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.
Alexandria, Egypt (Source: Egypt Ministry of Tourism; www.egypt.travel/index.php)
- Movie ticket: $3.51
- Bus/subway fare: 35¢
- Cup of regular coffee: 87¢
- Pint of local beer in a bar: Stella Artois, $2.63
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $87.77
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $21.06
- $1=5.69 Egypt Pounds
Bergen, Norway (Source: Bergen Tourist Board; www.visitbergen.com)
- Movie ticket: $13.98
- Bus/tram fare $3.45
- Cup of regular coffee: $3.28-$4.93
- Half-liter of local beer in a bar: Hansa, $9.86
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $82.24
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $49.34
- $1=6.07 Norway Kroner
Dover, Delaware (Source: Visit Delaware; www.visitdelaware.com)
- Movie ticket: $7.50
- Bus fare: $1.15
- Cup of regular coffee: $1
- Pint of local beer in a bar: Dogfish, $4
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $79
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $25
Helena, Montana (Source: Visit Montana; www.visitmt.com)
- Movie ticket: $7.50
- Trolley fare: 50¢
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.25
- Pint of local beer in a bar: Blackfoot River Brewing Company, $3.50
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $39.95-$69.95
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $26.15
Launceston, Tasmania (Source: Tourism Tasmania; www.discovertasmania.com)
- Movie ticket: $11.71
- Bus fare: $3.87
- Cup of regular coffee: $2.42
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Boags, $4.44
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $96.97
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $29.09
- $1=$1.23 Australia dollar
Montego Bay, Jamaica (Source: Jamaica Tourist Board; www.visitjamaica.com)
- Movie ticket: $6.17
- Bus fare: 88¢
- Cup of regular coffee: 88¢
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Red Stripe, $1.17
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $115-$155
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $20
- $1= $68 Jamaica dollars
Nuuk, Greenland (Source: Nuuk Tourism; www.visitnuuk.com)
- Movie ticket: $10.73
- Bus fare: $2.32
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.78
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Det Sorte Far, $5.36
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $223.70
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $42.95--$78.74
- $1=5.58 Denmark Kroner
Prince Rupert, British Colombia (Source: Tourism Price Rupert; www.tourismprincerupert.com)
- Movie ticket: $6.90
- Bus fare: $1.07
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.29-$1.72
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Kokanee, $3.45
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $85.49-$94.11
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $43.17-$51.80
- $1= $1.15 CAD
Salzburg, Austria (Source: Austria Tourist Office; www.austriatourism.com)
- Movie ticket: $9.32
- Bus fare: $2.13-$2.39
- Cup of regular coffee: $3.33-$3.99
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Stiegl, $3.99
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $106.62-$133.28
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $35.98-$38.65
- $1= .75 €
Paramaribo, Suriname (Source: Suriname Tourism Foundation; www.suriname-tourism.org)
- Movie ticket: N/A
- Bus/subway fare: $1.27
- Cup of regular coffee: $2.91
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Parbo, $1.45-$1.82
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $40-$80
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $7.10
- $1= $2.74 Suriname Dollars
Where have you found bargains? Talk with fellow travelers on our Message Boards.