Getting from point A to point B is only part of the equation now. In the face of fluctuating foreign currencies, there can be both sticker shock and pleasant surprise 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.
Austin, Texas (Source: Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau; www.austintexas.org)
- Movie ticket: $8.50
- Bus fare: .75¢
- Cup of regular coffee: $2
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Live Oak Brewing Company, $4.50
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $200
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $30
Caye Caulker, Belize (Source: Belize Tourism Board; www.travelbelize.org)
- Movie ticket: N/A
- Bus/subway fare: N/A; boat fare $10.25
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.02
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Belikin Beer, $2.05
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $76.92
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $28.20
- $1= $1.95 Belize dollars
Dover, Delaware (Source: Dover Convention and Visitors Bureau; www.visitdover.com)
- Movie ticket: $9.75
- Bus fare: $2
- Cup of regular coffee: $2
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Fordham, $4
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $109-$139
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $21-$30
Kandy, Sri Lanka (Source: Sri Lanka Tourism; www.srilanka.travel)
- Movie ticket: $2.17
- Bus/subway fare: 8¢
- Cup of regular coffee: 17¢
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Lion Beer, 87¢
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $30
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $17.40
- $1= 114.92 Sri Lanka Rupees
Lagos, Portugal (Source: Portuguese National Tourist Office; www.visitportugal.com)
- Movie ticket: $8.06
- Bus/subway fare: $1.41
- Cup of regular coffee: $1
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Sagres, $2.12
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $21.21
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $14.14
- $1=€.70
Napier, New Zealand (Source: Tourism New Zealand; www.newzealand.com)
- Movie ticket: $9.58
- Bus/subway fare: $3
- Cup of regular coffee: $2.40
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Mates, $3.19
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $95.93
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $35.17
- $1= NZ$1.56
Reading, England (Source: Visit Britain; www.visitbritain.com)
- Movie ticket: $12.11
- Bus/subway fare: $2.80
- Cup of regular coffee: $3.13
- Pint of local beer in a bar: Newcastle, $4.94-$6.59
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $230.76
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $52.75
- $1=£.60
St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador (Source: Department of Tourism, Newfoundland & Labrador; www.newfoundlandlabrador.com)
- Movie ticket: $9.56
- Bus fare: $1.74
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.12
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Dominion Ale, $3.26
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $129.64
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $20.19-$26.10
- C$1= $1.14
Tel Aviv, Israel (Source: Israel Ministry of Tourism; www.goisrael.com)
- Movie ticket: $9.06-$10.36
- Bus fare: $1.42
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.29-$6.47
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Nesher Beer, $2.07-$3.62
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $100-$200
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $15.54-$31.08
- $1= 3.85 Israel New Shekels
