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 can be a bit of sticker shock while traveling. 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 using www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi.
For this index, we're looking at the price of common consumer items in popular summertime destinations -- from the Jersey shore to rural Montana, to big cities in the U.S., Europe, Northern Africa, and even the Southern Hemisphere (if you're looking to dodge summer altogether).
Auckland, New Zealand (Source: Tourism New Zealand; www.newzealand.com)
- Movie ticket: $11
- Bus fare: $1.17-$1.83
- Cup of coffee: $2.56
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Speight's, $4.40
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $95.37
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $27.89
- $1=$1.36 New Zealand Dollars
Cairo, Egypt (Source: Egyptian Tourist Authority; www.egypt.travel)
- Movie ticket: $3.51
- Subway fare: 17¢
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.22
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Stella, $3.51
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $57.92
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $8.77-$35.10
- $1=5.69 Egypt pounds
Cape May, New Jersey (Source: Cape May Chamber of Commerce; www.capemaychamber.com)
- Movie ticket: $8
- Bus fare: Varies; $4.50 from Atlantic City
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.25
- Pint of local beer in a bar: Flying Fish, $5
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $90-$210
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $28-$41.50
Chicago, Illinois (Source: Chicago Office of Tourism; www.cityofchicago.org/tourism)
- Movie ticket: $9-$10
- Bus/subway fare: $2
- Regular cup of coffee: $1.50
- Pint of local beer in a bar: Goose Island, $4-$5
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $169
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $40
Gardiner, MT (Source: Tourism Montana, www.visitmt.com)
- Movie theater: N/A
- Bus/subway fare: N/A
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.50
- Pint of local beer in a bar: Moose Drool, $4
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $105
- Moderate, three course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $26.50-$30.85
Paris, France: (Source: French Government Tourist Office; www.franceguide.com/us)
- Movie theater: $11.43
- Bus/subway fare: $1.43
- Cup of regular coffee: $2.95
- Un demi (approx 8.5 oz) of popular beer in a bar: Kronenbourg 1664, $4.70;
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $201
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $33.61
- $1= .74 €
Puntarenas, Costa Rica: (Source: Costa Rican Tourism Board; www.visitcostarica.com)
- Movie ticket: $3.85
- Bus fare: 28¢-57¢
- Cup of regular coffee: 57¢-96¢
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Bavaria, 96¢-$1.74
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $70
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $13.49
- $1=518.735 Costa Rican Colones
Rome, Italy (Source: Italian Government Tourist Board; www.italiantourism.com)
- Movie ticket: $8.06
- Bus/subway fare: 1.34
- Cup of espresso: $1.07
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Brand name not provided, $5.37
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: Information not provided
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: Information not provided
- $1= .74 €
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