Getting from point A to point B is only part of the equation now. In the face of the dollar's declining value worldwide against foreign currencies, there is a bit of sticker shock. To demonstrate where you can get the most bang for your buck, this monthly index compares the costs of common consumer goods around the globe. Conversions are calculated through www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi.
Beiruit, Lebanon (Source: U.S. Embassy of Lebanon; http://lebanon.usembassy.gov)
- Movie ticket: $4.97
- Bus/subway fares: 33¢
- Cost of regular coffee: $3.65
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Almaza, $2.31
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $30
- Room for two in moderate (3-star) hotel room: $59.94-$80
- Exchange rate: $1 = 1,508 Lebanon Pounds
Edinburgh, Scotland (Source: Scotland's National Tourism Board; www.visitscotland.com)
- Movie ticket: $10.10
- Bus fare: $3.36
- Cup of regular coffee: $3.21
- Pint of local beer in bar: Deuchar's IPA/Caledonian Brewery, $4.13
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $33.06
- Room for two in moderate (3-star) hotel: $128.56
- Exchange rate: $1 = 0.54 UK Pounds
Honolulu, Hawaii (Source: Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau; www.hvcb.org)
- Movie ticket: $8.50
- Bus/subway fare: $2
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.56
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Kona Brewing Company $4.08
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one iwhtout alcohol or tip: $35
- Room for two in moderate (3-star) hotel room: $160-$200.
- Exchange rate: $1 = $1
New Orleans, Louisiana (Source: New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau; www.neworleanscvb.com)
- Movie ticket: $7.50
- Bus/subway fare: $1.50
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.59
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Dixie $2.00
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one without alcohol or tip: $15-$25
- Room for two in moderate (3-star) hotel: $69-$179
- Exchange rate: $1 = $1
Quebec City, Quebec Province, Canada (Source: Quebec City and Area Tourism and Convention Bureau; www.quebecregion.com)
- Movie ticket: $9.62
- Bus/Subway fare: $1.76
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.05
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: L'Inox pint, $3.91
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one without alcohol or tip: $20.05
- Room for two in moderate (3-star) hotel: $111.52
- Exchange rate: $1 = $1.25 Canada dollars
Raratonga, Cook Islands (Source: Visitors and Convention Bureau; www.cook-islands.com)
- Movie ticket: $3.57
- Bus/subway fare: $2.14
- Cup of regular coffee: $2.14-$2.86
- Bottle of local beer in bar: Cooks Lager: $3.21
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $32.19
- Room for two in moderate (3-star) hotel: $127.36
- Exchange rate: $1 = $1.39 New Zealand dollars
Rio de Janiero, Brazil (Source: Rio Convention and Visitors Bureau; www.rioconventionbureau.com)
- Movie ticket: $6.14
- Bus/subway fare: 92¢
- Cup of regular coffee: 82¢
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Skol, 82¢
- Moderate, three-course dinner for two, without alcohol or tip: $15.56
- Room for two in moderate (3-star) hotel. $49.18-$57.38
- Exchange rate: $1 = $2.44 Brazil Reals
Tokyo, Japan (Source: U.S. Embassy of Japan; http://japan.usembassy.gov)
- Movie ticket: $16.85
- Bus/subway fare: Bus: $1.87; subway; $1.03-$1.59
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.68
- Bottle of local beer in bar: Tama no Megumi $5.43
- Moderate, three-course dinner for two, without alcohol or tip: $28.09-$56.18
- Room for two in moderate (3-star) hotel: $183.57-$280.98
- Exchange: $1 = 1.06 Japanese Yen
Valletta, Malta (Source: Malta Tourism Authority; www.visitmalta.com)
- Movie ticket: $6.74
- Bus/Subway fare: $1.14
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.29
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Cisk, $1.29
- Moderate, three-course dinner for two, without alcohol or tip: $16.92 Malta Lira
- Room for two in moderate (3-star) hotel: $86.07
- Exchange: $1 = .34 Malta Liri
