price tags with lots of 0s are still affordable.

The average traveller to Mauritius will spend maybe $50 per day. The normal cost of accommodation for a couple per night is just $28, and you might expect to spend another $20 on food and transport.
Participating in activities such as snorkelling and boat trips will, of course, add to your budget, but there are few places more beautiful and affordable to do this.

Cape Town

Cape Town is probably South Africa’s most picturesque city, wedged between the Atlantic Ocean and Table Mountain. It attracts international travellers and local entrepreneurs but continues to be an affordable city by international standards. The South African Rand is currently worth USD 0.07 (₦26.74 CBN rate).

On average, travellers should expect to spend around $91 per person per day while in the city. Accommodation for a couple costs around $71 per night. Meals can be a bit more expensive at around $40 per day. Local transport will probably cost around $16 per day.

From Cape Town, there are lots of opportunities to take trips to nearby safaris, natural wonders, or through the wine region. While these costs will add up, they are affordable experiences from an international perspective.

New York City

New York is a city of opportunity where dreams are made, but it is an expensive place to live and an expensive place to visit, though, fortunately, there are lots of free things for tourists to do in the city.

Travellers should expect to spend around $238 per day when staying in New York. The average accommodation cost for a couple in the city is $274 per night. Add to this around $37 per day for meals and $39 per day for transport – the New York taxi is expensive and inescapable.

There are plenty of affordable things to do in the Big Apple, such as visiting Times Square, but some of the city’s most popular attractions cost money. General admission to the Met Museum is $25 for adults, it costs $38 to go up the Empire State Building, and a Broadway show will cost more than $100 per person.

Cairo

Cairo is an incredibly affordable city once you get there, and there are things to see that are essential to the history of humanity and just can’t be seen anywhere else! The Egyptian Pound, a coin featuring King Tut’s head, is worth around USD0.05 (₦22.29 CBN rate).

Travellers to Cairo should expect to spend around $35 on a daily basis. The average hotel room for a couple will cost $36 per night. You can eat well for around $10 a day and should only need to spend around $6.20 per day on transport locally.

But what about the sights? It will cost you around $10 to explore the interior of the Giza Pyramids and $8 to visit the Cairo Museum (and King Tut). Of course, this does not include Baksheesh, or local tips, which are payable to most of the people who help you.

Istanbul

Istanbul, the capital of Turkey, sits at a gateway where east meets west, making it one of the most exciting cities in the world. It has a long, complex, and layered history that will consume visitors. It is also a very affordable city for international tourists. One Turkish lira is currently worth USD0.06 (₦25.27 CBN rate).

Normal travellers should expect to spend around $50 per day while in the city. A hotel room for a couple in the city costs an average of $63 per night. You can eat well for just $13 per day, and local transport is highly affordable at only $3 per day.

There are modest fees payable to enter the most important historic sites. The Hagia Sophia has an entrance fee of around $6, and the Archaeological Museum costs just $1. There are also free sights, such as the Blue Mosque and the Cadir Pavilion.